Sermons on Manque D Amour:

The Word Of Life Celebrated Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 1, 2021

John says, “We write this to make our joy complete. He presents Jesus as the source of the completed life. John says, “and the life was manifested.” Jesus is not a mysterious entity that is evasive, he is real, and Christians find their joy through him.

Reality shows continue to draw people’s attention. . . In an article, 10 Reality Shows That Aren't Real At All (And 10 That Totally Are), Chris Littlechild, talks about how they claim to be real; however, “the producers are just looking to stir up drama with fake moments. These shows are ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Truth Or Consequences Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 3, 2021

Acknowledgement of sin is perhaps one of the most difficult things for Christians. Yet, it is paramount for experiencing the abundant life. Honest confession opens the door for having a close relationship with Jesus and other believers.

Travel about 150 miles south of Albuquerque and you will enter Truth or Consequences. For the tenth anniversary of the popular show Truth or Consequences, in 1950, Ralph Edwards, offered any town in America the opportunity to be the site of the show’s April Fool’s Day birthday broadcast bash. On ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In The Light Lane Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 4, 2021

John uses familial, language (e.g., children, young men, and fathers) to talk about the fellowship/koinonia, the church. These are terms to describe Christian maturity. The church is energized by a flow of those in each stage of maturity.

Has Christianity been rejected by many based on a caricature which has been mistaken for the real thing? Perhaps! Yet, John calls us back home, to our foundation, to the fundamental matters of our faith. God uses John to help the church repair that which is broken, to correct the twisted ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Put Your Investments In Bags With Holes

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 17, 2021

Haggai's messages led to the restoration of the Temple. He challenged the people by using three themes : Encouragement, Warning, and Hope. This message raises critical questions for Christians and churches as we seek God's will, especially while witnessing a changing landscape.

God often uses a single voice to stir the hearts of his people. These prophetic voices often come at crucial points in history. Here are some examples. • The Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s inspiring oratory is believed to have helped save Britain in WWII. • On November 2, 1863, several ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:6-7, Matthew 19:21, Haggai 1:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Empathic Compassion: Experiencing Your Pain In My Heart

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 18, 2021

When I think of Jesus I think of empathy and compassion; they are embedded Jesus' salvific mission. Too often clergy and Christians take a propositional approach to the Gospel. Loving and caring for people according to the example Jesus set requires us to demonstrate empathy and compassion.

I carefully watched him as he walked down the hall; he was dressed in a long flowing white coat. His head hung unpersuasively from his shoulders. The doctor's demeanor suggested he was intensely contemplating what he would say to us, or he was envisioning another appointment. Halfway down ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:13, Isaiah 63:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Limitless Love Of God

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jun 7, 2022

How should we respond to those who have radical beliefs and lifestyles contrary to our beliefs? The temptation is to counter their viciousness and label them as an enemy. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us a model for the attitude that we are to have when faced with divisive social issues.

If not careful, as we study the Bible, we will pick and choose passages that support certain points of view or principles to which we cling. Yet those who first heard what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount had no idea what Jesus was about to say. They understood the moralism of their day, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48, Romans 12:20, 1 Corinthians 13:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A New Heart For A Fresh Start

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 22, 2022

Jesus’ teaching and ministry was a way of reframing the use of Scripture. The Scribes had made notes that were superimposed on Scripture. Jesus holds before us a new way of living life. One based on mercy, grace, and love. Jesus modeled the heart and intent of God.

As a child we would attempt to salvage anything and everything. The house I remember from early childhood was an interesting building. When my mother wanted to clean the floor, she would pour water on the floor, scrub it with a broom, and the water would drain through the floor. The first home ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-28, Matthew 5:17-20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 11:6, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Litmus Test Of Spiritual Well-Beng

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Mar 5, 2022

Using the analogy of a litmus test, this sermon juxtaposes the traits of arrogance over against the traits that reflect the DNA of love. It explores the inclusion of 1 Corinthians 13 sandwiched between chapters 12 and 14.

