Sermons on Plainness:

Prepare The Way! Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jan 22, 2020

Advent - preparing the way. At Christmastime, we often prepare the house, the decorations, the food, the gifts—but we forget to prepare ourselves. Make a commitment to spend some time each morning during Advent preparing your heart for the coming of Jesus Christ.

2019.12.1 Prepare for the Way William Akehurst, HSWC BIG IDEA: Advent - preparing the way. At Christmastime, we often prepare the house, the decorations, the food, the gifts—but we forget to prepare ourselves. Make a commitment to spend some time each morning during Advent preparing your heart ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:3, Malachi 3:1, Isaiah 40:3-5, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Jeremiah 4:1-2, James 4:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Gets The Belt Out

Contributed by Dr. Phillip Paschal on Oct 9, 2019

The Chastisement of God

WHEN GOD GETS THE BELT OUT GEN. 2:16-17 1. INTRODUCTION: I RECALL GROWING UP AS A CHILD, THAT WHENEVER MY MOTHER OR FATHER WOULD GET THE BELT OUT, I KNEW THAT TROUBLE WAS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I KNEW THAT WHEN I SAW THE BELT, NOTHING GOOD WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. THE BELT CAME OUT AS THE DIRECT RESULT ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:16

Denomination: Baptist

Sadducees And Resurrection

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 18, 2019

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time -- 32nd Sunday, Year C

A preacher related that: YEARS AGO, THE brilliant but cantankerous Baptist preacher Carlyle Marney was speaking to some students at a Christian college. When a student asked, "Dr. Marney, would you say a word or two about the resurrection of the dead?" Marney replied, "I will not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38

Denomination: Catholic

Apocalyptic Piety : The Destruction Of The Second Temple

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 23, 2019

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time -- 33rd Sunday, Year C

In 70 A.D. The Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple by the use of the catapult: The Jewish watchmen cried out in their own language, “THE STONE IS COMING! “THE STONE IS COMING!” The Romans declared their innocence for the death and destruction saying that God had deserted the Temple. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19

Denomination: Catholic

Going Back Is Not An Option! Series

Contributed by Myron Leach on Sep 19, 2017

This is the 3rd part of the "Winning Mindset Series."

Going Back Is Not An Option! Gen.19:15-17 (NIV) 15 With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.” 16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:15-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Church Is Not Your Gas Station

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 19, 2018

It’s about God not about us. It’s about recognizing God as Supreme, Holy, all Powerful and the source of our Salvation. That is the attitude we are to bring into this sanctuary on Sunday morning not what do you have for me today God.

The Church is not your Gas Station Psalm 96 Matthew 22:15-22 Identifying what church means to a person can include all kinds of perspectives. You might hear things like, “a church is a community of believers.” Or you might hear “a church exists to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Or maybe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Exodus 20:2-6, John 3:16-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Don’t Stop There!

Contributed by Lola Olanrewaju on Jan 22, 2018

Some are about to give up because they have prayed and fasted for months and there is still no solution to their problem .Don’t stop there , God is in the process of making things work out for you , you just need to be patient and keep the fire on.

I recently read a quote by Winston Churchill which says: “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stone at every dog that barks.” “Dogs that barks” could mean: * People saying stuff about you * Distraction of any sort * People discouraging you * People calling you names ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:28-31, Genesis 19:17-26

Denomination: Pentecostal

Seeing The Glory That Awaits Us

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Feb 10, 2018

The mountain top experience-the transfiguration is a confirmation of the glory that awaits you and me.

weekend Message/Devotion February 11, 2018 Reading: Mark 9:2-9 Seeing the Glory That Awaits Us I am including the gospel reading this morning. Without this reading, today’s message won’t be as meaningful to us. I encourage you to make notes of today’s message and using them in studying Mark’s ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-9, Deuteronomy 34:5-6, John 14:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Relation Of Love To The Gift Of Tongues Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 31, 2020

Focus on the greatest gift, love, and the least gift, praying in tongues. They must tie together, or the Holy Spirit is not behind them.

Solemnity of Pentecost 2020 Anyone who has participated at some point in a Catholic charismatic prayer meeting will find today’s readings for Pentecost pretty familiar. Whether or not you felt drawn to the charismatic or Pentecostal experience, you recognize that when the Holy Spirit was sent into ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:3-13, Acts 2:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Our Cross

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 17, 2020

Why do evil people seem to prosper, while good people suffer? Is there any justice? Let’s realize that payday is coming, for good and evil. Let’s discuss carrying our cross in Matthew 16:21-28.

Why do evil people seem to prosper, while good people suffer? Is there any justice? Let’s realize that payday is coming, for good and evil. Let’s discuss carrying our cross in Matthew 16:21-28. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

Obadiah

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Oct 25, 2020

All verses with some commentary, footnotes from Biblegateway.com

OBADIAH - Edom Will Be Humbled (border of Israel and Jordan) 1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord [a]GOD concerning (A)Edom—(B)We have heard a report from the LORD, And an (C)envoy has been sent among the nations saying, “(D)Arise and let us go against her for battle”— 2 “Behold, I will ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

Peter And Andrew's Revivals Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 16, 2021

Eleven of the twelve apostles were revived in spirit. Let's begin a series examining first of all the revival experienced by Peter and Andrew.

Eleven of the twelve apostles were revived in spirit. Let's begin a series examining first of all the revival experienced by Peter and Andrew. 1) Simon Peter’s Revival Can a run-of-the-mill laborer experience revival and become a prominent church leader? Peter, an ordinary man, answered ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Begin Again By Moving Forward

Contributed by Nettie J Pennington on Jan 16, 2021

Every moment of every day, we have an opportunity to find the way back by moving forward. Renew your minds. Try this: "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable."

Here is the connection we need to make: "All wrongdoing is sin" (1 John 5:17) and "sin is lawlessness" (1 John 3:4). Lawlessness and sin are a couple, and they will not divorce one from the other. There are no irreconcilable differences. Do not allow individuals in these ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Peter 1:13

Denomination: Other

Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time; Also, Valentine's Day

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Feb 12, 2021

Valentine welcomed them on arriving and wished them God-speed when they left.

In Rome, where St. Valentine lived and died as a martyr for Christ, at the one-mile marker on the Flaminian Way, was a basilica dedicated in his name. It was a "munifice ornate” (magnificently ornate). [source: Carola MacMurrough, The Catholic Valentine, Orate Fratres, January 1, 1941]. Love ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Catholic

Forgiveness And Restoration Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 11, 2021

Conflict creates impasses and dead ends in our relationships. Forgiveness opens a new way forward.

March 10, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Luke 15:11-32 Forgiveness and Restoration Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “You can’t get there from here.” It always sounds a little crazy when you hear someone say that. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Lutheran