Sermons on Eager Anticipation:

Wrestling With God Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Mar 23, 2018

In the darkness, which we all feel at times, Jacob wrestles with God. He asks for assurances of blessing (which he already had), but instead, he gets God! Jesus also wrestles in the garden, giving up control, and God raises him from the dead.

WRESTLING WITH GOD—Genesis 32 (Children’s Message: afraid of the dark?) Are you afraid of the dark—or the darkness? Maybe the darkness is in the hospital, or a war zone, or you found yourself jobless or on the edge of bankruptcy. Maybe the darkness was anguish over children, or marital ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:1-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Did Jesus Die?

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 24, 2018

Jesus died a very brutal death and Christian know that by his death we have life. But at the time what were the charges that the Jews had to warrant death and why did they pass Jesus over to the Romans to do their dirty work?

Why did Jesus Die? The ministry of Jesus lasted just over 3 years and we have the gospels that relate and record that ministry. A wealth of material to guide our Christian living, to offer us hope and to give us a strong faith. And yet out of all the gospels that last week of Jesus predominates, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:19-27, Mark 11:9-18, 1 Kings 1:32-40, Mark 12:1-12, Isaiah 5:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Trust, Hope And Fear In God Alone

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Apr 12, 2018

To show from multiple scripture bible verses that GOD Alone deserves all the trust, hope and fear in this world. Give GOD His due place of Trust, Hope and Fear.

I. EXORDIUM: Who do you trust? Who do you fear? To whom do you hope? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers/unbelievers III. OBJECTIVES: To show from multiple scripture bible verses that GOD Alone deserves all the trust, hope and fear in this world. Give GOD His due place of Trust, Hope and ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Does He Show On Me?

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Apr 23, 2018

Is it obvious to the people you meet that you are a child of God? What is it that makes it obvious?

J. I. Packer on Being God's Child “You sum up the whole of New Testament teaching in a single phrase if you speak of it as a revelation of the Fatherhood of the holy Creator. In the same way, you sum up the whole of New Testament religion if you describe it as the knowledge of God as one's Holy ...read more

Denomination: Other

Joy Is Restored Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 17, 2017

Sorrow is but for a time. The power of prayer, memories of God’s past healing and His loving-kindness sustain Israel. God heals the pain of the present in the same manner as He has healed the pain of the past.

Joy is the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying: it is keen pleasure, or elation. Joy is more elusive, subtle, and nuanced than happiness. We can manipulate circumstances to our own advantage to obtain what we think will bring happiness, or ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

Denomination: Other

Zechariah The Doubter Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 26, 2018

We can be walking with the Lord, be strong in His might, and still struggle with doubt. It is not a sin to struggle with doubt, but it is a sin to settle on unbelief, which angers God.

Zechariah the Doubter (Luke 1:5-25) 1. A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse. In the defense's closing statement the lawyer, knowing that his client would probably be convicted, resorted to a trick. ? ? "Ladies and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Preparing For Christmas, John's Style

Contributed by Mari Larson on Dec 17, 2018

Preparing for Christmas beyond decorating trees and writing cards.

I have done it, and I cannot undo it. I have equated social media with that/this wild-eyed picture of John the Baptist. “You brood of vipers.” Polarizing. Negative. Scary, even. I hear some of you giggling, and I see you smiling. You know what I’m talking about. There’s a lot of speaking ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: Lutheran

This Is A Test Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 25, 2019

We need to test what we are taught and what we hear, based upon God’s revealed objective truth.

This Is A Test (I John 4:1-6) 1. A teacher sent home a letter to all the parents after the first day of the new school year. It read, “If you promise not to believe all that your child says goes on at school, I will promise not to believe all that your child says goes on at home.” 2. When it ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

We – (You . . . And . . . I . . .) - Are Called By Jesus

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Feb 17, 2020

Jesus calls us all into discipleship, no matter who we are

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Episcopal

Gods Protection, Plan & Promise Are Yours

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 20, 2018

God has a plan to protect us so that his promises for us will come true. Listen carefully Saints, not the plans you have or desires you have for yourself, no quite the contrary. Here we are talking about God’s plan for your life as His servants.

Gods Protection, Plan & Promise are Yours Matthew 2:13-22 Psalm 139 We are a full week into 2018 and the Christmas story is fresh in our minds. Many of you may have taken down your decorations and have stored away the cards and the gift wrap for another year. What remains is the message of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-22, Acts 12:6-7, 2 Timothy 2:20-21, Proverbs 3:5-6, James 4:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

All That We Hope To Be Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Oct 21, 2024

The final sermon in the 4-part series looks at what empowers us to commit ourselves and our resources to God.

October 20, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Jeremiah 29:11-14; Romans 8:24-31; Matthew 5:13-16 All That We Hope to Be Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Our offering hymn, “We Lift Our Voices” has been the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-14, Romans 8:24-31, Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Lutheran

How Will Light Shine On All Your Ways?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 9, 2024

Allowing the Light to shine on all that we do and all that we may go through is important to show to others our joy in the Lord, regardless of what happens.

In an attempt better understand the question posed, I think we should have a brief overview of the book of Job. Everybody has heard about Job at some point in time. The book of Job is a grasping show of wealth, to poverty, to wealth (riches, to rags, to riches), a theological composition about ...read more

Scripture: Job 22:28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Song Of Joy: Magnifying The Lord This Christmas Luke 1:46-47, 49 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 16, 2024

Mary’s Song, or the Magnificat in Luke 1, is a hymn of praise that magnifies the greatness of God

A Song of Joy: Magnifying the Lord this Christmas Luke 1:46-47, 49 Introduction As we journey through Advent, we anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth and the joy it brings. Today, we turn to a beautiful passage known as Mary’s Song or the Magnificat. Found in Luke 1, it’s a hymn of praise ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46, Luke 1:47, Luke 1:49, Philippians 4:4, Isaiah 6:3, John 1:14, Psalm 126:3, Romans 8:32, Romans 10:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Where Community And Joy Reside

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 23, 2024

A sermon for the fourth Sunday of Advent, year C

December 22, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Luke 1:39-55 Where Community and Joy Reside Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Today we meditate on the scriptural passage known as “the visitation.” The newly pregnant ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Lutheran

Forgiveness, Yes Or No?

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 9, 2024

“Yes” is defined as an affirmative response to a request, question, command, or suggestion. Alternatively, “No” is respectively described as the negative reciprocation for each.

Shannon L. Alder, a female author and physical therapist who works as an inpatient therapist at a rehabilitation hospital in California once remarked: “People that hold onto hate for so long do so because they want to avoid dealing with their pain. They falsely believe if they forgive they are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:25, 1 John 1:9, Matthew 18:21-22, James 5:12