Sermons on Narrative Lectionary:

Curious Scriptures

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 8, 2019

There are certain Scriptures that seem to be unique. One of them is found in the crucifixion narrative in Matthew. What do we do with these especially when they seem to be out of the ordinary?

Curious Scriptures Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-56, Matthew 27:60, Hebrews 9:19-22, 1 John 5:16-17, Romans 6:23, John 8:34, Romans 6:22-23, 1 John 3:4-6, Mark 16:9-20, Matthew 6:13, Mark 1:15, Isaiah 44:24, Deuteronomy 5:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Generosity

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 24, 2022

This sermon is about the false narratives that surround the idea of "generosity" or "giving" and the things that hinder Christians from having a generous spirit.

I want to start off by saying giving in the Christian life is not so much an external action. Something that we do out of guilt or obligation, but really what we do in response to the love of God and the generosity of God. A generosity that we try to imitate as we seek to be more like Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 1:16, Deuteronomy 8:18, Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Denomination: Christian Church

O Holy Night Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 23, 2022

This is a message for Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. It intertwines the Birth Narrative from Luke with a soloist singing various Christmas carols to help convey the blessing of Immanuel.

Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD www.mycrossway.org It is Christmas Eve, and families like us are gathered to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. I can remember going to Christmas Eve Candlelight Services growing up and it was among my favorite times to go to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Brethren

Whether Feast Or Famine Series

Contributed by John Huyser on Sep 10, 2024

Admittedly, Ruth is not a book we think of often. But we would be mistaken to think Ruth is not beneficial to us today or not part of God’s salvation narrative.

Slide 1 As we began planning for fall, one tool we used was reviewing where we had been. We look for gaps what remains lacking in a balanced biblical diet. So on screen, you see our last nine years of sermon coverage of Genesis through Kings. The colors represent the different years. We are ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-14

Re-Think Your Story Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Jan 23, 2024

This sermon explores the idea of rethinking our personal narratives in the context of the larger, overarching story of redemption and eternal life through Christ, as depicted in the Gospel of Mark.

We need to be reminded occasionally of the context of Jesus’ ministry. It was Israel: the community God formed and called to be his people for the world. The plan was that God would then act from within this people group, fulfilling their calling, to complete his rescue operation of the fallen ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-4, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 19:28-40

Topics: Redemption, Eternal Life, Great Story

God's Desire To Save All, Yet Human Rebellion Persists Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 6, 2025

This paradox is woven throughout the biblical narrative, raising fundamental questions about the nature of God's sovereignty, human free will, and the human condition.

The Bible presents a complex and multifaceted portrayal of God's relationship with humanity. On one hand, scripture reveals God's profound desire to save all people, while on the other hand, it acknowledges the persistent rebellion of humanity against its Creator. This paradox is woven ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:10-12

Acts 7 Commentary PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 26, 2024

This sermon explores the narrative of Moses in Acts 7:17-35, drawing parallels to our own lives and our need for deliverance through Jesus Christ.

Good morning, beloved family of God. It's a joy to gather with you today, to share in the fellowship of believers, and to immerse ourselves in the life-giving truth of God's Word. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. We are here because our God, in His infinite wisdom and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:17-35

Topics: Stephen's Sermon

Using Your "Talents" Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Nov 22, 2017

Jesus again repeats Himself in Matthew 25, and He tells us another parable to get us ready for the end times. He tells a different story with the same point. Will we get it this time?

You know something is important when someone repeats it a second time. You can also know if something is important when they say the same thing again, but in a different way, so that if you didn’t get it the first time, you might get it the second time. It can be a technique that we can be quite ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Lutheran

The Last Page Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Nov 22, 2017

Jesus teaches us about the final judgment. This sermon uses the analogy of reading the last page of a book to explain the parable. It helps the hearer to see how this supports the doctrine of faith alone, and it encourages them to serve.

The first thing that I always do when I read a new book is to read the last few pages. Its something that I always do, and I can’t help it or stop it. I love reading the last scene and then reading the book to figure out what that last image portrayed means, or the reason and significance behind ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Food Fight! Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Sep 14, 2017

In Romans 14, the apostle deals with an issue about food and days that stems from Christian Freedom. When discussing this matter, Paul points us to our identity in Christ, and how that impacts this issue and these debates.

How we see and define ourselves is one of the most important things in our lives. Our perception of ourselves can affect a variety of things. It can impact how we think about ourselves. It also impacts how we can feel about ourselves. If you think you are important, you will feel important. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12, Colossians 2:16-17

Denomination: Lutheran

On Your Marks, Get Set, Go! A Sermon On Philippians 3 Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 4, 2017

In Philippians 3, Paul describes our Christian life twice by using a race analogy. It is an effective analogy. For like in a race, we have a reason to run (or cause). We keep our eyes on the prize, and we are encouraged along the way.

One night in college, I needed a study break, and I decided to read some online articles. As I was scrolling through, one caught my interest. It was titled: “Top Ten Greatest Canadians.” As I saw the title, I wondered how many people on that list would be hockey related, since it is Canada, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Disagreeing Agreeably

Contributed by Mark Haines on Sep 8, 2001

An inductive message using biblical narrative to call Christians to learn how to focus on God’s purpose even when we disagree on how to work it out.

Intro: "It’s easy to see why people like the sea gull. I’ve sat overlooking a craggy harbor and watched one. He exults in freedom. He thrusts his wings backward with powerful strokes, climbing higher and higher until he’s above all the other gulls, then coasts downward in majestic loops and ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The 10:30 Mill Whistle Series

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Mar 24, 2001

This is a sermon in the narrative style, built around the story of a mill whistle that would blow at an unusual time of day. This sermon was the first in a series about the Lord’s Prayer.

The 10:30 Mill Whistle Matthew 6:9-13 Exodus 20:7 The Rev. Dr. W. Maynard Pittendreigh Sunrise Presbyterian Church Miami FL I grew up in a small Southern mill town named Ware Shoals, SC. The term mill-town doesn’t mean that you have a mill and a town; but rather that you have a mill ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Set Free

Contributed by Mark Haines on Mar 31, 2001

A narrative of how Jesus set Zacchaeus free from greed to generosity and how He can set us free from our sinful attitudes as well.

Topic: Salvation/Christian Living Theme: Saved from Sinful Attitudes Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness calling God’s people in my care to pray for salvation from sin and sinful attitudes. Response: Individuals will ask Jesus to set them free from sinful attitudes in order to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Resurrection Series

Contributed by Gary Moore on Feb 4, 2008

Matthew’s account of the resurrection. Matthew’s narrative of e Galilean encounter with the disciples is a culmination to the gospel which accentuates the Trinitarian nature of God and the mission of the believer.

He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. The gospels each relate the account of the resurrection according to their own purpose, consequently there are considerable differences between the Gospels (refer to the recent bulletin insert for a harmonization of those events), but with all the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20

Denomination: Congregational