Sermons on Flip Wilson:

When We Are Called To Those Who Are Hostile

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 15, 2009

After being abused and accused by his fellow Jews, Jeremiah’s counsel was sought and ignored. Modern believers need to take note.

If I hadn’t had a similar, though less lethal, experience, I probably wouldn’t relate to that scene in “The Godfather” where the old Mafioso tells the young boss how the traitor would try to kill him after his death. With me, we were in a nice restaurant in San Francisco (my executive editor and I) ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 37:13-21

Denomination: *other

Not About The Money Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 16, 2009

The deaths of two early church members may seem to "about the money," but that isn’t the whole story. See modern church problems in a new light.

There is a bit of folk wisdom that goes something like this: “Whenever you hear someone say that ‘It’s not about the money,” it usually is.” But this morning, I want to share from a passage that is almost always focused on the money and probably should not be. I don’t believe the Holy Spirit ...read more

Denomination: *other

A Pickip Load Of Manure Series

Contributed by David Wilson on Feb 17, 2009

Giving unto God those things that belong to God is a bit tougher than we think!

Mark 12:13-17 “A pickup full of Manure” To understand this text we need to understand the Herodian philosophy. As these men came to try to “catch” Jesus in his words we know that their intentions were evil. The Herodians were likely part of the court of king Herod who supported his kingship ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Shadow Of His Style Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 17, 2009

Believers need to learn to expect the unexpected and inexplicable from God, but we won’t experience such until we are sold on God’s one agenda and striving with one accord.

The shadow of your smile When you are gone Will color all my dreams And light the dawn… The year was 1965. The movie was The Sandpiper. The stars were Elizabeth Taylor as the seductress and the late Richard Burton as the Episcopal priest she seduced. The sentiment in the song is that our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: *other

Seeing God Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 18, 2009

God’s servants need to focus on God’s activity rather than the negativity of God’s people.

1) And Yahweh proceeded to speak to Moses, “Go, ascend from this place, you and the people you caused to ascend from the land of Egypt toward the land which I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your seed, I will give it 2) And I shall send a messenger (angel) before your presence ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:1-23

Denomination: *other

To Serve Man? Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 20, 2009

What is it about active, vital believers that is so threatening to popular culture?

One of my favorite television episodes of “The Twilight Zone” television series was a humorous episode where the entire plot revolved around a misunderstanding with an alien species and culminated in the discovery of a book. The title of that book was “To Serve Man” and the misunderstanding was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:27-42

Denomination: *other

Too Much On The Plate Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 22, 2009

God’s people aren’t immune from grumbling and murmuring, but those who wish to lead effectively will pray for divine solutions in handling dissension.

In a small, struggling situation like those of many churches, it is tempting to look upon the “growing pains” of the early church with some degree of envy. They were adding to the church daily. They were filling up Jerusalem to overflowing with excitement about Jesus’ resurrection and the presence ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7, Acts 6:1

Denomination: *other

How To Get Yourself Killed Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 22, 2009

Stephen’s martyrdom calls to minds questions about our own faithfulness and witness.

In the magazine business, there is an inexorable law that says that you will sell more copies of an issue if you convince people that they can do more things or do multiple things more effectively. That’s why you always see lots of cover lines like: “100 Ways to Make Your Green Thumb Glow” or “50 ...read more

Denomination: *other

When We Are Called To Those Who Are Ready

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 22, 2009

Philip’s call to travel the road to Gaza doesn’t make human sense, but it reminds us to trust God when we have to go through the wilderness of life experiences.

There is a theme in American Literature, U.S. movies, and Broadway musicals where protagonists from rural areas come to the big city and make it big. Even Clark Kent has to move from the farm to Metropolis before he makes the big time as the investigative reporter who doubles as Superman. And we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: *other

Be Careful!

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 25, 2009

The words of an ancient wise man remind us that the "awe" of God is foundational for wise living.

Be Careful Text: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 (English) Most of us can relate to having a parent’s anxiety or remembering a parent’s anxiety when we either allowed our children a bit of independence or when we were ourselves allowed the opportunity to do something autonomous. I can well remember hearing my ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Denomination: *other

James: An Exposition Of James 2 Series

Contributed by David Wilson on Feb 26, 2009

A look at James Chapter two encouraging the reader to view the book of James in full context with practical applications for the believer. This entire series is available as an ebook entitled "James: Who has Superior Faith" via the ibook store (itunes)

Introduction James is my favorite book of the Bible. I have always been drawn to its practical approach and straightforward method of approaching the subject of living one’s faith. James doesn’t spend a lot of time discussing doctrine, though the book is full of doctrinal concepts. Instead, ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

Unexpected Joy

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 27, 2009

We sing and quote that "The joy of the LORD is your strength," but learning to live it in challenging service to our King is a daily "workout" for our faith (that brings "unexpected joy").

How many of us have ever said, “As soon as I get this accomplished, I’ll focus on helping out at the church?” How many of us have ever said, “As soon as I have my degree in hand, I’ll start seriously serving the Lord” or “As soon as our church finds a building (or a pastor), I’ll really get ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-10

Denomination: *other

A Pattern For The People Of God

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Mar 2, 2009

It is amazing to look at how even the arrangement of the camp in Early Israel provides a message about the need for leadership, vision, and devotion among God’s people.

Many churches are going through difficult transitions, whether due to the graying and silvering of their constituents, the changing demographics of their neighborhoods, the scheduling demands of a time-shifting society, a change in leadership, a change in vision, a merger with another congregation, ...read more

Denomination: *other

That Special Invitation Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Mar 2, 2009

God’s purpose in judgment is to give us a chance to make a "comeback." Here is an invitation to repentance in the midst of "negative" prophecies.

This week, I heard a radio interview with a fellow who has built a business on invitations to Super Bowl parties. He calls his business, “Man-vite.” It’s an online invitation service that helps men organize social events. The whole reason this service exists is because the first such service, ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 6:1-6

Denomination: *other

Bad Medicine Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Mar 2, 2009

Settling for answers other than God’s answers is like taking poisoned medicine for a headache.

Bad Medicine More than 25 years ago (1982), seven residents of the Greater Chicago area made an assumption that proved fatal. They all took a dose of Extra Strength Tylenol® that had been laced with potassium cyanide. What they thought was medicine proved to be poison. This crime, still being ...read more

Denomination: *other