Sermons on Carl Menninger:

The Who Of Encouragement Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Dec 6, 2007

God cares in all types of situations. He is the God of encouragement. His nature is fully revealed in his Son, Jesus Christ, who also had a ministry of encouragement. And when Christ left the earth, he left his ministry of encouragement in the care of

The Who of Encouragement John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26 Intro Paul emphatically says in Romans 15:5, “God gives…encouragement.” First Peter 5:7 says, “He cares for you.” God cares in all types of situations. He is the God of encouragement. His nature is fully revealed in his Son, Jesus Christ, who ...read more

Scripture: John 14:16-26

Denomination: Baptist

What Is It Really About?

Contributed by Carl Benge on Aug 25, 2007

A sermon on what is really important in the family of God,

I remember in college, performing in the musical Godspell. In the opening scene we came out onto the stage as the great philosophers and theologians of the day. I was Martin Luther if memory serves me correct. As each person was brought into the light, we gave a little speech on our philosophy ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-19

Denomination: Methodist

Earn All You Can, Save All You Can, Give All You Can

Contributed by Carl Benge on Aug 25, 2007

A sermon on the stewardship found in discipleship and evangelism

“Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can”, this is the motto which John Wesley had lived by. Many of us have parents or grandparents who lived through the Great Depression, and grew up about saving up because you never know when you will need it. Author C.S. Lewis was known for only ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-31

Denomination: Methodist

Are You Ready?

Contributed by Carl Benge on Aug 25, 2007

A sermon on being ready to come face to face with God.

This summer I have performed two weddings, and a constant theme that ran through both for preparation was time. The closer the date became the more the couple, especially the brides, realized they had so much to do and little time to get it done. In the end both weddings went off without too ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:32-40

Denomination: Methodist

I Have Come To Bring Fire To The Earth

Contributed by Carl Benge on Aug 25, 2007

A sermon on Jesus’ statement about setting the World on Fire

I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!(Luke 12:49 NJB) What a powerful and frightening statement! For those gathered around Jesus it was a very disturbing. Why would it be disturbing? What do these words mean to you? What do you think of when Jesus talks ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Methodist

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