Sermons on Jack Zenger:

A Litmus Test Of Spiritual Well-Beng

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Mar 5, 2022

Using the analogy of a litmus test, this sermon juxtaposes the traits of arrogance over against the traits that reflect the DNA of love. It explores the inclusion of 1 Corinthians 13 sandwiched between chapters 12 and 14.

“Litmus test” is a process used to determine the nature of something. In the 14th century scientists discovered that litmus, a mixture of colored organic compounds obtained from lichen, turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions and, thus, can be used as an acid-base indicator. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-3, 1 John 4:7-10, Matthew 22:36, John 1:12-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Choices: A Teenage Dream Or A Greater Purpose 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.

Many Americans are star struck, enamored with stardom. It is like we idolize celebrities, to include animated and fictional characters. Hollywood stars are put ahead of the heroes of faith, as mentioned in the book of Hebrews. Sport celebrities are stronger figures in our mind than people of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

A New Heart For A Fresh Start

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 22, 2022

Jesus’ teaching and ministry was a way of reframing the use of Scripture. The Scribes had made notes that were superimposed on Scripture. Jesus holds before us a new way of living life. One based on mercy, grace, and love. Jesus modeled the heart and intent of God.

As a child we would attempt to salvage anything and everything. The house I remember from early childhood was an interesting building. When my mother wanted to clean the floor, she would pour water on the floor, scrub it with a broom, and the water would drain through the floor. The first home ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-28, Matthew 5:17-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 11:6, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

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

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

The Completed Joy Of A Christian: The Word Of Life Celebrated

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jun 28, 2021

This is a series of sermons based upon 1 John that focuses on the foundation of the Christian experience, love and fellowship with God. 1 John is about application of these two themes. This is sermon 1 of 14, a series about a genuine relationship with God and right living.

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

Enjoying The Maturing Process

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jul 10, 2021

This is a series of sermons based upon 1 John that focuses on the foundation of the Christian experience, love and fellowship with God. 1 John is about application of these two themes. This is sermon 4 of 14, a series about a genuine relationship with God and right living.

What mother ever gives birth to a child with the goal for the child to remain a baby, never to grow into maturity? What mother would ever delight in seeing her child go immediately from infancy to heaven? On this day, my heart is heavy when I think about the children who never get to enjoy their ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:12-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Making Wise Investments Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jul 27, 2021

Perhaps the greatest challenge the church faces is finding her place in changing world, on that doesn’t appear to be getting better. John gives an imperative for the church, make investment on in God’s promises which are eternal, not in a worldview that is destined to fail.

Our society is infatuated with extremes, there seems to be no common ground for living. I developed a model, Pathway to Recovery, that illustrates this dynamic. While at a bookstore, I observed a group of students. They were polls apart when discussing religious thought. I had made the comment to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Staying Clam In A Storm Of Heresy Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jul 29, 2021

A major concern for John is heresy within the church and the manner it is causing problems and robbing believers of their joy. John uses antichrist in reference to those who perhaps start with seemingly sincere faith; yet, their teaching becomes contrary to Christ and abiding in him.

There is a universal theme that runs through the book of 1 John, abiding in Christ. This is the key to “living in the world but not of the world. When we refuse to live in the world, we fail to serve Christ. Joe McKeever wrote the following. In the 1987 meeting of the Southern Baptist ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thank God, I Am A Child Of God Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Aug 2, 2021

John’s letter contains instructions, warnings, assurances and promises; however, the greatest thing he does is to affirm Christians’ uniqueness in Jesus. John writes in such a way that the confidence of God’s children is affirmed. John has highlighted several confidence builders in his letter:

We are a miracle of love! There are many things in life that cannot be explained apart from a loving creative God. One day, while walking around your beautiful, landscaped yard you observe something. First, you discover that something has been eating on some of your plants. Then you stand in ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Right Father Enhances Our Walk With Jesus Series

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

Our culture attempt to redefine our God-given morality code to make it feel comfortable living while outside that code for godly living. John reminds us that Jesus takes away, forgives, our sin and enables us to experienced changed lives.

In 1969, the year I graduated from high school, 500,000 young people made a trip to Sullivan County and set up camp in Max Yasgur’s pasture. The Woodstock Music and Art Festival was billed as “three days of peace and music.” True believers see it as an era devoted to human advancement. Cynics ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:4-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational