Sermons on Kevin:

Fear Of God Getting Out Of My Box Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 16, 2010

Jesus is more than a great man. It is important for us to know the transfigured Christ--to see God in his glory and to respect (fear) him.

Matthew 17:1-8 “Fear of God Getting Out of My Box” INTRODUCTION Times have changed. When I was growing up, my parents and I would arrive ten or fifteen minutes before the worship service—when we went to church. We didn’t arrive early so we could secure our favorite ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Justice Versus Injustice Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 16, 2010

Jesus curses both the fig tree and teh temple for their fruitlessness. Rather than standing for justice and assisting the poor, the temple has sided with Roman Imperialism and in doing so has promoted injustice.

Mark 11:12-21 “Justice versus Injustice” INTRODUCTION What do you do if you do not reach a goal for which you were striving? Do you give up, try again, make a different goal, or do something else? What do you do if your children fail to live up to your expectations—your ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Entangled With Greed Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 24, 2010

Jesus speaks against those whose greed causes them to exploit the land and the people to their advantage and for their profit. We are called to be stewards and manage the "vineyards" that we have been given. They are not ours, they are God's.

Mark 12:1-12 “Entangled With Greed” INTRODUCTION We continue our journey with Jesus through Holy Week—the last week of his life on earth. Last Sunday we walked with him on Monday, which is the day after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. On Monday Jesus passed by a fig ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

A Clear Direction

Contributed by Kevin Jones on Mar 3, 2010

Sermon done on our one year anniversary regarding vision.

A Clear Direction About 350 years ago a shipload of travelers landed on the northeast coast of America. The first year they established a town site. The next year they elected a town government. The third year the town government planned to build a road five miles westward into the wilderness. In ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Importance Of Love

Contributed by Kevin Jones on Mar 3, 2010

The greatest thing to focus on is love.

The Importance of Love Well in case you are unaware today is Valentine’s Day. The origin of the day is uncertain as there are several stories of how this day came into existence, but the origin is not really that important. We do realize that it is big business for greeting card companies, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:36-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Big Is Your God

Contributed by Kevin Jones on Mar 3, 2010

Having a close relationship with God

How Big is God to You? This morning I want to speak to you in a continuation of the series we just completed. A message that will help you as you put to practice the steps we have talked about the past 5 weeks about making Godly decisions and seeing 2010 become the best year of your life. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 147:11-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tuesday--The God Fo The Living Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 11, 2010

For Jesus, the kingdom of God is not primarily about the dead, but about the living, not primarily about life after death, but about life in this world.

Mark 12:18-27 “Tuesday—God of the Living” INTRODUCTION For the past couple of weeks, the world has been enjoying the competition of the Winter Olympics. There have been some close competitions. A few major upsets, like the United States hockey team defeating Canada have ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:18-27

Denomination: Lutheran

Wednesday - Loyalty And Betrayal Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 15, 2010

Judas’ betrayal is contrasted with the loyalty of an unnamed woman. The woman was extravagant in her loyalty and foolish in her love. She wasted her resources in her love for Jesus. Judas on the other hand betrays Jesus for money. By our selfishness we be

Mark 14:1-11 “Wednesday—Loyalty and Betrayal” INTRODUCTION There is perhaps no lonelier moment for a person than when a person (or persons) whom he loves fails to understand him or betrays him. It is devastating. We catch a glimpse of this devastation in Jesus’ life ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Friday - Following Revolutionaries Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 23, 2010

Two revolutionaries stand before the people--Jesus and Barabbas. Barabbas represents a revolution by violence and power, and Jesus a revolution of love. The crowd chooses Barabbas

Mark 15:1-20 “Friday—Following Revolutionaries” INTRODUCTION As a student of history and of people, I have often wondered why some people are attracted to groups and activities that are abhorrent to others. For example, why did the people of Germany elect Adolf Hitler to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Spirit-Filled Service For Christ Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 20, 2009

We are called to serve those inside and outside the church and to overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:9-21 “Spirit-filled Service for Christ” INTRODUCTION We come to the end of our focus on Desert Streams’ mission statement. I hope that these four Sundays have help clarify Desert Streams’ mission to you, and has also helped you to perceive how the resurrection of Jesus Christ ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Deeper Relationship With Christ Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 20, 2009

As living stones we are built into spiritual houses--we grow in our walk with Jesus.

1 Peter 2:4-6 “Deeper Relationship with Christ” INTRODUCTION We continue to talk about our response to the resurrection of Jesus Christ as a congregation and as individuals. We are doing this by studying our congregation’s mission statement. That statement reads, “Inviting everyone to a new ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-6

Denomination: Lutheran

"Act Like You Know!"

Contributed by Kevin Smith on May 30, 2009

Many of us as Christians say we know we’ve been changed, but we don’t act like we know we’ve been changed in terms of our praise & worship to God.

I. Introduction -Re-read verses 8 & 9 in the text as focal verses. -Present Title of sermon. -At the onset of this message I would submit to you that many of us say we know we’ve been changed by God and we know we’ve been changed, but we don’t really act like we know we’ve been changed. -I’m not ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Spirit's Ministry Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 9, 2009

Jesus does not leave us alone when he ascends to the Father. He sends us his spirit to enlighten us, sanctify us,and enable us to minister.

John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15 “The Spirit’s Ministry” INTRODUCTION Between the first Easter and his ascension, Jesus appeared to his disciples and to over five hundred others who became eye-witnesses to his resurrection. We do not know much of what Jesus said or did during those forty days. We ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Big Inheritance Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 9, 2009

We are heirs with Jesus of the rich blessings of God. We are family who are about the family’s business.

Romans 8:12-17, “The Big Inheritance” INTRODUCTION This is an important Sunday—not that all Sunday aren’t important. For the church, this is Trinity Sunday—a celebration of the mystery of the Trinity and that God has revealed himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is also the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:12-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Walking By Faith Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 25, 2009

Christians walk a different walk. Not only do we walk along a different path, but we also walk in a different manner. The difference is caused by our active and dynamic relationship with Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17 “Walking By Faith” INTRODUCTION Various Christian groups have attempted to define what it is like to live as a Christian. At the turn of the twentieth century, the evangelist, Billy Sunday, believed that temperance was the mark of a Christian. Christians shouldn’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-17

Denomination: Lutheran