Sermons on Kenneth Sauer:

"the Challenge Of Epiphany"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 29, 2021

Epiphany challenges us to think about who we might consider to be unworthy and how we, the Church, might reach out to them in Christian love.

“The Challenge of Epiphany” Matthew 2:1-12 What image comes to your mind when you think of the Magi in Matthew’s Gospel? Having sat through a number of Christmas plays, it may be hard for us not to think of children wearing bathrobes and Burger King crowns, trying to look as important as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

"An Invitation To Love"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 21, 2017

A sermon about living in the Kingdom of God.

“An Invitation to Love” Mark 10:17-27 A few summers ago, David Timothy bought an old van with 265,000 miles on it, with the help of his wife and a friend. They named it the SoupMobile and started taking food to the homeless of Dallas, Texas. Timothy had wanted to open a soup kitchen for a long ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27

Denomination: United Methodist

"Ancestry.com"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 29, 2017

A sermon for the 1st Sunday of Advent.

“Ancestry.com” Matthew 1:1-17 “Holy Crow! I’m related to George Washington.” ***Put up Picture of Woman holding George Washington Picture*** Just days after beginning her family history search, Emily discovered a truly legendary ancestor. With the help of Ancestry.com, she traced her family ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

"Righteousness Based On Love, Not Law"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 9, 2017

A sermon about Jesus' earthly father--Joseph.

“Righteousness Based on Love, Not Law” Matthew 1:18-25 What is the first image that pops into your mind when you hear the word “righteous”? Do you think of some fire and brimstone preacher with beady eyes who points his finger at sinners and declares them guilty in the eyes of an angry ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: United Methodist

"Jesus Lives In East Ridge"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 13, 2017

A sermon for a Community Thanksgiving Service

“Jesus Lives in East Ridge” Matthew 25:31-46 Some of you are involved in a Monday Evening Feeding Program, where at 4 p.m. we meet in the gym at East Ridge United Methodist Church and make sack lunches to take out to our hungry friends and neighbors. We mostly take the meals to the extended ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: United Methodist

"God Moved Into The Neighborhood"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 15, 2017

A sermon about being Christ to those around us.

“God Moved into the Neighborhood” John 1:1-5, 14 A couple of years ago on Christmas Eve, a teenager named Karla felt called to go to a nearby nursing home. She went from room to room, offering to read the Christmas story from the Gospels. After reading, she prayed with the residents and ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

"The Humble Are Lifted Up"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 19, 2017

A sermon about humility.

“The Humble are Lifted Up” Luke 1:26-38 Last weekend, I read a post on Facebook by an old classmate from high school. It said that another classmate--named Sean Hodge--had passed away. Sean Hodge… Sean Hodge… It took me a minute or two, but I remembered Sean. I hadn’t known him very ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: United Methodist

"Christmas Meditation"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 21, 2017

A sermon about GRACE.

Christmas Meditation Luke 2:1-20 After reading through the Gospels and studying about the kind of companion Jesus was, and knowing what He taught about love for neighbors Mark Scandrette and his friend Joseph decided to try some experiments in radical openness to people. Riding the bus home ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: United Methodist

"Continuing The Journey"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 28, 2017

A sermon for the New Year.

“Continuing the Journey” Philippians 3:4b-15 What do you want more than anything else in the world? Is it a higher paying job? Is it a bigger house? Is it some “perfect career”? Is it to be the envy of your friends, co-workers; classmates? Is it to “know Christ and the power of his ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-15

Denomination: United Methodist

"Heaven Torn Open"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jan 3, 2018

A sermon for Baptism of the Lord Sunday.

“Heaven Torn Open” Mark 1:4-11 Throughout the Old Testament, from the Fall in Genesis—forward—God is cloaked in mystery. Throughout the wanderings of the Israelites in the wilderness, Moses is God’s mouthpiece through whom God speaks. When the Tabernacle was set up, the Lord led the people by ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

Denomination: United Methodist

"Can Anything Good Come From There?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jan 10, 2018

A sermon about good coming from unexpected places.

“Can Anything Good Come from There?” John 1:43-51 A week and a half ago I drove my mother back to Northern Kentucky. It’s a drive I have made many, many times. It’s a drive through the Cumberland Mountains of Northern Tennessee and Kentucky. I’ve driven it in the summertime and in the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: United Methodist

"We Can Get So Off Base"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 1, 2014

A sermon about loving mercy.

"We Can Get So Off Base" Matthew 23:1-12 Micah 6:6-8 Like most of us, John Burke (pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas) assumed that he was not a judgmental person. But just in case he was wrong, he tried an experiment: for a whole week he kept track of his judgments about other people. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

"Buried Treasure"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 14, 2014

Which servant are you?

"Buried Treasure" Matthew 25:14-30 What is going on in this parable? "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who is leaving on a trip. He called his servants and handed his possessions over to them." This parable sits square in the middle of three parables Jesus told in Matthew Chapter ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: United Methodist

"Lord, When Did We See You Hungry?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 19, 2014

A sermon about "being" Christian.

"Lord, When Did We See You Hungry?" Matthew 25:31-46 One day a student asked anthropologist Margaret Mead for the earliest sign of civilization in a given culture. He expected the answer to be a clay pot or perhaps a fish hook or grinding stone. Her answer was "a healed femur [bone]." ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: United Methodist

"greed"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 20, 2021

A stewardship sermon.

“Greed” Luke 12:13-21 In our Gospel Lesson for this morning, Jesus is starting to gain a lot of followers. He is becoming influential. Crowds are surrounding Him and hanging on His every Word. Most people view Him as being a Jewish Rabbi and it was normal, back then, for Rabbi’s to settle ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: United Methodist