Sermons on Lift Up Your Heads O Gates:

The Secret Behind Whirlwind Ministries

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 31, 2024

Let’s look at Paul’s two options, and consider how they might be relevant to each of us.

Fifth Sunday in Course 2024 Today we are offered the scriptural view of two preachers of the gospel. First we hear St. Paul, writing to his unique community in sin-city, Corinth, telling them what his reward for his service to the Church is. Then we hear about Jesus, early in His divine ministry ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:11, Psalm 147:1-6, 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 1 Corinthians 9:22-23, Mark 1:29-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Embracing The Joy Of Staying In Love Through The Seasons Of Married Life

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Feb 4, 2024

Embracing the Joy of Staying in Love through the Seasons of Married Life (Valentine’s Day Homily)

Embracing the Joy of Staying in Love through the Seasons of Married Life Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Reflection Love, the basis of human connection, develops in many ways as partners overcome the difficulties of matrimony. From the magical beginnings to the steadfast dedication of elder ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Other

Golden Calf In Exodus Community Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on May 15, 2023

The worship of the golden calf is seen as a supreme act of apostasy of the Exodus Community. The Calf is a representation of the Egyptian bull god Apis, and of the Canaanite fertility god Baal during the period of Kings (Exodus 32, 1 King 12).

Exodus 32 - Golden Calf in Exodus Community Golden Calf represents Apis and Baal: The worship of the golden calf is seen as a supreme act of apostasy of the Exodus Community. The Calf is a representation of the Egyptian bull god Apis, and of the Canaanite fertility god Baal during the period of ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Christ, Have Mercy Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 18, 2023

We can be another John, or centurion, or Caiphas, or common soldier. It matters not. What really matters is our response.

Insights on Forgiveness Easter 2023 The shortest chapter in the Holy Bible is right smack in the middle, and right in the middle of the book of Psalms, the songbook of the Second Temple and of the Church. It is Psalm 117, Laudate Dominum, and can be recited in less than 30 seconds. Praise the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34, John 8:10-11, Matthew 15:39

Denomination: Catholic

Are We Necessary Or Not? And What Does That Mean For Human Dignity?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 2, 2023

God is not a big muscle-guy waiting to pounce on us if we do something morally wrong.

Trinity Sunday 2023 If you walked in a little late for our service today, you may have arrived after all the Scripture was proclaimed. Except for the psalm, we are given only eleven verses in the OT and NT to consider. But they are very dense in meaning. God is not a big muscle-guy waiting to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 34:4-9, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, John 3:16-18

Denomination: Catholic

God's Covenant With Noah

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 2, 2023

The flooding of the earth had accomplished its purpose. Noah and his family exited the Ark to witness the chaotic effects and consequences that the world's disobedience brought upon itself. This was a new opportunity for man to renew their relationship with God. Sadly, it did not last long.

The Ark had kept Noah, his family, and the animals on board safe for over a year as the flood waters receded around the world, forever changing the geography, atmosphere, relations with the animal kingdom, and the life span of Noah's sons and wives, all commissioned by God to repopulate the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 8:20-22, Genesis 9:1-7, Zechariah 14:1-3, Revelation 19:15

Denomination: Baptist

Just Do It!

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jan 5, 2023

As God's chosen child, we are to answer the call of God with humble obedience.

Just Do It – Matthew 3: 13 - 17 Intro: Timmy had a loose tooth. He asked his dad to help him get rid of the lose tooth. His father tied a 3-foot length of waxed dental floss to the tooth and then tied the other end to a 5-pound weight from his exercise equipment. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Do We Have A Prepared Heart That Leads To Honored Praise?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 21, 2023

What does a prepared heart have to do with honored praise?

Ezra was one of three key leaders during the return of the Jewish nation from Babylonian captivity. Zerubbabel was the first to encourage the rebuilding of the Temple. Nehemiah was involved with the rebuilding of the walls. And Ezra was key to restoring the people to worship God. Chapters one - six ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 7:6-10, Ezra 7:27-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Revivals Of Hosea, Joel And Amos Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 13, 2021

Let's look at the revivals prophesied by Hosea, Joel and Amos.

Let's look at the revivals prophesied by Hosea, Joel and Amos. 1) Hoseah’s Revival How is repairing a broken marriage like a spiritual revival? How can God love an unfaithful nation and Jesus love such a sinful Church? Hosea’s story of adultery, divorce and remarriage is heartwarming. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

An Unspoken Providence

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2020

The history of Joseph from Canaan to Egypt.

AN UNSPOKEN PROVIDENCE. Genesis 37:1-4, Genesis 37:12-28. What are we to make of Joseph? A tell-tale teenager (Genesis 37:2)? A favourite son (Genesis 37:3)? A dreamer (Genesis 37:19)? Or perhaps a boaster (cf. Genesis 37:5-10)? Or even a prophet (cf. Genesis 37:11)? What is the ...read more

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

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Would God Ever Take Away His Word? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 24, 2020

What would it mean if God withdrew the knowledge of His Word?

- Unpack vv. 11-12 and the threat to take away the word of the Lord. - We don’t really know what to do with that. Let’s try to figure it out. WHAT MIGHT THAT LOOK LIKE? 1. Rejecting God’s truth, people do what they want. 2. Things start falling apart. 3. The consequences of their sin make ...read more

Scripture: Amos 8:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

6. Decisions Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Nov 29, 2020

These verses tell us of the results of Jonah’s preaching. It seems everyone decided from the King all the way down to the youngest to repent. God always honors His word!

God must honor his word, repent, or perish, Luke 13:5 I. The Common People 1. The people of Nineveh did not rebel against the message, they repented. 3: 5 a. Proverbs 28:13, only two things we can do with sin: confess or cover. b. John 6:60-61; 66-69 2. Their repentance was not delayed it was ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:3-10

Denomination: Baptist

Less Is More

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 13, 2021

The American Dream and the Prosperity Gospel are both nightmares.

1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:5-10

Denomination: Baptist

Bringing People And Churches Together Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 20, 2019

In this day of conflict and disunion, we need to recover this sense that we are all one family of God, to dedicate ourselves to peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Tuesday of the 16th Week in Course 2019 St. Liborius I suppose like many Baby Boomers one of the most memorable films of my lifetime was the Cecile B DeMille epic The Ten Commandments. It was his second stab at commemorating the Exodus, and his only one both with sound and color. Who could forget ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:46-50, Exodus 14:21-31, Isaiah 11:10-12

Denomination: Catholic

Total Reliance On The Providence Of God Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 27, 2019

What we need in life is purification, holiness, total reliance on Divine Providence

Tuesday of the 17th Week in Course 2019 Bl. Solanus Casey Today’s reading from the book of Exodus is taken from two consecutive chapters of the book, and so are really two related but separate situations. The first one shows the daily routine–if you can use that word about an encounter with God–of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-2, Exodus 33:7-11, Exodus 34:5-9, Matthew 13:36-43

Denomination: Catholic