Sermons on Outlook:

Sermon On The Pursuit Of Happiness

Contributed by William Meakin on Nov 30, 2021

Happiness has been defined as an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfilment.

Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist once remarked: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.” Ecclesiastes 3:12 reminds us: “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-13, John 14:27-28, Jeremiah 29:11

Freedom And Delight In The Law

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Sep 3, 2024

A sermon for the Sunday following Pentecost, Year B, lectionary 22

1 September 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Deut. 4:1-2, 6-9; James 1:17-27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Freedom and Delight in the Law Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. All three of our Bible passages today pertain ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-9, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Lutheran

All That We Hope To Be Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Oct 21, 2024

The final sermon in the 4-part series looks at what empowers us to commit ourselves and our resources to God.

October 20, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Jeremiah 29:11-14; Romans 8:24-31; Matthew 5:13-16 All That We Hope to Be Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Our offering hymn, “We Lift Our Voices” has been the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-14, Romans 8:24-31, Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Lutheran

The Anonymous Apostles And The World’s Worst Traitor (Matthew 10:1-4)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 9, 2025

Our look at the Twelve apostles concludes with the last four on the list - James the Less, Simon the Zealot, Jude Thaddeus, and the apostle who threw his calling away, Judas Iscariot.

When we look at the lives of the twelve men whom Jesus chose to be His apostles, we need to make a notation. None of these men would be known today except for the fact that Jesus chose to pull them out from obscurity and ordinary situations. None of them were of renown or any type of prominence. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-4, 2 Corinthians 12:12, John 6:70, Psalm 41:9, Luke 22:3, Acts 1:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Instructions For Ministry (Matthew 10:5-42)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 10, 2025

In these verses, Matthew describes the responsibilities given to the apostles by the Lord Jesus. He anointed them with special powers and abilities to show people the power of God but also warned Mark 13;9-13of coming persecution for the cause of the Gospel.

The Lord Jesus gave the apostles specific responsibilities and gifts to minister to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. His role as the Promised Messiah would be to not deliver the nation from the bondage of Rome, but to free them and all people from a far worse bondage, that of sin and it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:5-15, Mark 6:7-13, Mark 13:9-13, Luke 9:1-6, Luke 21:12-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Royal Lineage Of The Lord Jesus (Matthew 1:1-18)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Nov 3, 2024

We tend to skip the list of names in the first verses of Matthew's gospel, but each name is there for a reason, and it is to show the royal line of the Lord Jesus Christ and HIs right to the throne of David as King and Messiah.

Matthew wastes no time in establishing his case to prove that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Promised Messiah and the heir to David's throne as the true king of Israel. His opening statement reads as follows: "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:10-14, Matthew 1:1-18, 2 Samuel 12:1-25, Joshua 2:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

The King Teaches His People (Matthew 5:13-48)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Nov 25, 2024

The Lord Jesus Christ began His "sermon on the mount" by addressing the blessings His people possess. He continues His teachings, covering topics such as influence, the Law, behavior, and how to love one's enemies.

Matthew 5:13-16: Jesus compared all true believers to salt, which was used as not only a flavoring but as a preservative against spoilage. Our lives and words are to be used by the LORD to preserve morality and godliness in an increasingly decaying society. Like salt, our lives can be catalysts ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-48, Luke 6:20-49, Exodus 20:13, Proverbs 6:16-19, Deuteronomy 24:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Sound Judgment And A Firm Foundation (Matthew 7:1-20)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 24, 2024

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount concludes with warnings about hasty judgments and the assumption that the work you do for the LORD is not necessarily a sign that you are one of His followers.

Matthew 7:1-5: The Process of Sound Judgment Judges render decisions in courts of law based upon evidence presented by advocates for both accused and accuser. He examines both sides of the arguments and their merit. He consults with both parties if need be as well as do research on similar ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-29, Luke 6:37-42, Luke 11:9-13, Luke 13:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Noah: God's Preacher In The Midst Of Perverse Times

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 2, 2023

Noah and the ark (Genesis 6-8) like everything else in Genesis, is authentic history with an authentic warning to get right with God before it is too late. It is a call from God for us to repent and be saved from the wrath to come.

When we read about the events of Genesis, Chapters 6-8, we forget that this is not a children's story, but an actual historical event recorded by Moses dealing with the effects of sin upon the world and the fact of God's certain judgment. Noah's task was to not only build the ark ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6, Mark 10:45, Hebrews 7:25, Acts 16:31, Romans 6:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Noah's Ark: An Illustration Of Christ's Mission Of Salvation

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 2, 2023

The ark that God commanded Noah to build serves as a portrait of the Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation He provides to anyone who calls upon Him.

All throughout Scripture, the Lord God Almighty gives us specific guidelines on how to approach and worship Him. Scripture shows us the necessity of repentance and the means by which we must be saved. The act of salvation, or rescue from our sins is not of our own planning, thought, or actions. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6, John 10:9, Colossians 3:1, 1 Peter 3:18-21, Hebrews 7:25, Acts 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Hidden World

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 1, 2023

Amongst its many definitions, a journey through life could be regarded as experiencing wonder, challenges, extreme highs and lows, celebrations, special moments and memories that trend a general lifestyle as a human being.

Albert Einstein, a German-born theoretical physicist once remarked: “The one who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone, is likely to find himself in places no one has ever been.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 reminds us: So we do not lose heart. Though our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:17, Jeremiah 29:11, John 8:12, Matthew 5:14

Professing To Be Wise, They Became Fools

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Aug 22, 2023

Atheism is on the rise in America. That is a fact that cannot be rebutted. However, in its claim to be wiser and more "enlightened" that those of us who believe in God, atheism has dragged America into a sewer of ignorance.

Current statistics tell us that when asked about their religious affiliation or practice, 38% of Americans who were surveyed replied, "None". The category of "None" when it comes to basic beliefs about God and the Bible are rising higher each year. For those of us who are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1-3, Psalm 53:1-3, Romans 1:22, Isaiah 47:10, 1 Corinthians 1:9, Luke 12:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Truth Of God

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Sep 7, 2023

God's Word is truth in a world of contradictions and falsehood. We must, as followers of Jesus Christ, stay firm in what Scripture teaches and demands of us, regardless of what the world, the flesh, and the devil say and do.

The Lord Jesus taught that the end times would be characterized by deceit, hatred of God, lies, malevolence, lack of love, and an intense persecution of believers. False teachers would plague the church (Matthew 24:11-12), and many who claim to be "Christians" will fall away from the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5, Romans 1:16-17, 1 Peter 2:22, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Revelation 1: A Declaration Of Praise And Promise

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Dec 16, 2023

The opening chapter of the book of Revelation shows that in what seems to be the darkest and most hopeless periods of history, the Lord Jesus Christ is still Lord and King over HIs creation, and that all things will be made new.

If the book of Revelation had just this one chapter, it is enough for us to give praise and glory to God. He shows not just the apostle John but all of us that He is in charge of the affairs of His creation. No mere created being, whether it be mortal humanity or malevolent demon, will ever have ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:4-20, John 1:1-4, Proverbs 21:1, Colossians 1:15-18, John 14:6, Acts 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Of Sardis: A Fellowship Taken Off Life Support (Revelation 3:1-6)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 1, 2024

The church at Sardis received not words of commendation from the Lord Jesus Christ, but instead, rebuke and condemnation as well a warning to wake up and strengthen what remains of its effectiveness, testimony, and purpose. Does this describe the church you attend?

The fifth church mentioned in Revelation 2-3 was located in the city of Sardis, fifty miles east of Smyrna and thirty miles southeast of Thyatira. Like the other churches, it was located in western Asia Minor, now known as the nation of Turkey. Sardis was on the major commercial and trade ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:11-15, Isaiah 11:2-5, Matthew 15:8-9, Mark 7:6, Titus 1:16, Revelation 3:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist