Sermons on Parishioners:

Waiting For Christmas

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Dec 18, 2006

We are still in the season of Advent, not Christmas. We can’t be ready for Christmas unless we prepare ourselves through Advent.

Waiting for Christmas Luke 3:1-17 December 17, 2006 Back in the late 1980’s when I was pastor over at First UMC in Morocco, Indiana, I was approached by a gentleman from the congregation asking about my choice of hymns. “Why can’t we sing Christmas hymns?” It has been December for a couple of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

The Sun Of Righteousness Will Rise

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Nov 15, 2006

The Sun of Righteousness Will Rise 1) To burn the arrogant; 2) To warm the reverent

The 17th Century czar of Russia, Peter the Great, lived in a palace filled with exquisite artwork. Yet whenever he saw a sunrise he wondered why many did not awaken early enough to view one of the most glorious sights in the universe. “They delight,” he said, “in gazing on a picture, the trifling ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:1-2

Denomination: Lutheran

Do You See The Light? Series

Contributed by Adam Couchman on Jun 18, 2007

John 9 is a compelling chapter in John’s Gospel. The healing of the man born blind confronts us with our own spiritual blindness. As we read, we are confronted with the same question that Jesus presents him, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" Jesus, the

John presents his gospel in much the same way that a lawyer presents evidence in a kind of divine trial. He compels his “jury” to make a decision for themselves about Jesus – “do you believe or not?” The gospel is often divided into two sections – the Book of Signs (chapters 1-12) and the Book of ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Anglican

Leadership In The Suffering Church Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Feb 1, 2007

Exposition of 1 Peter 4:1-4

Text: 1 Peter 5:1-4, Title: Leadership in the Suffering Church, Date/Place: LSCC, 3/5/06, AM A. Opening illustration: Quoted from Pastoral Life magazine: One Sunday morning a pastor got up in the pulpit and apologized for the Band-aid on his face. He said "I was thinking about my sermon while ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Least Of These

Contributed by Chris Surber on Mar 17, 2007

Our Heavenly Father welcomes us regardless of our failures. We can never stray so far that he will not run to us with open arms when we return. And He is honored by our faithfulness.

“The Least of These” Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 (Year C Lent 4) ESV Introduction Last year a former homeless man was buried at the prestigious St. John’s Episcopal Church, across from the White House. St. John’s is called the “church of presidents” since nearly every U.S. leader since James Madison has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Christian Church

Theology And Praxis (A Sermon On John 9 By Father Dave)

Contributed by David Smith on Mar 13, 2008

As [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered....

The church is in a bad state. I don’t mean our little parish church in particular (which is frankly doing rather well) but the church as a whole - in Sydney and even worldwide. And I don’t think it’s because we don’t have the answers. I am an Evangelical. I believe that Jesus is the answer - I ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Table Manners And Christian Ethos

Contributed by Samuel Stone on Nov 15, 2007

Table Manners and Christian Ethos

Luke 14:1-7-14 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Entrust Your Soul To The Lord

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Jul 24, 2007

Entrust Your Soul to the Lord 1) Because he rescues from enemies; 2) Because he forgives; 3) Because he guides

I have a family heirloom here that I want to entrust to someone for safekeeping. It doesn’t look like much but it is valuable to me. It’s a hat that my great-uncle wore. I’m proud of my great-uncle because he was our synod’s first resident missionary to Zambia, Africa and influenced greatly all ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:1-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Get Over Yourself Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 18, 2005

To be effective in ministry, let us not focus too much on self but rather be concern for the welfare of others.

To be effective in ministry, we need to learn one thing – don’t take yourself too seriously. Don’t be too bothered about how people see you or treat you. Get over yourself. Don’t get stuck inside your own ego, because over time it will become your prison. It is amazing that while Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:33-50

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Great Commandments And The Local Church (Part 1)

Contributed by Ken Pell on Aug 4, 2008

he great commandments provide MOTIVE, MANDATE, MISSION, AND A MEASURABLE PROCESS for the local church.

THE GREAT COMMANDMENTS AND THE LOCAL CHURCH (Part 1) Mark 12:28-34 Sermon Objective: The great commandments provide MOTIVE, MANDATE, MISSION, AND A MEASURABLE PROCESS for the local church. Supporting Scripture: Acts 2:42-47; Matthew 28:17-20; Ephesians 4:1-32 INTRODUCTION He traveled to every ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Nazarene

"Our Secret Sins"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 2, 2002

The solution to our sinful actions is to know ourselves in relationship with God.

Romans 7:14-25 “Our Secret Sins” By: Reverend Kenneth E. Sauer Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA A colleague of mine recently told me about a conversation he had with a parishioner. She told him: “I have these secret little sins in my life, and I like my secret ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: United Methodist

God Is Everything You Need Him To Be

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Apr 13, 2008

God’s provision is sufficient to cover any need we have. We access His answers by our faith.

Valley Grove Assembly of God May 4. 2008 “God is Everything You Need Him to Be” Exodus 3:13-22 INTRODUCTION: I would like you to think about the things that you worry about the most. It could be anything that causes you a lot of concern throughout the day or night. What things raise your ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:14-22

Denomination: Methodist

Becoming Good Dirt

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Jul 14, 2008

The Parable of the Sower teaches us not only what not to be, but what we can be to become fertile soil for the seed of the Spirit.

Introduction: The first recorded parable of Jesus is “The Parable of the Sower.” It is the only parable which Jesus explains line by line. One of the important things for us to understand is that fields in biblical times were not like our fields today which have been prepared by modern ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Crossroads

Contributed by David Smith on Mar 20, 2011

God ordered Abram to leave Haran (which means "crossroads") and journey to an unknown land that he would guide him to - this was the crossroad of Israel's begninning.

2nd Sunday of Lent - Genesis 12:1-4a Well I must admit when I first read over the lessons for today, I said to myself, Richard knew what he was doing being away this Sunday. What more could I possibly say about Abrams walk of faith with God? What could I say about “being born again” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4

Denomination: Anglican

What More Can I Do For Jesus? (Revised)

Contributed by James Kevin Bachmann on Nov 19, 2011

Christians can discover more ways to serve those in need by asking themselves questions like: Who else? What else? Where else, in order to act as sheep rather than goats.

What More Can I Do? (Revised) The Parable of the Talents dealt with the obligation of people who have received special gifts to increase them, add “interest" by applying and developing them. Today in the Judgment of the Nations referring to ordinary Christians rather than just the leadership, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Catholic