Sermons on Rationale:

The Power Of Contrast Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 25, 2016

There is nothing like a contrast to make the point; Jesus used the idea of contrast to highlight Who He is, and to distinguish external religion from true devotion.

The Power of Contrast (Mark 12:35-44) 1. Illustration … a few years ago,. Trying to tell someone about the Windfarm on I-65 in NW Indiana. This person had never seen the big windmills, and was thinking of a place with 3 tiny windmills on US 31.. or the types farmers use to pump water in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-44

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Do We Prepare Ourselves For Spiritual Struggles? Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 7, 2022

We are to prepare ourselves for battles that we will soon face.

In chapter one, we see God’s charge to Joshua and how Joshua readies the people to enter the Promised Land. In chapter two, we learn how Rahab safeguards the spies. In chapter three, the children of Israel cross the Jordan River. In chapter four, the people assemble a monument to God. In chapter ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Temptations -- Jesus' And Ours Series

Contributed by Revd Dr Ruwan Palapathwala on Jan 1, 2025

Temptation is our awful struggle not to lose ourselves and our potential to lose ourselves. Temptation also highlights God’s mercy and grace in our lives in the wilderness for forty minutes, hours, days or years.

In today’s Gospel reading, we encounter the most human and common experience: temptation, which Jesus also experienced in a very profound way. The temptations of Jesus are found in all four Gospels. But we are accustomed to thinking that Jesus was tempted three times before his public ministry ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-2, Luke 4:1-13, Mark 1:12-13

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Amazing Grace

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 30, 2001

God has given us His wonderful grace and that is simply amazing

Amazing Grace Titus 2:11-14 Introduction When Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his quilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court. The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14

Denomination: Church Of God

Herod - The King Who Couldn't Kill Jesus Series

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Apr 1, 2009

Lent 6 Mid-week: Herod’s treachery, brutality and paranoia showed itself in the taking of many lives. This kind of evil drives some very difficult questions. These find their answer in Jesus, whose love, suffering and sacrifice gave live to many.

During the mid-week Lenten worship services, we’ve spent our time considering the earthly kings who served as leaders of Israel. It’s been a pretty motley crew – hasn’t it? Life at the top of the food chain during the history of God’s people has not been much different from what we find at the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Requesting Or Demanding? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 20, 2009

Even when we feel like demanding or presuming, we have to be careful to do what is right. Thus we must develop the art of making ethical requests.

Requesting Or Demanding? (Philemon 8-22) 1. I remember a woman raising a stink at the downtown post office. She complained that her mail was not in the box, and it was past 8:30 AM. She mentioned that her dad had worked at the Federal Post Office, and that he would have never allowed such ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:8-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Knowledge Is Power And Leads To More Power

Contributed by Craig Condon on May 5, 2015

There is power in the cross, and there is hope in the cross. Hope keeps us fighting for Christ in our evil world. Hope keeps us going when times are tough. Hope keeps us going when we face persecution. Hope abides. God isn’t finished with us yet

In Ephesians 1:15- the apostle Paul prays that the church in Ephesus will embrace their spiritual gifts into their hearts. He prays that the Ephesians will understand the revelation God has given them regarding their spiritual gifts. Paul was intent on bringing the true light of Christ with the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: Anglican

Now Act Like It! Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on Dec 14, 2001

Having spelled out the benefits of salvation, Peter calls on the Church to act like the special people they are.

Now Act like It! Text: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 Introduction The Owner’s Manual of my car gives special instructions for the type of fuel & oil and how to operate my vehicle Now I can operate my car without following the guidelines in the owners manual but I do so at my own peril. The Bible is the ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When Tragedy Hits Home

Contributed by David Sylvester on Sep 14, 2001

Dealing with grief in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy.

“WHEN TRAGEDY HITS HOME” Habakkuk 1: 12 - 2:4 News reports on September 11, 2001 portrayed jubilant Palestinians dancing in the streets, handing out candy, and shouting “God is great” as they celebrated the deaths of estimated thousands of Americans as a result of a coordinated and simultaneous ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Truth Relative Or Absolute? Is Jesus?

Contributed by Adam Reichart on Oct 5, 2004

This sermon explores the confession of Jesus made by the crowds with that of Peter’s confession, and seeks to explain the important differences therein.

Our text for consideration this morning is the gospel lesson from the 9th chapter of Luke which was read. In it, we hear Peter’s confession of Jesus; that Jesus is the Christ or Messiah, the Son of the living God. Well, I’d like to take a walk through the narrative again highlighting a few things ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-24

Denomination: Lutheran

We Are Made Alive By God's Word

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on Apr 3, 2003

How we must let the Word of God shape our lives

Did you know that we all come into this world as creations of God yet we are controlled by the Devil? One of the behaviors that we have and develop is to be liars. It was Jesus who said that the Devil is a liar and the father of liars. So it is that when we repent of our sins, receive ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:105-130, Proverbs 20:27

Denomination: Wesleyan

Confrontation

Contributed by Carla Powell on Oct 2, 2002

Uses Matthew 18 to address the best way to approach interpersonal church conflicts.

An amusing news story from Wales told of a feud in a church looking for a new pastor. It read: “Yesterday the two opposition groups both sent ministers to the pulpit. Both spoke simultaneously, each trying to shout above the other. Both called for hymns, and the congregation sang two -- each side ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Lutheran

First Sunday After Christmas, Year B

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Dec 19, 2002

The message of Christmas is that we are no longer slaves, God in the person of Jesus adopts us as children and heirs in God’s family.

Sermon for Christmas I Yr B, 29/12/2002 Based on Gal 4:4-7 Grace Lutheran Church, Medicine Hat, Alberta By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson While working as a waitress at a restaurant in Jasper National Park, Janet Rayner recalls the following incident: “I had the pleasure of serving an elderly ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Who's The Greatest In The Kingdom? Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Jan 16, 2008

This is a message in a series based on questions that Jesus asked and that were asked of Him.

There seems to be a fundamental human urge in all of us that causes us to want to be the greatest at doing or being something James and John are really a good representation of the human race when they ask Jesus to let them sit on each side of Him in His kingdom. . If left to go unchecked this can ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Faithful Are All Saints

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Oct 31, 2008

A sermon for All Saints Sunday, Series A

All Saints Sunday, November 2, 2008 “Series A” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, for all the saints, redeemed by the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus the Christ, we give you thanks. For all those ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran