Sermons on Homily:

Love Is Everything

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jul 6, 2007

Jesus says that the point of the Bible and the point of life is love. Is it really that simple?

Homily for Retirement Suites by the Lake - July 7, 2007 --This is a message for an ecumenical service at my parent’s retirement community-- "An expert in the law, tested (Jesus) with this question:"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "’Love the Lord your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:35-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Responses To The Resurrection: Joy

Contributed by Ken Pell on Apr 6, 2012

Many emotions make an appearance in the Scriptures during Holy Week and only the resurrection of Christ brings their resolve.

Responses to the Resurrection: Joy John 20:19-20 Mother Teresa once said, “Joy is prayer - Joy is strength - Joy is love - Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. … She gives most who gives with joy. The best way to show our gratitude to God and the people is to accept everything with ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-20

Denomination: Nazarene

The O-My-God Moment

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 9, 2010

In silence we can listen to God and must if we are to experience a life-changing epiphany.

Epiphany 2010 The O-my-God Moment January 10, 2010 I’m not a big fan of reality TV. I don’t really know who Simon Cowell is and generally think that the Oprahization of entertainment has been a move in the wrong direction. But I do catch a couple of moments each week of that show ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:7-11

Denomination: Catholic

Giving Thanks Is Not Normal

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Nov 21, 2006

A Thanksgiving Sermon for Series B lectionary, indicating that through the power of God’s Spirit, we are able to be truly thankful

Thanksgiving Eve, November22,2006 “Series B” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you this night to give thanks for your many blessings upon us – for the gift of life, for all that sustains us ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

One Last Chance Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 8, 2013

God through Pilate gives Israel one last chance before consigning the nation to perpetual judgment. Their abject rejection meant the loss of the nation ethnically and opened the door to all who will believe to become God's chosen people.

One Last Chance John 19:8–16 Introduction Last week we saw Pilate pronounce three times that he found no guilt in Jesus and tried to get Jesus released. First he tried to get the crowd to choose Barabbas. Then he tried the sympathy approach by having Jesus beaten up a bit and mocked by ...read more

Scripture: John 19:8-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Faith Jesus Is Seeking In Us

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Sep 4, 2013

The nobleman with the sick son demonstrated the faith Jesus wants to be in all of us

The Faith Jesus is Seeking for in Us John 4:43-54 Introduction How do we demonstrate faith in Jesus? There is a surface faith in which there is no depth. Many today demonstrate a faith that has not content. This is better described as credulity. Ultimately, surface faith will be tested and found ...read more

Scripture: John 4:43-54

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Follow Jesus, Or Follow The World

Contributed by Craig Condon on Nov 4, 2015

The focus of our discipleship is on our relationship to Jesus. To be worthy of Christ we are to put him first in all family relations. To be worthy of Christ we are to take up our cross and identify with him.

An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of church services when she was startled by an intruder. She caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables and yelled, “Stop! Acts 2:38 (Repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Denomination: Anglican

The Crumbs Under The Table

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jun 15, 2014

Whay did Jesus seem to treat this woman so roughly?

The Crumbs Under the Table Matthew 15:21-28 Introduction This passage about the Canaanite woman and the way Jesus seems to treat her has been the source of many a discussion. Some are even offended at Jesus over this. Others try to smooth over what Jesus said and try to make it easier to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37, Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Affairs Of The Heart Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jul 7, 2014

How do we escape God's righteous judgment if we are accountable to God for thinking about it?

The Affairs of the Heart Matthew 5:27-30 Introduction At the beginning of last week’s sermon (“More righteousness Needed, Please!”) we saw just how critical that verse 20 is to the interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount in general and this portion of the sermon in particular. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:26-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Not Everyone Who Says "Lord, Lord" Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 12, 2014

Who then can enter into the Kingdom?

Not Everyone Who Says, "Lord, Lord" Matthew 7:21-23 Introduction One of the favorite gospel songs sung in the rural Tennessee churches where I have pastored for many years is “When We All Get to Heaven”. But is everyone who sings this song going to heaven? Is everyone who has at one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What You Can Learn On The Way To Nowhere

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Apr 29, 2014

The town of Emmaus was on the road to nowhere, at least until Christ came.

What You Can Learn on the Way to Nowhere Luke 24:13-35 Introduction It seems that nobody thought Jesus was alive. The disciples thought the women’s report was crazy. Even the investigation by Peter and John of the empty tomb had mixed results. Jesus had told them when He was alive that he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Into All The World

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 15, 2013

God wants us to do things His way

Into all the World Matthew 28:16-20 Introduction This morning’s passage is often called the “Great Commission”. All of the Gospels have a Commission although there is some variance of how it is worded. As a good teacher, Jesus would have repeated the Commission at various times ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why We Must Forgive Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 18, 2011

Jesus is in the tradition of the OT when he commands us to forgive without limit; if we do not, we imperil our immortal souls

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Course September 11, 2011 The three precious verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans that we read on this Sunday come and go so quickly that we might miss their import entirely. “None of us lives for himself, and none of us dies for himself. If we live, we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Catholic

The Life Of Abraham, Part 2: The Egyptian Detour Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 6, 2014

Abraham hits a speed bump on the road to God's blessing.

The Life of Abraham, Part 2: The Egyptian Detour Genesis 12:10-20 Introduction In the last episode we saw Abram and Sarai on the backside of the wilderness trying to scratch out a meager living and I think wondering about they had understood God correctly. When Moses wrote down this account of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:10-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Life Of Abraham, Part 3: Lot Is Not The Heir. Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 6, 2014

Lot makes the wrong choice and sells out his inheritance for the promised riches of this world

The Life of Abraham, Part 3: Lot is not the Heir. Genesis 13:1-18 Introduction In the last lesson, we left Abram heading back to the desert, having been expelled from Egypt with all he possessed. And we can see from the beginning of the text today that Abram managed to spoil the Egyptians in much ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible