Sermons on Puzzle:

End Times

Contributed by Sajeev Painunkal, Sj on Nov 17, 2010

Jesus talks about the end of the world. But the focus is not on fear and trembling; but on faith and trust in him, and preparing for it through right living now.

End times I was ordained on a November day six years ago. The ordination was at my home parish, and prior to that I was still finishing my study of Theology in another city in India. Of course the ordination was a huge celebration, and needed a lot of preparation. Since I was away, most of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19

Denomination: Catholic

What's In The Middle? Series

Contributed by Dan Willis on Sep 22, 2011

In today's society sense of identity is hard to come by. Where is the scriptural teen? Who are you? What makes a boy into a man? Is age all it takes?

We continue today on the series addressing the 3 Great Lies Satan has told the church. When last we spoke we discussed the important role children play within the congregation. We explained how children inspire the congregation, unite the family and sharpen the fathers. Today we are going to ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:2-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God At Work

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Feb 6, 2012

God is always at work. He is never idle. The question is whether we are going to come alongside HIm and engage in what He is doing, or stand in the way or idly by.,

Passage: Daniel 2:1-21 Intro: God is the most active being in the universe. 1. there is never a moment when He is not engaged in meaningful activity 2. He never sleeps, He is never bored, He is always at work accomplishing His purposes. 3. even when He rested on the 7th day of creation He ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

God's Big Plan

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Feb 6, 2012

God has a huge plan for the world, and He makes it very clear. Nebuchadnezzars terrifying dream is interpreted by Daniel for Nebuchadnezzar as well as the rest of us to see. God's gracious revelation is all around us!

Passage: Daniel 2:24-49 Intro: Up to this point, we have seen God working thru Daniel and his friends in the life of Nebuchadnezzar. 1. king of Babylon, hugely powerful 2. and last week we saw how God had given him a dream that upset him. 3. how that dream had been used to reveal the liars in ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:24-49

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Another Way To Respond To God

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Feb 8, 2012

Nebuchadnezzar showed us one way to respond to God; of increasing enlightenment and ultimate submission and joy. And then here in another story with very different responses and ultimate judgment.

Passage: Daniel 5:1-31 Intro: God has preserved for us in Daniel the fascinating record of powerful people who lived and died over 2500 years ago. 1.. we have looked at Nebuchadnezzar, and watched as God revealed, Nebuchadnezzar listened, until God convinced him that God was true and every ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Reflection

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 13, 2012

Jesus' cleansing of the temple graphically proclaims that the temple was no only needed. Jesus is the the temple and with the Holy Spirit in us, we become a temple. God is among his people, bringing in his kingdom.

John 2:13-22 “Reflection” INTRODUCTION I have always found the scene of Jesus cleansing the temple puzzling, if not troubling. It seems so out of character for Jesus. Certainly, he has shown anger before at the hardheartedness and judgmentalism of some people, but he has never ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22, 1 John 2:13-22

Denomination: Lutheran

God Speaks With Crystalline Clarity

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 29, 2011

In the hours of Christ's Crucifixion and at the moment of His death, God was talking. The people there missed it, for the most part. But we need to hear what He is saying.

Passage: Matthew 27:45-56 Intro: One of my favorite parts of Revelation is chapter 10:3-4 1. seven thunders, which “speak” so that John is ready to write what they say, but he is prevented. 2. I believe this is God talking. 3. wish we knew what He said. But we do know what He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-56

Denomination: Evangelical Free

I Don't Want To Suffer Anymore

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jan 31, 2008

We want two things when we suffer; for the suffering to stop, and for it to stop now. But the Bible has a different perspective

Passage: James 5:7-12 Intro: 1. the typical and understandable response to suffering is to end it. Il) see suffering, we want to alleviate it, rescue the cat in the tree, the puppies stuck in the drainpipe, the horse that has fallen through the ice. ` 2. James in this passage is not ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Sermon On The Mount (4) Series

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Feb 25, 2011

The Paradox to worry You have two choices in life 1. Build the kingdom, rest in Christ and leave the rest to God - or 2. Enjoy worrying Be my guest

Sermon on the Mount (4) The Paradox to Worry - Mt. 6:24-34 Story: A business manager went on holiday to an island in Greece. One day, while he was on the beach, he was called up on his mobile phone by his secretary, wanting some help. He gave her some instructions and told her to call him ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34

Denomination: Anglican

A Charge To Deacons

Contributed by Gene Escoe on May 4, 2010

I wrote this sermon for the ordination of a deacon at my church.

INTRODUCTION: (Ordination of Glen Colby) This evening is a special night for me, not just for the Colby family. First of all, it is my first opportunity to be involved in an ordination ceremony. Next, when I was growing up the deacons at my church were some of my heroes. These men were such ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

A Baptism At Pentecost

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on May 10, 2008

Reflections on baptism

AF 11-05-08 The Day of Pentecost Story: Three ladies held a bible study on the book of Malachi and in Chapter 3 they read this about God 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. They were puzzled about the process of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Anglican

5 Principles On Prayer

Contributed by Larry Bussard on Feb 20, 2008

Principles on prayer from the Lord’s prayer in Matthew

"I don’t think we’re going to get out of this thing. I’m going to have to go out on faith." It was the voice of Todd Beamer, the passenger -- and Wheaton College graduate -- who said "Let’s roll" as he led the charge against the terrorists who had hijacked United Flight 93, the one, you will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Will You Die?

Contributed by Lorraine Greeff on Jan 27, 2016

will you die alone or with God

HOW WILL YOU DIE? We are afraid to die, we are afraid of what happens when we die, it is our biggest fear and it is a problem. Come on let’s face it, we are scaredy cats, cowards, we are even afraid of the dark, of spiders. Life is so short and so uncertain, a clever man can find a way out ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Denomination: Charismatic

Crossing On Dry Ground Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jan 31, 2016

Whether crossing a river or conquering the land, it would all be done by God's might and direction. And by remembering these glory days, they would revere God all their days.

>6 major events: Consecration, Crossing, Memorial, Circumcision, Passover, Warrior There are significant days we will always remember--days when we took a bold new step, eager to see what God would do. Israel was about to take a giant step across the Jordan River to the Land of Promise. Before ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

If A Man Die, Shall He Live Again?

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 4, 2015

If a man die, shall he live again?

Job 14 v 1 - 15 14 If a man die, shall he live again? I. THE PASSING OF LIFE Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. Life Is :- A. Like a Flower of the grass 2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: B. Like the Fragrance of the air 2 he fleeth ...read more

Scripture: Job 14:1-15

Denomination: Holiness