Sermons on Ken Idleman:

"i'm A Sinful Person"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jan 26, 2022

A sermon about hearing God's call and acting on it.

“I’m a Sinful Person” Luke 5:1-11 It’s been said that “Life is what happens to you while you’re making other plans.” The disciples didn’t get their call from Jesus when they were looking for it. Rather, it was at the end of a long, sweaty night, when they were discouraged and ready to pack it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

"good Friends"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Feb 2, 2022

What does it mean to carry people to Jesus?

“Good Friends” Mark 2:1-12 At the church I served in East Ridge, we had a member named Tootsie Watson. Tootsie and her parents lived in a deteriorating part of town. And that is where Tootsie lived for her entire life—all 89 years of her life-- in the same house where she was born, in the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

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

"Fear No Evil"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 18, 2018

God is with us!!!

“Fear No Evil” Psalm 23 Donald Barnhouse was the pastor of Philadelphia’s Tenth Presbyterian Church when his wife died and left him with two young daughters to raise alone. While he was driving to his wife’s funeral he realized that he needed to say something to explain what was happening to ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

"Learning To Live In Jesus"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 26, 2018

A sermon about the parable of the Vine and branches using Eugene Peterson's The Message.

John 15:1-8 “Learning to Live in Jesus” Jesus and His disciples have just finished the Last Supper. Following the Supper Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and told them that He was setting an example for them—that they should do for one another what He has done for them. From there Jesus has ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

"Up A Tree?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 2, 2018

A sermon about salvation by grace no matter who you are or what you have done.

“Up a Tree?” Luke 19:1-10 “As Good as It Gets” is a 1997 comedy. In it Jack Nickolson plays Melvin Udall, a crude, obsessive-compulsive author who offends everyone he meets. But Melvin becomes enamored with Carol Connelly, a waitress played by Helen Hunt. She has seen Melvin at his worst, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

"no More Business As Usual"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 7, 2019

A sermon for Lent.

“No More Business as Usual” Matthew 21:12-17 This is the first Sunday of Lent. The word “Lent” comes from the old English word, “lencten," which means “spring.” And one of the things that many of us do in the Spring is we “Spring Clean.” We go through the house, look at the clutter, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-17

Denomination: United Methodist

"no More Business As Usual"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 7, 2019

A sermon for Lent.

“No More Business as Usual” Matthew 21:12-17 This is the first Sunday of Lent. The word “Lent” comes from the old English word, “lencten," which means “spring.” And one of the things that many of us do in the Spring is we “Spring Clean.” We go through the house, look at the clutter, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-17

Denomination: United Methodist

"god Calling: Matthew"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 13, 2019

A Sermon about God seeking us out.

“God Calling: Matthew” Matthew 9:9-13 I know that I’ve got problems. I’m a sinner like everyone else. I often find that I am a slave to ways of being that I want to change. I am sick and in need of healing. So, Jesus has come for me. And that is what Jesus does. And that’s what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: United Methodist

"investing Ourselves In God's Own Passion"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 14, 2019

A sermon for Lent.

“Investing Ourselves in God’s Own Passion” Isaiah 58:1-12 What are you like when you are hungry? Do you get feeling a bit grumpy? There used to be a Snickers commercial where the main character would be in a really foul mood until they were offered a Snickers bar, after which the tagline ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

"the Fox And The Hen"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 22, 2019

A sermon about reaching out to our community.

“The Fox and the Hen” Luke 13:31-35 What just happened? Were the Pharisees—that is the religious leaders--really concerned about Jesus? They warned Jesus that Herod wanted to kill Him. Why would they do that? Not only did they not like Jesus; they had been discussing among themselves ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: United Methodist

"two Lost Sons"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 25, 2019

A sermon focusing on the elder son in the prodigal son parable.

“Two Lost Sons” Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 This is probably one of the best known parables of Jesus in the Bible. I’d say it is right up there with “The Parable of the Good Samaritan.” It is usually referred to as “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: United Methodist