Sermons on John Harper:

Hearing The Shepherd Means Following Him

Contributed by Eric Vertein on Apr 19, 2005

On Good Shepherd Sunday we consider how the first martyr Stephen not only heard the voice of the Good Shepherd, but followed him: in charity, in witness, and in forgiveness.

Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a,51-60 4th Sunday of Easter – ILCW Year A April 17, 2005 Peace to all of you who are in Christ (I Peter 5:14b). Amen. Judge Lynwood Smith asked Eric Rudolph, “Did you plant the bomb that exploded at the New Woman All Women clinic here in Birmingham on January 29, 1998?" In a ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Silly Humans, Smart God

Contributed by Timothy Gardner on Apr 23, 2005

As humans we get pretty silly when it comes to the choices we make.

Silly Humans, Smart God Written By: Tim Gardner April 2005 “AT&T fired President John Walter after nine months, saying he lacked intellectual leadership. He received a $26 million severance package. Perhaps it’s not Walter who’s lacking intelligence. Police in Oakland, California spent two ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:11

Denomination: Salvation Army

Saving Your Money Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Aug 24, 2005

Learning how to be wise with your money frees us up to be all that God wants us to be. And it increases our joy!

The piggy bank. In old England around the 15th century, people made all kinds of useful objects out of clay, including dishes and jars to hold spare change. Metal wasn’t used much and it was very expensive. So, dishes and jars were made from an easily available orange clay that was called ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:22

Denomination: Baptist

The Parables Of The Talents And Pounds Series

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Aug 26, 2005

Jesus used the Parables of The Talents and The Pounds to teach His followers of the Kingdom of God - of its Coming, postponed in all its fulness until His Return, but in the meantime, Waiting and Working for it, and Accountability for what we do for it.

When Jesus walked the highways and byways of the land of Israel preaching the coming Kingdom of God he caused quite a stir. The religious establishment were generally suspicious and increasingly hostile to His message. His reception by what were known as the ‘common people’ was quite different. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Baptist

Such A Time As This

Contributed by James Faillace on Aug 29, 2005

The trial or challenge you’re facing today is exactly where God wants you to be, "for such a time is this."

If you like a good mystery novel, one that has heroes and villains, intrigue and suspense, assassination plots and a happy ending, you’ve got it right here in the book of Esther. You’ve got it all except—amazingly, God is never mentioned in the entire Book of Esther. But His presence is ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's Not About Me Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Aug 31, 2005

How do you view yourself? It’s an important question. And if you don’t answer this questions biblically, you will an unhappy person. You’ll drink too much or eat too much or eat too little or work too much or shop too much or please people too much bec

When I was growing up, I felt like I just didn’t fit in – I didn’t belong. My dad was a part-time pastor of a very small rural church on a mountain 45 minutes north of Chattanooga. His other job was at a rat-infested factory in downtown Chattanooga. My mom had to work as a clerk at Kroger’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9

Denomination: Baptist

Where Are You Going? Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Sep 6, 2005

1st of 4 messages from the book of Jonah. This message focuses on God’s calling and the consequences of rejecting the call.

Four questions God asks Every Believer Where Are You Going? Where Do You Come From? What Are You Doing? What Do You Care About? In the next few weeks we are going to look at the critical question of purpose, the important issue of priority, and the vital parts of everyday decisions. In other ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stripping Our Power So We Can See God's Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 8, 2005

God led Israel straight into a trap and then watched their reaction. He does that to us sometimes as well - to let us know whether we trust Him and to show us His great power.

In a way, the final victory over Pharaoh was not the Passover. Yes, that’s what got him to relent and say the people could go - but as we’re going to see this time - Pharaoh once again changes his mind and goes out after the children of Israel. But what we’re going to see also is God purposefully ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

When A Right May Be Wrong

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Sep 12, 2005

Paul tells how he gave up his right of material support for the sake of the gospel.

In chapter 8 Paul told the Corinthians that they should not to eat in the pagan temples. (That was a common practice in Corinth. Eating in a temple was sort of like going to a restaurant today.) One thing Paul knows about the Corinthians is that many of them are questioning whether he is a real ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

You Are Truly Blessed

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Sep 15, 2005

This sermon uses God’s Word to show that we are blessed, but only blessed through Christ. It is an uplifting sermon showing that God really does love us.

A young man was learning to be a paratrooper. Before his first jump, he was given these four instructions: 1. Jump when you are told. 2. Count to ten and pull the ripcord. 3. If it does not work, pull the emergency ripcord. 4. When you land, a truck will take you back to the base. The young ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: *other

If I'd Committed Murder, I'd Have Got Less

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Sep 16, 2005

Service for Renewal of Vows after 40 years of marriage

SERVICE for RE-AFFIRMATION OF MARRIAGE VOWS between Mick and Chris Chivers On Saturday 17th September in NR at 4pm Hymn: Morning has broken Introduction This sentence may be used God is love, and those who live in love live in God and God lives in them. 1 John 4.16 We have come together today ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Anglican

Rich Man, Poor Man Series

Contributed by Dan Jackson on Sep 18, 2005

Message 11 in James Series. God never judges by a bank account, or a statement of worth. He looks for righteousness and where it is lacking, His judgment follows. Riches are morally neutral, neither good nor evil. Wealth is like fire — very useful, but al

In his three years of life, Bobby has seen an undue share of suffering. Born in Southern California to a drug-addicted mother, Bobby went through withdrawal at the age of two weeks. He has lived in two foster homes, barely survived a life-threatening case of spinal meningitis, and is now back with ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

What Are You Doing? Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Sep 21, 2005

#3 of 4 on Jonah. This message contrasts the heartless obedience of Jonah with the heartfelt repentance of the people of Nineveh. I am endebted to Dan Baumgartner of Bethany Presbyterian for many thoughts.

Four questions God asks Every Believer Where Are You Going? Where Do You Come From? What Are You Doing? What Do You Care About? This morning we return again to the Old Testament story of Jonah… Jonah and the big fish. And again this morning, I would encourage you not to get bogged down by ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is Your Name

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Sep 23, 2005

Who of us have never known an experience that we’d sooner forget; an experience of theft or maybe deception; or recounting those times when we were selfishly motivated, yielding to sin’s tempting tug and losing to its hold and persuasion.

The unknown author of the following story captures the value of a name. “After the American Civil War the managers of the infamous Louisiana Lottery approached Robert E. Lee and asked if he’d let them use his name in their scheme. They promised that if he did he would become rich. Astounded, Lee ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Salvation Army

Kingdom Wisdom From Proverbs

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Sep 29, 2005

Christians are citizens of God’s Kingdom needing Kingdom Wisdom as detailed by Solomon in Kingdom: Rules (The Ten Commandments); Principles (Love and Faithfulness); Decision-Making (Trust in the Lord); Economics (Honour God with our Money) and Discipline

God wants His people to have a full and satisying life. But how do we get it? Demands are made on us, with the pressures of the 21st century in terms of time and resources. We’re bombarded by the influences of the secular environment and at the same time there’s the insistent call of God as we ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist