Sermons on Columbia Tower:

El Roi: Making Sense Of God Seeing Us

Contributed by Jessica Linde on Jul 21, 2025

By looking at the story of Hagar and how she gives God the name El Roi ("God who sees"), this sermon’s ultimate goal is to highlight that God being able to see us is not an indication of Him wanting to surveil us; rather, it's an indication of His boundless compassion and mercy on us.

Who here has ever read George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984? Or maybe seen the movie version of it with John Hurt…? Right, so for those of you who may not know (or need a refresher), Orwell published his work 1984 in the year 1949, and it’s really a speculation (perhaps a warning) of what the year ...read more

What The Stones Are Saying

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 7, 2019

An examination of the importance of memorials conducted through studying the memorials Joshua erected at Gilgal.

“Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, ‘Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Apr 1, 2002

Its not just about what we believe. Its about how we treat one another. And its not just about how we treat one another. Its also about how we engage with people outside the faith.

Bibliography: Finding Christ, Finding Life: Reconciliation In 1967 Columbia Pictures released a movie called “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?” Set in the 1960’s, this comedy tells of a dinner party given by a bride’s parents to meet her fiance‚ and his parents. The comfortable middle class ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, 2 Corinthians 5:6-17

Denomination: Methodist

How Did All This Happen?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 26, 2001

For the Festival of Christ the King, and in celebration of a round of studying Blackaby’s "Experiencing God". God empowers His church by cutting away barriers, supplying resources, and giving His own presence.

This morning I invite you to a football game. Thanksgiving Day wasn’t enough! I see the men grinning and I hear the women groaning. What, football, again, even at church? But imagine this morning a very peculiar football game. On one side you have our Redskins. The Redskins of the last ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Wwjd

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on Sep 26, 2002

What Would Jesus Do - denying oneself and taking up the cross by placing the spiritual and basic needs of others over your own

Like most you, I was raised in a Christian home. My parents took me to church on Sundays and most Wednesday nights. I participated in Vacation Bible School, church choir and youth activities. I was baptized when I was twelve. I do not remember my baptism. I guess I must of felt something ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Denomination: United Methodist

America In Crisis

Contributed by Rick Kallstrom on Jan 26, 2003

Today, in America, people of all walks of life have strayed from the very foundation upon which our country was built. The seeds or corruption have grown and flourished and as a country, we are reaping what we have sown.

AMERICA IN CRISIS The people of Iraq live today under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein. Iraq is a country where women have no rights, where men are persecuted and tortured if they dare make any anti-government remarks, and where all people live in constant fear. Until recently in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Providence"

Contributed by Quintin Morrow on Feb 19, 2003

A message on the comfort of God’s providence.

The Rev’d Quintin Morrow St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Fort Worth, Texas www.st-andrew.com February 9, 2003 The Text: Ruth 1:1-17 The Definition of Providence: “Providence is the continuous activity of God in His creation by which He guides and governs it for His people’s good and His own ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-17

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Right Time To Do Right Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Nov 18, 2002

Social action -- sticking up for your weaker brother/neighbor is always right in God’s eyes.

November 17, 2002 1About this time some of the men and their wives raised a cry of protest against their fellow Jews. 2They were saying, ¡§We have such large families. We need more money just so we can buy the food we need to survive.¡¨ 3Others said, ¡§We have mortgaged our fields, vineyards, and ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:1-19

Denomination: United Methodist

Keeping The Standard Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Apr 7, 2003

We must have the courage to expect righteousness.

KEEPING THE STANDARD Nehemiah 13:1-31 S: Courage Th: Brave Hearts Pr: WE MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO EXPECT RIGHTEOUSNESS. ?: What? What should we be expecting and what should we be watching out for? KW: Compromises TS: We will find in our study of Nehemiah 13:1-31 four compromises that get in ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 13:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Committed To Doing Something

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 22, 2006

1- Committed to preaching 2- Committed to serving 3- Committed to teaching

INTRO.- ILL.- The preacher stood in his pulpit and said, “It’s a fact that you are sitting here, but it’s a matter of faith that makes me believe any of you are listening.” I think I know what that preacher is talking about. If I didn’t use some humor in order to make you laugh I wouldn’t know if ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Unknown Quality Of Love Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 13, 2006

Believe it or not, love is hard for the world to define. Even psychology and psychiatry have difficulty explaining it. But God doesn’t. Why is that so?

OPEN: A visiting Revivalist was impressed by an older couple in the church where he was holding Revival. The wife seemed to be half-turned toward her husband holding both his hands in hers. Every time he looked toward them he was impressed by the fact they were holding hands. After the service ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Big Jackpot

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Mar 6, 2006

People are looking for the big jackpot in life when in reality, there is only one real jackpot.

INTRO.- The big jackpot. What does that sound like? You guessed it. ILL.- $365 Million Powerball Jackpot Beckoned, Saturday, February 18, 2006. The chances of winning the jackpot by matching all six numbers were 1 in 146 million. Powerball is played in 28 states plus the District of Columbia ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Safe At Home Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 18, 2004

Interactive message. What do we do about the family? Respect our children; parent with sacrificial love; and give children priority of emphasis in the church’s outreach.

There are times when all of us need to participate, times when no single person can speak all the truths or do all the work. There are times when a community of people must come together, think together, pray together, speak together. This is such a time. The state of family life in our nation is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Homosexuality Series

Contributed by Don Jaques on Feb 11, 2004

The Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin from which there is hope of freedom in Jesus Christ.

Clarity or Confusion? 4. Homosexuality Feb. 14/15, 2004 Don Jaques MAIN IDEA: Homosexual behavior is a sin. Homosexual desires are temptations that can be defeated through the work of the Holy Spirit. POINTS: Intro: JOKE:After she woke up, a woman told her husband, "I just dreamed that you gave ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Romans 1:19-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Turns Away Temptation

Contributed by Jeffrey Samelson on Mar 2, 2004

A look at the devil’s temptation of Christ and what it gives us for dealing with temptation in our own lives.

February 29, 2004 — First Sunday in Lent Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MD Pastor Jeff Samelson Luke 4:1-13 Jesus TURNS Away Temptation Trust Use God’s Word Recognize Temptation Never Surrender (note: An outline for the congregation should be printed in the bulletin, put on screen, etc., with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran