Sermons on Jim Elliot:

The Faces Of The Stranger Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Sep 21, 2001

Let’s talk about what makes it difficult for us to form community, and in so doing, we will also find an explanation for the turmoil our world is seeing and has always seen.

The Faces of the Stranger Pastor Jim Luthy I’ve really wrestled this week whether to return to our series on community or to talk about the recent attacks on our nation. On one hand, we are being asked to return to normal, whatever that means, and these messages on community are meant to equip us ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-8, Matthew 23:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living Between Two Worlds

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 23, 2001

What is the good word for today? God is in control!

Three years ago this past summer, one of the college students at my former congregation found out that he had a brain tumor. I’ll never forget that evening waiting with members of his family and girlfriend as he had an MRI done and then was told it revealed a brain tumor. But, what is special ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-21

Denomination: Church Of God

The Two Minute Drill Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 23, 2001

Have we been given the two minute warning?

I started reading a book this week that has brought words to my feelings as I struggled with what I believe God wanted me to say today. “Preacher pastors often hesitate before they speak. The stakes are high. For words “name worlds,” worlds that can bind or set free, worlds that can build up or ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:11-12

Denomination: Church Of God

The New Awakening Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Sep 28, 2001

The alarm that went off on September 11 is opening our eyes to the problem of individualism. The only thing that will keep us from collectively rolling over in our bed of apathy is a strong call to the cross of Christ and to genuine Christian community.

The New Awakening Pastor Jim Luthy It has been two and a half weeks since we were awakened by the news of terrorists striking on our own soil. Since that time, we have heard that the attacks awakened a "sleeping giant." But that leads me to some questions. If we were a "sleeping giant," why ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:30-31, Philippians 2:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living With A Common Purpose Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Oct 5, 2001

The truest community is found in a gathering of people who are learning to become Jesus-trusting disciples and are committed to making Jesus-trusting disciples.

Living with a Common Purpose: Making Disciples Pastor Jim Luthy Last week we talked about the awakening in America to the problem of individualism. Rising from our slumber after the terrorist attacks, the people of our nation are giving blood, giving money, giving thanks, and giving in to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Family's Bermuda Triangle

Contributed by Jim Kane on Oct 19, 2001

Domestic Violence is the Family’s Bermuda Triangle.

One of the things about the planet earth is that she contains many interesting and mysterious places. One such place is the Bermuda Triangle. The Bermuda Triangle is an area of the Atlantic Ocean that is bordered by the island of Bermuda on the north, the island of Puerto Rico on the south, and ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

The Purpose Of Worship Is . . .? Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 3, 2001

The purpose of worship is to experience God.

Have you heard about the little boy who attended church for the first time and was asked how it went? He replied, "The music was nice but the commercial was too long." Or have your heard about the recent experience of a pastor who changed the order of worship so that the sermon was given before ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:46-47

Denomination: Church Of God

Getting Out Of The Box Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 3, 2001

The purpose of outreach is to take the God of the church into the community.

(To the reader – this sermon was begun while I was inside an appliance box.) The theme of the most recent issue of YMI Update, our national youth ministry leadership newsletter, was "Out of the Box." Included in this particular issue were several stories about congregational youth ministries who ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12, Acts 2:47

Denomination: Church Of God

I Give Up! Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 13, 2001

The purpose of discipleship is to turn us from being served to server.

I want to begin this morning by briefly reviewing where we have been in this series "The Five Purposes of The Church. " We have already examined three purposes - worship, outreach, and fellowship. Today we are going to look at the purpose of discipleship and next week conclude with service or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Church Of God

Open My Life Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 13, 2001

The purpose of fellowship is to enable us to live for God everywhere we go.

This past Monday and Tuesday I attended the annual all boards¡¦ retreat for our state ministry at Waycross Retreat Center down in Brown County. I was there as a new member our state Board of Christian Education. It was a time for getting better acquainted with other colleagues around the state. ...read more

Scripture: John 17:21, Acts 2:44

Denomination: Church Of God

The Real Small Group Leader Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Nov 29, 2001

Jesus longs to be present as the center of our gatherings, just as he promised, to be light and to give life.

The Real Small Group Leader Pastor Jim Luthy Last week, I mentioned the optimum group size was probably between 2-12 people. That being said, I’m sure any of you who have worked with a group of others would agree there are times when it seems the optimum group size is one. Working with others ...read more

Scripture: John 3:26-30, Ephesians 3:16-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Will You Be My Neighbor? Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Dec 3, 2001

One of the ways that we reach and touch others as we build bridges of care and friendship in Christ’s name is by reaching out to our neighbors like the innkeeper

(Begin with side entrance to the theme of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Go through the opening routine.) For many years Fred Rogers sang to us, "Will you be my neighbor?" The idea of the neighbor came into the discussion between a Pharisee and Jesus Christ when Jesus was asked, "Who is my neighbor?" ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Church Of God

Dealing With The Lack Of Peace In Our Relationships

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 10, 2001

This sermon analyzes some of the problems and some of the solutions regarding having peace in our relationships.

This passage points us toward some of the causes and some solutions concerning the lack of peace we often deal with in our relationships (see v. 1). I. What’s Your Problem? James identifies some of the causes of the problems we face. He deals with several, but let’s limit ourselves to ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

7 Ways To Serve One Another Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Dec 12, 2001

So how do we rightly relate to one another in our small groups? I have found there is no reason to "reinvent the wheel" in responding to this question. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his classic work, Life Together, explains 7 ways to serve your small group.

Last week, I used an illustration to show that Jesus should be the center of our small group meetings. He is the real leader of the small group. He is alive. He comes to us in the person of the Holy Spirit. And he is Lord. But lying underneath this goal of our gathering is the reality that we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:19-21, 1 John 3:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Name That Person Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Dec 13, 2001

One of the ways that we can make meaningful connections is by connecting with people who are often overlooked.

Several years ago there was a game show called, Name That Tune in which contestants competed for cash and prizes by trying to name songs in as few notes as possible. The famous line being of course, I can name that song in one note! This morning, we are going to briefly play “Name That Person” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Church Of God