Sermons on Contemplate:

Jesus’ Shrewd Side Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 4, 2016

Part of being Christ-like is knowing when and how to be shrewd.

Jesus’ Shrewd Side (Mark 11:27-12:13) 1. A lady lost her handbag in the bustle of Christmas shopping. It was found by an honest little boy and returned to her. Looking in her purse, she commented, "That's funny. When I lost my bag there was only a $100 bill in it. Now there are five $20 ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Path To Peace Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 21, 2013

There are two paths to peace: force or love.Jesus came to show the limits of force and the power of love.

Luke 19:29-44 “The Path to Peace” INTRODUCTION “I love a parade, the tramping of feet, I love every beat I hear of a drum. I love a parade, when I hear a band I just want to stand and cheer as they come.” Everyone loves a parade, whether it is the grand ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:29-44

Denomination: Lutheran

Human Family, Divine Family Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 21, 2013

History teaches us that God's loving kindness comes from His essence--His Trinitarian family--and to that we must attract the whole human family.

Trinity Sunday 2013 Just one week ago, our Archbishop Gustavo announced plans for our Catholic community here in South Texas. It is fitting that on this Trinity Sunday, when we celebrate the core mystery of our religion, we contemplate the third core value, “unity.” The text reads: ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:4-9

Denomination: Catholic

918-365-Live Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Dec 5, 2011

How to live 365 days a year.

918-365 LIVE ECCLESIASTES 9:1-18 Introduction: What’s with this title? It’s easy – chapter 9 has 18 verses. In this chapter Solomon gives us insight on how to live 365 days a year. Even though Solomon had gotten off to a good start, he had become side-tracked. He messed up ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus At The Right Hand: Basis For Living A Life That Honors God And Serves Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 27, 2014

Jesus wants to rule in our lives from heaven; if we follow our heavenly ruler, we will nurture well-lived lives on earth as a result.

Jesus At the Right Hand: The Theological Basis for Living A Life That Honors God and Serves Others (Colossians 3:1-4) 1. The boss wondered why one of his most valued employees was absent but had not phoned in sick one day. Needing to have an urgent problem with one of the main computers resolved, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Thankful Indeed!

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 26, 2013

Being thankful to God is not just nice, but central to godliness.

Thankful Indeed! (topical) 1. How much do you have to be rich? 2. In America, many upper middle classed people say 5 million dollars. 3. But almost all of us are really rich by worldwide standards. 4. Craig Groeschel writes: “Visiting a small settlement in a developing country last year, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Knowing The Unknowable.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 28, 2013

The Cross-shaped love of Christ.

KNOWING THE UNKNOWABLE. Ephesians 3:14-21. The “For this reason” of Ephesians 3:14 echoes Ephesians 3:1, and picks up the thread of thought that was left there. This follows Paul’s contemplation of the reconciliation accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22). Jesus, by His own ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Came Unto His Own.

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 11, 2015

Incarnation

John 1 v 1 -14 He Came Unto His Own. 1. The Relationship of Christ (John 1:1-5) (a) His Relationship to God. 1.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Holiness

Let's Talk About Sex A Bit More & Impurity And Greed Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Oct 1, 2016

I think all of the things on this list, sexual immorality, unrighteousness and greed all share this component: they devalue something which is invaluable.

Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Which is more valuable, the things we buy or the things we receive and give freely? Think about it. We pay a high price ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:3

Denomination: *other

Love, Not Concupiscence Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 27, 2014

We should understand how we can be distracted from our true Goal, God.

Sixth Day in the Christmas Octave (December 30) Thirteen Days of Christmas If you have been following this series of homily-sermons, which I have called “Thirteen Days of Christmas,” you probably realize something. Although this is the sixth day in the Christmas Octave, it is the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:12-17

Denomination: Catholic

God's Peace Plan

Contributed by J Bernard Taylor on Dec 8, 2019

In these days of conflict, unrest, and stress, God gives us his plan for peace.

God's Peace Plan Introduction Christmas celebrates the coming of the Messiah, the Prince of Peace. However, in 3530 years of recorded history there have only been 286 years of peace, representing only 8 percent of the time. During that time, 8000 peace treaties have been broken. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Second Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A: John 1:29 Moments

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 19, 2019

2nd Sunday, Cycle A

Two cockroaches were munching on garbage in an alley when one engages a discussion about a new restaurant. "I was in that new restaurant across the street," said one. "It's so clean! The kitchen is spotless, and the floors are gleaming white. There is no dirt anywhere--it's ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-34

Denomination: Catholic

Letting Go Specifics Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 2, 2020

Letting go is an informal process, not a science; nonetheless, it is helpful to grasp two concepts about this matter.

Letting Go Specifics 1. Two weeks ago, I tried to prove to you that the Bible teaches forgiveness is conditional, requiring repentance on the offender’s part. We forgive as God forgives. 2. We saw that forgiveness is a continuum. In some cases, forgiveness in the fullest sense – relating as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27, Psalm 39:1-3, Psalm 6:6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It’s Dark Without The Light! Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 4, 2017

It is painful to take an honest and complete look at life. We were meant for something better.

It’s Dark Without the Light! (Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:8, 12:1, 7, 13-14) 1. A boy just attended his first wedding, and his friend asked him how many times a person can get married. “Sixteen times,” said the boy. “I heard it with my own ears: 4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer, and 4 poorer. 4+4+4+4=16. ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Advent Spiritual Joy, Even Ecstasy: Gaudete Sunday

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 12, 2017

St. Augustine used a famous expression--the "joy of truth," gaudium de veritate. 

Advent 3B A professor was asked by one of his students, “What is the meaning of life?" The usual laughter followed, but the professor said "I will answer your question." Taking his wallet out of his hip pocket, he fished around in a leather wallet and brought out a very small round mirror, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-8

Denomination: Catholic