Sermons on Peter Marshall:

Spiritual Righteousness: Vegetarian Jesus

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 1, 2007

What is it that really makes me a spiritual person? If I act good for long enough, will it no longer be an act, will it then become real?

Two missionaries were on their way through the jungle when they were captured by a group of cannibals. The two missionaries, Harrison and Thompson, were brought to the village with much fanfare where they were presented to the chief. The village chief stepped forward and said in perfect English, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Funeral Message

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 4, 2007

Funeral Message for 99 year old woman. Eulolgy and theological reflection. We are not ignorant, through the resurrection we will live eternally, because of our second birth we will have a spiritual body.

Note: The first section is a eulogy for Leah Peterson which then transitions into a theological reflection based upon Psalm 116; 1 Thes 4:13-18; 1 cor 15:42-49. First let us remember that we are gathered here today not because Leah Peterson has died, rather, we are gathered here today because Leah ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Interpretation, Jesus Mission: Puppy Chow

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 8, 2007

Some quick hints for sound biblical interpretation. Also, discussion about Jesus’ earthly ministry being to Israel first and everyone else second.

A Christian couple from the south decide that they want to get a dog. As they are walking down the street in town, they notice that a sign in the pet shop is advertising "Christian Puppies." Their interest piqued, they go inside. "How do you know they’re Christian puppies?" "Watch," says the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

False Faith: Faith Amnesia Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 14, 2007

Faith is about trusting in a person. Faith is not about stuff. It is not about things happening or things not. It is not about things coming together. It is not about a happy feeling or a secure moment or even knowledge - it is about a person.

Richard Dawkins, the famous Oxford zoologist said, “Faith is the great copout, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence. Faith is belief in spite of, even perhaps because of, a lack of evidence.” Does Jesus prove Richard Dawkins right in our passage today? Jesus is asked ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cross Follow Disciple: Back Of The Line Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 22, 2007

A Christian is a follower of Christ, but what does it mean to be a follower? Jesus answers this question telling us to take up our cross, but what Jesus means by "take up his cross" may be very different than what we imagine it to mean.

An out-of-towner drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area. Luckily, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse named Buddy. He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull!" Buddy didn’t move. Then the farmer hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!" Buddy didn’t ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The King And The Peasant Girl - Christ And The Church

Contributed by Peter Bines on Sep 19, 2006

The Song of Songs is a poetic love story between a King and a lowly country girl, which uses exotic and striking language. It celebrates love and affection between a man and a woman that cuts across class barriers. But what did God intend in including it

Personally I’m not much of a gardener; at best you could call me a ‘weed exterminator.’ But I certainly enjoy walking round a beautiful garden. What are the ingredients needed for a successful garden? I guess, the soil must be suitable, and needs to be plenty of water, sun and shelter. For a garden ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 4:12-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Who Takes Our Breath Away

Contributed by Peter Bines on Sep 21, 2006

For the Christian, whilst certain things might be truly admirable to us -and there’s nothing wrong in us appreciating art and beauty - the one great thing that has taken our breath away spiritually, and which outstrips anything else by far, is the true kn

1 JOHN CH 1 V 1 & 2 INTRODUCTION Have you ever seen something that’s taken your breath away? It’s stopped you dead in your tracks and you’ve forgotten everything else that up to that point occupied you? I once visited the National Gallery in London and saw Georges Seurat’s ‘Bathers, Asnières’ ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Stewardship: Calling Of Samuel Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 25, 2006

Stewardship sermon....kind of, sort of. God calls us to both ministry and stewardship - but expects obedience First joke is not funny, but is a set up for later

A certain Jewish couple, expecting to the their first child, argued hotly about what name should be given to their little boy. This went on for weeks. Finally, exhausted, they asked their rabbi to intervene. The exasperated mom-to-be said, "I want to name my child after my father, but my husband ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stewardship:the Power Of God

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 25, 2006

Stewardship...kind of, sort of. We cannot fool Jesus about our true attitude in being generous.

The Ark of the covenant is lost, the symbol of the very presence of God - lost. The High Priest and his Family are – lost, all dying on the same day, they were the keepers of the worship of the almighty God. Israel does not have a way to interpret this disaster. The God they thought was all ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Palm Sunday -- I'm Good Enough, Smart Enough And....people Like Me

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 27, 2006

Palms Sunday - Doing the best I can is NOT what God is looking for. Looking for a different take of Palm Sunday? Here it is.

Over 2000 years ago the Sadducees had a tradition they believed the Messiah would show up four days before Passover. They kept the gates of the Temple open so that he could walk right into his rightful place. Hebrew nationalistic fervor was always at its peak on this particular day. The Romans ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mary Mother Of Jesus: Good Times And Noodle Salad Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 27, 2006

By all outward appearances Mary looks cursed rather than blessed by God. Our outward circumstances do not necessarily mean God is not with us.

Why Does God Do This To Me? Have you ever felt this? I’m not sure there is anyone who hasn’t felt this way. Life is going just fine. Good friends. Stable Finishing Grad School, The Future is Bright. Whatever will happen next – it will be great. Look what happened to Katie and I…. Out of grad ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Advent: How To Get Things Done In Your Spiritual Life Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 27, 2006

How? Not by might. Not by power, but by the Spirit

Last week we saw that life’s circumstances do not show whether God’s favor is with you.We saw, that we have hard times, bad circumstances……desperate circumstances, times when bad things pile up. They are in no way a sign that God’s blessing is not upon you.We saw, that in fact those who are highly ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Birth: Advent: Life To The Fulest Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 27, 2006

also jer 23:1-6 Those in the kingdom of God are not in it by physical birth but by spiritual birth

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. A time of waiting – waiting for our Lord Jesus. You may be in a time of waiting in your life. Waiting for what is happening next. The doctor has given you a series of tests – wait for the results; My kids will be out of the house next year – what then; The ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stewardship: Risk & Investment

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 27, 2006

Stewardship, investing in the kingdom of God also Eccl 11:1-6

What Does It Mean To Be A Citizen In The Kingdom Of God. Our Scriptures this morning address this issue: what does it mean to be a citizen in the kingdom of God? More importantly, what does it mean to be a citizen in the kingdom of God, when the Master, Jesus, is gone? When we become Christians, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Trinity: Connecting Point

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 27, 2006

Trinity. No one can ever fully explain it - I give it a go.

Our Spiritual Worldview will determine what we experience spiritually and will determine how we understand spiritual events. Last week, we saw from Scripture a man named Simon saw acts of the Holy Spirit before him and thought that it was some kind of spiritual use of power he could be trained ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational