Sermons on Connected Ideas:

Ash Wednesday

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Mar 9, 2019

Lent starts with Ash Wednesday. The idea of observing lent is to come very closer to Lord Jesus Christ. Not what you don't eat will not matter but what you leave matters.

Ash Wednesday Follow Me - John 1:43-51 Purpose Lent is a period of fasting and abstinence from meat and repentance contemplating one’s transgressions. The first council of Nicaea in AD 325 brought this tradition. On Ash Wednesday the Ashes made out of the Palm leaves taken in the previous year ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: Methodist

The God Of The Unexpected (Part 5 Exodus) Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on May 12, 2018

At the Red Sea the Israelites are caught between the Red Sea and the Army. They have no Idea that God is about to do the unexpected. What challenges in your life call for you to look to an Unexpected action by God

Exodus 14:10-22 10 As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Absolute God

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jul 27, 2016

Many in this world do not believe in any idea that is absolute. Jesus was NOT one of those. Jesus declared the Gospel in absolute terms with no "wiggle room" built in. Thank you, Jesus, for such a glorious gift!

John 14:1-14 As we look up this Scripture we are (hopefully) remembering some of the sermon from last week when we saw that: Jesus lived His life with the Father ever before His face And that we have a natural inclination to take our eyes off of Jesus and look at the things of this world which ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-14

Denomination: Nazarene

Worship God Selflessly Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 12, 2015

The biblical idea of corporate worship is not so much focused on what you get out of the experience. It deals more with what you give. Did you offer God the very essence of yourself?

Series: Victorious! “Worship God Selflessly” Revelation 4 and 5 Open Welcome to everyone here today. I’m glad that you’ve joined us today. We’re in a message series through the book of Revelation titled Victorious! We’re approaching this book of the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Your Theology Bumps Into The Facts Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 16, 2021

A lengthy story about a man born blind provides a clear picture of what happens when your theology bumps into inconvenient facts. Will you reach for God or cling to your predetermined ideas?

SEEING THE LIGHT: The man was blind but saw by believing and obeying Jesus. - John 9:1-7. a. We’ll get more into the confusion in a moment, but the disciples echo the prevailing theology of the time and presume that someone must have sinned for him to be blind. - vv. 1-2. - It was a theology ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Baptist

What Must I Do To Be Saved? Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

In answer to the question: There seem to be a lot of different ideas about how a person can be sure to be allowed into Heaven. I have a lot of family members who tried different approaches. Are they in Heaven or not?

Question to be asked: There seem to be a lot of different ideas about how a person can be sure to be allowed into Heaven. I have a lot of family members who tried different approaches. Are they in Heaven or not? Intro: I’m going to guess that the main reason for this question is that someone ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Conversation Of Hope Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jul 29, 2020

Much had changed since Naomi and Ruth returned from Moab. Neither woman had any idea what the Lord had in store for their future and how their lives were about to change.

A Conversation of Hope Ruth 2: 19-23 As I studied this wonderful passage, I was reminded of the change that has taken place in such a short time. In the beginning verses, Naomi and Ruth had returned from Moab with little hope or confidence in the future. Little did they know that God was ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Grumblers And The Scandal Of Grace

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Sep 19, 2020

In this text Jesus tells the parable (Laborers in the Vineyard) in which Jesus is saying to his critics: “Your idea of God is all wrong, this is what God is like: The kingdom of God is like a “good employer.”

In Jesus Holy Name September 20, 2020 Text: Matthew 20:1-2,15 Redeemer Grumblers & The Scandal of Grace John Reuman in his book “Jesus in the Church’s Gospel’s” writes; “Jesus….stressed the “grace of God”. Mercy, goodness and love for sinful humanity is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-2, Matthew 20:13-15

Denomination: Lutheran

And Now, The Weather Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Jun 22, 2020

The Big Idea: We don’t always like the warnings Scripture gives us. In the parable of the wicked tenants, Jesus warns the religious leaders of of the consequences of not bearing the fruit God is looking for.

Since we’ve titled this series “Good News,” a lot of the sermon titles have related to the news—“The most trusted name in News,” “A Slow News Day,” “The Rest of the Story—” stuff like that. So that’s where this title comes from, and I’ll talk more about this later. An interesting thing about ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-12, Mark 12:26-34, Isaiah 5:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Father Who Wouldn't Stop Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 16, 2018

Over a 100 times in the Gospels Jesus spoke of our God as a Father. What does this idea of God being our Father mean to us, and what difference would that make for our lives?

OPENING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r7AJ8-coTk (time stamp: 0.0 to 2:42) In this sermon series we’ve been using the popular TV series “This Is Us” as the foundation of the sermons we’re preaching this month. Beginning its 3rd season, “This Is Us” has been nominated for 7 Emmys and has won ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:8-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Going Home

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 19, 2018

Jesus promise to prepare us room in his Father's house. There is more to that promise than the idea of our souls going to heaven to be with God. What did Jesus try to tell his disciples?

[Sermon preached on 22 April 2018, 3rd Sunday after Easter / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] Last week Saturday I conducted a funeral. It was a bright sunny day. Mostly, when I attend a funeral the weather is gloomy, windy and cold. But over the years, I have also attended funerals of some very special ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Serve The Lord With Gladness Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Mar 4, 2009

Third sermon in a 6 sermon series entitled "I’m in!" dealing with what it means to be an active member of a local congregation. Ideas borrowed from Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Ky.

Serve the Lord with Gladness! Romans 12:1-8 CHCC: January 18, 2009 INTRODUCTION: We’re starting out the New Year with a sermon series called “I’m In!” Ronnie Morgan preached the first 2 sermons about being IN for weekly Worship and Bible Study. It makes sense that being IN means being ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is The Church? Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Dec 25, 2022

When you read the word church in your English Bible it is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia. The literal meaning is those who are called out. The general use in Greek was to express the idea of an assembly.

You are most likely familiar with the children’s hand motion and rhyme to learn about church. Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the door and see all the people. Well, when we really understand church we say, here is the building and here is the steeple, open the door and see the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:20

Denomination: Baptist

Growing Pains Series

Contributed by Scott Jewell on Oct 16, 2016

The good news and the bad news is that growth brings people and new people bring different ideas. What do we do in times of conflict? Check out these thoughts from the church in Jerusalem.

Growing pains- they can be a good thing. There’s a saying that goes, “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.” Growing pains can also be bad- after all, they’re a pain. It hurts. As a child growing to maturity, there are a number of times you go through ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Work Six Rest One! (Labor Day)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 6, 2022

We all have different ideas about what would be the ideal life, and we all strive to acquire it. We will never have the ideal life until we get to heaven.

Some say that heaven will not be heaven for some people. Illus: That reminds me of the story one of the fellows in church told me. He told me that Bill, Ron, and Jack all died and went to heaven. When they got there, they discovered the most beautiful golf course they had ever seen. St. Peter ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:15-20

Denomination: Baptist