Sermons on Midrash:

Messiah In Isaiah 49 Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 31, 2014

We need to understand Jesus and his mission as much as we can. Isaiah 49 presents, in prophetic verse, three truths about our Savior.

Messiah In Isaiah 49 (Isaiah 49:1-16) 1. Exciting day with Boris Goldin, Chosen People Ministries. 2. Some people enjoy Jewish Roots because they like the culture, heritage, or aura of ancient Judaism or Messianic Judaism. 3. I am interested primarily because I love the Word of God, both ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Kingdom Preview: The Monumental Transfiguration Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 15, 2014

The Transfiguration was a deep, amazingly meaningful event that tells us more than we can contain. In it, we catch of glimpse of Jesus unlike any other and weave together an entire tapestry of spiritual truths.

Kingdom Preview: The Monumental Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-8) 1. Christianity is not primarily about a philosophy of life, a code of ethics, a religious institution, a series of rituals, or a cultural identification. It is those things, but not primarily. Christianity is centered upon Jesus, not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

We Do Not Live To Ourselves Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 4, 2015

It is not just about “God and me,” as some less-than-social Christians might assert. In God’s Kingdom, our behavior affects others and their behavior affects us.

We Do Not Live to Ourselves (I Timothy 6:1-5) 1. Last week I was talking to Phyllis Roussakis….was going to find a Norwegian joke. 2. A Welshman, Scot and Englishman are walking when they come across a lantern and a genie pops out and grants them one wish each. The Scot says: “I am a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Unfortunate, The Hothead, And The Believer Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 1, 2014

As representatives of our Lord and Savior, we want to reflect the ethical behavior that should characterize God’s people. Today we will look at two ethics we need to embrace.

The Unfortunate, the Hothead, and the Believer (Proverbs 22:22-25) 1. A rabbinic story tells about a group of people traveling in a boat. One passenger takes out a drill and begins drilling a hole under his seat. The other passengers, quite understandably, complain that this action may cause the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:22-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God, The Heart-Broken Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 22, 2011

Like a grieving husband who has been deserted by the wife he loves, God reflects upon his relationship to unfaithful Israel.

God, the Heart-broken (Hosea 12-13) 1. TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa police arrested an expelled student after thwarting what they called a "catastrophic" plot to set off a bomb at his former high school next week, authorities said Wednesday. Police Chief Jane Castor said Jared Cano, 17, had threatened ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Blessings Of Solid, Godly Character Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 2, 2020

In a world emphasizing freedom and personal choice, it should not surprise us that character has taken a back seat. But for God’s people, things are different. Character matters. Today we are going to see three blessings of solid, godly character.

The Blessings of Solid, Godly Character (Proverbs 28:1-5) 1. Oct. 28 (UPI) -- A pair of animal control officers in New Jersey came to the rescue of a deer spotted with a plastic pumpkin stuck over its head. Montclair Township Animal Control said two officers responded after multiple calls came in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 28:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Different Angle Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 14, 2019

Sometimes we need to strive to understand important truths more deeply. Sometimes we need to be admonished to stay true to those truths, and to interpret events through their filter. Sometimes we need to find our unity through these.

A Different Angle Introduction to I John 1. Being well-intended does not always work. One blogger writes, “Today, I found out that shutting off the heat in the rental property my parents owned was a bad idea. The water froze and the pipes burst, causing the whole kitchen ceiling to fall down. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When Others Are Out To Get You Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 6, 2020

Even when we are lamenting our stressful situations, we can engage in a spiritual process and find God’s sustaining peace and joy, at least for a time.

When Others Are Out to Get You (Psalm 4) 1. The neighbors cut down a shade tree., and Marylu was lamenting that, our shade landscaping was now isunny. When one of her favorite hostas died, she lamented its loss. 2. I could have said, “Chin up. Just say, ‘Hosta La Vista, baby.’” But then again, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 4:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Real Life Wisdom Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 28, 2016

It is the simple things of the Christian life that determine our spiritual success. It is often the simplest wisdom that also pays the greatest dividends. It’s not rocket science!

Real Life Wisdom (Proverbs 24:27-34) 1. Everyone has to make judgment calls, using what wisdom they have. 2. Take an event that happened this week. It raises the question “Where’s the Beef?” PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- A bull escaped from a Philadelphia slaughterhouse and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:27-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Does Jesus Make The Grade? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 31, 2017

Jesus makes the grade. He is the ultimate high priest, the ultimate in compassion, and has the ultimate endorsement.

Does Jesus Make the Grade? (Hebrews 5:1-10) 1. A lot of serious and not-so-serious problems come our way when texting. Today, I was walking whilst texting. I thought I was going in a straight line but I ended up walking right into an open phone booth. A woman was inside making a phone call. I ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Short Answers To Common Questions 4 Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 2, 2016

Once again we are going to ask three questions on different subjects and seek to answer those questions from a Scriptural context.

Short Answers to Common Questions 4 1. Some problems have no solutions. One blogger writes, “Today, my roommate confided in me that she hadn't been taking showers while at school because she was afraid of being in the shower when the fire alarm goes off. She goes home once every month, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Inheriting God’s Love Dna Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 1, 2019

We inherit a certain DNA from our parents; believers have one spiritual parent, the Father. We evidence our family relationship by evidencing His qualities, especially love.

Inheriting God’s Love DNA (I John 4:7-21) 1. There is much debate about whether obesity is genetic. Identical twins raised apart. 2. As one strand of DNA asked the other, “Do these genes make me look fat?” 3. Seriously, though, I have greatly enjoyed the results of a DNA test through ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Temptation And The Reality Of The Devil

Contributed by Simon Rundell on Feb 16, 2002

Exegesis of the Temptation in the Wilderness and an examination of the reality of the Devil from a non-fundamentalist perspective. "The greatest achievement of the devil was to convince people he no longer existed."

Sermon: 1st Sunday of Lent, Year A: 17th February 2002. Text: Matthew 4:1-11 In the name of the +Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “I can resist anything… except temptation!” So said the great wit, Oscar Wilde. Of all things in this world, temptation is something that we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

An Eternal Weight Of Glory Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 18, 2011

We should be grateful for God’s earthly, physical blessings and protection, but we should be even more grateful for the eternal blessings he gives us.

An Eternal Weight of Glory (2 Corinthians 4:7-18 with Psalm 116) My view is that 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 is based on Psalm 116 (the 2 Cor. passage is a midrash). See if you agree. The “starting text,” Psalm 116:3-19 3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Becoming The Messiah's Disciple Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 27, 2010

The basics of discipleship are easy to understand, not always easy to do, but thye are the prerequisites to become the kind of Christian God expects you to become.

Becoming The Messiah's Disciple (John 1:35-51) 1. Sometimes we hear phrases and teachings so often that we could easily parrot them back, but we really understand? 2. A chauffeur had driven the chemistry professor to dozens of speaking engagements. He’d heard the same canned speech scores ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-51

Denomination: Independent/Bible