Sermons on Martin Luther King Weekend:

The Reformation

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Oct 31, 2007

Parallels between the Jewish ’reformation’ of Ezra’s day and the Protestant Reformation which began in the 1300’s, culminating in the life of Martin Luther.

The ’reformation’ of the Jewish people in Ezra’s day reminds us of the glorious Protestant Reformation. There are four interesting parallels worthy of our attention: 1. TWO REGENTS Cyrus and Henry VIII. When William Tyndale was burnt at the stake he offered up a prayer that the Lord would open ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 1:1-11

The Reformation Angel Still Flutters Its Wings Series

Contributed by Peter Schmidt on Nov 13, 2003

Martin Luther was an angel in the wide sense of the word: a messenger. God sends faithful messengers to his church of every age. The Reformation continues!

Reformation Sunday Revelation 14:6-7 Complete strangers have come up to us in the mall or at the supermarket, taken a look at our baby daughter Alethia, and have said something like, “Oooh, isn’t she just an angel!” What do they mean when they say that? In what ways is she like an angel? I guess ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 14:6-7

Denomination: Lutheran

A Completed Appointment

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 30, 2008

Funeral sermon for Alfred Bailey, long-term chair of the church Building and Grounds Committee, civic activist, and Martin Luther King Memorial founder. His unfinished tasks and his missed appointments are completed by a God who gave him many assignments

It’s tough to be on time. And it’s tough to get things finished. In fact, those two items are closely connected. It’s tough to be on time precisely because it is so tough to get things finished. And if you are involved in a great many things, chances are you will never complete them all, nor ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The King’s New Clothes Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 11, 2011

If we clothe ourselves only in the name of Jesus, the world will see right through it - and through us. We have to put on his life, death and resurrection as well.

If you change the word “Gentiles” in the first verse of today’s passage to “Americans” the whole lesson moves right into our own situation. They are practically a mirror of contemporary society. Listen to this: “[Americans] are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Sacramental Gifts

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 27, 2018

Every denomination has its own take on sacrament, and some deny that there are any sacraments, even Baptism, that are normally required for salvation. But Scripture helps us solve the problem.

Thursday of the 4th Week in Course 2018 Reformation/Revolution The forty years that King David ruled over Israel were looked upon in later centuries as a kind of golden age, one that extended into the early years of his son, Solomon. David was chosen by God through the prophet Samuel because he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:7-13, 1 Kings 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Where Is The God Of Justice?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 25, 2010

For Martin Luther King Day 1988: It is irresponsible to continue to whine about God's absence in the face of injustice. He is refining His church to address justice, and will bless us when we give ourselves without reserve to His purposes.

Some twenty-four centuries ago, when the prophet Malachi's ears were assaulted by an impertinent question, he heard it as a confession of irresponsibility. When the men and women of Judah shouted at this prophet, who had accused them of wearying God, who had charged that their blabbering talk was ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Being A Christian Is About Being For Something, Not Just Against Something

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Oct 29, 2017

A Reformation sermon focussing on Martin Luther's great discovery that God is for something, being a graceful and merciful God and not just against people and things.

A question I would like us to think about as God’s church today How do the people you mix with view Christianity today? How does the media view Christianity today? Do they see Christians as ambassadors of God bearing His grace and being generous with His love? or do they see Christianity as ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23-28, John 3:16-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Reformaiton: One Man's Pen Changed The World

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 30, 2007

This is a Reformation sermon, reflecting on Martin Luther’s contribution to history & renewal of the gospel. The message also reflects the similarity that Jesus had with the Pharisees who believed you could earn God’s love by keeping the commandments.

In Jesus Holy Name October 28, 2007 Text: Romans 1:17, 3:20-22 Redeemer “One Man’s Pen Changed The World” A Jesuit priest in the 16th century complained, “Luther has damned more souls with his hymns than with all his sermons.” Few people have read his pulpit sermons, but his sermons ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:20-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Justification Controversy

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Mar 10, 2002

We will look at the Justification controversy beginning with Martin Luther and look into some things that are held up by the opposition as given by J.D.G. Dunn.

Justification Controversy New Testament Synthesis By: Bruce Landry I. What is the Controversy over Justification Page 1 II. The Biblical Texts of this Controversy Page 5 III. Conclusion Page ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

It Was A Setup Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 30, 2003

We set ourselves up for failure if we are afraid to risk using all we have been given, if we are shy about our average-ness, and especially if we are ashamed of our poverty. Sermon for Martin Luther King Sunday

On one of our trips to Louisville to see about my mother-in-law, we stayed at a motel right next to a Baptist church. It happened to be a church which had been started as a mission congregation by my home church back when I was a teenager. I told Margaret that I remembered that vacant lot between ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Baptist

"Once A Heretic, Now A Hero”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 28, 2021

Both William Tyndale and Luther translated the bible. My opening illustration asks people to take out their bible and turn to Romans 3:21-24 and turn their bible upside down and read the text....

In Jesus Holy Name October 30, 2021 Romans 1:17, 3:22-24 Reformation Redeemer “Once a Heretic, Now a Hero” Today Protestant churches are celebrating the Reformation, remembering the man Martin Luther and singing the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:17, Romans 3:21-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Christ Is The King Of Kings

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jan 8, 2004

Epiphany Sermon - how Solomon described the prerequites of true Kingship

Psalm 72 After our former mayor was forced out of office, it wasn’t too long ago that about twenty to thirty people put their names and pictures in our paper declaring to us their candidacy to be the new mayor of Topeka. In order to apply, they had to write what they would do as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 72:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Is The King Of Kings

Contributed by Christopher Raiford on Nov 24, 2002

Sermon for Christ the King Sunday

Matthew 27:27-31 27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-31

Denomination: Lutheran

The King’s Reception

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Dec 16, 2011

As we look at the narratives concerning the birth of Jesus we will see some interesting reactions!

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE#1 • When you talk to people about Jesus, what kind of reaction do you receive? What kind of reception do people today give to Jesus? • In the NFL right now, Tim Tebow seems to be a lightning rod because of his very public display of his faith in Jesus. Mr. Tebow seems to upset ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus - King Of Kings

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Dec 21, 2011

Early in America's history, tax collectors asked for that which belonged to the king of England, and colonists frequently said, "We have no king but Jesus". I ask you:"Is Jesus still our King?"

ILLUSTRATION Let me present you with a portion of the speech John Ashcroft gave at Bob Jones University back in 1999. Ashcroft said: “A slogan of the American revolution which was so distressing to the emissaries of the king that it was found in correspondence sent back to England, was the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:10-12

Denomination: Christian Church