Sermons on Kevin:

Giving Is Loving Our Neighbor Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 12, 2017

Loving our neighbor (those in need) is at the center of the teachings of Jesus. God meets our needs abundantly and asks us to share those blessings and love our neighbor.

1 John 4:5-12 “Giving is … Loving Neighbor” INTRODUCTION We are on disaster overload. Monday morning we woke up to the news that the worst mass shooting in United States history had taken place in Las Vegas. A week ago we were dealing with the devastation in Puerto Rico, which was caused by ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:5-12

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Presence Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 1, 2017

Solomon built his temple. The worship at the temple by the people of God almost immediately needed to be reformed. Amos and other prophets called the people back to God. The reformation continued with Martin Luther and continues in the church today,

1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:1-13 “God’s Presence” INTRODUCTION “Reformed and Always Reforming” is a phrase that catches the spirit of our Reformation commemoration. We remember that five hundred years ago the Church had strayed away from the gospel of Jesus Christ. It had become deformed and, as a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Giving Is Helping Others Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 1, 2017

We respond to God’s grace when we look beyond ourselves, see the needs of others and strive to met those needs.

James 2:8, 14-17. “Giving is Helping Others” INTRODUCTION We come to the fourth and final Sunday of our Stewardship Emphasis Program. Within the theme “Giving Is ...” we’ve highlighted that giving and stewardship is “Praising God,” “Loving Our Neighbor,” “Serving Jesus,” and “Helping Others.” ...read more

Scripture: James 2:8-17

Denomination: Lutheran

The Prayer

Contributed by Kevin Chawla on Nov 4, 2017

IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER, THE WAY JESUS TAUGHT US.

FATHER ANOINT YOUR WORD TODAY INTO OUR HEARTS. THE LORD IN HIS WORD, PRECIOUS WORD TEACHES US HOW TO PRAY, NOW REMEMBER PRAYER IS A SPIRIT, SO GOD ANOINTS US SO WE CAN PRAY. IN MATHEW 6:9 HE TELLS US ABOUT THE PRAYER, HE TELLS US ABOUT THE PATTERN, RELATIONSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP. THERE ARE SEVEN ...read more

Energized Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 17, 2014

The Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples and energizes them for mission and ministry. The church is born and the Spirit continues to energize God’s people to this day.

Acts 2:1-21 “Energized” INTRODUCTION We are creatures of habit, and we go through most of our lives on cruise control. Occasionally, though, something out of the ordinary happens and we are immediately inquisitive. • We make it from the #303 to the #101 and only hit one ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Precious Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 17, 2014

The Israelites reach Mount Sinai and the Lord declares that they are his treasured possession. We, too, as children of faith are God’s precious possessions.

Exodus 19:1-6, 20:1-2 “Precious” INTRODUCTION The world is filled with strange, ridiculous and useless laws. For example: • In Missouri it is illegal to drive with an uncaged bear, and in Alaska it is improper to wake a sleeping bear for a photo opportunity. • In ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:1-6, Exodus 19:1

Denomination: Lutheran

How To Love God Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 24, 2014

God has moved mightily in our lives. God invites us to respond by placing God first in our lives and loving him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. (The first tablet of the Ten Commandments).

Exodus 20:1-11 “How to Love God” INTRODUCTION Jesus spoke to a group of Jewish converts. His conversation is recorded in the eighth chapter of John’s gospel. In verse thirty-two Jesus says, “The truth will set you free.” Jesus follows this statement up in verse ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Play Nicely With Others Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 30, 2014

The Lord gives his people instructions for their lives together. They are given in love with the desire that the people of God live abundant, free, and fruitful lives.

Exodus 20:12-16 “Play Nicely with Others” INTRODUCTION Twenty five years ago author Robert Fulghum wrote a book entitled, All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten. It was immediately a smashing success. The book contained observations and rules such as: Share ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Called

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 17, 2018

God reveals himself to Abram and Sarai and calls them to follow him and become a great nation.

Genesis 12:1-9 “Called” INTRODUCTION Have you ever experienced God speaking to you? I’ve seen some husbands nudge their wives during my sermons and say something like, “Myrtle, have you been talking to the pastor?” After the worship service, they will come up to me and compliment me by ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

The Parable Of The Talents Series

Contributed by Kevin Brady on Sep 6, 2021

Three servants receive different gifts from their master. Two use them wisely. One does not. Why? This sermon explores the historical context of this parable with a view toward clarifying the plight of the unworthy servant. A re-telling of the story is followed by several meditations on the text.

Nothing was ready. Bags remained open and unpacked, with clothes neither in nor out. The servants ran from one unfinished task to another, trying their best to follow conflicting instructions from stewards who were themselves at odds. The mother of the house and her young children sat wide-eyed at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

The Good Employer Series

Contributed by Kevin Brady on Sep 13, 2021

The owner of a vinyard pays all of his workers the same amount. How can this be fair? The motivations of the employer are explored within the cultural context of the first century.

The Good Employer (Matt. 20:1-16) Harvest time. The morning sun burned just below the hillside and backlit the ancient vines rising up from the even more ancient earth. The ground was parched and packed. Only the grapes held the promise of moisture, the pulp near bursting through their skins. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Foreigners

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 5, 2018

God actions graciously in the life of a foreigner, Naaman, and heals him.

2 Kings 5:1-15a “Foreigners” INTRODUCTION When meeting new people, it doesn’t take too long before we know what work they are (or were) involved in and what they have accomplished. If their golf handicap is below fifteen, we probably know that, too. It’s the way of the world. We are judged ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-15

Denomination: Lutheran

A Humble Walk

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 12, 2018

God desires justice, kindness and humility in the lives of God’s people

Micah 5:2-5, 6:6-8 “A Humble Walk” INTRODUCTION The world of the people to whom the prophet Micah spoke was in shambles. Jerusalem was under siege. The rulers were self-serving and corrupt. They were forsaking the Lord and causing the people to seek other gods and worship idols. There was no ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2-5, Micah 6:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Peace Shall Reign

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 19, 2018

In the face of danger, Isaiah proclaims that there will come a time when peace will reign and swords shall be beaten into plowshares

INTRODUCTION Life is lived in paradox. When writing about Christian liberty, Martin Luther identified a striking paradox. He wrote, “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all.” We daily live in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 36:1-20, Isaiah 37:1-7, Isaiah 2:1-4

Denomination: Lutheran

A Way Of Life

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 29, 2018

Observing and grieved by injustice and suffering, the prophet realizes that faith is a way of life and not an answer.

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:2-4; 3:17-19 “A Way of Life” INTRODUCTION Today we enter the season of Advent. It is a time of preparation—for two arrivals. We first are preparing for the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. This first arrival happened over two thousand years ago. The second ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4, Habakkuk 2:2-4, Habakkuk 3:17-19

Denomination: Lutheran