Sermons on Contemplate:

The Fig Tree Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 14, 2024

A sermon in the Lenten series "If Trees Could Talk." In this sermon we hear from the fig tree.

March 13, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church John 1:35-51; Luke 13:6-9 The Fig Tree Good evening, friendly humans. It’s such a pleasure to be with you here this evening. Thank you for inviting me as a guest speaker in your Lenten series. May I introduce myself? I am Fig Tree. I ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-51, Luke 13:6-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Setting Up Idols In Bethel

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 10, 2023

First, Jeroboam built two idols and placed them in Bethel and Dan. Bethel means House of God and Dan means He judged. In the House of God, Jeroboam erected an idol—the golden calf. Jeroboam setup up a new altar to offer sacrifices before the golden calf.

Then he made two golden calves, and he said to the people, “Going to Jerusalem is too difficult for you. Israel, here is your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” He set up one in Bethel, and put the other in Dan. 1 Kings 12:28,29 First, Jeroboam built two idols and placed them in Bethel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:28

Sermon On The Meaning Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 18, 2022

The meaning of life appertains to the significance of living, or an existence in general.

Jagadish “Jaggi” Vasudev, better known by the honorific title “Sadhguru,” an Indian yoga guru and proponent of spirituality once remarked: “If you are too serious about everything, you will only know thoughts and emotions. You will not know life.” 1 John 1:7 confirms: “But if we walk in the light, ...read more

Scripture: James 4:14, Psalm 90:12, Psalm 103:15-16

Retreat And Regroup

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 29, 2022

The church says that the disciples were acting cowardly when they scattered after Jesus' arrest. If they did not and they were arrested and killed then who would have brought the Gospel to us? This is a DIFFERENT view of those events

Retreat and Regroup Mark 14:27-32 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, because it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP SHALL BE SCATTERED.’ 28 “But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 29 But Peter said to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:27-32

Denomination: United Methodist

Rediscovering The Awe And Wonder - Proper 22 - Year B

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Sep 21, 2021

How do we rekindle our childlike faith of wonder and awe. Dare we be bold and love others and work to be the church that God wants.

In the name of the father, son and Holy Spirit. Amen. The Gospel today is certainly a fiery one, how do you preach on a subject such as divorce, where there are so many issues about what can bring about a divorce in present day society. However, as I sat contemplating the words of the Gospel, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:2-16

Denomination: Anglican

How To Make Good Choices For Your Lifestyle Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 27, 2023

14 Life-changing decisions you must make.

A. WHAT IS A CHOICE? 1. The freedom of choice, i.e., do I choose steak or hot dog from the menu? 2. The priority of choice. You choose because inwardly you want it. 3. The thing chosen, i.e., I chose the early class. 4. The variety from which your decision is made, i.e., many kinds of ...read more

Scripture: John 15:16, Romans 12:1, Hebrews 2:1

Denomination: Baptist

No More Excuses!

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Oct 9, 2024

Jesus shows us the importance of radical obedience through the encounter with three would-be disciples that offered excuses for not wanting to immediately go with Jesus.

IN THE WALT DISNEY MOVIE, “ALICE IN WONDERLAND,” ALICE FINDS HERSELF AT A FORK IN THE ROAD. AS SHE CONTEMPLATED HER DECISION, SHE NOTICES A CHESHIRE CAT UP IN THE TREE. UNDECIDED ON WHICH ROAD TO TAKE, ALICE THEN ASKS THE CHESHIRE CAT, “WHICH ROAD DO I TAKE?” THE CAT RESPONDS, “WHERE DO YOU WANT ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62, Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 6:21

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Measure Of Faith.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 7, 2024

Having a mind set for God's service.

THE MEASURE OF FAITH. Romans 12:1-5. ROMANS 12:1. “I beseech you therefore, brethren,” begins the application of Paul’s letter to the Romans. These words introduce the practical building blocks laid upon the theological foundation of the previous 11 chapters: hence the “therefore”. This is an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Food That Endures

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Aug 5, 2024

A sermon for the season after Pentecost, Year B, Lectionary 18

August 4, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church John 6:24-35; Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 The Food that Endures Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal ...read more

Scripture: John 6:24-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Psalm 1 - Two Ways To Live Lesson 2 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 9, 2024

The way of the righteous person is to do right things, the right way; but the way of the person outside God’s influence will perish.

A. EXPANDED TRANSLATION “Your life will be happier if you don’t follow the advice of sinners, and you don’t loiter with the wicked, and you don’t become a part of an evil group. You will discover happiness by obeying My laws and thinking about Me day and night. You will be like a tree rooted ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27, 1 Peter 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Making Bad Deposits Into God’s Treasury

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 16, 2022

What is a treasury? What bank do we use? What bank holds our accounts? What is our incentive to make any deposits into those accounts?

What is a treasury? Funds or revenue of an organization or corporation, a collection of highly prized items, a place where the funds are stored. So, in the natural world, money gathers interest in various types of bank accounts. What bank do we use? What bank holds our accounts? What is our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Salt, Light, And Righteousness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 4, 2022

Our righteousness is in Him.

SALT, LIGHT, AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. Matthew 5:13-20. I). SALT AND LIGHT. Matthew 5:13-16. The metaphors of salt and light follow immediately after Jesus’ profile of the blessed Christian. The meek shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5) because meekness is not weakness, but quite the contrary. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

To Sin Or Not To Sin

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 7, 2022

intentional sin can give a different result for forgiveness

To Sin or Not to Sin Mark 6:14-32 14 And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, "John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him." 15 But others were saying, "He is Elijah." And ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-32

Denomination: United Methodist

How Majestic Is Your Name

Contributed by David Zachrich on May 12, 2023

Psalm 8 warms our hearts with sweeping thoughts and words about the majestic of God.

LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

He Came, He Died, He Arose, He Ascended, And He Is Coming Again.

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on May 27, 2025

When Jesus returns he is bringing a reward, so what should i do?

1. The Story of Jesus Revelation 22:12-21 • He Came, • He Died, • He Arose, • He Ascended, • He will come Again 2. When He Comes Again he is bringing a reward • Jesus promises in verse 12, “See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:12-21

Denomination: Methodist