Sermons on Letter Closings:

Three Essentials For Ministry Series

Contributed by Keith Walker on May 18, 2004

Paul finishes Colossians by focusing on three essentials for successful Christian living and ministry: Praying to God, Proclaiming the Word, and Partnering with others.

INTRODUCTION If you knew your time was short on this earth and you wanted to give final instructions or advice to loved ones what would you say? It would be difficult but important. You would focus on essential matters rather than incidental things, wouldn’t you? Paul finishes his letter to the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-18

Denomination: Baptist

Report Card Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2005

Do you ever get a report card from God on how you are doing? The Thessalonians get one from Paul and we learn about moving our relationship on in Jesus.

How many of you have ever gotten a report card or employee evaluation? I wonder if that sinking feeling might have attended the opening of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians. The first letter was designed to answer questions and concerns about Jesus’ return - and to get people who had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Everyone Needs Encouragement

Contributed by Paul Estabrooks on Oct 24, 2012

Everyone needs encouragement—even the seemingly strong and mature—but especially those who suffer.

Today, in honor of International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, we will stand and kneel with our brothers and sisters in Christ who share our faith but not our freedom. Second Timothy is the Apostle Paul’s final written communication before his death. He was chained to a soldier ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:15-18

Denomination: *other

Boasting In The Cross Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Aug 17, 2014

Paul concludes his Epistle by summarizing his arguments and by glorying in the Cross, which makes us free.

Free at last! Galatians is all about freedom…but if we’re not careful we can abuse it. Freedom is not a license to sin. Nor is it a lack of responsibility. New Hampshire’s motto is “Live free or die.” Our motto as Christians should be “Live holy or ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-18

Denomination: Congregational

Anger Management Series

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Apr 2, 2021

Anger is a two-edged sword: our disciplined responses to conflict can reflect spiritual wisdom and bear witness to the transforming power of grace. How well we control anger can reveal a lot about our spiritual health.

An OR nurse in Georgia tells the story of a couple arriving at the hospital, both of them with gunshot wounds. The husband had overslept on his first day on the job because his wife forgot to set the alarm, and he expressed his displeasure by shooting her in the arm. Not to be outdone, she ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-21

Faithful, Hopeful, Loving Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Oct 19, 2020

When we reflect on the spirituality of giving we realize that we have a deep NEED to give.

October 18, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Sermon Series: “Faithful, Hopeful, Loving” Psalm 145:1-9; Philippians 1:3-11 Faithful, Hopeful, Loving Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. For the past several weeks we’ve ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Lutheran

You Did Good, But

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 25, 2018

A study in the book of 2 Kings 10: 1 – 36

2 Kings 10: 1 – 36 You did good, but 10 Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote and sent letters to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to those who reared Ahab’s sons, saying: 2 Now as soon as this letter comes to you, since your master’s sons are with you, and you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 10:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Dead Dog Syndrome

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 17, 2002

Shimea suffered from a spiritual illness that plagues many Christians. How did it reveal itself and how can we be healed?s

THE DEAD DOG SYNDROME 9/98 ILLUSTRATION: There’s a story about a crazy old woman who was known to be crazy because she would walk down the streets talking to herself. One of her best known pastimes was talk to Jesus... and Jesus would talk back. One day a new preacher came to town and thought ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:5-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Learning And Living The Word Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Sep 30, 2006

James makes it clear that it is not enough to know the Word of God but that we must allow it to become a part of our lives

Learning and Living the Word James 1:22-27 September 24, 2006 Evening Worship Introduction Imagine, if you will, that you work for a company whose president found it necessary to travel out of the country and spend an extended period of time abroad. So he says to you and the other trusted ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Denomination: Church Of God

A Life Of Hope And Praise Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jul 12, 2021

A sermon for Pentecost Year B, Lectionary 15

July 11, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Ephesians 1:3-14 A Life of Hope and Praise Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Our epistle readings for the next several weeks are taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. I’d like to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Struggling With Sin Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 9, 2009

The 1) Relational Struggle (Galatians 5:20b-21a) and 2) Personal Struggle (Galatians 5:21b) with sin.

A political career marked by unfulfilled promise came to an end Friday as Ontario Conservative Leader John Tory announced his resignation following a devastating by-election defeat Thursday. Although he was able to succeed as CEO of Rogers Cable Inc., managing partner at his family’s law firm, and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:20-21

Denomination: Other

Living With Great Expectations Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Aug 1, 2022

We can expect… 1) An inheritance 2) God’s power to protect us 3) Troubles to strengthen our faith 4) The salvation of our souls

Living With Great Expectations Living-Hope – week 2 Bumper LAST WEEK – we began a study on 1 Peter a 2000 year old letter full of God breathed words… LISTEN – if your hope is running on empty. If you think your story is finished. Peter has a word for you about a living-hope. A sure anchor in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Taking Time To Give Thanks Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 15, 2003

When we think of God’s work in the lives of other believers, we should be moved to thankfulness for the faith, hope, and love that we see demonstrated in Christ followers.

Taking Time to Give Thanks Several weeks ago, when we were organizing our file cabinet, I came across some love letters from Beth that I’ve kept ever since we were dating. When I found this folder, I immediately stopped working, sat down in the middle of the floor, and started browsing through ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-8, Colossians 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

"Therefore" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 10, 2006

Sermon 4 in a study in 1 & 2 Peter

”Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-19

Denomination: Orthodox

The Preacher Rescued From Death Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 27, 2025

Acts 23:12-35 shows us how God’s providence works in his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.

Introduction In December 2005, Tony Dungy, coach of the Indianapolis Colts, suffered a tragic loss with the death of his 18-year-old son. At the same time, the Colts faltered during their final games and lost the chance to play for the Super Bowl that year. As players cleaned out their ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:12-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed