Sermons on Downward:

Let Your Light Reflect Christ Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Aug 16, 2021

A sermon for the Sundays after Pentecost, Year B, Lectionary 19

August 15, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Let Your Life Reflect Christ Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Nestled in the mountains a little to the west of Oslo, Norway lies the city of Rjukan. ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

God Does Not Play "let's Make A Deal"!

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Sep 22, 2019

God will not be manipulated

Weekend Message/Devotion September 22, 2019 God Does Not Play “Let’s Make A Deal”! Psalm 37:1-9 Sermon Prayer: “Heavenly Father, I stand before Your people, to deliver Your message. Though the words are mine and I prepared this message, I pray that this message is Your message in its ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Your Enimies

Contributed by Rajendra Kadia on Sep 14, 2016

How can we show love to the one who hates us?

Introduction: "Love your neighbor" is the commandment given by God in Leviticus 19:18 . But "Hate your enemies" is not a commandment (nowhere written in OT) but addition/alteration made by Pharisees and Scribes. That’s why Jesus said, '"you have heard" and not "it is written". 1. Who is our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lost Coin, Lost Sheep, Prodigal

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 21, 2019

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time; 24th Sunday, Cycle C

There is a story of a man who was driving along the highway. Along the way he hits a big bump and hears a clang, but he ignores it and keeps on driving. When he gets home, he discovers that one of his hubcaps is missing. So, the next day he goes back to the spot where he hit the big bump, and sure ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Catholic

Hope In The Face Of Injustice Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 4, 2019

Despite injustice, we have hope that God's intentions for justice will be fulfilled

April 3, 2019 Hope Lutheran Church Lenten Service Psalm 10; Romans 12:9-21 Hope in the Face of Injustice Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. God has blessed us with the commandments. They teach us right pathways. God’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Bound For Mt. Zion

Contributed by Larrin Robertson on Nov 15, 2014

There remains reasons to hope in the Lord's activity for the people of God. There will come a day of fellowship and peace for the people of God.

Isaiah 2:1-5 Bound for Mt. Zion As evidenced on the day notoriously known to us as Black Friday, crowds can be dangerous. Impatience leads to jockeying for position, invasion of personal space, and as perennially demonstrated by sad nightly news video proof, knock-down, drag-out fights and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean That Our Body Is The Temple?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 14, 2023

We are to use our body to give God glory in all that we do.

In these first few verses, Paul was portraying the qualities of unbelievers. He does not imply that these individuals are automatically and permanently prevented from going to heaven. Christians come from all foundations, including these. They might continue to battle with malicious longings; ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Hand Of God

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 10, 2023

God communicates to a prophet in many different ways. One time by the word, another via the Spirit, yet another via the voice above the expanse, etc.

In the book of Ezekiel, God speaks to Ezekiel in a variety of ways. 1) The word of the Lord came 2) The hand of the Lord was on me 3) The Spirit lifted me up. 4) The Spirit entered me 5) The voice above the expanse said to me. 6) The Lord God said to me. 7) Son of man, stand up on your feet 8) The ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 3:22

Sermon On A Leap Of Faith

Contributed by William Meakin on Jul 28, 2023

A leap of faith is defined as an act of believing in or attempting something whose existence or outcome cannot be proved or known.

Bill Engvall, an American stand-up comedian once remarked: “I might have tried bungee jumping, until I saw that video of that guy whose cord came untied. He didn't know it 'till he hit the ground. Oh, he flew off that tower, hollering at his buddies. "Whoo, check me out, dudes! Oh, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1, 2 Corinthians 5:7, James 2:18, 2 Timothy 1:7

Sermon On Broken Fragments

Contributed by William Meakin on May 13, 2023

Broken fragments have been defined as small particles that have become detached from something larger or whole.

Eva Ashwood, a female author of several novels once remarked: “There’s nothing wrong with being broken. Some things aren’t meant to be whole. And some things don’t need to be fixed. Some things are broken and aren’t meant to be fixed. But that doesn’t mean they’re fine the way they are. It just ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:17, Psalm 147:3, Isaiah 66:2

Testify To The Light

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 18, 2023

A sermon for the third Sunday of Advent, Year B

December 17, 2023 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church John 1:6-8, 19-28 Testify to the Light Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. I saw a PBS show a few weeks ago about Dark Sky Preserves. They’re part of the greater Dark Sky ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran

How Do We Get Back Up When We Have Fallen Down?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 20, 2023

A person may slip and stumble during their spiritual walk, just like a person can trip and tumble during their physical walk. But what happens afterward?

The genuine soul falls as an explorer may do, by faltering at some stone in his way. However, he gets up, and goes on his way with more consideration and speed. The writer might be utilizing the word “falls” not in the feeling of falling downward into transgression, yet in the feeling of being ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Hears Even When You Are In Deep Series

Contributed by Donovan Myers on May 4, 2002

The "deep end" is not necessarily the worst place to find yourself

God Hears in Even When You are in Deep! JONAH 2:1-10 Donovan W. Myers Rosemount Missionary In Jamaica there is a popular idiom that says “When trouble tek yu, pickney shut fit yu.” [when you are in trouble, even a child’s shirt will fit]. An addict can only get help and begin to recover when he ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What History Says About The Resurrection

Contributed by Rick Macdonald on Aug 8, 2001

With the risk of being miserable, why would a group of intelligent, rational individuals ever believe in the resurrection?

What History says about the Resurrection April 2000 1 Corinthians 15:16-19 - For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:16-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jacob's Personal Revival

Contributed by Edgar Foster, Sr. on Jan 14, 2001

Jacob’s personal revival is a pattern for modern-day believers.

Jacob’s Personal Revival Genesis 32:24-28 Personal worship and real revival go hand-in-hand. God is calling his people to revival. Revival is needed! A constant flow of personal commitment is needed to “kneed” God’s people into the whitened and falling harvest of this last hour. But religious ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:24-28

Denomination: Church Of God