Sermons on Pondering:

The Advice That Can Divert You From God’s Will

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 23, 2018

Looking at those who shouted at Christ while He was on the cross, this sermon explores how their demands would have led Christ directly away from doing God's will. How often does the advice the world gives us every day do the same thing?

ADVICE FROM THE CROWD: “Good advice” from the world can divert you from God’s will for your life. - Mark 15:29-32. - While Jesus is on the cross, the crowd throws several suggestions His way. When you dig into them a little, it’s interesting to see how deeply counterproductive they are. There ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Love In Bloom Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 11, 2019

Genuine believers put in great effort toward loving fellow believers, and yet are willing to be hated for doing right.

Love in Bloom (I John 3:11-18) 1. In the world, a lot of people do things for spite. Here are a few real life examples from some blogs: Today, my boss got mad at me because I told her that I wouldn't be able to work two days out of the week, due to college classes. She then cut back my hours ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Frustrated? Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Apr 9, 2018

we get tunnel visioned and don't see God and His plans and we get frustrated but there is a solution.

Before we read our passage from Exodus 6 this morning, let us note 3 important truths. Our Scripture of the Week is Romans 3:23 – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and Psalm 144:3 states “LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 6:1-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Savior Is Born Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 28, 2018

The way Jesus came into the world and the events surrounding that first Christmas affirms so much of what we believe as Christians.

A Savior Is Born (Luke 2:1-20) 1. This is a true story. Freddie and John were fortunate enough to have a season ticket to watch Chelsea soccer in the UK. They could not help noticing that there was always a spare seat next (B14) to them and they had a friend who would love to buy a season ticket, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Fire

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Feb 1, 2019

Greetings in the Holy Name of Christ Jesus, My sisters and brother, I speak to you, going in the storms with the fire of Christ Jesus that the fire of Christ Jesus would not let me deny the everlasting love of God, ...

THE FIRE By Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (January 5, 2019) “And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:7-9

Denomination: Friends

Forward, Never Back

Contributed by Alonzo Coombs on Feb 3, 2019

Some people and things in our past seem to have a hold on us. Whatever it may be, our past often intrudes on our present and unduly influences our future.

Some people and things in our past seem to have a hold on us. Maybe it’s guilt from a bad mistake, decision or a wrong we committed on another. Maybe it’s a memory of a wrong or abuse we suffered from someone. Whatever it may be, that part of our past often intrudes on our present and unduly ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14, Genesis 19:15-17, Genesis 19:26

The Study Of “god” Series

Contributed by Dr. William D. Poovey on Jul 20, 2015

The Study Of “God”

The Study Of “God” John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). This is the first verse in the Bible. 1. All things begin with God. 2. The Bible begins with ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1

Denomination: Foursquare

Peace Is Restored Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 17, 2017

Shalom is God’s peace made alive in the life of the believer. It guides, comforts, quiets, restores and sustains, regardless of life circumstances. Shalom is found nowhere apart from God.

It is possible not to see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God's [back] fade in the distance. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for ...read more

Denomination: Other

A Pleasing Life Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 12, 2015

In giving us the Ten Commandments, God calls us to love God with all our heart, soul and might.

Deuteronomy 5:1-21, 6:4-9 “A Pleasing Life” INTRODUCTION Multi-tasking is a popular idea in our culture today. The idea that we can accomplish more by doing two, three or four things simultaneously is appealing. There is only one problem, though—experts say it doesn’t ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Faith, Love, Compassion Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jan 22, 2018

the handling of baby moses resulted in perfect amazing results

Let us continue to worship our God by learning from His Word; knowing more about our Creator and also learning about ourselves. Open your Bibles to the Book of Exodus…. Last week we noted from Chapter 1 how God allows evil in the world but yet He knows every person and every heart. Do we ever think ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Prayer: The Channel To Abundant Life Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Sep 29, 2021

Stewardship Series: Abundant Joy, Overflowing Generosity - Week One, Giving God Our Day

September 26, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Stewardship Series: Abundant Joy Overflowing Generosity Mark 1:35-39 Prayer: The Channel to Abundant Life Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Every day, rivers carry tons ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Christmas Preparations

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 20, 2018

At Christmas, our most significant preparations occur in our hearts and souls

Christmas Preparations Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Today is December 16th. There are nine days before Christmas. As a child, that countdown to Christmas fanned such anticipation and excitement! With each passing day, my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

The Social Outcast Who Saved Society Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 3, 2021

Today’s sermon is about snobby brothers, a son rejected by his family and community but ironically asked to lead those who rejected him, a nation on the brink of war, fake news, and a foolish father who messes up his daughter’s life. Here is how it happened.

The Social Outcast Who Saved Society (Judges 10¬:6-11:40) 1. One definition of the word irony is, “a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result.” • It is ironic, for example, that the most shop-lifted book is the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

From Broken Hearts To Burning Hearts

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 27, 2020

They started their journey to Emmaus with broken hearts, but it wasn't too long before the disciples' hearts began to burn with promise and joy.

April 26, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Luke 24:13-35 From Broken Hearts to Burning Hearts Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. They started their journey to Emmaus with broken hearts. But it wasn’t too long ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Sermon On The Water Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 16, 2022

The water of life can emulate several different connotations.

Asma Naqi, a Pakistan born female author once remarked: “Through the passage of my life I have learned, that the power of positive association is so much stronger than any amount of negativity in the world. No matter how dark it is, a tiny beam of light is all it takes to kill the darkest of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:6, Revelation 22:1, John 4:14, John 17:3