Sermons on Contemplation:

The Transition: What Happened Before The Resurrection?

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 6, 2015

The burial of Jesus is not merely incidental; although not as important as the other two points of the Gospel, it is something we need to contemplate and study.

The Transition: What Happened Before the Resurrection? 1. Two men went hunting in Canada -- had a pilot take them to remote spot. They shot 6 elk. Pilot says, “We can’t fly with that many-- too heavy. We can only take three.” “Last year we had the same kind of plane and ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 18:15-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Dreamy-Eyed Mary, Busily Working Martha

Contributed by Richard Futrell on Oct 7, 2010

Why does Jesus praises the contemplative, dreamy-eyed Mary, sitting at His feet, but scold the busily working Martha?

Intro The puzzling response of Jesus to Mary and Martha leave us scratching our heads. Our Lord Jesus praises the contemplative, dreamy-eyed Mary, sitting at His feet. He scolds the busily working Martha. What gives? Martha was the one who was busily looking after Jesus’ needs and His ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Way Of The Cross -14th Station - "Jesus Is Placed In The Sepulchre” Series

Contributed by Dr. Addanki Raju on Mar 16, 2026

Theme: The Silence of the Tomb and the Hope of Resurrection.

________________________________________ The Way of the Cross 14th Station “Jesus is Placed in the Sepulchre” ________________________________________ Theme The Silence of the Tomb and the Hope of Resurrection ________________________________________ Scripture “Joseph took the body, wrapped it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:59-60

What Are Friends For? (1) Series

Contributed by David Richardson on Jul 18, 2005

More often than not our basis on whether or not a person is a ‘good friend’ is the contemplation of inevitable ensuing requirements that may be placed on us.

What are friends for? (Romans 5:7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. More often than not our basis on whether or not a person is a ‘good friend’ is the contemplation of inevitable ensuing requirements that may be placed ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:7

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Loving God And Others Midrashim Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 4, 2010

The Two Great Commandments -- loving God and loving others -- cannot be separated. Yet they can be contemplated because they are aimed in two directions.

Loving God and Others Midrashim (Deuteronomy 7:6-11 with John 3:16, 5:20-24, 14:21; Deuteronomy 10:18-19, Leviticus 19:18 with Luke 6:31, 10:25-37) 1. The World is changing. It used to be that the world’s tallest buildings were all in the U.S.; but not for quite some time. 2. DUBAI (AFP) – ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Majesty Of God And The Value Of Humanity Psalm 8:3-4 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 18, 2024

Psalm 8:3-4 invite us to contemplate the grandeur of God’s creation and the incredible value He places on humanity.

Transformed by Truth: The Majesty of God and the Value of Humanity Psalm 8:3-4 Psalm 8:3-4 (NLT): "When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:3-4, Genesis 1:16, Psalm 8:4, Psalm 8:3, Job 7:17-18, Matthew 10:29-31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Travel Advisory

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 18, 2023

John contemplates the conversation over the Last Supper so long ago, especially the meaning of Jesus' advice to carry a sword.

What on earth was Jesus talking about now? There they were in Jerusalem, the culmination of the three years of traveling and teaching with the Master. They were in the city that was the center of their universe. Jesus had confounded all his questioners and accusers. The people had hailed him as a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:35-38, Ephesians 6:14-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Can I Get Blessed Series

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jun 2, 2005

Jacob and Esau sought the blessings from Isaac. How did Jacob end up with the prize? This text discusses and contemplates the whole issue.

Jacob Sermon Series # 1 - The Obtaining of Blessings - Genesis 27 Donald Trump’s TV show called “the Apprentice” has become a hit in the ratings in the past two years. I have watched it about two or three times. It makes me glad I am not working within that type of an atmosphere. Talk about a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:1-40, Genesis 28:11-17

Denomination: Lutheran

A Complaint To God

Contributed by Dave Rajoon on Nov 19, 2006

A sermon on communicating vision. This sermon was designed to reinforce the vision of the ministry of Grace at a time when we were contemplating moving to a larger facility.

Introduction: I remember quite vividly the early days of this ministry (Grace Evangelistic Ministries, Qns NY). Some of you who have been with us over the years, no doubt remember how it used to be. I have always maintained, and I guess I always will, that this ministry was birthed as an act of ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sitting Before The Lord

Contributed by Phil Morgan on Apr 2, 2002

In an age when people have lost the art of solitude and contemplation, God is waiting for us to SIT before Him. But it matters HOW we sit.

READ: 2 SAMUEL 7 (Text: v18) There’s something about our culture — we find it very hard to SIT STILL for any length of time. We’ve lost the art of solitude. No time for contemplation. I’m sure King David was a busy man — he had a whole kingdom to run — and yet it’s quite obvious that he still ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:18

Denomination: Pentecostal

The God Who Does What He Pleases Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 28, 2003

God is truly Sovereign and does just as He pleases. In this sermon, we will contemplate the reality that God does not need us and that His plans are never thwarted.

Our Awesome God: The God Who Does What He Pleases (topical) intro 1. Today we will begin a series titled, "Our Awesome God." 2. As I was preparing this message, I put a CD on the computer titled, "1001 Contemporary Sermon Illustrations." I have gotten a few good ones from this CD, but I was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 115:1-3, Isaiah 46:9-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

He Is Sovereignly Able

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on Mar 1, 2006

God’s kindness for His people transcends their wildest dreams! What He is willing to give they don’t even contemplate to ask from Him.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20). Do we really know what the Almighty God can do for us? Are we aware how much favor He wants to give? If we have any idea of the great things He can shower on ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20

Denomination: Baptist

Crucified For Us Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 3, 2017

The fact that so long a portion of the Gospels is dedicated toward describing how Jesus suffered for us suggests we need to contemplate those events thoroughly.

Crucified for Us Mark 15:21-32 1. This week, I came across a Jewish version of a joke I tell every year at camp. 2. Three Jewish sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting back together, they discussed the gifts hey were able to give their elderly mother. The first said, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Way Of The Cross -13th Station - "Jesus Is Taken Down From The Cross” Series

Contributed by Dr. Addanki Raju on Mar 16, 2026

Theme: The Compassion of Mary and the Silence of Sacrificial Love

________________________________________ The Way of the Cross 13th Station “Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross” ________________________________________ Theme The Compassion of Mary and the Silence of Sacrificial Love ________________________________________ Scripture John 19:38–40 “After this, ...read more

Scripture: John 19:38-40

Deep Pools Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Mar 17, 2008

The fourth tradition of the church is the contemplative tradition or the prayer-filled life. Here we explore what this means and how we can integrate this tradition into our lives.

Streams of Living Water Deep Pools of Prayer Ecclesiastes 5:1-7; 1 John 4:16-21 October 31, 2004 Mark Eberly Our fourth stream or tradition in the flow of the Holy Spirit’s river is the prayer-filled life or the contemplative tradition. It is out of this tradition that all the other traditions have ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:16-21

Denomination: Church Of God