Sermons on Lectionary:

Prepare For Christmas

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 23, 2018

How should we prepare for the birthday of King Jesus? John the Baptist calls us to repentance, to preparing the way for him into our lives and making straight a highway into our hearts.

[Sermon preached on 17 December 2017, 3rd Sunday in Advent / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] Every year again I am surprised how much time and energy goes into preparing for Christmas. So many things to do… and in the end so few things that really matter. The famous American author John Grisham wrote ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-27, Deuteronomy 18:15-19

Denomination: Lutheran

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When God Speaks

Contributed by William Mouser on Jan 31, 2006

Claims by some that God speaks to them must be tested by two things: the pattern of God’s speaking to individuals recorded in the Bible, and by God’s previous revelation through the Prophets and Apostles.

When God Speaks Psalm 63, 1 Samuel 3:1 – 20, 1 Corinthians 6:11-20, John 1:43-51 It was interesting for me to survey how other preachers have treated the passages in today’s lectionary, particularly the Old Testament and Gospel lessons for today. There are a number of sites on the internet ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Healing The Body And The Soul

Contributed by William Mouser on Feb 19, 2006

While Jesus healed the bodies of many afflicted with demons and disease, he came into the world to heal a deeper sickness than any of these: the guilt and stain of sin. In healing the paralytic, Jesus healed the sinner’s soul, and then his body.

Psalm 32, Isaiah 43:18-25, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12 Healing the Body and the Soul Chuck Swindoll in his book "The Grace Awakening" had some interesting things to say about our needs and what God might have provided to meet them. Expanding on Swindoll’s suggestive words, I would render ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Fear Not, Therefore; You Are Of More Value Than Many Sparrows

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Jun 13, 2005

A sermon for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 7 We are valuable to God

5th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 7 Matthew 10:24-39 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows   24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Faith To Get Out Of The Boat

Contributed by Tim Zukas on Jan 1, 2006

Stepping out

Aboard - A piece of lumber that may be used to repair your boat. Adrift - A method of moving across the water when nothing on your boat works. Astern - A type of look. Your spouse gives you astern look when you attempt to buy things for your new boat. Bow - This is what you do in front of your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