Sermons on Deacons:

What Does Faith Say?

Contributed by Nieta Lambert on Feb 9, 2013

Often when faced with obstacles and tests as Christians, we tend to respond by what we feel or think but Scripture teaches us a better way - a way to always be victorious.

Introduction: By simply being human beings we are going to face struggles throughout our lives. Some will be small and we’ll barely notice them but others will seem like tsunamis that threaten to drown us. As Christians these struggles take on a different air. Yes, even those who are not ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:11-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Seeds, Part I Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 23, 2013

Jesus was the seed that died so that we might live; we too are called to die to self so that others may live.

Monday of Holy Week 2013 Seeds 1 Two of the privileges given to deacons in this diocese is the ability to preside at baptisms and wake services. What is striking to me every time is the use of this psalm 27, this psalm which begins this first day of three at the head of Holy Week. “I ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-24

Denomination: Catholic

The Drawing Of Naaman The Outsider

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 7, 2013

It is a mark of true leadership to be able to take advice from those whom we lead.

THE DRAWING OF NAAMAN THE OUTSIDER. 2 Kings 5:1-14. ‘While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8). Those who were ‘far off are made nigh by the blood of Jesus’ (Ephesians 2:13). Holistic healing comes to those who are outside (Luke 4:27). Naaman, as commander of the Syrian army, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gestures Of Worship Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 23, 2011

Profound bows, joining of hands for prayer, and striking our breast are all important adjuncts to our worship.

Feast of St. James July 25, 2011 Spirit of the Liturgy Some of the apostles have paired feasts–Ss. Peter and Paul, Simon and Jude, Philip and James the Lesser. We would expect James and John, blood brothers, to be treated in this way, but they each have their own festival day. I think that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Catholic

The Garments Of Revelations Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 13, 2011

The garments of the women of the Apocalypse are signs of the festal garment we are clothed with as we take communion together.

Feast of the Assumption August 15, 2011 Spirit of the Liturgy The vision of the Apocalypse shared in our first reading today is a scene in a great final struggle between good and evil. The ark of the covenant, kept in the tabernacle in the wilderness, and in the Temple of Jerusalem once it was ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

12 Secrets To Living An Abundant Life: 6 Series

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 8, 2011

Working for an auto dealership as a master technician and making a lot more money than I do as a pastor didn’t bring true abundance. I was not happy, making money. God's Word show us ho to truly live the abundant life.

1. God has a plan for your life - Jer. 29: 11 2. There is a battle engaged for your life - Jesus said in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” 3. Too many of God’s people are losing the battle - ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:14-19

Denomination: Baptist

Holy Spirit:teachings Of Great Men Of The Past

Contributed by Larry Wolfe on Jul 25, 2009

Excerpts from the teachings of the great preachers

The Holy Spirit: Teachings of Great Preachers & Teachers of the Past I. Three Conditions of the Holy Spirit’s Working (F .B. Meyer) A. Filled [A Sudden Decisive Experience for a Specific Work] (Acts 4:8) B. Being Filled [The Ongoing Process] (Acts 13:52) C. Full [The Perpetual ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Religious Freedom, Fundamental Human Right Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 9, 2016

Religious freedom is a fundamental human right that is not restricted to the confines of a church.

Thursday in Third Week of Easter 2016 Joy of the Gospel Those of us who are blessed to be in the Catholic church for many decades tend to take for granted our sacramental realities, especially the Blessed Eucharist. I recall reading about a Muslim who, though totally without faith in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Catholic

Pray For Us Preachers Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 3, 2016

The homily is the touchstone for judging a pastor’s closeness and ability to communicate to his people.

Thursday of 13th Week in Course Today Jesus’s words are about preaching and service. They are directed to us, to the clergy leaders of the Church, primarily, but really to all Christians. Saint Francis lived out this vocation–he took with him on his journeys almost nothing. He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:7-15

Denomination: Catholic

Prayer As A Sustaining Pillar For A Church

Contributed by Dr. Abraham Obadare on Aug 13, 2016

To present prayer as a necessary pillar for church, individual and society sustenance

Our Lord Jesus Christ said in Luke 18:1 that “... men always ought to pray…” Further, it is recorded in Matthew 21:13, “And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” The Methodist songwriter, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

The True Summit Of Our Vocation As Human Beings Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 7, 2011

Music must be in harmony with Logos, not an offbeat and disordered hymn to individualism.

Monday of 3rd Week of Easter Spirit of the Liturgy The Spirit that inflamed deacon Stephen is always at work in the Church. This spirit, the Holy Spirit of God, fills those who respond to the gift of faith, and makes us hungry for the Word of God, the Sacrament of the altar, and service to those ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Catholic

Yes, A Church Leader Must Have A Sense Of Humor Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 23, 2019

We are told to have salt in us. Salt was used in the ancient world, and occasionally today, to preserve meat from corruption. So if we have spiritual salt, we will be preserved against that kind of corrupt thought and behavior.

Thursday of the 7th Week in Course 2019 St. Hilarius Today we have a rare treat because of the late date of Ash Wednesday and Easter. We get the rare festival of St. Hilarius, about whom I will speak in a moment. By now, most years, we are deep into Lent, and so the saints’ days are suppressed in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6, Mark 9:41-50

Denomination: Catholic

Exercising Prophetic Gifts In A Time Of Trouble Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 6, 2020

In every age the Holy Spirit does these wonders, and in our present difficulty that same Spirit is doing it again.

Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Course In our era we are experiencing a dislocation of everything we routinely counted on to anchor our existence, are we not? Many of us in the West define ourselves by our occupation, our plans, our religious practices, our social interactions. And for most of us ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:7-16, Matthew 5:13-16, 1 Kings 19:4

Denomination: Catholic

A Participant Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jul 31, 2019

The Lord's Supper reminds us that we participate with God through Jesus in our Christian walk but also with our fellow Christians.

1. Justin Martyr (early 2C) recorded the actions of the early community of God when they came together: “On the day called “Sun Day” believers gathered in one place; writings of apostles or prophets are read; then when reader has ceased, the President instructs to imitation of these good things; he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Moments Of Personal Transfiguration

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 3, 2019

The words of Mary in John’s Gospel are a clear call: “do whatever Jesus tells you.” But to know what that is, we must really listen.

Feast of the Transfiguration 2019 The visions of the prophet Daniel pertain to a community under persecution by a vicious, almost atheistic state. To encourage and console that community, Daniel pulls the curtain on what is really happening, to show the divine power and judgement on those ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:9-14, 2 Peter 1:16-19, Luke 9:28-36, John 2:5, 1 Kings 19:12-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic