Sermons on Flip Wilson:

Dear Sweet Matilda With Two Faces

Contributed by Thomas Wilson on Aug 27, 2009

A story of perception and deception based on hypocrasy.

Out of the shadow came sweet little Matilda, an elderly woman who was very sociable and liked to talk to everyone and anyone. Everyone knew Matilda in the town, she was there from day dot – she was always there. No one could imagine the town without her she was so well known and so kind and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Congregational

Tempting Proposition

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Aug 31, 2009

Convincing teenagers that temptation is a no-win proposition is hard to do, but this oft-neglected passage from Isaiah offers insight.

In the Broadway musical, “Guys and Dolls,” there is a line where Sky Masterton (the Marlon Brando role in the film version) shares some advice that his father gave him. Sky is a gambler and the entire play revolves around a certain bet that he makes which pays off in a way he isn’t expecting. But I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 28:14-20

Denomination: *other

Torah-Torah-Torah

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Jun 27, 2009

Israel’s "Shema" is not only an exhortation for Jews to make God’s teaching an integral part of their lives, but it serves as a good reminder for Christians to internalize the Word as opposed to merely using it for "adornment."

I think I lasted three practices with the freshman high school basketball team. What good is a 4’ 10” guard with limited vertical leap, so-so jump shot skills, and only a slightly above-average ability to steal the ball? But I well remember those three practices. We would change into gym clothes ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Denomination: *other

Does Not Ask For Much--Does He? Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Jun 27, 2009

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians serves as a terrific model for praying for each other (and our churches, in general).

Just for fun, let’s start with a trick question today. How many letters to the Ephesians are there in the New Testament? Well, I said it was a trick question. There are at least two. There is one that we’ll be looking at this morning and there is one in Revelation 2. You see, Ephesus was an ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: *other

When Christ Is Unable To Work!

Contributed by David Wilson on Oct 27, 2008

Christ is rejected by his own townspeople and Mark declares he could not do many miracles in Nazareth.

Mark 6:1-13 The first portion of our text deals with Jesus in his hometown of Nazareth. He came and preached in the synagogue and immediately people were offended. In fact, the phrase translated as “They took offense” comes from the same Greek root word where we get the word “scandalized.” ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Herod's Folly

Contributed by David Wilson on Oct 31, 2008

Herod’s Folly was not making a rash promise-- it was his refusal to REPENT!

Herod’s Folly Mark 6: 14-29 1. Because of His Guilt- Herod was ready to believe the worst! Some said that Jesus was John the Baptist returned from the dead! Other People said he was Elijah (See Malachi 4), Others said he was a prophet. From these choices- Herod chose the worst—and was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

Who Will You Spend Christmas With?

Contributed by Thomas Wilson on Dec 18, 2008

The real reason for the season. Is it really to be with the family and if so, which one?

We will return to our homes tonight after this service where we welcome the Immanuel into our lives. The majority of us will return satisfied in the knowledge that our homes are warm and for some there will be the last minute items that require our attention, but all in all, everything is done and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Congregational

The Unhindered Gospel In The Hindered Church Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 9, 2009

I wrote this sermon to preach in a church where the pastor had just died on Wednesday night before. God wanted to demonstrate how His timing and His power is more important than the humans in charge.

The Unhindered Gospel in the Hindered Church A 20th century philosopher, Gamaliel Bradford, once said that “Life is hope triumphing over experience.” In those words, he summed up 20th century optimism. He implied that humanity would learn from its experience and improve. His hope was in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-26

Denomination: *other

Never Forget What's Important Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 9, 2009

Peter’s sermon from Acts 3 gives us the essentials of what evangelism needs to be about.

At the dramatic conclusion of the musical, Camelot, the tragic figure of King Arthur calls a boy named Tom out of the bushes. Arthur dubs the boy a “Knight of the Round Table,” but orders him not to fight in the battle. He is to “grow up and grow strong” in order to tell of the ideals and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:13-20

Denomination: *other

The Name We Claim Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 10, 2009

Early believers were able to face opposition and tribulation because they focused upon their identity, following Jesus. What is our identity?

Sometimes, we get suckered in by the idea that identity and relationship are not important. We buy into Shakespeare’s rhetorical question and answer from Act II, Scene II of Romeo and Juliet: What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: *other

The Gold Standard Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 10, 2009

God doesn’t merely want to meet our expectations, God wants to raise our standards.

The Gold Standard I want to apologize if what I’m about to share is repetitious. I think my opening illustration was shared with me by our friend and Chairman of Deacons, Robert Johnson, a few months ago, but I’m not positive. Anyway, in 1900, a company called the Detroit Automobile Company ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-16

Denomination: *other

Moose Dislodged Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 10, 2009

It is incredibly encouraging to realize that God hears and reacts to everything we experience. We are not alone!

I don’t know if the television station was local to Chicago or one of the national news networks, but I can’t forget what I saw. It wasn’t my television. I was just walking by, but I can’t get the image out of my mind. A large moose had fallen through thin ice and was freezing to death because its ...read more

Denomination: *other

A Great Service Needed Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 11, 2009

The call of Moses demonstrates that even when God calls us, it’s not about us but about what God can do.

There used to be a cliché of a scene in many spy movies, science-fiction films, and thrillers. The scene would feature some mysterious person (or sometimes, even the protagonist) removing their dark glasses or doffing their hat and saying something like: “I know this is going to sound strange, but ...read more

Denomination: *other

When Theology Gets Personal Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

For Hosea, theology wasn’t merely theoretical, it was life-changing. So should it be for you and me.

When John Claypool was pastor of Crescent Heights Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, he underwent significant personal tragedy—including having a beloved daughter diagnosed with leukemia. Throughout the turmoil and torture of losing his, as I recall, 10-year-old daughter, Claypool kept his ...read more

Denomination: *other

Like Priest, Like People Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

If Israel’s priests were accountable for Israel’s ignorance and wickedness, what does that mean for all believers as priests and pastors in particular?

[Note: I felt led to preach this sermon during the period leading up to Christmas.] Today is the beginning of the Advent season in churches that follow the ecclesiastical calendar. It celebrates the past, present, and future of God’s coming into the world. In fact, “advent” originates in the Latin ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:1-19

Denomination: *other