Sermons on Invitation To Dinner:

Shepherds

Contributed by Kurt Heisey on May 29, 2002

The Shepherds had an encounter with Jesus, we all need continual meetings with Jesus, so we can be those full of the Word and full of praise.

Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20) 12/24/95 God invited them to meet with Jesus These shepherds were those who watched over the temple sheep destined for the passover sacrifice. They were Rabinically unclean and could not actually to to temple worship. These were those who were the lowest class of society. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:49

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Extravagant Devotion Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Aug 5, 2003

Following Jesus means living a life of extravagant devotion to Jesus.

Most people in our culture seem to think that it’s okay to be religious so long as you don’t take your religion too seriously. Many people today treat religion and faith as a kind of hobby, as if some people are into stamp collecting, some people are into building models airplanes, and other people ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Priorities (Luke 14)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 21, 2025

What are our priorities, the world or God's kingdom? Let's look at Luke 14.

Can legalism lack compassion? Can church leaders focus on pride instead of humility? Do we have free will to accept or decline God’s invitation? Would we give up everything for the Gospel? Let’s look at Luke 14. Can legalism lack compassion for our neighbor’s human needs? And it came to pass, as ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Value Guilt

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 11, 2012

Guilt just flows from the verses of this particular passage. It describes functional guilt and value guilt and shows us in the end how to use value guilt in our lives.

VALUE GUILT LUKE 7:36-50 INTRODUCTION… Baby in the Bouncy Seat (p) When Abigail was about six months old (if I remember correctly), I worked overnight from 10:00pm to 8:00am at a children’s home. Kelly worked as a teacher during the day and took care of Abigail during the evenings ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hospitality 101 Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Feb 2, 2005

Abraham’s encounter with three strangers can teach us much about hospitality as a church.

A mother invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to her six-year-old daughter and said, "Would you like to say the blessing?" "I wouldn’t know what to say," the girl replied. "Just say what you hear Mommy say," the mother answered. The little girl bowed her head and with sincerity ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Would You Let Your Kids Go To A Youth Group Run By Jesus?

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 2, 2007

I imagine that, given the types of persons that huddled around Jesus, there would have, at the very least, been a fair bit of flirting going on at those gatherings.

We’re in Luke chapter 15, and Jesus appears to be partying again! Jesus was fond of saying that the Kingdom of God is like a party, and he seemed keen to illustrate that with his lifestyle, wherein he was a frequent guest at dinner parties and a not too infrequent host of spontaneous soirees. And ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

My Son Died For You?

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Dec 5, 2008

God surely must have suffered tremendously during the time of Christ’s Crucifixion, but His suffering did not end at Calvary. The sins we commit here and now bring pain to Jesus here and now.

MY SON DIED FOR YOU? ROMANS 8:31-39 Tony Compolo, in his book entitled Who Switched the Price Tags tells the story of a West Point graduate that was sent to Vietnam. This man was in charge of a group of new recruits and they were sent into the combat zone. This young lieutenant did his job well ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

The Old Landmark

Contributed by Larry Scott King on Mar 22, 2014

Coming home to God, Missions, Witness your Faith

The Old Landmark How many times have you gone on a trip to somewhere you haven’t been in a very long time and you searched for landmarks along the way to guide you to your destination? How many times have you looked for old landmarks only to discover that they were no longer there? How many ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:22-28, Matthew 18:11-13, Luke 9:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

Surprise - Nothing Is Impossible With God

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Dec 21, 2002

Fourth Sunday in Advent: God’s surprising announcement to Mary - why it is our surprise too. Nothing is impossible with God.

Surprises come in all shapes and sizes. Four birthdays ago, I thought that I was going to have a quiet dinner with Sofi and a couple of friends. It had been a tough several weeks. I was turning over the office where I worked because we were moving to San Antonio. At home – chaos – furniture all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Lutheran

See Or Be Seen

Contributed by Rusty Wright on Jun 18, 2007

What is our motivation for going to church or serving God’s creation?

See or Be Seen 6-17-07 Luke 7:36-50 There was once as boy who, like many kids in school, was having a real problem with math— well, more than a problem. No matter what his parents did, one on one tutoring or peer mentoring, their son never received a grade better than a “D” on any ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

What Every Christian Should Know Pt.3 Series

Contributed by Mark Perryman on Apr 10, 2008

We will continue our look at the Pharisee Syndrome.

INTRO: STAY FERVENT IN LOVE. Fervent is a word that speaks of intensity and determination. It is an athletic term for stretching to reach the tape. Have you watched the fellows and gals who run the dash? When they come around that last turn and they’re pressing for the tape, they’ll get right to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-47

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Kinder And Gentler Community

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Feb 3, 2018

a community must respect and care for each other

Jesus gave us only two commandments: This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12) The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these (Mark 12:31) For those of you who are relatively new to In The Garden, I ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal

The Lord's Supper: What You Should Know Series

Contributed by Don Jaques on Aug 1, 2006

Every disciple should come to the Lord’s Supper with thanksgiving for the New Covenant and repentance from all sin.

Imagine if you would it’s thanksgiving dinner. You and your loved ones are sitting down to eat. The turkey is delicious – so is the mashed potatoes and the gravy and everything else. In the middle of the meal, your host stands up with a loaf of French bread and begins breaking off pieces, saying ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Are You Here? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 30, 2025

Why was Esther in a King's palace? Was it because God put her there for a task He had in mind? And why Christians here at church? Are we here because of a task God has in mind for us?

The story of Esther has fascinated people for centuries. It’s the story of a beautiful Jewish girl named Esther, and of the King of Persia named Xerxes (Ahasuerus) who fell in love with her and made her his queen. But from that point on… the story gets complicated. King Xerxes has a trusted ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

No Shelf Life Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 18, 2011

The bread God provides for us can’t be acquired at a drive-up window, or purchased in bulk from Costco to stockpile in your freezer. In fact, it isn’t only food: it’s all of our needs, and we need to look to him daily to provide.

How many of you have ever used those Pillsbury refrigerated dough products? Dinner rolls or biscuits or croissants? The ones where you peel off the paper and then rap the cylinder smartly on the corner of the counter and it bursts open? They’re really popular because you can make so many things ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:11, Exodus 16:12-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed