Sermons on Enablers:

Discover Eternal Life Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 22, 2006

Eternal Life is largely ignored by Christians today, until they face death. Eternal life, though, is the life they live from the moment they receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Eternal life affects their lives today.

Luke 23:32-43 “Discover Eternity” INTRODUCTION We draw near to the end of our month of Thanksgiving. We have celebrated God’s gifts of love, purpose, and peace. Today we will focus on God’s gift of eternity. God’s gift of eternal life is at the center of the Christian gospel. John writes in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Lutheran

Living Positively

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 25, 2005

One of the ways that Christians live in a positive manner is to discover the ministry, and their gifts and serve God and those around them using their particular gifts in their unique style.

THE SEVEN SEVICE MAY 12, 2002 Romans 8:28-33 “Living Positively” INTRODUCTION We have a choice. We can either approach life as an optimist, or we can approach life as a pessimist. Both optimists and pessimists look to the future. However, one sees the positive possibilities, while the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-33

Denomination: Lutheran

I Believe In The Communion Of Saints Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 29, 2005

There are no self made Christians. The Communion of Saints is vital to a Christian’s life.

Hebrews 12:1-3, Acts 2:42-47 “I Believe In the Communion of Saints” INTRODUCTION American society tends to idolize the rugged, self-made individual. We admire their individuality, and their ability to overcome adverse conditions, excel, and achieve their chosen goals. ¨ Donald Trump ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

Begin With The End In Mind Series

Contributed by Pastor Dempsey Daniels on Jan 2, 2004

2 of 7 in series on Personal Change

Begin With The End In Mind Habakkuk 2:2 Although this applies to many different levels of life and faith and circumstances, the most fundamental applications of beginning with the end in mind is to begin today with the vision of the end as your frame of reference by which everything else is ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2

Denomination: Baptist

An Amazing God Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 16, 2008

There are times when God seems distant and hidden to us. The psalmist reminds us of God’s greatness and where we can experience God’s presence in our lives.

Psalm 19:1-14 “An Amazing God” INTRODUCTION As a child, I loved to play the game, “Hide and Seek.” I would spend entire summer afternoons hiding and seeking with five or six of the kids in my neighborhood. I gave up the game when I grew older, but I now find myself increasingly occupied with ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

I Belong To The Lord, Body And Soul!

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Dec 19, 2008

JB Phillips translates Luke 1:38 like this, ’I belong to the Lord, body and soul. Let it happen as you say.’ Mary’s response of simple, humble faith challenges us to respond positively to the Lord’s call. How will we respond when he next calls us?

When God first called you what was your response? When God next calls you to something new, something different, what will be your response? The key to this Bible reading is Mary’s response of obedience. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary said. “May it be to me as you have said” (1:38). JB Phillips ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Anglican

Death: The End And The Beginning

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Feb 7, 2008

For both the sinner saved by grace and the lost sinner, death is both the end of one journey and the beginning of a new one.

DEATH: THE END AND THE BEGINNING “…For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about the streets. Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

Four Anchors In The Mist Of The Storm

Contributed by Jerry Stepp on Oct 28, 2007

Four points in this passage that Pauls points us to which will allow us to get through the storms of life.

“Four Anchors in the Mist of the Storm” Acts 27:18-31 Introduction: ~People every where in every corner of the world struggle with storms in there life, no one is exempt from them. Some storms are daily, some are for life. ~They very from health, to money, to family, to work, to unruly kids, and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:18-31

Denomination: Baptist

Deeper Relationship With Christ Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 20, 2009

As living stones we are built into spiritual houses--we grow in our walk with Jesus.

1 Peter 2:4-6 “Deeper Relationship with Christ” INTRODUCTION We continue to talk about our response to the resurrection of Jesus Christ as a congregation and as individuals. We are doing this by studying our congregation’s mission statement. That statement reads, “Inviting everyone to a new ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Fruitlessness Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 27, 2013

In the middle of faithlessness and unrepentance, God moves graciously.

Luke 13:1-9, 31-35 “Fruitlessness” INTRODUCTION Two teenagers were driving along a mountain road near Flagstaff. As some of us have a tendency to do, they were going rather fast—about 75 miles per hour. The driver lost control of the truck. The truck crashed through the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Turning The Tables Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 14, 2012

By his resurrection, Jesus has turned the tables. Rather than be consumed with the present and the temporary, we are able to turn our attention to the hope and eternity. The change in perspective can tyurn our lives up-side-down, or right-side-up.

2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 “Turning the Tables” INTRODUCTION I heard a story recently about a young man who had trouble one Sunday getting up for worship. His mother knocked on his bedroom door and called to him that it was time to get up. The young man rolled over and pulled the ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Gospel Or Bust

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Aug 4, 2011

This sermon explains several qualities that are required if a believer is going to have "The Gospel or Bust" attitude

INTRODUCTION * Midwest, 1930s = livelihood of farmers became almost non-existent; many set out on Route 66 for California with the phrase “California or Bust” written on signs attached to trucks * The phase “or bust” has continued to be used by people in different contexts ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Who Are We Really? Series

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Oct 1, 2016

Most Christians identify themselves by affiliations or labels. We are Pastor so and so or Apostle so and so or we are Baptists, Methodists, Catholic, etc. The Bible doesn't use any of these to describe who we are in God's eyes.

DRAWN INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD Romans 8:12-17 1. The mortification of sin (Romans 8:12-14) Paul has just commented that “if Christ is in you the body is dead on account of sin” (Romans 8:10). And that “the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead will also quicken (revivify, make alive) ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 24, 2015

There is great power in forgiveness both for the one who is forgiven and also for the one who forgives

Matthew 18: 15-35 “The Power of Forgiveness” INTRODUCTION Everyone has someone in their lives whom they have not forgiven. It could be someone in the distant past—a boyfriend or girlfriend who jilted us in high school. Someone who offended us unintentionally might be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Bumping Into Jesus Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 7, 2015

The experience that the women have at the tomb--their encounter with Jesus-- turns their mourning into dancing and transforms their lives forever.

Matthew 28:1-10 “Bumping into Jesus” INTRODUCTION Have you ever had the experience of bumping into an old acquaintance who you never thought you’d ever bump into? That happened to Faye and me one time when our family went to a Twins game in Minneapolis with my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran