Sermons on Cleansing Rituals:

Another Day, Another Millennium

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 4, 2003

If the Lord were to ask what we have done with the last millennium, we would have to report that we never learned peace instead of war or love instead of hate. Our agenda for the new millennium needs to be justice, peace, and mission.

Here it comes again, the end of another year! How soon it gets here after Christmas! Isn’t it astonishing? Don’t you wish they could throw in another week or two before the end of the year? We need to get over the rush of Christmas before we have to face the year’s end? I know the Post Office ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-12, 1 Peter 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Guard Your Heart

Contributed by Peter Langerman on May 6, 2003

Guard your heart, for from it come the issues of life

Proverbs 4:20-27 20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Can The World Take Me Away? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 12, 2003

So much in our lives seems temporary; but God can give us a fresh start, can transform our incompleteness, and can give us hope.

Somebody asked me, when I was getting ready to take study leave, “Why are you doing this? Are you going for another degree? Are you preparing to take another job? And did the deacons make you do this?” Well, I said, I’m taking the study leave because I don’t get much reading time under normal ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Struggling For Strangers

Contributed by Chris Talton on May 13, 2003

Paul warned the Colossians about the danger that they were in of being led astray to false doctrines. That warning is valid for today.

May 4, 2003 Colossians 2:1-5 “Struggling for strangers” INTRODUCTION A little boy was lost inside a busy shopping mall. He was standing in the aisle of a department store just crying and crying, "I want my mommy.. I want my mommy." People who passed by felt sorry for him and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Consequences Or Freedom Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 15, 2003

Jesus gave Barabbas the chance not just for a shortened sentence, but for a rebuilt life. When we break the law, we will face consequences; but our experiences can become the basis for redemption from what has happened to us.

Let’s play Jeopardy this morning. I’ll be Alex, you can be the contestants. The category is institutions. The answer is: The following people all spent time in this kind of institution: the prophet Jeremiah; Al Capone; the apostle Paul; Marion Barry; Bugsy Siegel; Nelson Mandela; John Dillinger; ...read more

Scripture: John 18:38-40

Denomination: Baptist

Salvation Comes From The Lamb Series

Contributed by Timm Meyer on May 15, 2003

EASTER 4(C) - Salvation come from the Lamb of God, our Good Shepherd, as He provides divine forgiveness and heavenly blessings.

SALVATION COMES FROM THE LAMB REVELATION 7:9—17 MAY 11, 2003 REVELATION 7:9-17 9After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Finding Secuirty And Significance Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 16, 2003

When marriages crumble, we often hear people say that they just must have been “wrong” for each other. More often than not, being right or wrong for someone depends not on some mysterious compatibility quotient, but on how willing and able we are to help

Finding Security and Significance There are a lot of jokes and one-liners about marriage. It’s probably because as beautiful as marriage is, as set forth in the song we just heard, it’s also extremely challenging and can be pretty ugly at times. It was George Burns who said, “I was married by a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Pentecost

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jun 6, 2003

on what the true power was behind Pentecost.

June 8, 2003 Psalm 51:10-15 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:10-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Building Up What Was Broken Down

Contributed by Chris Medina on Jun 11, 2003

The exiles who returned to Judah from captivity bgan the rebuilding process for the Temple. However it was their own hearts that needed restoring and it was God Himself who became the builder.

Ezra: Building Up What Was Broken Down” Ezra 3:1-13 Read Ezra 3:1-13 Last Monday morning, a young man named Sgt. Sean Peterson was in our home. Sgt. Peterson is a recruiter for the Army here in Merced and was telling Laurie and I about the arrangements for Kevina going up to Stockton to take the ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:1-13, Ezra 3:1-3, Ezra 3:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Holiness Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 12, 2003

Holiness is the gift of an identity, appearing to be too good to be true, but received by accepting forgiveness.

Today’s message is framed by incidents provided by two church members. I will not be naming the players, but they have given me both the beginning and the ending of this message on holiness. The beginning: a few days ago one of you told me that you came to worship each Sunday so that you could ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Waiting For God

Contributed by John Woodward on Jun 12, 2003

The disciples had to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit; what do we do when we are waiting for God to act in our lives?

 Sermon Waiting for God Gracious God: Grant that we might hear what you would have us hear, grant that we might see what you would have us see, and grant that we might do what you would have us do. Amen. I would like to focus this morning on those times when we must wait for God -- ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-14

Denomination: Congregational

The Last Psalm Explains What "Hallelujah" Is All About

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jun 12, 2003

worship is simply defined in Psalm 150 by describing who we worship, how we worship, and who can worship

June 15, 2003 Psalm 150 Name this tune. “You put your right arm in, you put your right arm out, you put your right arm in, and you shake it all about.” It’s called the “Hoke Poke”. When I went back to Wisconsin for my sister in law’s wedding - they did it. It’s a very popular song ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 150:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

School Supplies

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 17, 2003

Drama dialogue, written as if a conversation between Paul, a tribune, and a narrator, with "chorus" lines for the children of the congregation. Supplies we need for learning are a listening mind, a loving heart, and a desire to grow.

Narrator: I knew very little about the people of the Way, but I did know that everyone in Jerusalem was talking about one of their leaders. We were all most upset about Paul. You see, Paul – actually we knew his name as Saul – Paul had been such a mighty force in our community only a few short ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Wedding Feast

Contributed by James May on Jan 23, 2005

The Parable of the Ten Virgins foretells both the joy and sadness of the Wedding Feast at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

THE WEDDING FEAST by Pastor James May One of the most exciting and joyous events in life is the marriage of two people who have decided to come together as husband and wife and build a life together. Around the world, this is a time of celebration. Weddings can be as simple as standing before a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Being Salt & Light Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 23, 2005

Both salt and light: 1. Are necessary for survival. 2. Have the ability to purify. 3. Must make contact to have an effect.

I love grilling out on a beautiful summer day with the sun shining. My favorite thing is to grill steaks. I like to grill them till they are so tender you can pull them apart with a fork. Then I take roasting ears and dip them into water with the shuck still on; wrap them in foil and let the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Methodist