Sermons on Jack Cottrell:

Creativity: Maintaining A Sensitivity To Transcendence Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Nov 25, 2020

The Star and Stars of Christmas is a series of messages for Advent. Using the idea of a play on a stage. Each message will look at different characters in the Christmas story. The introduction takes a critical look at how many in our society are portrayed as celebrities—bigger than life.

Often people are attracted to performances based upon the popularity of the performers, or the authors. (My wife’s father enjoyed David Baldacci, James Patterson, Danielle Steele, etc.). A good writer wants to remove his/her personality and have us to focus on the story. The Gospel according to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Inspiration: Seeing Life Through God’s Eyes Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Nov 25, 2020

The Star and Stars of Christmas is a series of messages for Advent. Using the idea of a play on a stage. Each message will look at different characters in the Christmas story. The introduction takes a critical look at how many in our society are portrayed as celebrities—bigger than life.

Cut! Cut! This story is missing something! The script is not going the way it was written. First, it was written with a God-given ability for all players in the script to always love the Lord, follow his precepts for godly living. Let’s review, the original script looked like this: • At first, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18, Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus: A Star Is Born Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Nov 25, 2020

The Star is born! The Grand Finale The Star and Stars of Christmas is a series of messages for Advent. Using the idea of a play on a stage. Each message will look at different characters in the Christmas story.

Opening Song— This is a Strange Way to Save the World https://youtu.be/iKYfzax-sNk Special: O Holy Night Pastor • Welcome • Scripture reading The Birth of Jesus Luke 2 1-5 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, Revelation 22:1-16, John 8:1-12, John 1:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Lying In A Manger

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Dec 24, 2020

This is a Christmas Eve homily that focuses on God's ultimate plan for humanity. The primary message is how God, in Jesus, share with us his true image. The challenge is for each of us to bear that image as he transforms us from the inside and lived out in the world.

God lying in a manger! Celebrating Christmas should not be viewed as an event, we should view it from the perspective of a process. Christmas, as reflected in my Christmas series, Reliving Christmas, began with God. Our introduction to God is found in the creation story—God is eternal and existed ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6, Mark 1:7-8, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Words Worth Dying For! "i Love You."

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jan 1, 2021

This sermon focuses attention on the kind of relationship that God desire each of us to aspire to in order to enjoy genuine relationships. It uses the story of the friendship between Jonathan and David to illustrate the type relationship God blesses.

Three simple words, words worth dying for! “I Love you.” Ernest T. Bass, a character from “The Andy Griffith Show” gives us a glimpse of a friendship moment: “Malcom, I ain’t gonna touch a hair on your head. You’re my friend, my true friend. I don’t care if you did take my job away from me and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Josh's Journey Through Silence: Spirituality In The Making

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jan 4, 2021

This is a narrative sermon that illustrates how people often struggle with spirituality due to life's situation. It follows this narrative for developing a sensitivity to those who struggle to find meaning on their spiritual journey.

Following the pastoral prayer, the minister of music prepared to lead the people in a hymn of praise. As the pastor reflected upon the worship service and the sermon he was to preach his mind drifted to the text for his sermon. It was the first passage of scripture he had heard read from the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Word Of Life Celebrated Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 1, 2021

John says, “We write this to make our joy complete. He presents Jesus as the source of the completed life. John says, “and the life was manifested.” Jesus is not a mysterious entity that is evasive, he is real, and Christians find their joy through him.

Reality shows continue to draw people’s attention. . . In an article, 10 Reality Shows That Aren't Real At All (And 10 That Totally Are), Chris Littlechild, talks about how they claim to be real; however, “the producers are just looking to stir up drama with fake moments. These shows are ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Truth Or Consequences Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 3, 2021

Acknowledgement of sin is perhaps one of the most difficult things for Christians. Yet, it is paramount for experiencing the abundant life. Honest confession opens the door for having a close relationship with Jesus and other believers.

Travel about 150 miles south of Albuquerque and you will enter Truth or Consequences. For the tenth anniversary of the popular show Truth or Consequences, in 1950, Ralph Edwards, offered any town in America the opportunity to be the site of the show’s April Fool’s Day birthday broadcast bash. On ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In The Light Lane Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 4, 2021

John uses familial, language (e.g., children, young men, and fathers) to talk about the fellowship/koinonia, the church. These are terms to describe Christian maturity. The church is energized by a flow of those in each stage of maturity.

Has Christianity been rejected by many based on a caricature which has been mistaken for the real thing? Perhaps! Yet, John calls us back home, to our foundation, to the fundamental matters of our faith. God uses John to help the church repair that which is broken, to correct the twisted ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Put Your Investments In Bags With Holes

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 17, 2021

Haggai's messages led to the restoration of the Temple. He challenged the people by using three themes : Encouragement, Warning, and Hope. This message raises critical questions for Christians and churches as we seek God's will, especially while witnessing a changing landscape.

God often uses a single voice to stir the hearts of his people. These prophetic voices often come at crucial points in history. Here are some examples. • The Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s inspiring oratory is believed to have helped save Britain in WWII. • On November 2, 1863, several ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:6-7, Matthew 19:21, Haggai 1:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Empathic Compassion: Experiencing Your Pain In My Heart

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 18, 2021

When I think of Jesus I think of empathy and compassion; they are embedded Jesus' salvific mission. Too often clergy and Christians take a propositional approach to the Gospel. Loving and caring for people according to the example Jesus set requires us to demonstrate empathy and compassion.

I carefully watched him as he walked down the hall; he was dressed in a long flowing white coat. His head hung unpersuasively from his shoulders. The doctor's demeanor suggested he was intensely contemplating what he would say to us, or he was envisioning another appointment. Halfway down ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:13, Isaiah 63:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don’t Put Your Investments In Bags With Holes

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jan 13, 2020

The sermons of Haggai led to the restoration of the Temple. There are three themes in his messages encouragement, warning, and hope, the secret to understanding the response of the people and their willingness to resume work on the Temple.

God often uses a single voice to stir the hearts of his people. These prophetic voices often come at crucial points. • The Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s inspiring oratory is believed to have helped save Britain in WWII. • On November 2, 1863, several months after the battle of Gettysburg ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Josh's Journey Through The Silence: Spirituality In The Making

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Oct 8, 2023

This is an example of story preaching based upon 1 Samuel 1-7, incorporating a combination of several stories, both biblical and non-biblical.

Following the pastoral prayer, the minister of music prepared to lead the people in a hymn of praise. As the pastor reflected upon the worship service and the sermon he was to preach, his mind drifted to the text for his sermon. It was the first passage of scripture he had heard read from the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:27-28, 1 Samuel 3:1-21, 1 Samuel 7:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Personal Encounter Sparks Servanthood

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Oct 8, 2023

I share my story about a time I faced pancreatic issues, marital struggles, and contemplating suicide. As with the Psalmist, I cried out to God and he heard and that began a lifetime of service.

Early august, 2022, I had the privilege of doing a presentation in Denver at the Rocky Mountain Symposium on Addictive Disorders, the Integration of Spirituality and Psychotherapy. The dialogue it stimulated was exciting, especially with the wide range of professionals attending. One counselor ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Vision Worth Sharing

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Aug 14, 2023

Romans 10 has three-fold moves in the chapter. Paul critiques legalistic righteousness, speaks to genuine righteousness residing in the soul, and points to visionary faith that comes through inspiring words. Paul says those who share the Good News have beautiful, pure feet.

This past week there was a post on the Fort Gibson Forum. It had a picture of a pretty horse walking down a paved road. He/she had a saddle and bridal but no rider guiding him toward a worthwhile destination. Not sure where the horse was headed. Though he looked confident, his owner had to come and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-15, Matthew 15:8-9, Matthew 28:16-20, Ephesians 1:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational