Sermons on Narrative Lectionary:

Be Patient!

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 23, 2018

Curiosity and greed are part of our DNA, patience is not. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit and must be cherished and fed in order to grow in our lives. We must be patient with others and with God just as God is patient with us.

[Sermon preached on 10 December 2017, 2nd Advent / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] I remember how as a young child I became very impatient when Christmas was drawing near. Not so much because of Christmas, but because I also had my birthday. Like most kids, I also had many things on my wish list. My ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-11

Denomination: Lutheran

The Great Dilemma

Contributed by Hans Krause on Nov 1, 2018

Does our faith permit us to disobey the government or to evade taxes? Are Romans 13 and Acts 5 incompatible? How can we sincerely and creatively live as citizens of two kingdoms? What is the underlying principle that governs our choices?

[Sermon preached on 4 November 2018, 24th Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] Some years ago, we needed to get a little home renovation done. I asked someone for a quotation. When he had given me the price, he added: “That’s without a receipt. If you want a receipt, I will have to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7, Matthew 17:24-27, Acts 5:29

Denomination: Lutheran

The Impossible Surprise Series

Contributed by Randy Shepard on Jan 5, 2019

Our God is a God of Impossible Surprises

The definition of the word advent is the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. In the Christian church Advent is the first season of the church year that includes the four Sundays before Christmas Eve. Advent is a time for us to prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:57-66, Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: United Methodist

Give And Take

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 26, 2023

Givers trust in God, rather than in themselves; they are focused outward. Takers have not learned to trust in God and focus on their own needs.

Anybody remember the televangelist scandals of the 80’s? Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Oral Roberts and his highly publicized plea for - what was it, $8 million? - to keep God from striking him dead. Remember the uproar in all the secular news media and the shame felt by so many evangelicals at being ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Get A Life

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 24, 2023

The life we get from Jesus, a gift from God through the Holy Spirit, requires cleansing and renewal daily, not just at the beginning.

This familiar chapter from John’s Gospel is the lectionary text for today, the 2nd Sunday in Lent. It’s a good text, a familiar text, so familiar that when I first wrote it I expected it to be relatively smooth sailing. But it wasn’t. It was a difficult sermon for me to write, partly because it’s ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17, Numbers 21:8, Ezekiel 36:25-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Dancing With Wolves

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 17, 2023

The false prophets dance around the cost of discipleship, but dancing slippers don’t suit the hard road that leads to the narrow gate, and the wolves never warn their people that they need hiking boots instead

I am trying to navigate the theological tsunami that is threatening to permanently alter the face of our denomination. The amendments to the constitution regarding ordination standards, diversity, inclusiveness, interpretation of Scripture, and so on, are incredibly important to our identity as a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-19, Revelation 22:18-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

4th Sunday After Epiphany, Year C. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 24, 2022

February 2nd, 2025.

Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30. A). A COMMON CALL. Jeremiah 1:4-10. Throughout history both the Church in general, and churches in particular, have published books of Common Order, Common Worship, and Common Prayer; common lectionaries, common liturgies, and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

#1 The Truth - Take A Deep Breath And Say It Anyway Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jan 29, 2007

There are plenty of difficult times in life. Some are more breath-taking than others. What do you do when faced with life’s difficult tasks?

21Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:21-30

Denomination: United Methodist

God-Centered Worship Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Mar 8, 2007

Woship is about God, not ourselves.

INTRODUCTION SLIDE #1  Why do we go to church each Sunday? Why would we all give up a morning to sleep in, a time to watch all the NFL pre-game shows? Why do we go to the trouble each Sunday of getting out of bed to put on some nice clothing to be here?  Do we come here to see ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:21-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spiritual Training: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Contributed by David Smith on Dec 21, 2006

Father Dave’s sermon on spiritual training... "I do not box as though beating the air," says St. Paul, and all the boxers in the congregation say ... Amen!

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. (25) Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. (26) So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Power Of Authenticity

Contributed by Samuel Stone on Nov 15, 2007

A Fathers’ Day sermon

Luke 7:36-8:3 One of the Pharisees asked Jesusj to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. 37 And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38 She stood behind ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Spiritual Training (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 16, 2007

’I do not box as though beating the air’ - the little known fight career of St Paul! ...

Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. (25) Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. (26) So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Genesis 22:1-14 (Abraham Sacrifices His Son)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 28, 2007

A sermon given on the anniversary of the kidnapping of Mordechai Vanunu ...

Some reflections on Abraham – the father of faith: I It was early morning. Abraham rose in good time, had the asses saddled and left his tent, taking Isaac with him, but Sarah watched them from the window as they went down the valley until she could ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

God-Centered Worship Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Nov 5, 2004

Why is church boring? Could it be that our worship is not God-Centered?

INTRODUCTION  Why are we here today? Why are we all here giving up a morning to sleep in, a time to watch all the NFL pre-game shows? Why did we go to the trouble this morning of getting out of bed and putting on some nice clothing to be here?  Did we come here to see some of our ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:21-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fear Not, Therefore; You Are Of More Value Than Many Sparrows

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Jun 13, 2005

A sermon for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 7 We are valuable to God

5th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 7 Matthew 10:24-39 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows   24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Denomination: Lutheran