Sermons on Ken Idleman:

"god Is Our Neighbor"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Aug 9, 2022

In loving one another we are loving God.

“God Is Our Neighbor” Romans 13:8-10 When the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa was a young boy, he had a life changing experience because of God’s love flowing to him through another person. You see, in South Africa, at that time, if a black person and a white person met while ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-10

Denomination: United Methodist

"pushing Up The Shades"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Aug 23, 2022

A sermon about being aware of those on the margins.

Luke 14:1, 7-14 “Pushing up the Shades” Retired author and pastor Tony Campolo tells of an experience he had at dinner in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, some years ago. He was checking on mission programs that his organization carried out day in and day out in Haiti. He wanted to see how the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: United Methodist

"getting Too Friendly With Sinners"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Aug 31, 2022

Jesus' two parables in Luke 15:1-10 are about the character of God.

“Getting too Friendly with Sinners” Luke 15:1-10 Imagine living in Jesus’ world and imagine being labeled a “sinner” in that world. Now, I think we stumble over that term in this context because according to Christian doctrine we are all sinners, right? But this wasn’t necessarily the way ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

"don't Miss It"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Sep 12, 2022

A sermon about the opportunity to be blessed by God by blessing others.

This sermon is based in large part on a sermon by Rev. Tom Long given in 2016 called "The Open Window" “Don’t Miss It” Luke 16:19-31 What are we to make of this parable? What do you think Jesus wants us to get out of it? The word “parable” is kind of hard to define. It means a lot ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: United Methodist

"love In Action"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 5, 2022

A sermon about the participating in the Christian Journey.

“Love is Known in Action” 1 John 3:16-24 This is Mother’s Day and our New Testament Lesson is about loving one another in action rather than just words. I don’t know about you, but my mother gave me the greatest gift a mother could give—she gave me her faith. Did she talk about her faith? ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-24

Denomination: United Methodist

"making Our Home In Jesus"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 11, 2022

A sermon about being connected to Christ.

John 15:1-17 “Making our Home in Jesus” In our Gospel Lesson for this morning Jesus likens Himself to a Vine and God the Father to a Farmer. We, believers in Christ, are the branches. But notice that Jesus doesn’t just say that He is any old vine. He says, “I am the Real Vine.” Why ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

"take Courage"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 17, 2022

A sermon which compares and contrasts what the world offers and what Jesus offers.

“Have Courage” John 14:23-29 Since the beginning of time, humanity has craved peace! Peace of mind, peace of heart, peace among the nations. And this is what Jesus is offering as He speaks to His disciples in our Gospel Lesson for this morning. The odd thing about peace is this: we are ...read more

Scripture: John 14:23-29

Denomination: United Methodist

"keep Crying Kids You're Almost There" Revised Version

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 24, 2022

This is an updated version of an Ascension Sunday sermon I wrote a number of years ago.

Acts 1:1-11 “Keep Crying Kids You’re Almost There” If you ever drove on Interstate 95 between South Carolina and North Carolina back in the 1990’s you most likely remember a strange and funny kind of place named, “South of the Border.” And about 80 or 90 miles before you got there, billboard ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

"the Gentile Pentecost"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jun 7, 2022

What does it mean that God does not show favoritism?

“The Gentile Pentecost” Acts 10:1-11:4 Last week we celebrated Pentecost. It was the Promised Day when God sent the Holy Spirit to come and reside in the hearts of believers. It was the beginning of the Christian Church. But, on the day of Pentecost the only people on whom the Spirit ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-48

Denomination: United Methodist

"the Letter Of The Law Vs The Spirit"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 12, 2022

Do rigid rules ever get in the way of the Good News of the Gospel?

“The Letter of the Law VS the Spirit” Mark 2:23-3:6 Not too terribly long ago in this country there used to be what were termed as the “blue laws” which were meant to enforce the Sabbath. Back in the early to middle years of the 20th Century, in the average American town, there were no shops ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

"worship From The Heart"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 29, 2022

A sermon about giving our all to Jesus.

“Worship from the Heart” John 12:1-8 Today we are in a home in the Jerusalem suburb of Bethany, right before Jesus entered the BIG CITY for the last time. We will celebrate THAT next Sunday—Palm Sunday. But today, Jesus is in the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. They are throwing a dinner ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

"was I There?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 11, 2022

A sermon for Good Friday.

“Was I There?” John 18:1-19:42 With the death of Jesus on Calvary, we witness, amid the noise of soldiers and criminals, gawkers and passers-by, what looks like the final triumph of evil. All the ugliness and violence we can imagine takes place in the events that lead-up to the six hours during ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-42

Denomination: United Methodist

"fear"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 19, 2022

A sermon about overcoming fear through the Risen Christ.

“Fear” John 20:19-31 Our Gospel Lesson this morning begins on the evening of Easter. The doors are shut; they are “locked for fear of the Jewish leaders.” And this is understandable. The disciples were, after-all, followers of this Man who the Jewish leaders hated—hated enough for them to ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: United Methodist

"love Wins"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 27, 2022

A sermon for anyone who has ever failed Jesus.

“Love Wins” John 21:1-19 Let’s go back three years before our Gospel Lesson for this morning. Jesus had gone out and selected 12 men. They were your average everyday kind of guys...and Jesus found them doing your average everyday kind of things... ...and when Jesus found them He said to them ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: United Methodist

"jesus' Keynote Address"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jan 19, 2022

A sermon about the REAL Jesus, lest we forget.

“Jesus’ Keynote Address” Luke 4:14-21 If you could choose the words that might encapsulate who you are, the words that you would use to communicate the essence of yourself, your life, your commitments—what would they be? Luke 4:14-21 is essentially Jesus’ life, ministry and purpose in a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21

Denomination: United Methodist