Sermons on Carl Menninger:

Does Grace Take A Break?

Contributed by Carl Benge on Aug 27, 2007

A sermon based on Jesus and the healing on the Sabbath.

In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus performs yet another miracle. However, the thing that causes the biggest stir among many is not the fact that he performed a miracle, but rather the day of the week on which he performed it. Jesus heals this woman on the Sabbath. Healing on the Sabbath? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Methodist

Helping One Another Series

Contributed by Carl Willis on Aug 29, 2007

Everyday we have the opportunity to give life or take life, simply by our willingness to lend a hand and shoulder the burdens of another.

Helping One Another Galatians 6:1-10 Galatians 6:1 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Off Course • ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Only Thing That Matters Series

Contributed by Carl Willis on Sep 5, 2007

The centrality of the cross. Our works, deeds and actions do not make us righteous. It is only in the cross of Christ that we can boast.

The Only Thing that Matters Galatians 6:11-18 Galatians 6:11-12 (NLT) Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting. [12] Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised are doing it for just one reason. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Does God Really Care? Series

Contributed by Carl Willis on Sep 11, 2007

Why doesn’t God answer? Why is there so much evil in the world? Why do the wicked get away with so much? These questions aren’t new. The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk poses these same questions to the Lord.

Does God Really Care? Habakkuk – Part I Habakkuk 1:1-11 Habakkuk 1:1- 4 (NLT) This is the message that the prophet Habakkuk received from the Lord in a vision. [2] How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! "Violence!" I cry, but you do not come to save. [3] Must I ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Worth The Wait

Contributed by Carl Benge on Sep 13, 2007

Patience and waiting on God’s recognition of us

How many of us remember as kids, the family Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner? Do you remember sitting at that card table with all your siblings and cousins? Now how many of you remember that dinner when you were finally old enough to sit with the grown ups? No longer were you one of the babies, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:10-14

Denomination: Methodist

Half Time Discipleship?

Contributed by Carl Benge on Sep 13, 2007

Explains how Discipleship is not a hobby or 1/2 time committment.

Reverend John Thomas the president of the United Church of Christ told of his 2002 experience in China in a sermon he gave in September 2004. “I met many pastors and church leaders who had suffered terribly during the years of the Cultural Revolution under Chairman Mao and his fanatical following ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Methodist

Let Us Rejoice

Contributed by Carl Benge on Sep 19, 2007

A sermon on welcoming back the sinner

The title of my sermon today is “Let us rejoice!” Even though it may be under somewhat different circumstances, rejoicing is a common theme throughout the 15th chapter of the Gospel according to Luke. In our gospel reading for today, we read of two different parables that Jesus is telling to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:4-10

Denomination: Methodist

Surely Not??? Series

Contributed by Carl Willis on Sep 25, 2007

God’s children do not get to choose His methods of correction. Habakkuk wrestled with the idea that God could use the wicked to correct His children.

Surely Not??? Habakkuk 1:12 – 2:1 Habakkuk 1:12 (NLT) O Lord my God, my Holy One, you who are eternal—is your plan in all of this to wipe us out? Surely not! O Lord our Rock, you have decreed the rise of these Babylonians to punish and correct us for our terrible sins. …But You’re Different ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Servant Can Serve Two Masters

Contributed by Carl Benge on Oct 1, 2007

In the end it comes down to what you think is most important to whom do you owe your loyalty - to God or yourself and your desires. As Jesus said; “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other,...

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."(Luke 16:13 NIV) How many of us have ever tried to work two jobs in order to make the ends meet? If you have, have you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13, Matthew 6:24

Denomination: Methodist

Fighting The Good Fight

Contributed by Carl Benge on Oct 1, 2007

A sermon on encouraging congregations about not allowing the little things get in the way of our mission in ministry, and give them a a new perspective into the true meaning of stewardship of ministry the Spreading of the Gospel and its living message.

At a recent Iowa Annual Conference I heard a Deputy Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society state, “If the homosexual issue was truly the dividing issue of the United Methodist Church, then our situation would be easily solved.” He went on to say that, the real issue affecting the UMC ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Denomination: Methodist

Getting Your Vision Series

Contributed by Carl Willis on Oct 2, 2007

Getting clear vision from the Lord takes preparation, clarification and above all else faith.

Getting Your Vision Habakkuk 2:1-2:5 Habakkuk 2:1 (HCSB) I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what He will say to me and what I should reply about my complaint. Prepare Yourself - Ask God to give you clarity - Position yourself to receive ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Pilgrimage Of Faith Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Mar 17, 2008

Every person who walks humbly with the Lord encounters various situations along the way. Micah 7:8-13 discloses some of the experiences in the pilgrimage. Not everything that happens to the godly is good. God’s people encounter both good and bad during

The Pilgrimage of Faith Micah 7:8-13 Intro John Bunyan wrote a classic when he penned Pilgrim’s Progress. The work is sound allegorical literature; it also contains many helpful insights about the Christian life. One of the contributions Bunyan make was to depict the Christian life as a ...read more

Scripture: Micah 7:8-13

Denomination: Baptist

Good News From The Graveyard

Contributed by Carl Allen on Mar 17, 2008

Good News from the Graveyard Matthew 28:6-7 Intro The message of Christianity is good news from a cemetery. Graveyards are always melancholy places because they are associated with grief, sadness, and separation from our loved ones. The cemetery i

Good News from the Graveyard Matthew 28:6-7 Intro The message of Christianity is good news from a cemetery. Graveyards are always melancholy places because they are associated with grief, sadness, and separation from our loved ones. The cemetery is the last place from which one would expect to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Tragedy Of Rejecting Salvation Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Mar 18, 2008

Hell is undoubtedly full of people who were never actively opposed to the gospel. Such people are in view in these four verses. They know the truth and even believe the truth, in the sense that they acknowledge its truthfulness, its rightness. They are

The Tragedy of Neglecting Salvation Hebrews 2:1-4 Intro Hell is undoubtedly full of people who were never actively opposed to the gospel. Such people are in view in these four verses. They know the truth and even believe the truth, in the sense that they acknowledge its truthfulness, its ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Where Are You Going

Contributed by Carl Allen on Mar 19, 2008

What is it that drives your day, day in and day out. Do you feel that you are merely walking around in circles or just passing yourself by. God has a specific vision for each of us. What is yours?

Where Are You Going? Proverbs 29:18 Intro How many of you know where you are going today? Really, do you know where you are going? I am not talking about for lunch or dinner here. I am talking about what drives your day; day in and day out. Some of you probably feel like you pass yourselves ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

Denomination: Baptist