Sermons on Contemplate:

Create In Me

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on May 15, 2011

A simple, but memorable sermon for Ash Wednesday.

INTRO Ash Wednesday — it’s kind of a solemn day. It’s the start of Lent —a word which means “spring” in German. But more than this, it’s the time each year when we intently focus on the path Christ Jesus laid out for us to follow — to be true to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:10-12

Denomination: Lutheran

19a Perform In The Storm

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 13, 2017

I saw a cartoon that showed a lady walking on some cases of bottled water and the caption read, “walking on water”!

19A Beginning to sink….! I saw a cartoon that show a lady walking on some cases of bottled water and the caption read, “walking on water”! In Mathew 14:30, from today’s Gospel text we hear……beginning to sink Peter cried out, "Lord, save me.”” If he had prayed a longer prayer, he would have been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Catholic

Confess And Receive Liberty

Contributed by Nnaemeka Durueke on Oct 7, 2019

Liberation is a kingdom mandate given to us through Jesus Christ, "to set the captives free" - Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18.

CONFESS AND RECEIVE LIBERTY TEXT : 2 CORINTHIANS 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Liberty is the condition of being free from imprisonment, slavery or forced labor. It is also the condition of being free to act, believe or express ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Fifth Sunday Of Easter- Many Mansions

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Mar 31, 2023

I-IT and I-THOU and I-I

I-IT and I-THOU to symbolize relationships is Martin Buber’s great contribution to Christians as a Jewish religious philosopher, especially regarding our Readings this Sunday which speak about an integration between personal spirituality, vocational responsibility, and organizational practice.1 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7, John 14:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Choosing The Way Of Christ Over Worldly Goods.

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 24, 2022

The challenge of our Christian calling is to recognize the goodness of creation without building wealth, power and honor into a false god that lures us into worship.

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Course 2022 It’s difficult for most folks in North America, especially those who aren’t fluent in several languages, to understand the full intent of the first word of our first reading today. The English has “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31, 1 Timothy 6:11-16, Psalm 146:7-10, Amos 6:1-7

Denomination: Catholic

A Message To The Church In Sardis Series

Contributed by Larry Grant on Dec 18, 2022

The church had become a thermometer that registered the temperature of the city instead of a thermostat that changed the temperature of the city.

Revelation 3:1-6 A Message to the Church in Sardis 12-18-2022 The city of Sardis, Capital of Lydia, a center of commerce, coins first minted there, carpet and woolen industry located there. Only a shell of its former self. The church had taken on the characteristics of the city. One ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Join The Resistance! Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 1, 2017

Many of us have not served in the U.S. military; we have never been trained for combat. But, as believers in Jesus, we are at war and need to brush up on our skills.

Join the Resistance! (topical) 1. When a society becomes “post Christian,” all sorts of religious evil fill the void left behind. Even atheism is a religious position, for it assumes what cannot be proven. 2. Whether it is Islam, the Eastern Religion, New Age — and all sorts of occultism. 3. ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7, Ephesians 6:13-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

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

A Prayer For Gentile Believers.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 24, 2024

Paul was driven to his knees before the Father (EPHESIANS 3:14).

A PRAYER FOR GENTILE BELIEVERS. Ephesians 3:13-21. In Ephesians 3:1-12, Paul related how he had been called to preach the gospel among the Gentiles. Since this was his calling in life, he exhorted the Ephesians that they “faint not” at the ongoing “tribulations” which he was suffering “for” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:13-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thanksgiving -Thank You For Your Order....god The Father Asked Jesus A Hard Thing.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 16, 2021

One of the ways that Israel stimulated a sense of gratitude and fidelity was remembering the exodus from captivity to liberation: “remember that you were once slaves...remember that it was God who liberated you and brought you to a land of promise."

Simple Act of Gratitude is a book that tells the story of an inspiration, the writing of 365 Thank You Notes, and how John Kralik’s life was changed from a life full of debts and disasters, to learning to be grateful for the life he had. I decided that I would try this too, and so I did starting ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

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

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