Sermons on Retreat:

What Is The Mission Of The Church? Series

Contributed by Doug Gregory on May 11, 2008

What is the Church? Why are we here?

What is the “Church”? It is not… …a building. …a denomination. Matthew 16:13-20 NASB Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" (14) And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

On A First Name Basis Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 5, 2015

Israel is in slavery and calls for help. God calls Moses to bring release.

Exodus 1:8-14, 3:1-15 "On a First Name Basis INTRODUCTION One of the greatest figures in the Old Testament is Moses. We have all heard stories about Moses confronting Pharaoh with the ten plagues and splitting the Red Sea. Most of us have viewed movies about Moses ala Charlton Heston and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15

Denomination: Lutheran

The Conflict Between Church And Secular States

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 29, 2012

There have been conflicts throughout two millennia between secular authorities and the Church, and the conflict between Thomas Becket and Henry II is reflected in the American situation today, but Jesus and the Church are not about power, but love.

St. Thomas Becket 2012 December 29–in the Christmas Octave We come to the end of a year that many in the Church see as an overall catastrophe. Our faith is in more peril in this country than at any time since the suppression of the No-Nothing party and the KKK. Most critically, this coming ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-11

Denomination: Catholic

It Is Written. (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Feb 3, 2013

You hear a lot these days about the right to bear arms, the right to have a weapon (I am all for that!) I wonder if God doesn’t wish we were as passionate about this weapon (Holding up the Bible) as we are about guns!

You hear a lot these days about the right to bear arms, the right to have a weapon (I am all for that!) I wonder if God doesn’t wish we were as passionate about this weapon (Holding up the Bible) as we are about guns! Gun might protect from robber. But it won’t protect you from the devil! Gun ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

And Heaven Came Down Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 2, 2012

In Jesus the kingdom of God arrived on earth. The world and the lives of people (like Peter, Andrew, James and John) have never been the same. They have received a new purpose and started to follow a different path.

Mark 1:14-20 “And Heaven Came Down” INTRODUCTION What would make you drop everything and pursue an entirely new life? A great job offer? A marriage proposal? The chance to make a huge difference in another part of the world? What do you think--what would prompt you to take off ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Lutheran

And Heaven Came Down Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 2, 2012

In Jesus the kingdom of God arrived on earth. The world and the lives of people liek Peter, Andrew, James, and John have never been the same. They hav received a new purpose and started to follow a different path.

Mark 1:14-20 “And Heaven Came Down” INTRODUCTION What would make you drop everything and pursue an entirely new life? A great job offer? A marriage proposal? The chance to make a huge difference in another part of the world? What do you think--what would prompt you to take off ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Tolerance Vs Inculturation Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 8, 2012

The Church loves sinners but abhors sin; instead of accommodating itself to the world, and tolerating sin, it should adopt a habit of inculturation as a means of spreading the Gospel.

10 September 2012 Monday of 23rd Sunday in Course Verbum Domini One of the most abused words in the English language is “tolerance.” These days it is often wedded to the word “diversity.” We live in a diverse culture, we are told, and so we are to understand and tolerate ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

In Less Time Than The Blink Of An Eye

Contributed by Don Hawks on Feb 3, 2008

A sermon for Transfiguration Sunday about the transforming power of Christ’s Spirit

In today’s Gospel Lesson, on the Mount of Transfiguration, the awesome power and glory of God was mysteriously revealed in Jesus Christ. That scene is described in this way in The Message version of the event: Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

Desiring God To Turn Around

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Nov 2, 2008

This word will be just right before or right after Nov. 4, elections. As we take God at His word and humble ourselves and desire breakthrough He comes!

Wanting God to Turn-Around Text: II Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. As God realizes the big stipulation ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Faith Seeking Understanding

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 1, 2014

God redeemed the world through suffering, and we can understand, if not fully comprehend, the mystery.

Thursday after Ash Wednesday 2014 Lumen Fidei On this first day after the solemn beginning of Lent, as we begin our forty-day retreat, the Church gives us some stark words. Deuteronomy tells us that the choice is between life and death, between blessing and curse. Honor and obey God alone, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:22-25

Denomination: Catholic

This Is A Test Series

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Mar 18, 2014

Jesus feeds thousands

This is a Test John is unique. Unlike any other gospel. John is new, different. Different stories, different teachings, different characters. Events occur mostly in Judea not Galilee, no parables at all - but sermon like conversations. Written 60 years or more after the resurrection, the author ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Baptism Is A Gift We Receive Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 4, 2014

God loved us so much that He gave up His only begotten Son, as the blood-price of our justification. You and I first enter that covenant when we, or our parents and godparents, make covenant promises to God at our baptism.

Thursday of 5th Week in Lent 2014 Lumen Fidei The Gospel of John, more than the Synoptics, clearly states what the Church has always and everywhere taught–Jesus is the fleshly manifestation of the same God who made a covenant of love and fidelity with Abraham. Although Israel turned its ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:3-9

Denomination: Catholic

Matthew 13:1-23 – Part 6 - Dungeons And Mansions? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 28, 2011

Whether I live in a DUNGEON or MILLION DOLLAR mansion I can still be stupid about what really matters in life.

Matthew 13:1-23 – Part 6 - DUNGEONS AND MANSIONS? She is not deaf but her heart is a fortress, cold, hard, defensive. The gates are huge, old and impenetrable, bolted with fear and pride that slide across into their iron brackets at the mention of Christ. She sits in a dungeon of her own ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Silent Prayer At Mass Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 6, 2011

Both clergy and congregation should have ample time to participate in the Mass by praying in their hearts.

Monday of 19th Sunday in Course August 8, 2011 St. Dominic As we stand impotent before the withering rays of the August sun, the Church gives us two back-to-back gifts, followed by a week of the most amazing saints. On Saturday, we saw Jesus transfigured refulgent in the blinding light of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Catholic

More Than Conquerors

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Sep 13, 2010

The conquest for Faith, Patience, & Joy is won through Him that loved us

The Battle of Iwo Jima 35 days (February 19 – March 26, 1945), or Operation Detachment, capturing the two airfields The battle produced some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific Campaign of World War II. The Japanese positions on the island were heavily fortified, with vast bunkers, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:37

Denomination: Baptist