Sermons on Merchants:

Narrow Door

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 5, 2019

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

The Screwtape Letters is a classic book, where C.S. Lewis came up with the idea of a senior demon named Screwtape telling his trade secrets about how to corrupt a human soul- Regarding the narrow gate mentioned in our Gospel today, Screwtape would say: 1). A broad, constructed road, requires a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Catholic

Suddenly Like A Thief Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 8, 2020

If we can’t show the fruits of God’s investment at the end of our lives, just what good have we done ourselves, our God or our neighbor?

Thirty-third Sunday in Course 2020 “Suddenly, Like a Thief in the Night” Most of us have probably noticed over the last two or three decades that TV comedies, and even some dramas, most often have a brilliant and comely female lead and a bumbling, even stupid male co-star. That’s not a new idea. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, Proverbs 31:10-31, Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Catholic

You People Are Awesome! Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 11, 2021

Most everyone likes looking at pictures in family photo albums, because there are always a couple that make us smile every time we look at them. Paul has similar feelings as he begins this letter to the church at Philippi.

I. Intro A. Who likes to look at pictures in family photo albums? Are there some photos that make you smile every time you look at them? What about every time you think about them? B. We enjoy singing here so much—whenever people ask us what we do, we tell them—but among all the things we’re part ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Changed Lives Through Ownership

Contributed by Samuel Fulkerson on Sep 12, 2013

There is a difference between owning and renting/borrowing. You treat things differently when you are invested in them.

Quotes: "I have held many things in my hand, and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands that I still possess." -Martin Luther “Resolution, like responsibility, is a product of ownership." - Richard Eyre Matthew 13:45-46; I Corinthians 6:19-20 There is a difference ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46

Denomination: Pentecostal

It's More Than A List! Lessons From Nehemiah 3 Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 15, 2013

Whenever we get to long lists in the Bible, our eyes usually just skim through them, or we may just skip them. If we do this with Nehemiah 3, we will miss many good lessons.

The book opens up with Nehemiah learning of the bad news about the condition of the walls of Jerusalem and the condition of the people. Nehemiah showed in his questioning of his brother of the condition of God’s people and city and what followed what his priorities were as a servant of God. ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Repent And Do Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 19, 2020

Every one of us, at the end of every day, should ask the same question: are we the first son or daughter, who refused, or the second, who said “yes, sir,” but didn’t do?

26th Sunday in Course 2020 Anyone who has raised more than one child can empathize with the parent in this story from St. Matthew’s Gospel. In fact, it’s a little like the story of the Prodigal Son from St. Luke. Dad says to the first son, presumably the oldest, “Go work in the vineyard today.” He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32, Ezekiel 18:25-28, Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Wedding Message

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jul 23, 2021

Tomorrow, 25th of July 2021 our unofficially adopted daughter Ayodya Moffatt marries Sachin. Their wedding is in Colombo, Sri Lanka. We due to the Covid situation are in Fiji. So they asked me for a short message for their wedding. Here it is, may God bless their big day!

1 Corinthians 13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Salvation Army

Justice & Fairness (Deuteronomy 25)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 10, 2025

The old covenant is not our covenant, but did God give Israel just and fair laws? Let's look at Deuteronomy 25.

Was God’s law concerned with fairness, animal welfare, just inheritances, and honest trade? How does modern justice compare? Let’s look at Deuteronomy 25. Was there a punishment that deserved forty lashes in ancient Israel? Would that deter certain crimes today? When people have a dispute, they ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How Can Everybody Get A "win"?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 3, 2025

As if to confirm our duty of self-reflection, St. Luke’s Gospel focuses on Christ’s parable of the wasteful steward.

Friday of the Thirty-first Week Integral Our Introit today begins with a plea of someone afraid of being abandoned. “Forsake me not, O Lord, my God; be not far from me! Make haste and come to my help, O Lord, my strong salvation.” Psalm 38 is attributed to King David, perhaps because it is the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 98:1-4, Luke 16:1-8, Romans 15:14-21

Denomination: Catholic

Remaining Faithful To God Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Apr 6, 2015

How to remain faithful to God for the long haul.

In some ways I wish that the book of Nehemiah had ended with chapter 12. There we saw the prepared, participating, purified passionate praise of the people that permeated their culture. No doubt that was one of those mountaintop experiences that we find throughout the Scriptures. On the other ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 13:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Through Giving Thanks! Sermon 12 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 24, 2019

This message explores how God's love is expressed to us in the context of our troubles in the journey of life and how those experiences should birth a heart of thanks and praise.

Transition: Video Testimonies from SOKM - Giving thanks through testimony for God’s faithfulness! Series: Finding Joy in The Journey Sermon 12: Finding Joy in the journey through Giving Thanks! Thesis: This message explores how God's love is expressed to us in the context of our troubles ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Do You Worship?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 27, 2002

Which Jesus do you want to meet – gentle and riding on a donkey, or carrying a sword and riding on a white horse?

We’ve come to a crucial crossroads in our journey through the book of Matthew. Everything that Jesus has taught and done has been leading to this point. You could say that the events we read about today are the beginning of the end that leads to the beginning. In cosmic terms – the Lamb of God, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17, Psalm 122:1, Isaiah 6:1-6

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What Crime Did Jesus Commit? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Mar 9, 2004

We see the context that sets up the reason Jesus was rejected by the Jews. He called for integrity, challenged their authority, claimed to be deity. We then move from the reasons to the purpose - our justification.

Almost 2000 years ago, Jesus asked His followers a question: “Who do you say I am?” It’s still the fundamental question of life. And the answer creates controversy. It’s one reason why Mel Gibson’s film, The Passion of the Christ, is so controversial. This is a film that has had the audacity ...read more

Scripture: John 8:57-59

Denomination: Baptist

May I Help You?

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 16, 2004

This is about allowing the Lord to have his way with you.

“May I help you?” That is a familiar greeting when we walk into a store. Anyone who has ever worked in a retail environment knows that question well. When we were in Haiti, we went to an open market to look at some souvenirs. The merchants were most eager to help us with purchasing pottery, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

Don't Make Belshazzar's Mistake Series

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

A look at Daniel 5 where we learn to avoid the mistake of Belshazzar and repent while we have the chance.

Situation in Babylon The situation in Babylon has changed since the last chapter and the last of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar has died and there have been several coups as various different people have seized the throne only to be overthrown. The latest occupant on the throne, Nabodinius has kept the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-31

Denomination: Holiness