Sermons on Gerard Manley Hopkins:

Describing God In One Word

Contributed by Marty Hopkins on Sep 27, 2005

There are so many different words that can be used to describe God. But if you had to use just one, that word would be Holy.

“Describing God in One Word” (Psalm 99) Have you ever had to look for the right word to describe something? A place (Man, that’s beautiful, it’s breathtaking), A smell (ugh, that’s awful, it’s horrible), How about a taste? (uuumm, good, rich, yummy) Sometimes it’s hard to put into words when ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 99:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

How To Minister To The Minister

Contributed by Marty Hopkins on Sep 27, 2005

A message for the church that relates to ministering to those who teach us God’s Word every week.

“How to Minister to the Minister” (I Timothy 5:17-25) Well, this morning we are continuing in our series from the Pastoral Epistles we are calling “Footsteps of the Faithful.” Now let me recap some of what’s been covered in this series of messages. In chapter one we talked about the church and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:17-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Call That Changes All

Contributed by Marty Hopkins on Sep 30, 2005

A message that deals with the most important call of all - the call to salvation!

“The Call That Changes All” (Matt. 9:9-13) This morning I want to share something with you that’s very dear to the heart of God. As a matter of fact, it’s a message that He wants everyone here to listen to very carefully. It’s a message He wants everyone in this sanctuary to respond to. It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Rock That Doesn't Roll

Contributed by Marty Hopkins on Oct 1, 2005

Is your life, marriage, home, and faith built on a firm foundation or on sinking sand?

The Rock That Doesn’t Roll (Matthew 16:13-20) Good morning! What a great joy it is to be with you this morning. I trust that you’ve come with an open heart and mind this morning and that you want to hear from God and not from just another preacher. I want you to know I’m not here to entertain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Our Church For?

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Sep 9, 2010

How God seeks out the lost, through the only mediator - Jesus Christ.

Luke 15:1-10 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Exodus 32:7-14 There’s a story told about the boss of a big company who needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers. He dialled the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whispered, "Hello?" ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Are There Limits?

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Oct 8, 2010

The scripture reading show that God has no limits in the way that humans perceive them, and challenges listeners to consider their own limits.

2 Kings 5.1-15 2 Timothy 2.8-15 Luke 17.11-19 I wonder if you’ve ever watched I’m a celebrity…get me out of here? Selected celebrities are expected to face things most of us would rather avoid, like putting one’s arm into a tank full of writhing snakes, or handling a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Don't Assume

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Oct 14, 2010

A sermon for a school service of teenagers, not necessarily believers.

I want to begin this morning thinking about assumptions. If I asked you what is about six inches long and produces a white, frothy substance when rubbed back and forth and in and out, I’m sure you’d all make an assumption, when the answer is in fact a toothbrush. Assumptions cause all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Remembrance And Holy Communion

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Nov 11, 2008

A sermon linking themes of Remembrance Sunday and Holy Communion - an uncommon combination in English Free churches

This evening is something rather unusual in our church. Very rarely has our calendar so fallen that we celebrate Holy Communion on Remembrance Sunday. At first sight it seems very odd to mix something so religious, Holy Communion, with something with so many secular overtones, Remembrance Sunday. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

King David And His Relevance For Today

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Aug 25, 2011

A look at the life of King David, and what that might have to say to Christians today.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed that some of the MPs criticising the Murdochs and News International have a dubious track record in terms of expenses, and might therefore not be in a position to criticise the morals of others. Likewise, Stephen Fry remarked on the inappropriateness of any ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:18-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Paradox Of The Gospel

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Aug 28, 2011

The inherent paradox in scripture and Christian life

Exodus 3:1-15 Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16:21-28 Which came first, the chicken or the egg? This is probably the best known paradox of all time. Here are some more light-hearted paradoxes are that you might like to consider: Computer security Political science Tight slacks Definite maybe Pretty ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Keep Calm And Carry On - A Sermon For Ash Wednesday

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Feb 17, 2013

A sermon for Ash Wednesday - for a UK congregation

Joel 2:1-2 & 12-17 John 8:1-11 I’m beginning, totally unsuitably for Lent, with an expression of pride. I’m very proud of my collection of the complete set of Carry On films - it’s the earthy British humour of the 1960s and 1970s at its best (or worst, depending upon your point ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Calling In The Wilderness

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Feb 17, 2013

A sermon for the first Sunday of Lent

Luke 4:1-13 Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Romans 10:9-13 I’m told that it’s impossible to be hungry in the desert because of the sand which is everywhere. Today our readings take us into the desert, or the wilderness if you prefer (the words are the same in the Greek and Hebrew). Why is this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Who?

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on May 26, 2013

Use of Jeremiah, John, and Luke, to bring out three persons of the Trinity, and an analogy with TV programme Dr Who - different faces and mystery.

Luke 19:1-10 Jeremiah 32:21-25 John 20:19-23 As a child, I always enjoyed Dr Who on a Saturday teatime. For me, Tom Baker was the doctor - the others who came after weren’t quite the same. Perhaps, for you it was Jon Pertwee who was the doctor, or Patrick Troughton, or William Hartnell; or ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:21-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Father's Day 2012

Contributed by Tyler Hopkins on Aug 31, 2012

A Father's Day sermon where I focus on Noah and how he honored God as a father.

Now I am not a father so I can't speak from personal experience about father-type things. I have worked in children's ministries for a few years, so I like to think that counts for something. The best example for fathers is, of course, found in scripture. I'm going a little unorthodox with what ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Storms Of Life

Contributed by Tyler Hopkins on Aug 31, 2012

I talk about how Jesus is with us through our storms and what we need to do in our storms.

I want to open this sermon with the scripture from Mark 4:35-41,"35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: United Methodist