Sermons on Erin Ryan Wicked Woman:

The Strength Of Weakness

Contributed by Ryan Ferwerda on Apr 25, 2019

It is not until we are at our weakest that God shows us His strength of Salvation.

If I am remembering correctly from a sermon I heard a few weeks ago[i] there is a story about a Chinese teacher who takes his students on an outing to a river/lake side as a time of respite after a grueling period of instruction. Out of all the students and the teacher, only two of them know how ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Do Not Dwell On The Past; Look To The Future

Contributed by Ryan Ferwerda on Apr 25, 2019

When we focus too much on what happened in the past it becomes hard for us to see what God is doing in the present and is leading us in the future.

When I was in the parish, preaching every Sunday, there was usually one of my parishioners that would always come up to me after service and express how that day’s particular sermon seemed like I was speaking directly to them; that the sermon on that given day was addressing something specific ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Remember Whose Child You Are

Contributed by Ryan Ferwerda on Aug 15, 2019

When faced with the reality of the scary world we live in, it can be helpful to remember whose child we are!

"The story is told of a boy who was leaving home for college. His father had included him in the morning prayer at the breakfast table, asking God to protect him and to grant him success in the career which he was undertaking. Rising from the table, the young man expected to receive some final ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

Do It God's Way

Contributed by Ryan Worley on Jun 19, 2014

WHAT DO YOU DO IF THERE IS NO OTHER WAY? Submit to God and Do it His way.

Matthew 26:36-46 I have often asked myself this question. What do you do when there is no other way but to do it God’s way? That is an overwhelming duh!!!!! You submit to God and you do it His way. I got to thinking about this one night and I started thinking about the time that Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You're Invited

Contributed by Ryan Worley on Jun 26, 2014

We have promises in the bible that guarantee us the right to come to God and get whatever we need.

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need." Hebrews 4:16 When I was young going to a birthday party was a big deal for me. I lived in a small community in Oklahoma called Mountain View, so there was just a small handful of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gardening Trust

Contributed by Ryan Ferwerda on Jun 9, 2021

Through Scripture we find that gardening has a lot to teach us about trust. Specifically trusting in God to see us through the difficult times of life.

“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.” [i] This quote from world renown horticulturist from the early 20th Century, Gertrude Jekyll, really speaks to the impact a garden can make on a person’s ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 17:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Lutheran

Be Prepared

Contributed by Ryan Ferwerda on Nov 9, 2020

Being prepared in life is very helpful in reducing stress when one faces the inevitable delays of everyday life. Scripture teaches us that being prepared in faith is useful as well as we a wait the coming of the kingdom of heaven.

Delays; they are an inevitable part of our everyday lives. We experience delays in a variety of ways, but one of the most common delays that we all experience is in our travels, be it from weather, road construction, or traffic. While these delays are unavoidable, there are steps that we can take ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, Amos 5:18-24, Jeremiah 22:3

Denomination: Lutheran

For All The Saints

Contributed by Ryan Ferwerda on Jan 15, 2021

A look into a lost faith tradition of reflecting on the life and work of the saints, especially Saint Hilary of Poitiers, feast day January 13

This past week my First-Grade son, who goes to the local Catholic School, along with all of this first grade classmates, helped lead the Wednesday mass. This was the second time this school year that he and his class has done this, and thus it was the second time that I went in order to see him and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:5-6, Luke 1:31-35, Romans 9:5

Denomination: Lutheran

In The Beginning

Contributed by Ryan Ferwerda on Apr 2, 2023

A look into what the Bible says about "the beginning"

What makes a good story? For me, I am not an avid reader. I average reading probably only one book every three years or so. It takes me a long time to read a book, usually. Most often when I have a hard time reading a book it is because I have a hard time getting into reading that book, and it ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, Genesis 2:3

Denomination: Lutheran

Easter: On Being Afraid

Contributed by Ryan Ferwerda on Mar 31, 2024

In the Gospel of Mark the Easter story, and the whole Gospel, ends with those closest to Jesus being afraid. Just as Jesus met them in their fear, so too will Jesus meet us.

"Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid." (Mark 16:8, NIV) When we look at the four accounts of the Resurrection story in the four gospels, we see a common thread running through at least three of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

The Two Minute Warning

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 5, 2017

Football's "Two Minute Warning" warns the game is almost over and the window to make a change is closing. It's an apt example of how God's warnings about our lives are serious and the time will come when reversal will be too late. (Msg good any time).

THE TWO MINUTE WARNING Daniel 5:1-31 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. ATLANTA JOKE The Atlanta Falcons had just finished their daily practice session when a large turkey came strutting onto the field and demanded to be given a chance to play at tight end. Everyone watched with wonder as the turkey caught ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Proverbial Wisdom

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on May 15, 2004

Proverbial wisdom. 1- Kindness 2- Generosity 3- Anxiety

INTRO.- ILL.- Automaker Henry Ford asked electrical genius Charlie Steinmetz to build the generators for his factory. One day the generators ground to a halt, and the repairmen couldn’t find the problem. So Ford called Steinmetz, who tinkered with the machines for a few hours and then threw the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:16-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

New Clothes For The New You!

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jun 15, 2015

In Col, 3:1-17 Paul shares with us that we are 1. Set our hearts and minds 2. Put to death that which will kill us and 3. Put off that which will harm and Put on the New Clothes of Our New Life in Christ.

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17 Theme: New Life - New Clothes or New Clothes for the New You! INTRO: Good morning and I am so glad you are here this morning! Throughout the years, America has been identified by various iconic images. For example, during the great western expansion ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17

Denomination: Nazarene

The Coffin And The Christmas Tree

Contributed by David N. Clay on Dec 9, 2011

A Christmas sermon describing how Christ can be born into the most difficult of circumstances.

The Coffin and the Christmas Tree Four years ago my Father-in-Law, Dr. W. C. Dobbs, pastor and professor, passed away. Because his death happened right before Christmas it was the first time that I had ever missed any events of my church’s Christmas season. I missed the Children’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Neglected Principle

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2014

A study of generosity as taught from the Old Testament.

“I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12

Denomination: Baptist