Sermons on Contemplation:

The Insomnia Psalm Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 4, 2016

How can we cope when God lets things go on in our lives that are heart-rending — and it feels like He shows no interest in our plight?

The Insomnia Psalm (Psalm 77) 1. Comedian W.C. Fields once offered a cure for insomnia: get lots of sleep! “One of my favorite sleep deprived stories describes a woman in her late 40’s who had a surprise new baby and was back in the newborn haze. She was running through Old Navy for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 77:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Elisha Goes Solo Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 9, 2017

It can be difficult to represent God to others, but if we have a heart to serve and the empowerment of the Spirit, we can faithfully serve God.

Elisha Goes Solo (2 Kings 2) 1. Some people with important jobs end up doing a lot of things that are quite trite. 2. Take police officers, some real calls via Reader’s Digest: From the police blotter, ?or, what a beat cop deals with ?every day: • A deputy responded to a report ?of a vehicle ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Eastern Spirituality And Christian Prayer....compatible?

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 23, 2017

The objection that caution be exercised, that illusions are possible, may appear contrary to evidence.

“Catholic doctrinal truth and sound spirituality are companions. They support and protect each other...” page 99 “In the more esoteric instances of pursuing experiences of God, the labyrinth of the soul’s interiority is the temple where the religious seeker must make pilgrimage. The passage is no ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Positioning For Power, Acts 1:1-26

Contributed by Damon S Adams on Apr 11, 2016

This message examines the preparation and provision of power to the church and believers by our Saviour in order for us to carry out the Great Commission.

Positioning for Power Acts 1: 1-26 Introduction There is a lot of talk about ‘power’, ‘signs and wonders’ and ‘Pentecost’. Often today the church fall into going into one of two extremes – it either looks for ‘power encounters’ or it so ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Distancing Ourselves From God Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 31, 2016

God wants us to be close to Him, not emotionally or spiritually distant from Him.

Distancing Ourselves from God (Psalm 50) 1. Memorial Day is a day to remember our war dead. Over 1.1 million military personnel have died as a result of war in the history of our nation. 2. To give you a sense of proportion, almost 500,000 died in the Civil War, over 400,000 in World War II. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Closer Walk

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Apr 13, 2015

God wants us to walk closer with Him so that we might better understand just how wonderful we are and how wonderful this thing called life is. It is only truly wonderful when we live our life in the light of God’s presence.

A Closer Walk with God in 2015 Psalm 139 Have you ever spent much time contemplating Gods presence? There are a lot of people who do not believe that God exists and struggle to put up with people like us. David was a shepherd before he was King of Israel and he had a lot of time to think about ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Superiority Of Christ Priesthood Series

Contributed by Joshua Hetrick on Jul 4, 2009

Full outline of Hebrews 8

The Superiority of Christ Priesthood Hebrews Chapter Eight Introduction: 1. Hebrews chapter seven introduced the priesthood of Christ. a. The Order of Christ Priesthood (1-16). b. The eternality of Christ Priesthood (17-23). c. The Intercessions of Christ Priesthood (24-28). 2. In this chapter ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Comprehensive Faith Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 23, 2011

Evangelism is not primarily about keeping people out of hell, but winning them to serve God. That's why we need to keep the focus on God.

A Comprehensive Faith Acts 13:13-26 1. This week an interesting story hit the presses: A woman who was kidnapped as a newborn 23 years ago says finding her real mother "felt like a dream." Carlina White was just 19 days old when she disappeared from Harlem Hospital in New York. She tells the New ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:13-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Report To Headquarters Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 21, 2011

The Great Commission Jesus left his followers is about discipleship. Making disciples, baptizing disciples, and teaching disciples the whole counsel of God is the particular way the church is to focus her efforts to glorify God.

Report to Headquarters (Acts 14:21-28) 1. Many Americans do not take honesty seriously. A boss asked one of his employees, 'Do you believe in life after death?' 'Yes, sir,' replied the new employee. 'I thought you would,' said the boss. 'Yesterday after you left to go to your brother's funeral, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:21-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Working With Human Nature Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 13, 2012

God created human beings to be social, reasoning creatures. His Word advises us about how to get along with others, how to relate to others, and how to live wisely and reasonably.

Working With Human Nature (Proverbs 19:3-4, 6-7) 1. ABC News reported a strange story this week: Arthur Livingston, of Prosperity, S.C., may feel prosperous and alive, but his credit report says, "File not scored because subject is deceased." That’s because Livingston’s bank, Bank of America, has ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:3-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Tale Of Two Lamps

Contributed by Antonio Silveira on Feb 15, 2012

In our lifetime we are presented with many choices, but what is it that we can choose? Another house? Another pair of shoes? What kind of drink? Another partner? Some time alone? A holiday? To trust or not to trust? To include God in our life?

'...if My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.'" (2 Chronicles 7:14) In our lifetime we are presented with many choices, but what is it that we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Baptist

When You Have Nothing Else To Lose!

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Apr 16, 2009

Sometimes in spite of all the positive thinking we can generate, life is really terrible. Simple optimism will not do.

When you have nothing else to lose! Keep Hope Alive A student athlete was contemplating the height of the bar on the high jump. “I don’t think I can make it,” he said. “Think positive!” said a friend. “All right,” the athlete said boldly, “I’m positive I can’t make it.” 1 Peter 1:3-9 3Praise be to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Our Mother Can Do For Us

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 3, 2009

We can have confidence in our relationship with God if we imitate the Mother of Jesus.

Mother’s Day May 10, 2009 One of the most successful movies of all time was the 1981 blockbuster Raiders of the Lost Ark. In it, swashbuckling adventurers contended in the pre-World War II era for the privilege of finding the Ark of the Covenant, the Old Testament repository of the manna, Aaron’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:18-24

Denomination: Catholic

What Jesus Said About God's Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Tim Huie on May 6, 2009

What did Jesus teach about God’s forgiveness in the parable of the prodigal? That it is lavish, and that it is for US!

WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT Luke 15: 11-32 1. Illus. of my friend Paul • Teaches counseling at seminary, also maintains a small private practice on the side. • “Other than for marital troubles, the number one reason people come to see me is unresolved guilt. Most of the time they don’t know it, but what ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Gethsemane: Place For Prayer, Place For Betrayal Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 2, 2012

For Jesus, Gethsemane was a place of worship, a place to surrender his will to the Father; for Judas, it was a place to completely betray Jesus. No location can substitute for the heart.

Gethsemane: Place for Prayer, Place for Betrayal (Matthew 26:36-50) 1. I found a strange article Friday titled, “Bear Saves Man in Mountain Lion Attack.” 2. “Robert Biggs, 69, who often hikes in the Whisky Flats area, came across a mother bear and her cubs, which were about 40 feet from where he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-50

Denomination: Independent/Bible