Sermons on John Dominic Crossan:

The Consequences Of Repentance Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 13, 2023

John the Baptist's words about repentance draw a strong conviction from his hearers. They ask for practical instruction on how to move forward. What does John tell them?

THE CONSEQUENCES OF REPENTANCE: It’s striking that John’s answers are very practical. - Luke 3:10-14. - vv. 10, 12, 14 – Requests for practical answers. - The previous passage (and last week’s sermon) focused on the nature of repentance. Now these that were convicted by the message - Now we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

Rejoicing When You Want Fiery Justice Instead!! Series

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Dec 16, 2023

John the Baptist sits in jail, waiting for Justice to rain down upon Herod. Meanwhile Christ preaches Good News, rather than wrath. How can we rejoice when there is no justice in this world?

Good Morning! As someone who grew up in a liturgical church, I realize that Lent and Advent can be easy to confuse. I say the wrong name quite a bit and might accidentally say the wrong name this morning. That’s one of those pastor cliches. My pastor, from our parish down in Baltimore, kept putting ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

The Blame Game

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 9, 2023

Excuses and forgiveness are opposites. What can be excused does not need to be forgiven.

What do you suppose happened at the palace the next morning, when Herod woke up with a hangover the size of the Roman Empire and a public relations problem twice as big? I can hear them all spinning the story, can’t you? It’s not the way it seems! It’s not my fault! I’m not to blame! Let’s listen ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Beginning Of The Gospel Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 13, 2023

As is characteristic of Mark's Gospel, he quickly identifies that his subject is "the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God," and then immediately introduces John the Baptizer, the forerunner of Jesus, and then immediately tells about Jesus' baptism and temptation.

A. When you are writing a story, you want to catch your reader’s attention from the very start, right? 1. Here are some opening lines from actual books – some are famous, some not so famous. 2. “If you're going to read this, don't bother.” Choke 3. “I come from Des Moines. Somebody had ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"holy Spirit Power"

Contributed by John Bright on Aug 4, 2022

A sermon for Pentecost Sunday. Teaching sheet at end of the sermon text.

"Holy Spirit Power" Acts 2:1-13 A sermon for Pentecost Sunday Pastor John Bright Acts 2 “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13, John 20:22, John 14:16-17, Acts 1:4-8, 1 Corinthians 13:1, Mark 3:22-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Third Sunday In Advent (B C P). Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 2, 2024

Sermons upon the Bible Readings of the Book of Common Prayer.

Psalm 80:1-7, Isaiah 35:1-10, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 11:2-10 A). TURN US, SHINE FORTH, SAVE US. Psalm 80:1-7. Belief in the God of Israel is not blind faith, but an informed trust. One expression of our confidence that the LORD is in control of all things is to make our complaints known ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7, Isaiah 35:1-10, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 11:2-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Screaming, Lots Of Listening

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 8, 2025

We might make the fiery preacher John the Baptist into our kind of Messiah. Energize by screaming at folks.

Feast of the Baptism of Jesus 2025 Sometimes in our reflections we might think that if God just made a few changes in the way He engineered our salvation, things might have gone better. Isaiah predicts that the Messiah would come gently, not screaming His message, giving people who were broken and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-4, Isaiah 42:6-7, Acts 10:34-38, Luke 3:15-16, Luke 3:21-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Transition And Testimony (Matthew 11:1-30)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 14, 2025

Our commentary on Matthew continues with Jesus' testimony about the ministry of John the Baptist and the promise of judgment upon the unbelieving cities who witnessed HIs work yet did not repent.

Matthew 11 begins with what is referred to as a "transitional" passage (v.1). While the disciples were going around the countryside doing the work that Jesus had commissioned, He continued to preach in the cities in Galilee. Verses 2-3 describe how John the Baptist had been thrown into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-30, Luke 10:13-22, Genesis 19:12-14, Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Baptist

Patient Attention Needed For True Devotion

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 10, 2025

And it was through the faith of the virgin Mary of Nazareth and the birth of Her Son that the promises of Isaiah came to life in the Church Jesus left after His resurrection and ascension.

Third Sunday of Advent 2025 Today we sing psalm 146, the first of the five alleluia psalms which act as a final movement to the whole book of psalms. It’s easy to hear the poetry of this hymn, even in English: “Adonai frees imprisoned; Adonai opens closed-eyes; Adonai lifts the prostrate; Adonai ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11, Isaiah 35:1-6, Psalm 146:7-10, James 5:7-10

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C-- The Perfect Thank You Has Four Parts

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 10, 2025

Start with “thank you;” Recognize the Gift; Why you’re grateful, Tell that person what they mean to you.

John Kralik, a lawyer, found his life at a terrible, frightening low at age 53. He was twice-divorced, out of shape, had money troubles, and he had grown distant from his two older children and was afraid he might lose contact with his young daughter. But during his tough circumstances, an idea ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Catholic

A Chapter Of Murder And Miracles (Matthew 14:1-36)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on May 16, 2025

This chapter describes the death of John the Baptist by Herod and the continuing ministry of the Lord Jesus.

The fourteenth chapter of Matthew opens with the death of John the Baptist, who had been imprisoned for preaching against the wicked ruler Herod Antipas. His father, Herod the “Great” had been the “ruler” of Judea from 37 - 4 BC at the behest of Rome and the emperor Augustus Caesar (ruled from ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-14, Matthew 14:1-36

Denomination: Baptist

The Perfect Christ Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 23, 2025

Look to the Lamb who is Lord and be saved from your sins right now.

The Perfect Christ John 1:29-34 Rev. Brian Bill December 20-21, 2025 In the rolling hills just outside Bethlehem, under a canopy of stars in the cool night air, a group of shepherds kept careful watch over their flock. These fields were only a few miles from Jerusalem, and some scholars believe ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-34

Denomination: Baptist

Who's The Boss? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 22, 2020

I need to submit to "that person?" Seriously? Why?

A man once said: “I am not the boss of my house. I don’t know HOW I lost it. I don’t know WHEN I lost it. I don’t even think I ever had it. But I’ve seen the boss’s job, and I don’t want it.” The text we’re looking at today has been debated for centuries. It seems that the only part anybody is ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seeing The Word Of Life Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 17, 2016

The Word of Life is 1) Unchangeable (1 John 1:1a), 2) Historical (1 John 1:1b–2a), 3) Communicable (1 John 1:2b–3a), 4) Relational (1 John 1:3b), and 5) Joyful (1 John 1:4).

We live in an era that looks with suspicion on any type of certainty or conviction about the truth. Our society has abandoned the idea of absolutes, choosing instead to arbitrarily grant equal validity to every opinion and philosophical musing. Sadly, today’s church, influenced by the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Other

Free From Sin Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 29, 2016

1) Sin is incompatible with the law of God (1 John 3:4), 2) it is incompatible with the work of Christ (1 John 3:5–8), and 3) it is incompatible with the ministry of the Holy Spirit (1 John 3:9–10).

One of the first questions we ask when we hear of the birth of a baby is, “Who does she look like?” Features such as physical appearance, including the color of hair and eyes, facial characteristics, the shape of the mouth or nose, height and build, are given at birth. Later on, as the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:4-10

Denomination: Other