Sermons on Henri Nouwen:

Why Do I Need A Shepherd? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 21, 2020

Jesus said He was the good shepherd. But why do I need Him to do that? Why can't I get along just fine without Him?

OPEN: Several years ago in the country of Turkey, a flock of sheep made the news. It seems that the shepherds of the flock had been eating breakfast when their sheep began to wander off. Now, ordinarily this wouldn’t have been a problem, except the flock was just a stone’s throw away from a cliff. ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Younger Son Leaves Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Mar 8, 2011

In part 1 of the series Return of the Prodigal, Dave examines what we can learn about the leaving of the younger son.

The Younger Son Leaves The Return of the Prodigal, prt. 1 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers February 13, 2011 Good to be back with you again. Great baptism and membership service last week, wasn’t it? Members of Wildwind, I want to remind you again to look carefully at those ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Free Methodist

Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 23, 2015

Almost everybody can quote Jesus' statement: "Judge not". But are they quoting Him properly? Is there something in His words that say more than most people think?

OPEN: Little Tommy was out on the playground during recess and was picking on the other children on the playground. One of his favorite ways of taunting the other kids was make ugly faces at them. Mrs. Smith was the teacher in charge of supervising recess and she saw Tommy doing this. She took ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Rib Of A Healthy Husband Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 5, 2022

Why did God form Eve from Adam's rib? Why didn't He just form her from the dust of the earth like He did with Adam? And what difference can that make for Christian husbands.

OPEN: At Sunday School, they were teaching about how God created the world. And little Johnny was intrigued when he heard that Eve had been created out of one of Adam's ribs. Later in the week, Johnny complained to his mother that he was experiencing pain, and his mom asked: "Well, Johnny, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Set Your Feet Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 24, 2019

1st Peter talks about holiness and says we should "set our hope on the grace." What does that mean and how can we know when we've done it?

Henry Ward Beecher was a fiery preacher in the 1800’s and was a strong opponent of slavery. Early in his life, there’s a story about how he became the kind of man that he did. When he was a boy, there was a story about something that happened at school. According to the story… his teacher asked ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Justified Through The Faith Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 11, 2025

To establish that when it pleased God, He called the Galatians, Paul, and us by His grace; to reveal His Son (Christ) to us, and in us; that we might preach and teach Him among the nations: that all might be justified through the faith in Christ Jesus.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Who Called Galatia By His Grace 2. Who Called Paul By His Grace 3. Who Called Us By His Grace Introductory Remarks. 1. Today's lesson will discuss “Justified through the faith.” Paul wrote: “God, who hath called the Galatians, him, and us by His grace.” He continued: ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-24, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:11-12, Galatians 3:26-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Led By The Star Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 24, 2017

What was the star that led the Wisemen to Jesus and what difference does that make to us today?

OPEN: Years ago I wrote a song about the Wise Men. The first verse went this way “Out in the fields, watching the sky. Looking to heaven, searching on high. Troubled by things I’d seen on this earth, I knew that my answer lay with a child’s birth. For the prophecy said that a star in the sky, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fruitful Life On The Vine Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 5, 2020

Jesus said "I am the vine, you are the branches. Apart from me you can do nothing?" But that doesn't make any sense... or does it?

OPEN: About a 35-minute drive SW of London is a tourist attraction that was once a royal palace. It’s called Hampton Court. It was built over 500 years ago and was a favorite residence of Henry VIII. A couple hundred years later, during George III's reign (the King who had problems with the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-10, John 15:12-13, Matthew 7:24-27, 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fire On The Mountain Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 8, 2015

We are confronted with choices daily. The BIG choice is what to do with God when we see his presence. This becomes a choice about Relationship; Repentance; Rulership; and Renewal.

1. Ski Lift Choice A woman getting onto a ski lift was given instructions that the moment the lift's chair touched her backside she was to sit down and lift her feet from off the ground. Instead when the chair came against her she sat down but was nervous about the height of the lift. Her ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:20-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

4 Steps To Guiding The Prodigal Child Series

Contributed by Vince Miller on Oct 3, 2019

There are few challenges more difficult or more common than dealing with a wayward child. It’s frustrating, tests our limits emotionally, drives us to prayer, and can even leave us feeling like a failure. How can we handle this?

The Challenge of Prodigal Children There are few challenges more difficult or more common than dealing with a wayward child. It’s frustrating, tests our limits emotionally, drives us to prayer, and can even leave us feeling like a failure. Many parents experience feelings of shame and regret when ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:20

Denomination: Baptist

Restore Me Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Oct 16, 2014

We all have bad days, even bad periods in our lives. We all get discouraged. That's why we can identify with David.

“Soul Talk: Restore Me” Ps. 30 You know it’s going to be a bad day when: you turn on the morning news and they’re displaying emergency routes out of the city - your boss tells you not to bother taking off your coat - your horn gets stuck following a group of hell’s ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Word As Peace Series

Contributed by Alvin Hathaway, Sr. on May 22, 2011

God give us a word of peace to prepare our spirits, to acknowledge our pain in prayer, to believe God's promise and covenant, to accept God's provisions as his gift to the world, and to know that God's plan is for us to have His peace.

Sunday, December 14, 2008 The Word as Peace Text: Luke: 1: 79 We continue in our Advent theme: “What God Gives” Last Sunday, we examined what God gives is his word as power, if we believe we can become a child of God; then we can inherit the benefits of his children. This Sunday I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:79

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus The Path To Peace Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 17, 2017

Peace on earth? With wars and rumors of wars what possible peace could the angels be announcing? And how does the baby Jesus fit into all this?

OPEN: I love to sing Christmas Carols, so this morning I want you to stand and sing 3 verses of “Silent Night” with me. 1. “Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon On The Joy Of Emmanuel

Contributed by William Meakin on Dec 8, 2023

Joy is defined as a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. It signifies feelings of exhilaration, ebullience and gladness.

Henri J. M. Nouwen, a Dutch priest and professor once remarked: “At first sight, joy seems to be connected with being different. When you receive a compliment or win an award, you experience the joy of not being the same as others. You are faster, smarter, more beautiful, and it is that difference ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, John 17:13, Romans 15:13, James 1:2

Openness: The Unfinished Story - 4 Of 14 Series

Contributed by Russell Metcalfe on Jan 28, 2021

The Prodigal Son has gone away, and has come home again. The Loving Father has permitted him to go, but has watched and waited and welcomed him home again with celebration. Now the Elder Brother wonders why. How could God love like that? Is this really how God loves?

Lent 4—March 22, 1998 "Openness" Luke 15 1,2; 11-32 A Picture, A Story The sun has already set and daylight has mostly faded and gone. The big house is dimly outlined between tall old trees against the fading glow in the sky. But there is light piercing out into the darkness from the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1

Denomination: Nazarene