Sermons on Five Senses:

Not Your Typical Sabbath Worship

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 1, 2021

Jesus launched his ministry at the synagogue in Capernaum. The people present were amazed and astounded by the encounter. Are you amazed and astounded when you encounter Jesus?

January 31, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 1:21-28 Not Your Typical Sabbath Worship Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. What do you expect when you attend a worship service? We have certain expectations of what ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Humility And Unity In Christ

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Mar 25, 2018

Unity in name of Christ occurs when believers humble themselves as he did; yielding their interests to the needs of others as Christ yielded his for our sake.

It’s April 1865, and the Civil War is coming to a close. Robert E Lee surrenders to Ulysses S Grant. Lee later begs the southern states to join the Union and be one nation again. Johnson finally surrenders to Sherman, leaving one major Confederate general to surrender, which he eventually does. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13

Denomination: Other

And The Holy Spirit Said

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jan 6, 2017

The Holy Spirit leads us, not we the Holy Spirit.

And the Holy Spirit Said Acts 13:1-4 Everything was going well at the church at Antioch. The leadership team presided over a growing and vibrant cross-cultural church. This new church plant already was held in high repute and had reached the ears of the Apostles and leaders of the parent church at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Growing The Family Of God Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 16, 2017

There is a widespread effort within our culture to destroy the human family, and ultimately to dehumanize all of us, to turn us into commodities. But there is also hope for change.

Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost 2017 From the epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians: Brethren: I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Sermon On Rituals & Traditions

Contributed by William Meakin on Apr 15, 2022

Rituals have been defined as a series of actions or type of behaviour regularly and invariably followed by someone.

Gretchen Bleiler, an American former professional halfpipe snowboarder once remarked: “I learned a few years ago that balance is the key to a happy and successful life, and a huge part of achieving that balance is to instil rituals into your everyday life - a nutritious balanced diet, daily ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:6, Romans 14:23, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 29:13-14

Renew Violence Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 9, 2019

While Jesus forbids the use of the sword as a means to advance the kingdom of God, the New Testament does not teach an absolute or principled pacifism.

Violence – we are a culture awash in it. Violence is on our TVs and devices, whether in the form of entertainment or the nightly news. We can’t go a day without hearing about some new statistic about the death rates in “CHIRAQ” or Chicago or about another ISIS moment in the Middle East. For many of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-40, Romans 12:17-21, Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gather Up The Fragments

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jul 29, 2024

A sermon for the Season after Pentecost, Series B, Lectionary 17

July 28, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21 Gather up the Fragments Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” Leftovers. I’m a ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-21, Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Joshua 13: Well Begun, But Not All Done Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 13, 2024

The initial campaigns to reclaim Canaan for Israel were over. Joshua, though, was old and there was still a lot of land unclaimed. Israel had begun well but had not yet finished all of the Lord's commands. What now?

Introduction: Israel, under Joshua’s leadership, had conquered a great deal of Canaan, the Promised Land. Several years had gone by, and Joshua was nearing the end of his earthly journey. Israel, though, was not nearly done with reclaiming the land so the LORD commanded Joshua to divide the land ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

We Are The Forerunners For Jesus

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jan 30, 2024

We are like John the Baptist. It is our responsibility to introduce Jesus, just like John did. This evil world needs Jesus more than ever.

We are the Forerunners for Jesus Luke 1:57-67 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 1:57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-67

Denomination: United Methodist

5 Ways To Stay Encouraged In A Lonely World

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 24, 2023

Hope is the secret weapon of the Christian. Hope is the weapon of our mind to defeat any discouraging thought. Use this powerful weapon, by training your mind to counter any pessimistic thought with the truth of the scriptures.

According to a study by Harvard, 36% of Americans, so more than one in three, described their level of loneliness as "serious." In a lonely world, how can we find encouragement? How can we find a mindset that leads to stability and peace? That is the challenge in this world. The battle ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:11-15, Hebrews 12:2, Psalm 123:1

Denomination: Salvation Army

When God Is In It Series

Contributed by Jeff Kautz on Jan 5, 2019

How to tell when God is in it

God Is In It--7 1-10.docx Ecclesiastes 7:1-10 As we make a turn into chapter 7 Solomon describes the “better things” that come to the life of the person who follows God’s Wisdom. These words add incredible “balance” to the life of a child of God. Solomon uses the word “better” seven times in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

God's Unmerited Favor

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Feb 11, 2019

What role did you play in God’s plan last year? Is Christ happy with your commitment to his church; did you strive to reach your potential in him or did you coast along doing as little as possible, hoping something good will happen?

One of the three ships that bring the colonists to Jamestown is Godspeed, a three-mast square-rigger that sails the Atlantic nearly five months to get to Virginia. The ship is just 88 feet long—about the length of a double tractor-trailer—and has a top speed of +/- 4 miles per hour. Colonists ...read more

Denomination: Other

Where True Blessedness Is Found Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 18, 2019

Those who trust in the Lord are blessed

February 17, 2019 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Jer. 17:5-10; Ps. 1; Lk. 6:17-26 Where True Blessedness Is Found Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Blessedness. That’s the common word in all of our readings today. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-10, Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Lutheran

In What Do You Trust Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jul 27, 2015

CONFIDENCE IS DEFINED AS HAVING FULL TRUST OR FAITH IN SOMETHING. THIS PRESENTS THE PERSON SEEKING TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST WITH A DILEMMA. IN HAT DID WE TRUST AND IN WHAT DO WE TRUST TODAY FOR OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST.

IN WHAT DO YOU TRUST Philippians 3:4-8 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5  circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Subject Of Sin Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Oct 11, 2022

Jesus promised this woman the living water of spiritual rebirth. But before she could receive the living water of spiritual rebirth the matter of sin had to be discussed.

Last time we got into the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4: 1-14. We found that the woman was intrigued when Jesus asked her to give Him a drink. Jesus then offered this woman the Living Water. But we also said that there were some matters that she had to straighten out before ...read more

Scripture: John 4:15-18

Denomination: Baptist