Sermons on Marys:

Prismatic Gifts 2 Series

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Sep 5, 2001

The Goal of the Gifts is the Good of All

Prismatic Gifts 2 2 Corinthians 12:4-7 The Goal of the Gifts is the Good of All Introduction Chuck Swindoll tells a story about a man living in Atlanta who was flipping through the Yellow Pages in search of a restaurant. His noticed an entry for a place called The Church of God Grill. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

Why?

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Sep 19, 2001

Addresses some of the questions that arise from the tragedy of the 9/11/01 bombings

Introduction When I was a kid, I was afraid of a lot of things. Like many kids, one of the scariest times was that moment after my Mom tucked me in, and shut off the light and I lay awake in my bed, waiting for sleep to come. I had some serious concerns. I liked to lay on my stomach and hang my ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:1-6, Job 38:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Deliver Us From Evil

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Sep 24, 2001

Does the Scripture require that America "turn the other cheek" following the attacks of 9/11, or do we have the right to respond militarily?

Introduction The Story: Turn the Other Cheek The mother of four young boys often had difficulty curbing their energy, especially in church. But when her minister preached on "turning the other cheek," the boys gave him their undivided attention. “No matter what others do to us,” he said, “we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42, Proverbs 28:5

Denomination: Baptist

One Is Bigger Than Many Series

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 7, 2009

Idea: THE ONLY WAY TO REACH GOD’S GOAL IS TO REACH IT TOGETHER

[INTRODUCTION] The Olympic contestants line up in the starting blocks for the hundred-meter dash. Anticipation has the crowd suspended on the edge of their seats. The starter raises his gun and fires. The athletes spring out of the starting blocks. As they do, it becomes obvious this is no ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Descending Into Greatness Series

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 7, 2009

Jesus example of humility

Introduction What does it take to be a success? When Benito Mussolini, the fascist dictator of Italy for over 20 years, was asked that question by a New York journalist, his reply was, “Above all, keep your heart a desert!” According to Mussolini, having a heart which cared for no one was the key ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Are All Sparrows Equal?

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jun 15, 2014

Bad things do happen to good people. In Matthew 10, Jesus warns the disciples what will happen to them on their mission and then he reminds them that they were, are, and will be precious to God!

It is clearly in our nature to rate and rank others. When Jesus tells us today that we are of more value than sparrows, we’re probably not surprised, but we may wonder about the hierarchy of creation. We’re worth more than sparrows, and sparrows are certainly worth more than ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:29-31

Denomination: Lutheran

The Road To Easter Runs Through A Cemetery

Contributed by Mari Larson on Apr 23, 2014

Good Friday was a necessary part of the Easter journey. The sermon shares a Leonard Sweet story about bell-ringing. (Each person who came to worship received a bell as they entered.)

They thought it was over. Jesus was dead and buried. The religious folks sighed with satisfaction. His followers wept in grief. But they were wrong! They were all wrong! From this side of Easter, we can call Friday “Good” because we know that it was not over, all had not been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Resurrection Adrenaline

Contributed by Mari Larson on Apr 23, 2014

Easter was a time of Adrenaline for the disciples, but the two walking to Emmaus missed it... until Jesus became known to them.

When I told people about my family’s plans to spend a day at the Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course last month, some nodded, others gave a look of questioning, and a few responded with one word, “WHY?!” Researchers tell us that younger generations are drawn more than ever to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Because He First Loved Me

Contributed by Mari Larson on Apr 23, 2014

No matter the circumstances of baptism, it is God who does the work because God loves us before we love God.

We may not know the nine verses of Frederick Whitfield’s 1855 hymn, “O How I love Jesus,” but I’m guessing most of us know the refrain: O, how I love Jesus; O, how I love Jesus; O, how I love Jesus, because he first loved me. Because he first loved me. Before I could do ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Lutheran

The Gift Of Joy

Contributed by Mary Erickson on May 10, 2021

A sermon for the 6th Sunday of Easter, Year B

May 9, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson John 15:9-17 The Gift of Joy Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” So says Psalm 90. How many days are we ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Lutheran

The Savior's Prayer

Contributed by Mary Erickson on May 17, 2021

A sermon for the 7th Sunday in Easter, Year B

May 16, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson John 17:6-19; Psalm 1 The Savior’s Prayer Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. We’re drawing to the end of another school year. For some families, this end of year will mark a ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-19

Denomination: Lutheran

Come To Us, Abide With Us

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 27, 2021

A sermon for Christmas Eve

December 24, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Luke 2:1-20 Come to Us, Abide with Us Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. We gather on this wondrous night to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ. The meaning of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

A Plan For The Fullness Of Time

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jan 3, 2022

A sermon for the second Sunday in Christmas, Year C

January 2, 2022 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson John 1:10-18; Ephesians 1:3-14 A Plan for the Fullness of Time Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the AUTHOR and perfecter of our faith.” – ...read more

Scripture: John 1:10-18, Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Forgiveness And A Renewed Spirit Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 18, 2021

Forgiveness releases us from the burden of guilt and regret we carry. When we're freed from it, our spirit is renewed.

March 17, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Luke 7:36-50 Forgiveness and a Renewed Spirit Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. The movie “The Mission” came out in 1986. Church Times has named it as the #1 movie on their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Lutheran

When It's Planting Time

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 22, 2021

A sermon for the 5th Sunday in Lent Year B

March 21, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church John 12:20-33; Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 When It’s Planting Time Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Yesterday was the first day of spring. Today our daylight will be just ever so much longer than the ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33, Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Denomination: Lutheran