Sermons on Contemplate:

How Much Must We Do? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 30, 2016

It’s ironic that when dealing with these positive commandments, we don’t ever come to a point when we can say, “I have fulfilled them.”

Thursday before Epiphany 2017 Joy of the Gospel St. John teaches us today in both Epistle and Gospel: “By this we know love, that [Jesus] laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But if any one has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-21

Denomination: Catholic

The Love Of The Trinity Shown In The Compassion Of Christ Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 4, 2020

In our lives, love takes form as self-giving. In this, we imitate Our Lord, who humbled Himself and gave Himself for our salvation.

Tuesday after the Epiphany 2020 In these four short verses penned two thousand years ago by St. John, there are nine repetitions of some form of the noun or verb “to love.” What is love? St. Thomas Aquinas tells us that Love is the proper name of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Logos, the Son who is ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-10, Mark 6:34-44, Matthew 9:36-38

Denomination: Catholic

The Lure Of "Spiritual Worldliness" Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 11, 2015

Although the Christian life brings conflict, we cannot flee from a personal and committed relationship with God which still commits us to serving others.

Thursday of 2nd Week of Easter 2015 Joy of the Gospel If you have ever wondered why the Season of Easter is the longest one in the liturgical year, consider this: after the Resurrection of our Lord, we are living in an Easter season that will last until the Lord comes again! All our lives are a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:27-33

Denomination: Catholic

Fulfilling Our Commitments As Evangelization Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 14, 2016

Doing what we should do can bring us joy, but we must still do it even if it leaves us dry.

Thursday in Pentecost Week 2016 Joy of the Gospel There are still some pundits and preachers out in the hinterland who insist that Jesus was just a great man, a great philosopher of love, that fire and brimstone have no place in religion, and that everyone goes to heaven. I suppose they ripped ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:41-50

Denomination: Catholic

Getting A Faith Check-Up

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 22, 2022

Paul’s final warning to the Corinthians. If they do not turn from their sins, no one will be spared Christ’s punishment.

Paul’s final warning to the Corinthians is found in 2 Corinthians 13:1-10. Before he comes to see them, he tells them that they need to repent of their sins. If they do not turn from their sins, no one will be spared Christ’s punishment. When Paul carries out Christ’s potent discipline among them, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Greatness Of His Works

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 15, 2020

The LORD is High for evermore. Psalm 92 verse 8.

THE GREATNESS OF HIS WORKS. Psalm 92:1-15. This Psalm takes up a common Bible theme: the dichotomy between the “righteous” (Psalm 92:12) and the “wicked” (Psalm 92:7). However, first and foremost, taken as a whole, it is about the LORD. The LORD is mentioned seven times in this ‘Psalm or ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 92:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Knowing And Following God's Will Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 3, 2023

Jesus Grew in Wisdom and Knowledge, and how did that happen?

Saturday of 2nd Week of Christmas 2023 Many of us, when we lay out our plans for the day or week or year, like New Year’s resolutions, add the tag line, “God willing.” That may be an ancient holdover from paganism, whereby a petitioner at a shrine would make his sacrifice or offering and then say ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14-21, 1 Timothy 2:4, John 2:1-11, Matthew 18:15-17

Denomination: Catholic

A Needed Transformation

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jan 14, 2023

A vision and goal for 2023. It all begins with an inside work through the type of heart Christians are to possess. It's all about a transformation. A small sermonette to go along with "A Christian's Heart - Introduction."

A Needed Transformation Over this past generation our country has gone through wholesale changes in what we stand for and believe in. There are things happening today that weren’t even contemplated a couple of generations ago. In 1965, after reading Billy Graham’s manuscript entitled, “World ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14, 1 Samuel 17:55

Denomination: Foursquare

Infinite Love For Infinite Sadness Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 10, 2017

To enjoy infinite love curing our infinite sadness, we need to live by the moral code Jesus taught, the code of loving even our enemies.

Thursday of 2nd Week in Course 2017 Joy of the Gospel “Our infinite sadness can only be cured by an infinite love.” Those words of Pope Francis ended our reflection last Thursday on the encyclical Joy of the Gospel. Now God’s love is unconditional. He loves even jerks, even sinners like me and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20-26

Denomination: Catholic

We Are A People Of God Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 16, 2017

"To be evangelizers of souls, we need to develop a spiritual taste for being close to people’s lives."

Thursday of 4th Week in Course 2017 Joy of the Gospel This is a solemnity, one of the three or four greatest saints festivals of the year, and it comes on the heels every year of the solemnities of Corpus Christi and the Sacred Heart, and the birth of St. John the Baptist. Today we hear from St. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Catholic

Victorious Faith

Contributed by Dr. Nichol Burris on Dec 10, 2023

May our lives be a testament to the transformative power of reflective faith, bringing glory to the One who overcame the world on our behalf.

Victorious Faith Introduction: Good morning/afternoon/evening, Beloved of the Most High. Today, I want to talk about the transformative power of faith – not just any faith, but a faith that is reflective and victorious. Our scripture today is found in 1 John 5:4; the Word of the Lord says: ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:4, Matthew 14:30, John 16:33

Holy Innocents And Child Protection Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 15, 2023

The Feast of the Holy Innocents has gained additional significance in today's culture as a day to consider the safety and welfare of children.

Holy Innocents and Child Protection Christianity's Feast of the Holy Innocents, which is celebrated on December 28, has a rich religious and historical tradition. On this day, people celebrate the biblical story of King Herod's brutal order to kill newborn Jesus in order to get rid of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5, 1 John 2:2, Matthew 2:13-18

Denomination: Other

Preparing The Way: The Dawn Of God's Tender Mercy Luke 1:76-78 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 2, 2024

Luke 1:76-78 is a prophecy given by Zechariah about his son, John the Baptist. This passage is rich with promises and truths that can transform our lives.

Preparing the Way: The Dawn of God's Tender Mercy Luke 1:76-78 Luke 1:76-78 (NLT): “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:76-78, Isaiah 40:3, Acts 13:38, Lamentations 3:22-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Oak Tree Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 22, 2024

The second in the Lenten series. This week's focus is on the promises of God

February 21, 2024 Hope Lutheran Church Series: If Trees Could Talk" Genesis 13:14-18; Isaiah 61:1-3 The Oak Tree Good evening, friendly humans. I was very honored when your pastor contacted me and asked if I would be a guest presenter during your Lenten midweek services. Thank you for ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:14-18, Isaiah 61:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

What Do You Hunger And Thirst For? Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Oct 3, 2024

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of hunger and thirst but threw in an unexpected twist:

October 05, 2024 What images come to your mind when you hear the 2 words hunger and thirst? Are they pleasant images? Probably not. • Hunger, by definition, is a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat. • Thirst, by definition, is a feeling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6, Psalm 42:1-2, Matthew 13:43-46, Luke 18:18-23

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist