Sermons on Darken Counsel:

12th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A. Sparrow Stories.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 26, 2023

Several times the sparrow flew at the closed window and smacked itself into it, until it got so weak it could no longer fly; it only could walk.

Pastor Don Friesen tells a fascinating story about a sparrow that somehow got into the rafters of St. Helen’s Parish Church in the English town of Brant Broughton. At the time of the intrusion, they were recording a guitar recital for later broadcast on the radio. The chirping bird didn’t exactly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:26-33

Denomination: Catholic

Our North Star

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 6, 2023

A sermon for the second Sunday in Lent, Year A

March 5, 2023 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Genesis 12:1-4a; John 3:1-17 Our North Star Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. In the summer of 1998 I worked on an archaeological dig in Israel. We volunteers stayed at a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4, John 3:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Church & Nation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 5, 2023

Christians ought to be a nation's best citizens, but are we fully in the kingdom or is our loyalty divided?

Are Christians fully part of a kingdom not of this world or do we have divided loyalties? Was Paul imprisoned by Rome and hated by his own nation for his faith? How did he encourage us to live? Therefore, as a prisoner for the Lord, I encourage you to live as people worthy of the call you received ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Shaken

Contributed by Raymond Williams on Sep 20, 2023

The Kingdom we are given is unshakable, a Kingdom that will never be destroyed.

Unshaken “Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.” (Hebrews 12:27) This statement is such a majestic utterance, surely no man alone would have presumed to utter. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:27, Haggai 2:4-7

Denomination: Nazarene

Jesus Is The Right One (Part 1) Series

Contributed by David Tack on Mar 28, 2025

(1) Jesus is The RIGHT ONE; (2) Jesus is, The RIGHTEOUS ONE; (3) Jesus is, The REJECTED ONE; (4) Jesus is The REDEEMING ONE; (5) Jesus is The RESURRECTED ONE; (6) Jesus is The RE-MITTING ONE.

Jesus Is The Right One (Part 1 of Series) Chaplain David Tack: Sounds of Joy Ministries I) INTRODUCTION… Thank you Lord… It is good to be IN CHRIST this morning! Ephesians 1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:12, Titus 3:5, John 3:3-7, Matthew 3:11, Romans 10:3, Ephesians 1:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost And Reward Of Discipleship Luke 9:23-24 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 8, 2024

What it means to be transformed by the truth of discipleship - Luke 9:23-24 sheds light on the essence of following Jesus, revealing both the cost and the reward of discipleship.

The Cost and Reward of Discipleship Luke 9:23-24 Introduction: Today we gather to delve into the timeless truths of God's Word as we explore what it means to be transformed by the truth of discipleship. Our passage from Luke 9:23-24 sheds light on the essence of following Jesus, revealing both ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-24, Matthew 16:24-25, Philippians 3:8-10, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:23, Luke 9:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Brought To Life; Brought Together

Contributed by David Taylor on Nov 19, 2024

Those who have been freed from a life of futility must flee from that life of futility.

Brought to Life; Brought Together Walking Worthy: Fleeing Futility Ephesians 4:17-21 April 19, 2020 David Taylor We are back in our series in Ephesians, Brought to Life; Brought Together. As a recap, chapters one through three describe what God has done for us in Christ while chapters four ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Real Truth Is Traded For Lies

Contributed by Chris Layton on Jul 17, 2025

We live in a time where "truth" is increasingly viewed as subjective—flexible depending on personal preferences, emotions, or convenience. Today we have “My Truth”, “Your Truth”, and Their Truth”. But Scripture is clear that there is only one “TRUTH” – God’s.

Introduction: We live in a time where "truth" is increasingly viewed as subjective—flexible depending on personal preferences, emotions, or convenience. Today we have “My Truth”, “Your Truth”, and Their Truth”. But Scripture is clear that there is only one “TRUTH” – God’s. And it is when ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Twenty-Second Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B - Dirty Hands And Dirty Thoughts

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 29, 2024

“Nothing ever happens in the world that does not first happen inside a mind...”

An illustration for those who deny the reality of concupiscence: A visitor was once being shown around an art gallery. The gallery contained some beautiful paintings which were universally acknowledged to be masterpieces. At the end of the tour the visitor said, "I don't think much of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9, Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Catholic

Brought To Life; Brought Together

Contributed by David Taylor on Sep 3, 2024

Paul challenges us to no longer live as unbelievers but as believers, striving to walk in a life holiness, a life of obedience to Christ.

We are back in our series in Ephesians, Brought to Life; Brought Together. As a recap, chapters one through three describe what God has done for us in Christ while chapters four through six call us to live out what God has done for us, which we are calling Walking Worthy. The first half of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keep Awake, Be Alert, Be Ready PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 30, 2023

Explores the importance of spiritual alertness and readiness for the second coming of Christ.

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters, to this gathering of hearts and minds, united by faith and love in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are here, each one of us, bearing the imprint of His grace, the beneficiaries of His boundless love, and the recipients of His eternal promise. We are here to reflect, to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Topics: Alertness, Readiness

When Pain Becomes Personal - Job Chapter Two Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Mar 6, 2007

This is a study into Job chapter two.

Jewels From Job Job – Chapter #2 1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the Lord and said, "From going to ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Well Spoken Words

Contributed by John Mccormack on May 5, 2014

GOD'S WORD STRENGTHENS THE FALLEN.

WELL SPOKEN WORDS OBSERVATION: A WELL SPOKEN, SOFT REBUKE CAN BE PROFITABLE. INTERPRETATION: JOB 4:4 (NKJV) YOUR WORDS HAVE UPHELD HIM WHO WAS STUMBLING, AND YOU HAVE STRENGTHENED THE FEEBLE KNEES. (THE BOOK) YOUR WORDS HAVE STRENGTHENED THE FALLEN, YOU STEADFAST THOSE WHO WAVERED. POINTS ...read more

Scripture: Job 4:4

Denomination: Baptist

Making A Decision

Contributed by Pablo Catala on Jul 6, 2019

Choices

It is the old choice with which is still presented to every soul: the old crisis which reappears in every experience. Cesar or Christ, that is the question: the vast, attractive, skeptical world with it’s pleasures and ambitions, and its prodigal promises, or the meek, majestic and winning figure ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:20-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Defiance Of The Queen Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 2, 2021

Queen Vashti was expected to behave in a way contrary to conscience and she refused the king's command. Her refusal was the right decision to make, but it cost her dearly. Living upright will not always gain one the favor of the world.

The Defiance of the Queen Esther 1: 10-22 As we consider our text today, we must do so in light of the preceding verses. King Ahasuerus had thrown a six month long party, culminating with a seven day finale. He had provided an elaborate escapade for all the princes and servants within the ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:10-22

Denomination: Baptist