Sermons on Kerry Shook:

When You Really Need God To Show Up

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jun 5, 2016

The story is Elijah's proposed show-down between God and Baal at Mount Carmel. God doesn't want just part of us. He wants all of us, and he will tolerate no substitute, because he knows nothing else will satisfy in his place.

1 Kings 18:20-39 When You Really Need God to Show Up Today’s story might be called, “The Great Show-down at Mount Carmel.” It is an ultimate, winner-takes-all kind of challenge, Yahweh God vs. Baal. Which one is real? Which one will come through for his people? But why all the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:20-39

Denomination: Baptist

Death Is Not The End

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jun 5, 2016

Jesus interrupted a funeral procession to bring life from death. Jesus deals with our universal human problem of sin and death once and for all at the cross. We no longer have to fear death. For the believer, it's but a passing from this world to the next

Luke 7:11-17 Death is Not the End Today’s story is a shocker in many ways. If you have ever lost anyone to death—and many of you have—you may experience a little jealousy with today’s story. You may wonder why Jesus didn’t interrupt your loved one’s memorial ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

Pride And Promiscuity

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jun 12, 2016

Jesus contrasts a prideful Pharisee and a formerly promiscuous sinner desperate for grace. One is changed forever and one is unchanged. The difference: pride vs. humility. We all are in need of a Savior. Sadly, some don't realize it until it is too late.

Luke 7:36-50 Pride and Promiscuity The sermon title for today’s story is in honor of my wife, who first introduced me to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” a classic tale of two strong-willed and misunderstood personalities coming together in romantic love. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is My Neighbor?

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jul 10, 2016

It's easy to get along with people who get along with us, but what about when we see someone very different from us in need? Jesus challenges us to be a good neighbor to everyone we encounter.

Luke 10:25-37 Who is My Neighbor? Have you ever struggled to be nice to someone, especially someone different from you? Maybe they’re talkative and you’re quiet, or they are a gossip and you detest gossip, or maybe their skin is darker and yours is lighter, or yours is darker and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

How To Talk To God

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jul 24, 2016

"Lord, teach us to pray." In response, Jesus gives his disciples and us the model prayer, the "Our Father" or "Lord's Prayer." He continues with strong teaching to be persistent, knowing that God loves us more than we love our own children.

Luke 11:1-13 How to Talk to God “Chaplain, will you teach me how to pray?” I remember that question like it was yesterday, even though it must have been at least a couple of years ago. It came from a Veteran on our inpatient mental health unit. I marveled at the time how simple and yet ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Making Long-Term Investments

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jul 31, 2016

We are really good at accumulating stuff. But how often do our possessions begin to possess us? Jesus warns us about the dangers of greed and calls us to be more than our net worth, challenging us to invest rather in godly pursuits.

Luke 12:13-21 Making Long-term Investments Wow! Today’s passage is a little shocking for those of us who enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in this greatest nation on God’s green earth. By world’s standards, we are the richest of the rich. We may not be one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21, 1 Timothy 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Got Faith?

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Aug 7, 2016

Sometimes God's plans are so much greater than our plans that all we can do is keep hoping, keep putting our faith in the One who always works for our good and his glory. As we cultivate a relationship with Christ, we build our faith muscles.

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Got Faith? Have you ever come down with a case of PCS-itis? You know what that is, right? PCS-itis is when every two or three years you start itching for a move. It’s in your blood. You’re not content to stay put. It may be simply moving down the block, or moving ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-16, Genesis 12:1-4, Genesis 18:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Finishing Well

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Aug 15, 2016

Bad things happen even to Christians. Yet, we are not alone. God places us in the family of faith. And as we keep our eyes on Jesus, we can endure anything, for his sake, knowing our faith will be rewarded, if not in this life, then in the next.

Hebrews 11:32-12:3 Finishing Well Today’s passage is one of the most beautiful and most moving passages of the Bible. It brings us to the end of our two-week walk through the Bible’s “Hall of Faith.” Hebrews chapter 11 lists many of the great faith heroes of the Bible, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When Religion Blocks Relationship

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Aug 21, 2016

We go about trying to live religious lives, but do we miss connecting with God in the process? Christianity is about relationship, not religion. And Jesus makes such a relationship possible.

Luke 13:10-17 When Religion Blocks Relationship It was a day I will never forget. Our village had gathered at the local Synagogue to hear the word and receive teaching, to pray together, and to worship Yahweh, the one true God. On this day there was an unusual excitement in the crowd because we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Dare To Be Humble

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Aug 28, 2016

Jesus uses a couple of etiquette lessons to teach true humility. The point is simple (and repeated throughout scripture): If we lift ourselves up, God will put us down. If we lift others up, God will lift us up.

Luke 14:1, 7-14 Dare to Be Humble The Duke of Wellington once haughtily drew himself up to his full height and thundered to one of his staff officers, “God knows I have many faults, but being wrong is not one of them!” The best of us struggle with pride from time to time. In ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-14, Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Restoring Relationships

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Sep 4, 2016

Paul's letter to Philemon gives us solid timeless principles in restoring broken relationships. As Paul paid for Onesimus' sin, so Christ pays for ours, thus restoring us to God. Because we have been forgiven much, we need to forgive others.

Philemon Restoring Relationships I’d like to take a little survey this morning: Who here has never had a relationship challenge? Ah ha, I thought so. Today’s subject “Restoring Relationships,” is for all of us. As we seek to live a Christian life, does our faith have any ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Mandatory Worship

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Mar 20, 2016

The whole creation--including us--is designed to worship the one true God. If we don't cry out, the stones will worship God. We need to become 24/7 worshipers, constantly aware of God's presence and guidance.

Luke 19:28-40 Mandatory Worship What do these sayings have in common? He’s telling it like it is. She’s speaking for America. He’s calling for a political revolution. She’s going to restore the American dream for hardworking families. He’s going to make America great ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Gift

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Mar 28, 2016

The Apostle Peter learns that God plays no favorites, that everyone matters to God! The Easter message is good news, that all our sins can be forgiven, that we can have hope of a new tomorrow. (Can be modified for other than Easter.)

Acts 10:34-43 The Greatest Gift When my wife and I started a family, we formed our own family traditions, including for Easter. When the kids awoke on Easter Sunday morning, each child would find a colorful basket just for him or her, a basket full of Easter candy, small toys, and that wonderful ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34-43

Denomination: Baptist

Can You Forgive Yourself?

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Apr 10, 2016

So often we wallow in guilt and shame, long after we have asked Jesus to forgive us. What if we could be free of that for good? Is self-forgiveness biblical? If not, how can I move forward out of my despair? Peter is a case in point.

John 21:1-19 Can You Forgive Yourself? Self-forgiveness is the big rage in pop psychology today. I did a quick search on Amazon.com this week, and came up with over 12,000 hits on the subject of self-forgiveness. Yet, the interesting thing is, the Bible has absolutely no mention of it at all! ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Life-Changing Worship

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Apr 17, 2016

The tribulation saints paid the ultimate cost for their faith, and here they are in heaven worshiping God with all the passion they can find. What if our obedience could lead to greater love for our Lord, which could lead to greater obedience, love, etc.?

Revelation 7:9-17 Life-changing Worship Starting today we’ll spend the next four weeks in the last book of the Bible, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” Notice there is only one Revelation. Sometimes people say, “Revelations.” Nope, just one. Revelation is classified ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

Denomination: Baptist