Sermons on Ordinary Heroes:

Thirtieth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Cycle A - 30th Sunday Year A -- Love Of God And Neighbor

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 23, 2020

He was not asked for a second-place commandment.

It is the story of the courtship of Moses Mendelssohn, the grandfather of the great German composer, Felix Mendelssohn. Moses Mendelssohn was a small man with a misshapen, humped back. One day he visited a merchant in Hamburg who had a lovely daughter. Though Mendelssohn admired her greatly, she ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 22:20-26, Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Catholic

Seventeenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, B- 17th Sunday Year B-- Two Fish

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 23, 2021

In Jewish apocalyptic circles, it was expected that fish would be the main dish at the Messianic banquet.

Jonathan Turnbough of Garner, North Carolina, talks about the time when his mother was driving him and his sisters to school and she was pulled over by a policeman and ticketed for speeding. After their little visit with the officer, they took off again, and his mother was very careful to stay ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15

Denomination: Catholic

Thirty-Third Sunday In Ordinary Time, C: The Three Huge Apocalyptic Stones Of Jesus Christ

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 15, 2022

“THE STONE IS COMING! “THE STONE IS COMING!”

Wheeler Winston Dixon is the chair of the Film Studies Program at the University of Nebraska. In his book, “Disaster and Memory”, he writes, “People go to disaster movies to prove to themselves that they can go through the worst possible experience but somehow that they’re immortal.” (The Lure ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19, Daniel 2:34-35, Luke 20:17-18, Matthew 28:2, 1 Corinthians 15:14, Luke 12:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Eighth Sunday Ordinary Time, C-- Get Out Of The "Christian Bubble” For Blessings And Thanksgiving

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Sep 12, 2022

Of the ten healed, only one came back and gave thanks to Jesus. A Samaritan, who had imperfect faith and belief.

“Where are the other nine?” Jesus asks. I read that nine out of ten husbands agreed that their wives are always right. The tenth one hasn’t been seen since the study was conducted. Luke 17:11 says that Jesus “traveled through Samaria and Galilee.” Jesus grew up in Nazareth, which was around ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19, 2 Kings 5:14-17

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time; 28th Sunday B Rich Young Man

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 9, 2021

By the apostles leaving all of that, we can see that Jesus relativized all of the central institutions of his society.

The rich young ruler is not boasting; he is just speaking as a devout Jew. Not all Christians are called to literally give away their possessions, but all disciples are called to give up everything by way of detachment; that everything we have ultimately belongs to God. Spiritual poverty means to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-30

Denomination: Catholic

Thirty-Second Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B., 32nd Sunday--Widow Stewardship

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 5, 2021

Like the widow in our Gospel today, she is our spiritual mentor standing there on the margins. Not afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

On the first day of a Bible study at a suburban parish, the participants introduced themselves and described what ministries they participated in at the church. The group was filled with active, engaged parishioners. There were lectors, singers, pro-life volunteers, and many more. But one ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time, C- Pink Slip; You're Fired!

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 23, 2022

In Luke 16:8, the dishonest manger is called “Commended”, “Prudent,” which is to be “Clever,” “Resourceful.”

Pink slip in hand, which is a notice of dismissal, given to this employee, who was a top manager; now this manager has to figure out fast how to get significant benefits from the soon-to-be former clients before he or she is terminated. The words “You’re fired” packs more of a punch than “You ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Catholic

Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C: Fishers: The Call, Objection, Assurance, And Commissioning Stories

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 8, 2025

“You got it bad and that ain’t good. But there is a doctor in the house and his name is Jesus."

Robert Coles, a Pulitzer Prize winner who taught at Harvard, believes that “the characters in novels can be persistent voices reminding us of the constant temptation toward egotism, and self-deception to which the mind is heir,’ and exhorting us to live lives that are morally inspired.”1 For ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C -- The Word Nonviolent Can Be An Adjective, It Modifies How

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 20, 2025

Jesus is asking us today not so much as “how can I find a gracious God? But “How can I find God in my enemy?” And, how can we be children of God in real life without loving our enemies?

The fictional Klingon language from Star Trek has no words for love. Of course, the Klingons were creatures of pure logic, not emotion. So, the closest words for “love” in their language were “honor” or “unhate.” That would be easy for us if we could define love simply as “unhating” others. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 26:2-23, Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Catholic

Distinguished By Gratitude: The Instinct Of Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Christabel N. Onuoha on Aug 19, 2017

The enemy of exceptionality is ordinary. Ordinary people never go beyond the common denominator. This is the story of how thanksgiving distinguished a leper, making him exceptional. Thanksgiving comes naturally or instinctively to those who know how to think. This is the instinct of thanksgiving.

This is the story of how thanksgiving and gratitude can make you exceptional in the midst of ordinary. It is the story of the ten lepers who Jesus healed on His long and arduous journey to Jerusalem. It is critical to note the writer of this scriptural narrative, the timing of the event and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19, Ephesians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Giving God The Biggest Cookie Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Aug 17, 2006

Part one in a six part series on the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. This sermon discusses the hallmark of Abel’s life--generosity towards God.

GIVING GOD THE BIGGEST COOKIE Big Faith Series-Part 1 Hebrews 11:1-4; Genesis 4:1-7 Sunday, July 9, 2006 Pastor Brian Matherlee Introduction What kind of faith is big faith? Some time ago "Reader’s Digest" told the story about a company who mailed out some special advertising business post ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-4

Denomination: Wesleyan

Fly High - Acts Part 5

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 11, 2006

The book of Acts was written to show what God can do with ordinary people who are filled with the Holy Spirit.

"Fly high" - Acts part 5 On The Lighter Side of Life: More funny photos Thesis: The book of Acts was written to show what God can do with ordinary people who are filled with the Holy Spirit. Scripture Text: Acts 2: 42-47: 42They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Of Whom The World Is Not Worthy

Contributed by Michael Milton on Dec 26, 2005

The least likely people, through God’s grace through Jesus Christ, are transformed to become the heroes of the faith.

Of Whom the World Is Not Worthy Joshua 2; Hebrews 11:30-12:2 Dr. Michael Milton, Senior Minister First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee Many Americans and Presidents have made their way to the center of Arlington Cemetery to a monument that is beloved by all Americans. It is the Tomb ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Triumphal Entry

Contributed by Richard White on Mar 28, 2009

This march is not like other conquering heroes march, it begins before the victory, and takes the Victor to Calvary the place of the triumph.

The Triumphal Entry Matt 21:1-11 Every conquering hero has a “victor’s parade.” The march goes through the countryside with the foot soldiers leading, maybe charioteers or cavalry to follow, with the captives somewhere in the middle. The conquering hero would come from the rear riding high ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Solomon Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Feb 19, 2009

The next hero is David’s son and successor: Solomon. We’ll examine what aspects that urges to embrace

Heroes of the OT Solomon 1 Kings 3:1-15 February 8, 2009 This week we are continuing to look at the heroes of the Old Testament with a guy a named Solomon. Last week we began with David and this week we continue by looking at David’s successor and son, Solomon. We’ll be using 1 Kings 3:1-15. A ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:1-15

Denomination: Church Of God