Sermons on Ordinariness:

Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A: What Loving Your Enemies And Being ‘perfect’ Mean

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 8, 2023

“Now raise your hands if you have only one or two enemies.” And even fewer people raised their hands. “See,” says the priest, “most of us feel like we have enemies.”

A priest is giving a homily like I am right now on “What loving your enemies and being ‘perfect’ mean.” “Now,” says the priest, “I’ll bet that many of us feel as if we have enemies in our lives. So, raise your hands if you have a few enemies.” And several people raise their hands.” “Now raise ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Catholic

Fourteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B: Country Music, I Aint Leaving You, Thorn

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 4, 2024

then I realized that God uses not just our gifts, but our thorns too

Country music often tells stories about real life problems, thus the joke, “What do you get when you play country music backward?” You get back your wife, your dog, and your truck. One song tells about a man taking his beloved wife, whom he truly loves, to his 10th High School reunion, where he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7

Denomination: Catholic

Gone Fishin'

Contributed by John Nadasi on Jan 29, 2003

This is a fun sermon to preach! God’s call extends from the ordinary (apostles) to the extraordinary (Jonah). Many times God calls us through the subtlety of invitation as in this text. We are invited to go and do likewise.

Mark 1: 14-20 January 26, 2000 Paonia United Methodist Church How many of you watch the news? Have you seen the case being brought against McDonalds That eating their food makes you fat? Duh! Of course it does… that’s what makes it taste good. Thankfully, that case was dismissed this ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Methodist

"Oratio, Meditatio, Tentatio"

Contributed by Bruce Hindenburg on Aug 23, 2002

This is a sermon summarizing the stories learned by the children during Vacation Bible School, looked at through the "tests" that each individual endured. How, through the power given by God, ordinary people accomplished extraordinary things. Stories in

August 18, 2002 VBS Wrap-Up Sermon Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Late Friday night, I was in this room recording the opening for this morning’s radio broadcast. We had just completed this years VBS and I think I can speak for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:4-51, Acts 9:10-17

Denomination: Lutheran

What's Written On Your Heart?

Contributed by Beth Garrod-Logsdon on Oct 23, 2007

29th Sunday, Ordinary Time Year C More important than GOd’s words on monuments, t-shirts or bumper stickers is God’s word embodied in our thougths, words and actions.

What’s Written on Your Heart? Jeremiah 31:23-34; Luke 18:1-8; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 The date was August 28, 2003, and the following is a portion of the article that appeared originally in the New York Times and then in other papers around the country. The author – reporting from Montgomery, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:23-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

With Whom Are We At War?

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Sep 26, 2009

Ordinary Proper 21: Divisions among Christians are not new. Unfortunately, they are all too common - even among the same church members. But we are called to be one because of the price paid to make us one - the Cross!

At one time, we had a large aquarium. It was fun to keep it up and to learn about the different sorts of tropical fish that we kept. One of my very favorite fish was the Betta Splendens. Sometimes they are called bettas or they are called Siamese Fighting Fish. There is a picture of a betta on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-41

Denomination: Lutheran

God Loves Families!

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Oct 1, 2009

Ordinary Proper 22: Our individualistic orientation as a culture has brought many ills upon us. Among those is the deterioration of the family. This message looks at Jesus’ teaching on the intention of God for men and women and children.

Leonard Sweet, professor of theology at Drew University was the keynote speaker at a theological convocation that I attended last fall. Part of Dr. Sweet’s message focused on the rampant individualism that has become so much a part of our culture. Here is a paraphrase of part of what he said: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:2-16

Denomination: Lutheran

The Miracle Of The Manger - John 1

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Dec 31, 2011

Consider for a moment this miracle of the manger and the astonishing claims made regarding this child. Into the humblest of circumstances Jesus is born. His mother is an ordinary, young girl named Mary. His birthplace is a stable, a barn in a small, obscu

Christmas Sermon- The Miracle of the Manger - John 1 Scriptures: John 1:1-5, 9-14 Introduction John's Gospel describes for us in beautiful and poetic imagery this miracle of the manger. (Read John 1:1-5, 9-14) I. Astonishing claims Could He be who He claims to be? Consider for a moment this ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Giving Thanks As We Grow Olddr Sermon I: Jesus Gave Thanks Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Sep 27, 2019

By giving thanks, Jesus made a custom that seemed so ordinary sacred . . . by lifting the level of its meaning beyond the material to the spiritual. Our Lord was aware, as we should be, of Who our Provider is.

JESUS GAVE THANKS – John 6:1-15 Somewhere I read about a woman who boarded a bus and could not find a seat? Every seat was taken. She was tired and carried several packages. Noticing her plight, a gentleman stood up and ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15

The Calling Of The Twelve Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on May 10, 2017

Jesus called twelve men to serve as disciples. These men came from different backgrounds, varied occupations, and unique personalities. Jesus used ordinary men in extraordinary ways. That should challenge and encourage every believer.

The Calling of the Twelve Mark 3: 13-21 Surely you would agree that our study thus far has revealed a very busy, and often difficult time for Jesus. His ministry had gained momentum and immense popularity among the common people. Everywhere Jesus went, He was met with large crowds of people, all ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Mystery Of (Un)answered Prayer

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 23, 2021

Two stories from Mark 7 illustrate the mystery of answered prayer: God adapts his glorious plan to the requests of ordinary people, even when granting the requests is greater than people can imagine.

THE MYSTERY OF (UN)ANSWERED PRAYER—Mark 7:24-37 Many people have had the experience of praying—passionately, even desperately—and not receiving the answer they were seeking. That can be confusing, even troubling, and we naturally ask, “Why?” Was God not listening? Is he not able to do what we ask? ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37, Matthew 15:21-28, Isaiah 35:5-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

You Have The Honor Of Communing With The Architect Of Reality

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 26, 2021

It's quite astonishing to me that I have the ability to commune regularly with the architect of time, space, matter, energy, and consciousness. Dare I treat it as ordinary? Dare I allow it to become mundane?

It's quite astonishing to me that I have the ability to commune regularly with the architect of time, space, matter, energy, and consciousness. Dare I treat it as ordinary? Dare I allow it to become mundane? Though I am only human, I can perceive at least some of this wonder. Can't I? ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32

Denomination: Salvation Army

Gideon Asks For Signs Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 20, 2018

Gideon doubted God’s promise. Did God really want him to lead God’s army? What did he know about warfare? After all he was only an ordinary farmer.

Chapter 18.2.d: Gideon Asks for Signs Judges 6:37-40 Scripture 37 Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. 38 And it was so: for ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:37-40

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracles Of Jesus (Pt 6) Series

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Dec 15, 2025

A miracle is an unexpected outpouring of God’s power in an event that defies ordinary explanation, which occurs for the purpose of advancing God’s kingdom.

Today in part 6 of study of The Miracles of Jesus. We’ll be looking @ 4 miracles today. And as my grandfather used to say “we are getting down to the short rows now!” Body We’ll begin with: Jesus Feeding the 4k+ Found in Matthew 15:32-39 and Mark 8:1-8, This is the second recorded miracle of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:10-17

Faith That Floats Series

Contributed by Kory Labbe on Oct 30, 2025

When Jesus gets in your boat, everything changes. Sometimes God’s greatest invitations come in the middle of ordinary moments. In Luke 5, Jesus steps into Peter’s empty boat and turns a night of failure into a calling that changes everything.

Faith that Floats: When Jesus Gets in Your Boat Luke 5:1–11 (NLT) Theme: When Jesus gets in your boat, everything changes. Sometimes God’s greatest invitations come in the middle of ordinary moments. In Luke 5, Jesus steps into Peter’s empty boat and turns a night of failure into a calling that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God