Sermons on Prudent Reflection:

Reflection B.4 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / The Old Testament Prophets – Still Relevant Today!

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

The Old Testament prophets are relevant to our question because their major theme is judgement, and because God's great act of judgement at the end of the Old Testament may be a foreshadowing of his judgement of the whole world in 'End Times'.

Starting with my next Reflection I will look at some passages in the Old Testament prophets. I would love to dive straight in, but I feel that some sort of introduction is in order. First, the Old Testament prophets take up more of the Bible than the whole of the New Testament! We believe God ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:2

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection B.5 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Isaiah 1, God’s Indictment On Israel

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

God's arraignment and indictment of Israel: rebellion, and the evidence for it.

At last, we’re looking at the prophets! We’re starting with the ‘prince of the prophets’, Isaiah, and we’re going to take a look at Isaiah 1. Yesterday I quoted 1:2: Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection B.7 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / Isaiah’s Oracles Or ‘burdens’, An Environmental Dimension

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

What might lead us to conclude that God is in some way behind coronavirus? We need to see if present-day events fit the picture Scripture gives us of how God judges and 'End Times'. Isaiah's oracles clearly indicate that God judges by means of acts in the environment.

We’re looking at three questions. Is coronavirus a judgement from God? Are we living in end times? And, what does the Bible say about COVID-19? In order to answer them I’m looking at prophecies that were made maybe 2700 years ago. Why? In order to understand an event, we almost always draw on ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection C.4 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Destruction Of Jerusalem By The Romans – Still Relevant To Us

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 23, 2020

Jesus' prophecy regarding the abomination of desolation relates to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. However that event is still relevant to our enquiry about 'End Times'.

We have two more Reflections to do on Matthew 24. Today, we look at verses 15-22. So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection D.2 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Revelation. Checking Our Orientation; The Court Sits.

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jun 5, 2020

There are four main ways people approach Revelation. We need to get our initial orientation right. The start of the process to bring in Jesus' kingdom - the court sits.

When I was in my twenties I worked as an engineer on power station construction projects. On one occasion a colleague was overseeing the construction of a concrete foundation for a very large fan. The foundation was many metres long and approximately rectangular. Unfortunately, after pouring the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:26, Luke 19:27

Denomination: Baptist

Christian A&p 101: The Unity Of The Body Series

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Oct 4, 2005

The first in a series of 4 sermons reflecting on Paul’s favorite description of the Church as the Body of Christ. In this message we reflect on the unity and diversity in the body of Christ.

CHRISTIAN A & P (Anatomy & Physiology) 101 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 1. Last Sunday afternoon, on our drive back home to Issaquah, Anne and I stopped in at our middle daughter, Gabrielle’s home to visit with her, her husband Scott, and our little grandson, Kyle. • Barely 3 minutes into our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: United Methodist

The Kingship Of Christ

Contributed by Robert Tomas on Apr 23, 2002

A reflection on the three crosses of Calvary in relation to the Kingship of Christ.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2001 WORSHIP SERVICE SCRIPTURES ·First Reading 2 Sam. 5:1- ·Psalm 122:1-5 ·Second Reading Col. 1:12-20 ·Gospel Lk. 23:35-43 REFLECTION Long ago, a preacher shared with his congregation the urgency of repentance. To his passionate plea, one of the members replied, “Remember the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:35-43

Denomination: Catholic

In The Midst Of Wickedness: It Happened On September 11th

Contributed by Troy Borst on Sep 17, 2001

A sermon reflecting on the national tragedy of September 11, 2001

IN THE MIDST OF WICKEDNESS: IT HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 11th PSALM 36:1-12 INTRODUCTION I got home from work on Tuesday and received a call from my mother to turn on the news and see what was going on. I flipped on CNN in time to see a building smoking and then a plan crashing into another. I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 36:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grace To Live By

Contributed by Larry Jones on Apr 18, 2001

We must reflect the Grace of God in our lives.

Grace To Live By Philemon 1:1-25 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: 3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

My Journey Down Legality Lane

Contributed by Charles Clary on Apr 29, 2004

This sermon will reflect my deliverance from a legalistic upbringing.

I call your attention to the last words of the text. It reads, "For the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life." I am not an angry preacher. I heard many of them as a boy growing up in the church. They usually spew their venom out on the congregation as they tell about how some board or ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Rod And Staff Series

Contributed by Peter Parry on Jun 4, 2004

The rod and staff are reflective of the nature of God and both are needed.

ROD AND STAFF (Ps. 23:4) Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. If you can think back for a moment to the Charlie Brown cartoon characters and Linus carrying around his blanket, now and then sucking his thumb, you get an image of early childhood comfort. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Denomination: Congregational

This Holy Thursday

Contributed by Dennis Bliss on Mar 23, 2005

A reflection of the sacred paschal meal and the significance of ordained ministry

Holy Thursday During the next three days, the most sacred seventy- two hours the liturgical calendar, the church will celebrate the feast and source of our salvation, namely the paschal death and resurrection of our blessed Liberator, Jesus of Nazareth. Tonight we initiate this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Two Simple Stratagies For The New Year

Contributed by Raymond Perkins on Jan 24, 2003

As the title reflects, a lesson encouraging direction for the New Year.

TWO SIMPLE STRATAGIES FOR LIVING IN THE NEW YEAR Isaiah 63:7-9 INTRODUCTION: A woman walked into her bathroom at home. As she did, she saw her husband weighing himself on the bathroom scales, sucking in his stomach. The woman thought to herself, "He thinks that he will weigh less by sucking in his ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Riches Untold

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 1, 2006

Advent - a time to reflect on God’s "Uncut Diamonds"

New Romney 03-12-06 THE TIN – Riches untold Story: In the late nineteenth Century in South Africa, an old man was digging for gold in a river bed. He had been at it for many years. Every now and then he found a little bit of gold, not enough to make him rich – ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:4-8

Denomination: Anglican

Thanksgiving Message 2002 - Mission 101

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Oct 11, 2002

Reflecting on mission and our attitude of giving ourselves in thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving message 2002 - Mission 101 Luke 15 The thanksgiving tradition came about through this ancient declaration given with the Pilgrims who came to North America for a better life: "Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, beans, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free