Sermons on Presences:

Faith Like A Dog

Contributed by Martin Ellgar on Oct 28, 2014

Faith in Jesus brought the Canaanite woman into his presence. Her faith was pleasing to Jesus, and he blessed her through it, and included her into table fellowship with him. Faith in Jesus makes us acceptable to him and a delight.

Matthew 15: 21-28 Faith Like A Dog Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. The lake district had been a busy place for Jesus, calming the storms in people’s lives and dealing with their unfulfilled needs. It was also a place where Jesus was challenged by some of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Lutheran

A Higher Life

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 5, 2015

A higher Christian life is: 1. Faith in the Promises of God. 2. Consecration to the will of God 3. Fellowship in the presence of God 4. Testimony to the Honor of God 5. Warfare Against the Enemies of God 6. Victory in the Name of God

A Higher Life Hebrews 3:11-11 Introduction: Some people are content with limping along the fence. Others want to launch out into the deep. Where true revival is taking place, Christians become interested in doing more for Christ, not less. They are not content with living the same kind of a life ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:11

Denomination: Baptist

Challenges Of Worship Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jul 1, 2012

True worship presents a challenge to everyone who comes in the presence of God. Our Scripture today is one of the most difficult to understand in the entire Bible because the insinuations of the story can be unsettling. It presents a view of God which mak

The Challenge of Worship Genesis 22:1-19 Camp Leach tells the story of some friends who took their 5 year-old grandson to church one Sunday. Bettie took her place with the choir while Christopher, their grandson sat in the congregation with his grandfather. During the service, Bettie motioned to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Denomination: Methodist

Christ Is Risen!

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 19, 2018

The Easter story calls us to follow in the footsteps of the women who were the first to encounter the risen Jesus: in seeking his presence day by day, in worshiping him as our Lord and Savior, and in going out to call people in.

[Sermon preached on 1 April 2018, Easter Sunday / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] “Were you there when they crucified our Lord?” It is a rhetorical question. Of course, we were not there when they crucified our Lord. The drama that we watched at the beginning of the service gives us some idea of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10, Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Learning To Listen

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Dec 21, 2020

Modern society is very functionally oriented, and that tendency has carried over into the way we pray. The Kingdom of God, however, is far more relational, and we would do well to learn that way of being in God’s presence.

Listening Prayer Luke 1:5-23, 76-79 [Read Luke 1:5-23] It was the middle of the morning at the Temple in Jerusalem. A group of about fifty priests were gathered to cast lots to determine who would have the honor of entering into the Most Holy Place to offer incense at the altar. The burning of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-23

Be Imitators Of Christ During Covid-19

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Oct 26, 2020

Being the children of light we become the presence of our Human Saviour and we express Humanity in action like Christ Jesus to all people, at all times and in all seasons in our lives during COVID-19 and beyond

Be Imitators of Christ During COVID-19 Luke 13:10-17, Acts 7:47-50, Ephesians 4:32, Hebrews 13:8, Matthew 28:20, Ephesians 5:1-8. Reflection Dear sisters and brothers, “Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17, Acts 7:47-50, Ephesians 4:32, Hebrews 13:8, Matthew 28:20, Ephesians 5:1-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Channels Of God’s Grace

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Apr 10, 2018

WHEN WE GET UP IN THE MORNING, WE EXPECT THE DAY TO BE JUST ANOTHER ORDINARY DAY. THIS MESSAGE DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS "JUST ANOTHER ORDINARY DAY" AND WE COULD BE CALLED INTO GOD'S PRESENCE AT ANY TIME.

CHANNELS OF GOD’S GRACE 1 PETER 4:1-11 EVERY DAY IS SUPPOSED TO BE JUST ANOTHER ORDINARY DAY. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE JUST ANOTHER ORDINARY DAY LAST SUNDAY IN SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, TEXAS. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE JUST ANOTHER ORDINARY DAY AT A COUNTRY CONCERT IN LOS VEGAS. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE JUST ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Path To Stability Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 26, 2017

The early church experienced amazing growth and power. She was very young and very pure. We must follow the biblical model rather than striving to meet the expectations of contemporary culture if we are to experience God's presence and power.

The Path to Stability Acts 2: 42-44 Today I want to conclude our series: Church – A New Testament Model. Once again we are in the book of Acts, immediately following Pentecost. The Lord had ascended back to the Father, and the Spirit had come, filling the believers. The presence and power of God ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-44

Denomination: Baptist

The Shipwrecked Life

Contributed by N A on Jun 14, 2016

What do you hang onto when the storms of life rage, you’ve lost all control, and all hope is lost? The strong anchor of God’s presence, God’s promises, and God’s power.

THE SHIPWRECKED LIFE OPENING: Share mine and my wife's trip to Focus on the Family’s Kerith Retreat Centre last week. INTRO TO ACTS: Acts is the story of the first 33 years of the church of Jesus Christ. • KEY VERSE: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:1-44, Hebrews 6:19

Denomination: *other

Encourage One Another Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 23, 2023

We all need encouragement and encouragement is one of the most important things we can do for each other. Let's learn to encourage each other by our faithful lives, our presence, and our words.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a man who opened his front door one morning to get his newspaper and was surprised to see a strange dog with his newspaper in his mouth. 1. Delighted with his unexpected “delivery service,” the man gave the dog a treat. 2. The following morning the man opened ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:12-14, Hebrews 10:25, Ephesians 4:29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stretching For The Impossible

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Oct 10, 2022

This sermon focuses on the 1. The man who had the withered hand 2. His encounter with Jesus and 3. His healing. It is the micro story in the middle of a macro story about the Sabbath Day - it is how the presence of Jesus brings transformation.

Scripture: Luke 6:6-12; Psalm 27 Theme: Stretching for the Impossible This sermon focuses on the 1. The man who had the withered hand 2. His encounter with Jesus and 3. His healing. INTRO: Grace and peace this morning! Have you ever heard the phrase - “you are too close to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:6-12

Denomination: Nazarene

The Big Surprise

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 5, 2021

This Easter message focuses on the DISRUPTION that Jesus's presence brought into the lives of the selfish priests and Pharisees at His first Advent, their response to the disruption (murdering Jesus), and the SURPRISE Jesus's resurrection was to them and even to the disciples.

Today we celebrate the greatest event in the history of mankind: the resurrection of Christ. Nothing has ever happened that influences the destiny of mankind like that one event. Alexander’s defeat of the Persians changed the course of Western civilization. It was a significant turning point in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:34-36, John 3:16, Revelation 1:18, John 20:15, John 2:12-25, Matthew 27:62-66, Mark 8:34-37, John 11:47-48, Matthew 23:27, 1 Corinthians 15:1-58, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Acts 1:11, Matthew 28:1-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 16, 2019

Christ is the King of Glory. He is the One who ascends into the Presence of the Lord. Only He has perfectly fulfilled the Law in perfect righteousness. Christ, who went to the cross and defeated our two greatest enemies: Sin and death!

It’s funny how things go sometimes. A couple of years ago I wouldn’t have started out preaching by making a political disclaimer but, given what’s going on today with the government shut down and caravans, I feel the need to be perfectly clear that what I am about to say is not political in any ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Be Strong And Work Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 16, 2019

The people were discouraged at the modest structure of the new Temple as they started rebuilding it. God assured them of His presence, His promise, and His power. The future glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.

Let’s recap. The Israelites came back from 70-years of captivity in Babylon. • They rebuilt the altar and started work on the Temple but the local Samaritans opposed them (cf. Ezra 3). • They were so discouraged they stopped work for some 16 years. Nothing was done to God’s house while they busy ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-9, 1 Peter 2:1-5, 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Victorious In A Foreign Land (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 30, 2021

Regardless of who we are, or where we live, we all face seasons of comfort and ease countered by seasons of trials and difficulty. There is one constant in life regardless of the season we must face – the presence and help of the Lord.

Victorious in a Foreign Land (Part 1) Esther 9: 1-19 The emotional roller coaster for Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews within the kingdom of Persian continues. They have experienced a series of highs and lows. It seems as if they really didn’t have time to enjoy a victory before being confronted ...read more

Scripture: Esther 9:1-19

Denomination: Baptist