Sermons on Ken Idleman:

"it's Not Our Job To Judge The World"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 18, 2023

A sermon about loving people into the kingdom.

“It’s Not Our Job to Judge the World” Matthew 7:1-6 Mission Insight is a program that our Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church pays for and makes available to local churches such as ourselves so that we can find out about our community. The information comes from the census, a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

"you Are The Joy Of Christ"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 24, 2023

A sermon about learning to find joy in the fact that we are Christ's joy.

“You are the Joy of Christ” Hebrews 12:1-3 Have you ever wondered what it was like for God to put on skin and become a living, breathing human being? It couldn’t have been easy. Think about it; Jesus experienced the ordinary pains we experience. He knew what it was like to have a cold, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: United Methodist

"producing Fruit"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 7, 2023

A sermon about the importance of staying connected to Christ.

John 15:1-17 “Producing Fruit” There is a story in the Bible where Jesus comes across a fig tree, and He tries to find some fruit on it. But there is no fruit, and so Jesus curses the fig tree saying, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” (pause) Boy, life is scary crazy, and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

"surprised By Grace"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 16, 2023

A sermon about remembering what God has done for us.

“Surprised by Grace” Ephesians 2:1-10 We are a forgetful people. I know I am. I think that is one reason some of us wander from the faith. To remember what the Lord has done is something the people of God have always been called to do. For example, the Lord told the Israelites, back when ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

The New Creation

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 21, 2023

A Church that centers on Jesus alone will bear witness to the Lamb and His Way offering a foretaste of the "new things" of the new creation.

The New Creation Revelation 21:1-7, 22-27-22:1-5 I recently ran across a cartoon that pictured three churches, all of different denominations, standing side by side with a thought bubble above each building saying: “Finding time for all our prayers is difficult when we have to practice ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

"on The Way"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Sep 29, 2020

A sermon about putting Christ first over all things.

“On the Way” Philippians 3:4b-14 The late Fred Craddock told a story about a missionary family in China who were forced to leave the country sometime after the Communists took over. One day a band of soldiers knocked on their door and told the missionary along with his wife and children that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-14

Denomination: United Methodist

"nevertheless"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 6, 2020

A sermon about experiencing the peace which transcends all understanding.

"Nevertheless" Philippians 4:4-9 Joy and peace are often elusive, are they not? Loneliness, family tensions, unexpected crises, grief and national events make them seem just beyond our grasp. The COVID-19 pandemic brushed away any sense of normalcy that 2020 had any potential of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: United Methodist

"what's It All About?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 21, 2020

A sermon about the Law of Love.

Matthew 22:34-40 “What’s It All About?” How can a person legitimately look into the face of an enemy and feel unqualified love? It is nearly impossible, is it not? And yet, Jesus tells us that this is what it means to be a Christ-follower. I’d say we live in a very "religious" ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46

Denomination: United Methodist

"hope"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 26, 2020

A sermon for All Saints Sunday.

“Hope” 1 John 3:1-3 I’ve been a Pastor now for 20, going on 21 years. And, in the past, when someone has lost a parent or a close relative, I have said to them “I can’t imagine what you are going through.” Sadly, now, I can say: “I know what it is like. It is horrible. It is ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: United Methodist

"revenge"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 3, 2020

A sermon about repaying evil with good.

“Revenge” Romans 12:9-21 A colleague of mine once told me about a time he was driving down the road and another driver, who was very angry with him for some infraction, drove up beside him cursing and making gestures at him. My colleague rolled down his window and instead of returning insults ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: United Methodist

"stop Digging Holes"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 10, 2020

A sermon about sharing God's love with others.

“Stop Digging Holes” Matthew 25:14-30 A wealthy man who goes away on a long journey. Before he leaves, he entrusts his property to his servants. The first servant takes the money to the market, to a wealth management firm, we might say and invests in high-risk ventures. The second servant ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: United Methodist

"lord When Did We See You?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 16, 2020

A sermon about loving Jesus by loving others.

“Lord When Did We See You?” Matthew 25:31-46 Martin of Tours was a Roman soldier and a Christian. One cold winter day, as he was entering a city, a beggar stopped him and asked him for help. Martin had no money; but the beggar was blue, shivering with cold, and Martin gave him what he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: United Methodist

"god With Us: He Is Our Peace"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 24, 2020

An Advent Sermon about the peace that only Christ can give.

“God with Us: He is Our Peace” Micah 5:2-5a It was during Advent of 2012, when Adam Lanza walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and shot and killed 26 people, including 20 children between 6 and 7 years old, and 6 adult staff members. Earlier that day, Lanza shot ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2-5

Denomination: United Methodist

"reaching Across Boundaries"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 19, 2023

A sermon about following Jesus by reaching out to people who are outside of our circles.

“Reaching Across Boundaries” Luke 8:26-39 After studying passages like this one, author Mark Scandrette and his friend Joseph became convicted that God was calling them to reach out, not just to folks who showed up at their church or were already a part of their circles but to outsiders, people ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Denomination: United Methodist

"the Great Mercy Of God"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 26, 2023

A sermon about something we are all guilty of.

“The Great Mercy of God” Luke 18:9-14 Have you ever driven past another person holding a sign “will work for food” and felt a bit of disgust or even contempt in your heart toward them…kind of like a feeling of “I’m better than you”? Have you ever felt superior to a prostitute, a drug addict, an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: United Methodist