Sermons on Inner Court:

"Freedom In A Prison Cell"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 4, 2010

Are we able to rejoice, even when the times get rough? Or does our faith depend on everything “going our way?” There is a cotton-candy like view of Christianity that promises all health and wealth, but it melts away when reality strikes.

Acts 16:16-34 “Freedom in a Prison Cell” There is a lot to be learned from the example of Christians who live in third-world countries, and don’t have the freedom we might often take for granted. Will Willimon tells the story of a Bishop from Angola who came to visit America a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: United Methodist

One Of Those Days

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on May 9, 2010

Have you ever had "one of those days?" One of those days; when there was a hint that things were not going to go well? One of those days when one bad thing after another seems to hit you?

During our New Testament reading ... we heard a story concerning Paul's adventure ... in Greece. Paul and Silas were on a missionary journey ... in the area of Philippi ... and initially things seemed to be going ... pretty well. One day, however, ... things began to change. A certain woman, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Anglican

Flesh And Spirit: Love And Peace Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 20, 2009

Achieving peace in the world must come from those who have achieved peace with themselves. That in turn comes from achieving peace with God. For the Day of Prayer for World Peace, for baptism, and for Communion

My mother-in-law made an arresting comment the other day. She had been reminiscing about what it was like to take care of two small children in a British bomb shelter, and then our conversation turned to the present situation with Iraq. "Oh, you men", she said. "You men, always getting us into ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-25

Denomination: Baptist

Roadrunner And Coyote

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 21, 2011

A sermon on Proverbs 26:27 (Introduction taken from Ronnie Brown http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/whoso-diggeth-a-pit-ronnie-brown-sermon-on-salvation-83999.asp) (Outline taken from Pulpit Commentary)

Introduction: At first glance at this verse I think of the oddest image in my mind. I think of a cartoon. The verse at first glance seems comical, very much like the sly coyote. The roadrunner and coyote cartoons are great and so funny. One that is scheming and designing and laying out a trap for ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 26:27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Leave Here Vindicated Series

Contributed by Peter Fisher on Aug 15, 2010

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector as it high lights our position before God.

Introduction What do you think this passage is about? Prayer? Well, yes Jesus uses the way people pray in his parable, so there are some important lessons about prayer. Arrogance? Pride? Humility? There is certainly a lot in the parable about arrogance or pride and humility. Final judgement? The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Anglican

Heart Bypass (1986)

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 16, 2010

We are divided over whether to invest more in charity or more in the church program. A key element must be the compassion that gives from the core of our beings.

It seems as though just about once a week someone will phone from one of the charity agencies -- the Purple Heart, the Good Will, the Disabled Veterans -- and I always know when they are calling, because they will ask for Mrs. Smith. Nobody asks for Mrs. Smith when they could ask for Margaret ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18

Denomination: Baptist

Deep Community

Contributed by Jim Belcher on Oct 1, 2009

How do you achieve deep community and fellowship within a group of believers?

What took a small, scared group of believers and filled them with so much confidence that they eventually became the dominant religion in the Roman empire? We are looking at the aftermath of Peter’s sermon. On that day 3,000 believed. The church went from 120 to 3120. A few days latter another ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

In God We Trust Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Jun 2, 2009

Addressing the need to turn to God, not a political candidate to solve the problems in our nation.

I recently read an article, actually a series of articles in Newsweek magazine subtitled, “The Scary Challenges Facing the Next President on Day One.” There’s no question we are in a difficult time, the plummeting stock market, a world economy in recession, job loss, and new jobs are evaporating ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:11-22

Denomination: Methodist

The Problem Of Self Righteousness

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Aug 22, 2008

In this parable Jesus contrasts the self righteous with humble, concluding: Everyone who exaults himself will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Today we will see: 2 People, 2 prayers and 2 Promises

The Problem Of Self Righteousness Luke 18:9-14 12/22/2008 INTRODUCTION A businessman well known for his ruthlessness once announced to writer Mark Twain, "Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the 10 Commandments aloud at the top." "I have a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Orthodox

"Born Again?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 12, 2009

Head knowledge vs. heart knowledge

John 3:1-21 “Born Again?” By: Rev. Ken Sauer, Pastor of Grace UMC, Soddy Daisy, TN www.graceumcsd@yahoo.com Gosh there are a lot of unhappy people in this world. I was speaking with someone this past week. They were sharing with me their insecurities, their fears… …this person is so ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Looking To The End Times Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 9, 2012

There is a lot of excitement generated in the Christian community around the return of Jesus. Jesus' men were excited too, but what Jesus tells them is not a timeline or series of events, but how they should act while waiting. It's good advise for us too

There’s one thing that is pretty clear—no one understood Jesus’ mission as the ultimate action hero. The people that followed Him closely were starting to get that He was the Messiah—but what did that mean? As I’ve mentioned several times in our journey through Mark, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Loving People You Are Stuck With Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 19, 2010

How do we love the unlovable? We can flee them, fight them or forgive them. Jesus shows us the forgiving heart. We want to (1) release them through forgiveness, and (2) change them through love.

One of the greatest attributes of Jesus is His forgiving heart. • Jesus said at the outset that He has not come to condemn, but to redeem. • This is remarkable because Jesus, being just and holy, has all the right to condemn. • We have failed in many ways; we have done wrong countless times. Yet ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Bridging The Distance

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Jul 13, 2008

What people want is a key to purposeful life. They want answers to where they are. They want to grasp something higher and bigger than themselves. They reach for a deeper connection beyond the boring routine of where they live and what they do.

“Bridging the Distance” Sermon Topic: Being in relationship with God Psalm 84 Airport terminals are entertaining venues to hang out if you cannot afford the movies! The most interesting storylines involve watching people arriving or leaving. The couple huddled – more like a locked embrace – as she ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:1-12, Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Salvation Army

Justified By Grace Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jul 2, 2018

Message 3 in our exposition of Galatians exploring our justification by faith.

Chico Alliance Church “Justified by Faith” Introduction I. Correct Divine Credentials 1:6-2:21 A. Reacted to such a quick departure from the gospel of grace vs 6-7 B. Condemned anyone distorting the gospel of grace vs 8-9 C. Affirmed his personal commitment to the gospel of grace vs 10 ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Tortured Christ

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 22, 2018

The account of Jesus' suffering and death on our behalf has become so familiar that if we are not careful we can skim right through it when reading the Bible and never give it a second thought. Let's look at it again to day with fresh eyes of wonder.

Let's stand and read together our memory Scripture for this first quarter of 2018. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 “Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us; if we are faithless, He remains ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-39, John 1:1-3, Psalm 22:14-18

Denomination: Nazarene