Sermons on Lectionary:

O, How Shall I Receive You?

Contributed by Hans Krause on Nov 6, 2018

Advent is the time of preparation for the coming of our heavenly King. How do we receive him in our Christian community and in our personal lives? Are the gates wide open, or does he need to knock at our door, locked from the inside?

[Sermon preached on 3 December 2017, First Sunday in Advent / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] This past week, Finland had the honor of welcoming three royal visitors: Prince William of the United Kingdom, Prince Daniel of Sweden, and Prince Constantijn of my own home country, the Netherlands. The media ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:7-10, Luke 19:28-40, Revelation 3:20-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Please God, Stop Asking Me Difficult Questions

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Sep 29, 2018

Are we putting anyone off God?

“Father Mund, If someone didn’t know you were a vicar and didn’t know you went to church, how would they know you were a Christian?” “Father Mund - have you ever said or done something that would have put someone off becoming a Christian?” “Father Mund, have you ever stopped someone from doing ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-50, James 5:13-20, Numbers 11:4-29

Denomination: Anglican

John The Baptist Again, But What A Man, What A Devotion.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Dec 17, 2017

Another John the Baptist sermon, but I really did not understand the man until now. Can we ever emulate and sustain his devotion to Jesus?

This sermon was delivered to Holy Trinity in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 17th December 2017 (a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries). Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8,19-28 Psalm 19:14: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of our ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-28

Denomination: Episcopal

Recalulating Jesus Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jan 18, 2018

This sermon is based on the words of Jesus in Mark 1 "repent" and is part of a sermon series based on the "Case For Christ" book. Evidence and message. Some quotes from sermon by Ken Klaas and Keep on Believing

In Jesus Holy Name January 21, 2018 Text: Mark 1:14 Epiphany III Redeemer Recalculating Jesus? Who is Jesus? That is the question that must be answered if you have heard his name. Who is Jesus? That was the question in the first century when he lived. It is still valid today. ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Gravity Of Gratitude (Thanksgiving)

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Mar 10, 2013

A Thanksgiving season sermon about gratitude.

Intro The story is told of two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, "What has the world done to you, my old friend?" The sad fellow said, "Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finding Rest Among The Crowds

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Apr 10, 2019

We often pride ourselves in our work ethic, but we are addicted to work! This sermon takes a look at our need to find rest in the midst of a chaotic world and a myriad of responsibilities; using Jesus' practice of finding rest as our example.

IMMEDIACY IN MARK When we read the Gospel of Mark, we read a story moving at breakneck speed. Mark is the shortest gospel, and in it we don’t find a genealogy, or narratives from his childhood, or even much of a prelude before Jesus is baptized. And once he is baptized, it seems like he is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34, Mark 6:53-56

Denomination: Nazarene

When God Moves Through Us

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on May 25, 2020

Pentecost showed a God whose power comes upon us, whose presence rests gently upon us, and whose power manifests through us, to help a world in much need of a loving and forgiving Christ.

Acts 2:1-21 When God Moves Through Us A few days after Thanksgiving of 2016, Eric Heffelmire was working on his GMC truck at his family home in Vienna, Virginia. As he recalls, “I was on my back, face up, and I was trying to get some corroded brake lines when apparently the jack slipped and fell ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21, Acts 1:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Suitable Armor: David Versus Goliath

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jun 15, 2024

The story of David and Goliath is well-known. Little David serves as Israel's champion and defeats Goliath with the help of the Lord. But there is even a bigger Goliath that we face who taunts us every day. So we need a better champion. This is Jesus Christ. For Proper 7 After Pentecost, year B

Finding Suitable Armor: David Versus Goliath 1 Samuel 17:32–39 NKJV Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-49, 1 Samuel 17:4-9, 1 Samuel 17:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Cannot Keep A Good Man Down (August 13, 2023 Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 10, 2023

Joseph’s favoritism caused friction among the other sons and how they treated Joseph.

YOU CANNOT KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN (2023 version). Text: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Genesis 37:1-4 Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan.  (2)  This is the story of the family of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-4, Genesis 37:12-28

Denomination: United Methodist

Not Done Yet

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 17, 2023

Christmas was only the beginning, just as Easter, too, was only a beginning. We’re simply not done yet. The final chapter hasn’t been written.

‘Tis the day after Christmas; now what do we do? Tomorrow it’s back to the rat race. What’s new? We’ll box up the manger and throw out the tree. And next year we’ll do it again. Wait and see! There’s some change, but mostly each year seems the same. How long has it been since the baby first ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 62:6-7, Revelation 21:1-5, Luke 2:22-40

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Lament For The Unrepentant   Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 14, 2025

Lament is a word that we do not use very often. A lament is a passionate expression of grief, sorrow, mourning. In Scripture there are many examples of lament. 

A Lament for the Unrepentant     Luke 13:1-9; 31-35 Introduction Lament is a word that we do not use very often. A lament is a passionate expression of grief, sorrow, mourning. In Scripture there are many examples of lament. Psalm 13:1-2 “How long, Lord? Will you forget me ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith Or Works? Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Sep 12, 2018

In James 2, we see one of the most challenging passages of Scripture. However, when seen in context, James' point becomes clear and understood.

The English language can be a very challenging language to learn. Part of that is because many ordinary words that we use in everyday conversation can have many different meanings. Take the word “run,” for example, which according to dictionary.com, has over 179 different meanings for the word. ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-18, James 2:1-26, James 2:15-26, James 2:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus' Heads-Up: The World Will Hate You (John 16:1-33) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 29, 2022

So don't be surprised, or discouraged. Prepare yourselves, testify anyway, and don't fall away. Also, how the Spirit partners with you, in testifying to the world.

Let's start this morning by rereading John 15:18-16:4. In these verses, Jesus describes our relationship to the world: (18) If the world, you, it hates, know that me, before you, it has hated. (19) If of/from the world, you were, the world would love its own. Now, because of/from the world ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-33

God-Centered Worship Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Nov 5, 2004

Why is church boring? Could it be that our worship is not God-Centered?

INTRODUCTION  Why are we here today? Why are we all here giving up a morning to sleep in, a time to watch all the NFL pre-game shows? Why did we go to the trouble this morning of getting out of bed and putting on some nice clothing to be here?  Did we come here to see some of our ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:21-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spiritual Training: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Contributed by David Smith on Dec 21, 2006

Father Dave’s sermon on spiritual training... "I do not box as though beating the air," says St. Paul, and all the boxers in the congregation say ... Amen!

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. (25) Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. (26) So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican