Sermons on Pause:

A House Of Prayer For All People?

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Aug 9, 2008

We judge by what we see. God judges by the heart. His way is better. Let us join God is inviting others into His family.

-Is God’s house for everyone? -Is anyone welcome in chapel? -Does God accept anyone and everyone who steps foot in His house? -Before you answer, let me tell you a little story -Last week during fellowship, I told some of you about a scene from the Dark Knight, the new Batman movie -Have any of you ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Who Are You And What Is Your Life? Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Apr 18, 2015

James helps us humble ourselves before God and walk in the faith we hold. This is nowhere truer than in our words.

Who are you and What is your life? This study of James has been putting me in my place over and over. He does not hesitate to lay it all out there and speak sternly, clearly and honestly to his readers. Today we look at the last seven verses of James 4, that’s verses 11-17. Before we move ...read more

Scripture: James 4:11-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Is Our Refuge

Contributed by James May on Jun 22, 2008

When the world is falling apart, and God’s judgments begin to fall, God is our refuge, our very present help in time of need. Whom, or what, shall we fear?

God is Our Refuge Psalms 46 By Pastor Jim May This 46th Psalm is a song of encouragement and a song of praise unto the Lord for his ever present help to Israel in her times of distress. After the messages last Sunday morning, and the one this morning, I felt that it would be good to hear some ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Are You Ready For Jesus?

Contributed by Stephen Becker on Nov 26, 2007

The Sermon explores what it means to be truly ready for Jesus, in this life and being prepared for His return. Living a Christian life is more than talking about religion, we have to “walk the walk;” we need to be spiritually ready. Three messages o

Are You Ready for Jesus? Matthew 24:36-44; 25:1-13 Stephen H. Becker, M.Div. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church 1st Sunday in Advent; December 2, 2007 I once saw a story on the evening news where a photographer was also a skydiver, and he jumped with a number of skydivers from a plane to videotape the ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Joseph Speaks

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 20, 2008

This is a first person rendition of how Joseph (the step-father of our Lord) may have viewed the events of Christ’s birth and life.

(This sermon is done first person. I’m including my actions in the hopes this will help anyone wanting to duplicate some or all of this sermon. The presentation begins with me at the back of the auditorium holding an old looking carpenter’s tool. I gradually make my way to the front of the pews ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Resurrection Eyes

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 3, 2016

As we wrestle with the question of resurrection and after life, we come to the point that life can be lived with a certain amount of hope, adventure,daring and confidence. See this world and this life through our Lord's eyes. Through resurrection eyes.

If you are not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four passages of Scripture that are read prior to the Message. Today's assigned readings are: Haggai 1:15 - 2:9; Psalm 14:1-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 and Luke 20:27-38. A Church Elder came by to visit the new pastor ... one Sunday ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 25:1-19, Luke 20:27-38

Denomination: Anglican

Humpty Dumpty / Seize The Day

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jul 10, 2016

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; Humpty Dumpty shouted Amen; God can put me together again. Beloved, Carpe Diem, Seize the day. Updated June 2022.

Do you remember as a child ... listen to ... or reading nursery rhymes? Some of them were a little freighting ... at least they were to me. Three blind mice. Three blind mice. See how they run. See how they run. They all ran after the farmer's wife Who cut off their tails with a carving ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-14, Philippians 3:10-14, Isaiah 43:25, Matthew 11:30, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

How Are You Conected? / Alternating Or Direct Current

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 28, 2015

There are two types of electrical current, Alternating Current and Direct Current. Most A/C believers are not in charge of their life..their feelings are. God is seeking disciplined disciples who allow the Direct Current of God to flow consistently. Updated January 2023.

For those that are not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scriptures that are read prior to the Message. The Scriptures that are assigned for today are Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and John 2:13-22 The message today ......is based off the first sentence of our ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Galatians 5:25, Philippians 3:14, John 15:4-11, 2 Corinthians 3:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Donut Theology / Be Teleios

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 18, 2011

In Greek, the word translated "perfect" in Matthew is "teleios". " If something accomplishes what it is designed to do, it is said to be perfect that is "teleios" So "telios" is often translated as "mature". "Teleios" has the idea of "being complete."

Jesus proclaims In the Gospel Lesson today: "Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect." Be Perfect! Let us consider two other passages that speak to this calling, a calling to be perfect: From Genesis Gen. 6:9 "Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8, Colossians 1:21-22, Hebrews 5:12-14, Leviticus 19:1-18, Matthew 5:38-48  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Childlike Not Childish

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 1, 2011

Remember Jesus words to us: Unless you become as a child again, you will not inherit the kingdom of heaven! Our Lord does not mean there is anything wrong with maturing in growing up. There is a big difference between being child-like and childish.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2,8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15 and Mark 1:1-8. An elderly widow decided it was too much trouble to get all of her children and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:9-11, Philippians 2:14-15

Denomination: Anglican

Bondage / In Christ You Are Free Indeed

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 26, 2013

What binds you? What binds me? What prevents us from standing up straight in a spiritual sense? What is holding us back from being transformed into the image of Christ? What is holding us back from being able to enjoy life fully?

On the night of December 16th 1773 .... a small group of men banded together, ...... boarded three merchant ships in Boston Harbor ...... and dumped 342 chests of tea into the bay. This group of men, .... who called themselves the Sons of Liberty, ...... took this action .... because of the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:13-14, Luke 13:10-21

Denomination: Anglican

Be Angry, But Do Not Sin

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 5, 2015

Anger is one of the hardest emotions for Christians .to deal with. We often do not acknowledge we have it .because we feel we are not supposed to have it In the first place. There has to be a better way and beloved there is! Updated August 2018.

Everyone has their Pet Peeve... One of mine is ……telemarketers. Is there any group more persistent than telemarketers? Like the determined character in a horror movie, once a telemarketing company has you in its sights, it won’t stop chasing you until you agree to buy some product you have no ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32, James 1:19-21

Denomination: Anglican

Shalom. Bring Down The Walls

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jul 15, 2015

There are walls which divide gender men and women. There are walls of social status that divide the affluent and the poor. Walls are all around us. And for many these walls bring a sense of comfort, and protection. Updated July 2018.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture readings prior to the Message. Today's assigned readings are: 2 Samuel 7:1-14; Psalm 89:20-37, Ephesians 2:11-22, and Mark 60:30-34, 53-56. Robert Frost's famous work, ...The "Mending Wall": ...is a wonderful poem ... full of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Anglican

Do You Have Those Post Christmas Blues?

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jan 5, 2016

The excitement of Christmas is over. Life has almost gotten back to normal. And many people suffer from the Post-Christmas blahs a kind of depression in fact here is a song for this season titled "The Post-Christmas Blues".

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scriptures readings prior to the Message. Today's assigned Scriptures are: Jeremiah 31:7-14; Psalm 84; Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-19 and Matthew 2:13-23. Christmas day 2015 ....is over! .... The tree may still be up, .... but it looks mighty ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:2-3, Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Anglican

Spiritual Protection For The Battlefield

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 17, 2013

We are engaged in a spiritual war. A serious battle. For the Christian, faith is not spelled "F-A-I-T-H" it is spelled "R-I-S-K." If something is not a risk, then it really does not require faith.

For Those not Familiar with an Anglican Service there are 4 Scripture readings before the message is given. Today's Scriptures were Deuteronomy 26:1-11 ; Psalm 91:1,2,9-16 ; Romans 10:8-13 and Luke 4:1-13 One gentleman commented, ... "I wouldn't be tempted ... if temptation .... wasn't ... so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9, Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Anglican