“Litmus test” is a process used to determine the nature of something. In the 14th century scientists discovered that litmus, a mixture of colored organic compounds obtained from lichen, turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions and, thus, can be used as an acid-base indicator. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-3, 1 John 4:7-10, Matthew 22:36, John 1:12-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Learning To Trust In A Skeptical World

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Oct 12, 2021

I believe one of the greatest issues facing our world today, to include the church, is the fact that trust has all but disappeared in relationships. I believe the book of Micah shows us the tragedy of a society where trust is absent; however, the book also shows us how to regain that which is lost.

In recent weeks I have been pondering a very important question: "What is the common denominator for understanding healthy relationships? We could postulate many words (e.g., friendship, tolerance, respect, appreciation, etc.). I then contemplated, what happens if trust is absent in a ...read more

Scripture: Micah 7:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Josh's Journey Through The Silence: Spirituality In The Making

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Oct 8, 2023

This is an example of story preaching based upon 1 Samuel 1-7, incorporating a combination of several stories, both biblical and non-biblical.

Following the pastoral prayer, the minister of music prepared to lead the people in a hymn of praise. As the pastor reflected upon the worship service and the sermon he was to preach, his mind drifted to the text for his sermon. It was the first passage of scripture he had heard read from the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:27-28, 1 Samuel 3:1-21, 1 Samuel 7:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Personal Encounter Sparks Servanthood

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Oct 8, 2023

I share my story about a time I faced pancreatic issues, marital struggles, and contemplating suicide. As with the Psalmist, I cried out to God and he heard and that began a lifetime of service.

Early august, 2022, I had the privilege of doing a presentation in Denver at the Rocky Mountain Symposium on Addictive Disorders, the Integration of Spirituality and Psychotherapy. The dialogue it stimulated was exciting, especially with the wide range of professionals attending. One counselor ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Vision Worth Sharing

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Aug 14, 2023

Romans 10 has three-fold moves in the chapter. Paul critiques legalistic righteousness, speaks to genuine righteousness residing in the soul, and points to visionary faith that comes through inspiring words. Paul says those who share the Good News have beautiful, pure feet.

This past week there was a post on the Fort Gibson Forum. It had a picture of a pretty horse walking down a paved road. He/she had a saddle and bridal but no rider guiding him toward a worthwhile destination. Not sure where the horse was headed. Though he looked confident, his owner had to come and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-15, Matthew 15:8-9, Matthew 28:16-20, Ephesians 1:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call To An Exemplary Life

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Aug 28, 2023

Paul writes to an audience steeped in the Greco-Roman culture. The message is a call to transform their minds, avoid the cultural influences that pull them away from the call of Jesus. He calls them to an exemplary lifestyle.

While in Louisiana for the memorial service for her brother, we drove by a home we built while working as an engineer on the railroad. The home was a super nice home with 3,000 sq ft. On previous trips we witnessed it was empty and deteriorating. This time we were shocked; I wish I could show you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3, Luke 5:5-10, John 17:14-18, Ephesians 4:22-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Multigenerational Church

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Sep 2, 2023

Uncracking the secret of the early church is at the heart of this message. It looks at several key elements that has led the church to grow exponentially.

A young lady working on her master's degree in social work asked to work with me on a research project related to multigenerational trauma. She plans to get her Ph.D. and continue our work internationally. I had learned how various traits are transmitted across generations. My 5th great ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who, Not What, Is The Word

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Sep 18, 2023

This sermon provides a foundation for understanding a triuine God. Word, upper case, is used for God, Jesus, & Holy Spirit as one.

Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, the principal branch of the Latter Day Saint movement started by Joseph Smith in upstate New York during the 1820s. After Smith's death in 1844, the movement split into several groups following different leaders; the majority ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18, 1 John 5:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational