Sermons on Reflection:

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

Why Did Jesus Come? Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Dec 29, 2001

What’s this season all about anyway? Consider what it would be if Jesus had not come. Even our Calendars reflect the coming of the Christ.

Charles Broadrick sent me this list of things that feel good to experience or just think about: Laughing so hard your face hurts. No lines at the Super Walmart. Getting mail from a friend. Taking a drive on a pretty road. Hearing your favorite song on the radio. Lying in bed listening to the rain ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, Hebrews 1:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Will The Real Me Stand Up? Series

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Mar 16, 2002

Easter Reflection series: How Peter is like us, and what we can learn about ourselves and Easter’s application to our complexity

Will the Real Me stand Up? Matthew 26:31-35 Easter reflection series. A. People: Are we mixed up or what? A Mexican bandit made a specialty of crossing the Rio Grande from time to time and robbing banks in Texas. Finally, a reward was offered for his capture, and an enterprising Texas Ranger ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:31-35

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"What Are You Praying For?"

Contributed by Alan Chandler on Mar 18, 2002

When faced with a challenge does your prayer reflect your faith? This message looks at the prayer life of the early beievers as they faced a threatening challenge

"WHAT ARE YOU PRAYING FOR?" Acts 4: 23-31 PREPARATION: Read and be familiar with the book "Who Moved My Cheese" I) Intro A) Zig Ziglar story of boy that went with his mother to the old general store. He liked to sneak away from his mother and when no one was looking he would dip his finger into ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Methodist

The Emptiness Of The Potterworld & The Abundance Of Cana

Contributed by Sahaya Selvam on Sep 21, 2002

The sermon is a reflection to a European audience on John 2:1-11. The sermon makes a contrast between the emptiness of the contemporary world and the fullness of the presence of Jesus.

THE EMPTINESS OF THE POTTERWORLD & THE ABUNDANCE OF CANA St. Margaret’s Church Moshi, Tanzania 27.01.2002 Readings: 1Kings 17: 8-16 & John 2:1-11 Emptiness Of The Potterworld One of my New Year resolutions was to read Harry Potter - Book 1. I am proud to say that iit didn’t take me too long ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Hospitality Toward One Another

Contributed by Daniel Sorensen on Oct 26, 2006

Service to others as a reflection of Christ’s love, even as we ourselves become tired of service and look forward to being served and desire attention.

When you were a child, perhaps you were part of a large family, there may have been many people who needed to use the bathroom, many mouths to feed, and never, ever, any private space. In families such as those, there are often a lot of rules. Don’t pester the adults. Do your chores, help out ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: Lutheran

I Am. . .the Bread Of Life Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Jan 25, 2006

A series exploring the seven miracles, and seven "I Am" statements in the Gospel of John. This message reflects on Jesus statement that "I am the bread of life."

(Preview flow of sermon series – Miracles w/ “I Am” statements) Pick-up the reading in John 6:15 (read through verse 27). Jesus hasn’t made the significant “I am. . .” statement yet at this point, but He is leading up to it and has begun to refer to this food that endures forever. This thing ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-59

Denomination: Wesleyan

Sin, Saliva And Sight Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Feb 9, 2006

A series exploring the seven miracles, and seven "I Am" statements in the Gospel of John. This message reflects on Jesus healing of the man blind since birth.

I’ve got some bad news for you today. As we look at our next miracle, one of seven, around which the Gospel of John is focused, we find ourselves coming upon some tough teaching. If you are looking for three points and a poem today, the news is not good. Not only are there six points. . .but ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Wesleyan

I Am. . .the Light Of The World Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Feb 9, 2006

A series exploring the seven miracles, and seven "I Am" statements in the Gospel of John. This message reflects on Jesus statement that "I am the light of the world."

A few questions to get your minds thinking as we head in to today’s sermon. First one. . . Q: How many evolutionists does it take to change a light bulb? A: Just one but it will take a million years. Q: How many Psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? A: Only one, but the bulb has ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Palms Of Hope

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 20, 2005

This is an original story sermon, inspired by the "news from Lake Wobegon", with some serious reflection about what Palm Sunday meant for Jesus and for us.

The Palms of Hope…Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Michael Harris was the long-time pastor of Hope Community Church, a modest congregation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, in the small town of Paradise. It hadn’t looked much like Paradise for a very ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-16

Denomination: Congregational

Needed: Drastic Action

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Sep 24, 2007

The parable of the dishonest manager asks us to reflect on whether or not we as Christians are as willing to take drastic action for Christ as non-believers are to care for themselves.

Needed: Drastic Action Luke 16:1-13 September 23, 2007 I don’t know how many of you have ever been fired from a job, but I have. It is not a pleasant experience. In January of 1978, during my first year of seminary, I was hired by North Presbyterian Church in Denver to be their Youth Director. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

For The Love Of God

Contributed by Richard Sharp on Mar 29, 2007

We think of Feburary as the Love Month as a result of Valentines Day. This Sermon Reflects God’s Love to Us and It’s outpouring to Others.

For The Love Of God I John 4:7-12 Feb. Is LOVE month Valentines Day - What If Everyday was Valentines Day, what would the world be like Years ago, Back in the 70’s Coke had a tv commercial with a bunch of people holding candles swaying back and forth to a song whose lyrics are true today as it ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-11

Denomination: Baptist