Sermons on Ken Idleman:

Hope

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 4, 2019

A sermon for the second Sunday of Advent.

My 4-year-old, whose name just happens to be Owen has book called “Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship." The book is based on what happened to a frightened young hippopotamus, that was separated from his family by a devastating Tsunami in Southeast Asia. Owen was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Here Am I

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 11, 2019

A sermon for the 3rd Sunday in Advent.

“Here Am I” Luke 1:26-38 Mary was a teenager when the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth. We are told that young Mary was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. Joseph was a good man, and Mary had a lot to look forward to. The future was bright. They ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: United Methodist

The Word Became Flesh

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 17, 2019

A sermon about God coming to live with us.

“The Word Became Flesh” John 1:1-5, 10-14 The church I served in East Ridge was surrounded by abject poverty. One of the things that was “brand-new” to me was the number of people living in extended-stay hotels. I don’t just mean that they stay at these hotels for a week or two, I mean they ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: United Methodist

"Not Alone In The Wilderness"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Feb 15, 2018

A sermon for Lent.

“Not Alone in the Wilderness” Luke 4:1-13 On Monday, a Homeless Liaison for the Hamilton County Schools came here to ask me if we would operate as a make-shift shelter, and hub for those being displaced. She told me she had gotten a “tip” that a hotel would be shut down Wednesday at Noon. I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Powerful Truth Or Don’t Let Your Heart Be Hardened

Contributed by Ken Henson on Feb 16, 2018

Our response to the Truth of Jesus determines how we will receive His blessings, and how well we will extend God's love to this generation.

POWERFUL TRUTH Or Don’t Let Your Heart be Hardened There’s only one point today: If you want to know the power of God’s Truth, You have to soften your heart. How do People respond to the truth? John 12 37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not ...read more

Scripture: John 12:37-40

Denomination: *other

"Discipleship"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Feb 23, 2018

A sermon about following Jesus.

“Discipleship” Mark 8:31-38 I had a hard time writing this sermon. I spent a lot of time reading. I didn’t go out much this past week-- during breaks--at the continuing education event Clair and I were at in Pigeon Forge. Instead, I wrestled with this Scripture. On Wednesday evening, I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: United Methodist

John 3:16 & Our Calling

Contributed by Ken Henson on Feb 24, 2018

God loves us, and He calls us to love others the same way. This is impossible, but it is our calling, and with God, all things are possible.

The Love of God For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 God Who is God? —evolution or ...read more

Denomination: *other

"What Does It Mean To Be The Church Of Jesus?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 1, 2018

A sermon about the importance of doing what we are supposed to be doing.

“What Does It Mean to be the Church of Jesus?” John 2:13-22 Recently I read an article in Christianity Today entitled “Boring Church Services Changed My Life.” The author writes that there was never a day in his life when he wasn’t going to church. His parents were both heavily involved in ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Denomination: United Methodist

"The Invitation To Life"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 8, 2018

A sermon about accepting God's Love.

“The Invitation to Life” John 3:16-21 I want you to close your eyes for a moment. Clear your thoughts. Now, think about the person you love more than anyone else in the world. Is it a mother? A father? A grandparent? Is it a son, a daughter, a friend, a husband, a wife? What is it ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-21

Denomination: United Methodist

"I Don't Know How To Love Him"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 14, 2018

A sermon about learning how to express our love for Jesus.

“I Don’t Know How to Love Him” John 11:55-12:11 In Jesus Christ Superstar Mary Magdalene sings the following: “I don’t know how to love him What to do, how to move him I’ve been changed, yes, really changed In these past few days when I’ve seen myself I seem like someone else.” In our Gospel ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

"Everyone Loves A Parade"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 24, 2018

A sermon about making the decision to follow Jesus to the Cross.

“Everyone Loves a Parade” Mark 11:1-10 Everybody remembers that day! It was a joyful and glorious day. It was a time of excitement, optimism, and renewed national pride for the Israelites. What started with a handful of disciples offering their praise to God turned into a citywide ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

"Love Each Other"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 28, 2018

A sermon for Good Friday.

“Love Each Other” John 19:17-30 Today we come to the Cross. It was a terrifying death. The goal of crucifixion was to inflict the maximum amount of agony on another person for the longest possible time. It was an extremely effective way to kill a human being slowly. Jesus hung on the ...read more

Scripture: John 19:17-30

Denomination: United Methodist

"Hope In The Midst Of Despair"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 29, 2018

A sermon for Easter.

“Hope in the Midst of Despair” John 20:1-18 When you encounter the living Jesus, in the midst of despair, everything changes. In our Gospel Lesson for this morning, we are confronted with a rollercoaster of emotions. Our story begins in darkness. Mary Magdalene went to the tomb while it ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

"First United Church"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 5, 2018

A sermon about rallying around the Resurrection.

“First United Church” Acts 4:32-35 With the advent of Social Media such as Twitter and Facebook we have seen people become especially emboldened to argue, curse and call one another names—all from behind their computer screens and smart phones. It’s kind of like the phenomenon of how people can ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-35

Denomination: United Methodist

"Dare To Love"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 11, 2018

A sermon about what it means to lay down our lives.

“Dare to Love” 1 John 3:16-24 In Matthew Chapter 7 Jesus says an interesting thing. ***Put UP Words on Screen*** He says: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-24

Denomination: United Methodist