Sermons on Proper 23 Year B:

Persecution - Then & Now

Contributed by Donna Kazenske on Sep 7, 2002

It’s been estimated that more Christians have been martyred in the 20th Century than in all the prior 1,900 years combined. More than 200 million Christians in over 60 nations face persecution each day, 60% of these are children.

By: Donna J. Kazenske I recently had the wonderful privilege of teaching a workshop on persecution at a Christian Training Conference in IIlinois. To my surprise, about 40 people attended the workshop. I was so blessed to be able to share this vital message with the body of Christ. Persecution ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 4:12-16

Denomination: *other

God's Unique Sign

Contributed by Warren Bird on Dec 15, 2002

Why did the shepherds get excited when told that a baby had been born? Why did Simeon and Anna get excited when they saw the baby Jesus? A baby!! So what? So everything - this was the hopes and fears of all the years meeting in Bethlehem that night.

Introduction When a baby is born the new parents get all sorts of different reactions from family and friends: • “Oh, how lovely!” • “Look, he’s got his dad’s eyes!” • “Doesn’t she look just like her mum?” • or, simply, “oh!” But when Mary gave birth to her first son in a stable in Bethlehem ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Escape From Reality

Contributed by Dean Shriver on Jun 1, 2006

Is there anything about tomorrow we can be certain about? Is there any guarantee you’ll have your job a year from now? Is there any guarantee I won’t get cancer or you won’t die in an auto accident? Is there anything certain in this world? Is there an

October 10, 2004 HOW TO ESCAPE FROM REALITY Matthew 13:47-50 Is there anything about tomorrow we can be certain about? For instance, will George W. Bush be re-elected as president? Two weeks ago that almost looked certain. Now, the polls tell us that the race is a dead heat. Will the Utes go ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-50

Denomination: Baptist

The Perplexed Couple (Pastor Dale) Series

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Nov 30, 2008

Every parent has stories to tell – from drug and alcohol dependency, teen pregnancy, the call from the local police detachment and the runaway that hasn’t called home in five years...It’s tough being a parent regardless how old the child is.

Perplexed: adj. 1. Filled with confusion or bewilderment; puzzled. 2. Full of complications or difficulty; involved. Parenting (in using the words parenting or parents I also refer to caregivers or guardians or anyone having the responsibility of taking care of or having cared for children) is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-35

Denomination: Salvation Army

When Do You Know When To Quit?

Contributed by Jay Winters on Dec 30, 2007

This was the second to last Sunday in the church year. It has been an interesting journey through Luke. Next week we’ll finish up with Luke with his amazing account of the crucifixion. This week though, I kind of looked back on all of the sermons I’ve pre

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three In One who gained our souls for us. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, When do you know that it is time to quit? In my youth, I was a swimmer. I was a sprinter. I detested the long races and loved the quick ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-9

Denomination: Lutheran

The City Of God Series

Contributed by Dan Campbell on Jan 12, 2006

Most of us are too young to remember this, but years ago, before World War II, there was a radio news broadcaster by the name of H.V. Kaltenborn. He always began his news broadcast with the words, Well, we’ve got good news today!

THE CITY OF GOD Revelation 21:1-27 Most of us are too young to remember this, but years ago, before World War II, there was a radio news broadcaster by the name of H.V. Kaltenborn. He always began his news broadcast with the words, Well, we’ve got good news today! That is the way I would ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-27

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Seeking The Face Of Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 18, 2011

Historically, Jesus Christ’s physical appearance remains a mystery. No one knows what he actually looked like. Nowhere in the Gospel accounts is he described, and no likeness of him of any kind in any form can be dated conclusively to the years of His l

In 1857 there was a 46 year old man named Jeremiah Lamphere who lived in New York City. Jeremiah loved the Lord tremendously, but he didn’t feel that he could do much for the Lord until he began to feel a burden for the lost and accepted an invitation from his church to be an inner city ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14-16

Denomination: Christian Church

Celebrating Advent Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 19, 2009

Anna, who’s name means "grace," at 103 years of age celebrated the first coming of our Lord in the Temple, showing us how to grow old gracefully: Don’t complain; instead, celebrate and share the good news with as many people as you can.

A little girl came home from Sunday school waving a paper for her mother to see. “Look Mommy,” she exclaimed, “Teacher says I drew the most unusual Christmas picture she ever saw!” Her mother took one look and had to agree with the teacher. Hoping her daughter could explain her creation, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:36-38

Denomination: Evangelical Free

I Only Work On Sundays! Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 13, 2009

I have learned that everyone knows what the pastor should be doing except me. That is exactly what Paul was saying to this church in Corinth--and things haven’t changed much after all of these years. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

I Only Work Sundays 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/OnlyWorkSundays.html I speak tonite about my favorite person in the world...myself! Go ahead, admit it, you are your own favorite person. You take care of yourself better than anyone else, and spend more time in your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian’s Obligations Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Sep 11, 2011

Much has changed in the past 10 years since our country was attacked. Some feel that the increased role of government in our lives has been too much. As Christians, what are our obligations to the civil authorities as well as to those whom we live in th

Our Obligations as Christians The Christians’ Obligations to the Powers that Be We should Submit to them The Christians’ Obligations to the People by Me We should Love them Video Slide Good morning. It is hard to believe that it has been 10 years since America was attacked by terrorists on ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Enduring With Runners Cramp

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Sep 11, 2011

Show video about lady runner falling, and getting up and wins the race. Ten years ago, Flight 93 soared over the skies of Pennsylvania, headed possibly to destroy the White House or the US Capitol. Todd Beemer said a prayer with others on board flight,

Enduring With Runners Cramp Hebrews 12:1-3NKJ Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Dinner Table! Mephibosheth!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jul 25, 2013

I want to talk of a ‘dinner table’ where a king had the grandson of his dreadful enemy, who pursued to kill him for several years sit with him in his dinner table in the palace along with his entire family everyday of his life.

Dinner table! Mephibosheth! 2 King 9:13”So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king's table. And he was lame in both his feet.” There’s lot of whirl and bustle after a ‘big bash’ is fixed! Who to invite! A big list is prepared keeping in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Question And The Only Right Answer To It

Contributed by David Mcnally on May 5, 2014

The question which the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas 2,000 years ago is still relevant today and we have to encourage people to ask it, and no matter how 'diverse' or 'multi-cultural' our society is, there is only one correct answer to it.

Psalm 34:1-9 and 17-22 (all) emphasize v.22 Acts 16: 16-34 Sermon: What must I do to be Saved? There's only one answer to that question. “Saved”. A little 5-letter word usually being the past tense of the verb “save” which means 'set free' or 'rescue'. In ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

O Holy Night

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 23, 2015

Once each year, Christmas comes around again to remind us that God's Son has come to earth...and now we must do the singing! He came to earth to save us and reconcile us to the God who made us and loves us.

Well, it's all over with. The weeks of preparation, the four weeks of Advent, the pageants and concerts, the shopping, gift-wrapping, delivering, waiting for loved ones to come...it's all over, and the celebrations can begin. There's no better way to celebrate this joyous night than by singing. In ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Anglican

Why Are Some Folks Annoyed At The Sound Of A Bell Dinging?

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Dec 6, 2013

You see them every year at Christmas time. Someone who stands at the entrance of a Wal-Mart or in a Mall ringing a bell and standing like a soldier beside a big red pot and most never saying anything other than “Merry Christmas”.

Why are some folks annoyed at the sound of a bell dinging in their ear and some are not? John 6:32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.33 For the bread of God is he which cometh ...read more

Scripture: John 6:32-35

Denomination: Baptist