Sermons on Hierarchy:

The Dialogue Of Ecumenism Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 12, 2016

Our prayer is that all Christians be One.

Thursday of Fifth Week in Lent 2016 Joy of the Gospel The providential juxtaposition of St. Patrick’s Day with the readings of this Lenten feria should lead us to make a comparison between the call of St. Patrick and the call of the Hebrew patriarchs. Patrick was called by God to return ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:3-9

Denomination: Catholic

Useless Or Useful? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 8, 2014

Mercy is the greatest of the virtues in the external manifestation.

Thursday of the 32nd Week in Course Joy of the Gospel St. Paul had a dilemma. One of his converts in Asia, Philemon, lived in Colossae. Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, had escaped and probably stolen property in the process. Escaped slaves were dealt with according to their owner’s whim ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:7-20

Denomination: Catholic

Creativity--The Opposite Of Liturgy Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 21, 2011

Our profession of faith in Christ is guided not only by Scripture, but by the Fathers of the Church, the historic creeds, and our liturgical tradition.

Monday of the 5th Week of Easter Spirit of the Liturgy Mistaken identity. It’s an embarrassment, and occasionally a lethal inconvenience. Consider poor Jude here. No wonder he appears to have preferred the name “Thaddeus,” and became patron saint of hopeless causes. Even the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:5-18

Denomination: Catholic

Scripture Or Tradition

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 8, 2022

Which is more important: Scripture or tradition?

Scripture or Tradition Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Mark 7:1-13 1 The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, 2 and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with pure hands, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Inclusion Is What We Need, Not Power Hungry People

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Aug 11, 2021

Jesus rebuked His disciples because they wanted to keep the power of healing for themselves. This is happening in church today even though Jesus said it is wrong!

I think that it is sad that when I read this narrative, it made me think about the control the church has held over people for almost 2000 years. The church used only one verse, thus out of context, to control people. Catholics could not own a Bible until 1964 CE. The idea that a person has to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-41

Denomination: United Methodist

That They All Be One Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 31, 2017

Our witness must be positive–we hold fast to what we know is true, and treat those who don’t share those views with charity and patience.

Thursday of fifth week in Lent 2017 Joy of the Gospel Today we look at the person and commitment of Abraham, whom the Liturgy calls “our father in faith.” Genesis records the fundamental promise that the Jews–and Christians–hold dear. And it’s not the land of Canaan, or Palestine, over which ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:3-9

Denomination: Catholic

Christmas In Isaiah

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 7, 2017

The virgin shall conceive ... and call his name - With Us the God.

CHRISTMAS IN ISAIAH. 1. Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23. “Behold the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, ‘with us the God’.” There are those in the church today - in its hierarchy, and teaching in its seminaries - who want us to think that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 11:1-2, Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 7:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

El Elyon Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Aug 30, 2020

When you find yourself at a cross-road in your life … when you are faced with a decision and don’t know whether to go left or right or straight ahead … fear not, my brothers and sisters, because El Elyon is watching over you.

We are surrounded by the most amazing technology, aren’t we? Imagine trying to explain to someone just 30 years ago what a “cell” phone is … or explain the “internet.” Technology is changing so quickly that it’s nearly impossible to keep up with it. Now the rage is 5G … I couldn’t tell you the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:17-20, Isaiah 14:12-15, Daniel 4:30-34, Genesis 13:9-11

Denomination: United Methodist

The New Testament Church (Church Organization)

Contributed by Nathan Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1) Couple of weeks ago, we began a ("first principles") study titled "The Church"  A) In it we concluded there is a True Church! -- & the way we go about identifying it is by looking to scripture & properly interpreting what we read.

1) Couple of weeks ago, we began a ("first principles") study titled "The Church"  A) In it we concluded there is a True Church! -- & the way we go about identifying it is by looking to scripture & properly interpreting what we read. 1) Since Jesus Christ is the "head over all things to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Credible Christian Household Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Dec 17, 2002

The Credible Christian household depends on those within it being submitted to one another, offering hospitality to others and using their tongues only to build up.

I want us to spend some time today thinking about what a Christian household might look like. Mind you I don’t mean just any Christian household. Of course I mean a credible Christian household. Well, what is it that might characterise a credible Christian household? Is there something about a ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

To The Church That Was Next Door To Satan's Throne Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Oct 23, 2006

The compromises we make with the world today are not worth risking the better world God has in store for us someday.

If Jesus Passed a Note in Church, What Would It Say? (Part 3 of 7) (Series of sermon content original to W. Herschel Ford) To the Church That Was Next Door to Satan’s Throne Rev. 2:12-17 Oct. 22, 2006 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

No Priests In The Church?

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Feb 19, 2015

Did Jesus intend the office of Priest to be included in the New Testament Church? If not, why not?

Matthew 21:23-27 “Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while He was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave You this authority?’ “Jesus replied, ‘I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Nazarene

Public Parade Provokes Punishment

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Mar 19, 2008

The Triumphal Entry by Jesus on Palm Sunday will remain in history as one of the best organized confrontation to the powers that be. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem proved He was the real leader and not Rome nor the High Priest. For this, He had to die.

MARK 11:1-11 PUBLIC PARADE PROVOKES PUNISHMENT I. POTENTATES: A. Powerful. B. Pawn. C. Perfect. II. PROCESSION: A. Public. B. Popular. C. Peaceful. III. POSSIBILITIES: A. Plebeian. B. Provocation. C. Punishment. The Triumphal Entry was the final death knell for our Lord. Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Does Jesus Really Care Who Wins The Game?

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Jan 2, 2011

Jesus reveals the four essential plays He is going to use as He competes in the real super bowl of life.

By tonight, the endless hoopla, the frenzied advertising and, almost incidentally, the football game itself will be over. Super Bowl Sunday will have come and gone for another year. One more observation: The Super Bowl wouldn't be a true sporting event without an endless string of both pre-game ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Baptist

How Jesus Occasionally Used Unconventional Methods

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Jesus knew that the conventional religious methods of His day were failing to accomplish God's purposes.

1. Jesus knew that the conventional religious methods of His day were failing to accomplish God's purposes. He identified both personal and organizational Pharisaical tendency to view people through the law rather than through grace. Jesus knew that the Pharisees' values were rooted in their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational