Sermons on Chris Simpson:

Stephen--Full Life, Good Death

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 17, 2005

Stephen is an example of living and dying (1) without fear, (2) without bitterness, (3) focused on Christ, (4)immersed in scripture.

They say that two things are inevitable: death and taxes. The task of an accountant is to minimize the taxes people pay. I read somewhere that the task of a pastor is to prepare people for a good death. Of course, this statement might be overly simplistic theologically. It might be overly ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Perfect Priest, Perfect Sacrifice

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 17, 2005

An explanation of the sin offering described in Leviticus 4 & 5 and how this relates to the role of Christ as the perfect priest and the perfect sacrifice.

In Romans 7:23, the Apostle Paul writes, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That’s the take-home message of this sermon. If you have to leave early, or if talking about blood makes you squeamish, or if the Levitical details of the ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 22:1-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

From Fear To Courage To Perseverance

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 19, 2005

Falling deeper in love with Jesus (from knowledge about him, to conviction that he lives, to identification with his suffering) moves us from fear to courage to perseverance.

This passage in Acts 5 describes the third time that the apostles risked arrest because of their association with Jesus. The first time that the apostles stood and faced arrest, they didn’t… That is, they didn’t stand, they turned and ran. And they didn’t face their opponents, they scattered ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Five Short Stories Of Grace

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 19, 2005

Five stories from Old Testament that demonstrate God’s graciousness. (Grace is not just a New Testament concept.)

In the second century, a hundred years or so after the death of Jesus and the birth of the church, lived a man named Marcion. Marcion was a Christian. Well, not exactly. Marcion called himself a Christian, but he had his own perspective about what that meant, a perspective shared by his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

To Each One Grace Has Been Given

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 19, 2005

If Christ brought you to this congregation, then Christ has given you a special grace to serve in a way that is needed within this congregation.

Early on in my seminary career, I was asked by a committee charged with my nurture as a fledgling pastor-wannabe about my role models for ministry. “Who,” the committee asked, “did I consider to be an example to follow?” “Who was my role model for ministry?” I guess it was a reasonable question, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Magi's Guide To Following A Star

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 19, 2005

God just might give you a star to capture your attention and to guide you. And if you follow that star, everything just might change. An intimate encounter with Jesus has a way of doing that to people.

I love the story of the magi. There was a time when the magi lived far away from Jesus. They were given a special star to capture their attention and to guide them. They followed the star, and it changed everything. An intimate encounter with Jesus has a way of doing that to people. I love the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Giving Thanks

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 20, 2005

Giving thanks loosens the grip of our anxious clenched fists, so that we might let go of ourselves and receive the fullness of God’s Spirit. Five steps toward learning to give thanks.

A few miles south of downtown Atlanta, away from the tall, shiny, steel and glass buildings, a street corner is occupied by a short, unassuming, old building made of brick and stone. It’s a church building. When I lived in Atlanta, early every weekday morning a line formed outside this building—a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The New Nature Series

Contributed by Chris Sparkman on Nov 21, 2005

God is doing a new thing! It begins with the New Birth and continues through to providing us with a New Nature!

GOD IS DOING A NEW THING: The New Nature 2 Peter 1:3-11 God is indeed doing a new thing! A. It all begins with the new birth 1. It all begins when we enter into a personal relationship with Jesus 2. A relationship that begins by faith 3. A relationship that has healed our wounds of sin ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

Narnia: Through The Wardrobe Into Winter Series

Contributed by Chris Powell on Nov 29, 2005

This sermon was written for the first Sunday of Advent, and focuses around the first encounter of Lucy in the land of Narnia.

Through the Wardrobe into Winter Isaiah 9.1-3 I. Introduction I would like for everyone to place there imagination hats on with me this morning as we journey into an enchanted land known as Narnia. We need to recapture a sense of wonder and each of us needs to find our inner child. I need ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Narnia: Where It's Winter But Never Christmas Series

Contributed by Chris Hill on Dec 1, 2005

Introductory sermon for an Advent Series using The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Uses the winter of Narnia as a comparison to the world into which Christ comes.

Where it’s Winter But Never Christmas Advent Part 1 Intro. The title is a quote from C S Lewis’ book “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.” part of a seven volume series called The Chronicles of Narnia. C S Lewis was a professor at Oxford University who was an atheist. But due to the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:19-20

Denomination: Methodist

Narnia: Who Is Alsan? Series

Contributed by Chris Powell on Dec 6, 2005

This focuses on the confession of Aslan in the chronicles of Narnia, and the confession of Christ by Peter in the book of Luke.

Who Is Aslan? Luke 9.18-20, 23 I. Introduction [begin with a dramatic reading of excerpt from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Chapter 7, “A Day With the Beavers”.] “Who is Aslan?” asked Susan. “Aslan?” said Mr. Beaver. “Why don’t you know? He’s the King. He is the Lord of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Narnia: Do You Hear What I Hear Series

Contributed by Chris Hill on Dec 6, 2005

Using Narnia and those involved in the birth narratives calls the hearers to idenitfy how they respond to Jesus.

Where It’s Winter But Never Christmas: Do You Hear What I Hear Advent Series 2005 Matthew 1:18-21 (NLT) Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. [19] Joseph, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-21

Denomination: Methodist

Maranatha

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 11, 2005

This passage from Isaiah 64 gives us words to express our longing for God to come down and make the world right (and make us right).

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. It’s the first Sunday of a new church year. Advent, as was said in the Lighting of the Candles, means coming. Advent signals the coming of Christmas. (Only 28 more shopping days left!) But even more so, Advent signals the coming of Christ. The season of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Highway Construction

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 11, 2005

Repentance is about preparing the way for our Lord, for the King. This Advent sermon uses the metaphor of road work to explore repenting of sin and unforgiveness.

Today is the second Sunday of Advent. Traditionally, the second Sunday of Advent belongs to John the Baptizer…the one whose job it was to announce the imminent coming of the Christ. In all four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—the ministry of John the Baptizer prepares the way for the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Second Person Of The Trinity

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 12, 2005

What does it mean to say that Jesus is the Second Person of the Trinity? What are some of the errors of understanding that have sometimes confused or deceived people?

In the midst of his earthly ministry, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Jesus then asked them, “What about you? Who do you say that I am?” The gospels ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed