Sermons on Returning:

Worry Bites

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 25, 2018

This is a short homily given at an inner city mission in downtown Toronto, to a mixed crowd

What kind of news makes you happy? Birth of a child; healing of a family member’s sickness; bigger tax return than you thought; a forecast of great days of weather ahead; maybe you won something at the lottery. What kind of news gets you upset? Drama in a friend’s life; maybe the death of a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Encounters - The Demoniac

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Nov 1, 2018

Jesus finds us even when everyone has given up on us.

Encounters - Conversations with Jesus The Demoniac November 4, 2018 • This story is told in Matthew, Mark and Luke. (Synoptic Gospels) Luke 8:1b-3 NIV The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Epiphany

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 9, 2019

The past perfect used in this way is known as “tenses of vision” or the “prophetic perfect.” Isaiah is assuring us that the message being proclaimed will surely come to pass.

A customer called the customer service line to complain about a power outage after a big storm, then stopped raging long enough to ask, “How will I know when my lights are back on?” The customer service agent remained silent for a second, debating about the best way to answer such an obvious, even ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

A Soldiers Faith 2017

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 19, 2018

Only when we are willing to risk surrendering everything in life do we come close to experiencing the miracle that is God’s love in Jesus Christ. We must be willing to abandon all other authority in our lives if we are to see God move in a miraculous way.

A Soldiers Faith 2017 Today we mark Remembrance Day as a church family. It is a day that holds a unique significance for each of us. For some it marks the Remembrance of a loved one who fell in service for their country or those who had been taken prisoner never to return. For others it is a ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Anointed For Mission [lectionary 3c]

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 30, 2018

Leave the success of your life to a power greater than you. Just do the things you were anointed for. Let a power greater than you take care of the ‘how.’

The theme in our Readings this Sunday is that the ‘opening of the Scriptures’ is consonant with ‘the opening of the eyes’. The use of physical seeing as a metaphor for spiritual insight is commonplace. Those that are blind(ed), are unable to read the Scriptures. E.g. Two young fish are swimming ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:2-10, Luke 4:14-21

Denomination: Catholic

Three Kings - Seek The King - Avoid The Evil King

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Jan 5, 2019

Avoiding distractions from the gospel

Weekend Message/Devotion January 6, 2019 Communion Sunday Matthew 2:1-12 Three Kings – Seek THE KING – Avoiding The Evil King Today’s reading is all about kings. However, the King of the Jews (Our Christ) is our only Sovereignty. Let’s look at these kings. First are the three “Kings of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12, Matthew 28:16-20, Ephesians 6:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Life Seems To Have No Rhyme

Contributed by Calvin Taylor on Dec 18, 2014

While life may often seem to lack coherence, Matthew 2:1-15 shows us that God gives it His own unique cadence and rhythm. Ultimately, we don't have to have all of the answers if we know the One who does, and we humbly follow His lead.

When Life Seems To Have No Rhyme Matthew 2:1-15 1. The Magi left for the land of Israel "on the brink…" - “A crucial or critical threshold, beyond which success or catastrophe occurs” - The Magi were on the brink of making a great personal discovery. - The chief ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What? Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Dec 31, 2014

MORE What questions about Prayer

What? Pt 2 This week we will continue with our sermon series: The 5 W’s of Prayer. Last week we began the WHAT guestions and started with the 5 types of prayer. Today we will continue the WHAT questions but I want to begin with some fun WHAT questions Q: What has hands but cannot clap? A: A ...read more

Scripture: John 4:24

Denomination: Baptist

Action And Reaction Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 3, 2015

Joseph flees to Egypt with his family in order to protect them from the jealous wrath of King Herod. God's action of love has created a reaction of fear and violence

Matthew 2:13-23 “Action and Reaction” INTRODUCTION Usually the readings for a Sunday are rather positive in nature, but not this time. The story talks about exile, becoming an alien in a foreign land and the slaughter of innocent children. Lessons can be learned, though, in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Praising Sacrifices Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 15, 2015

In our worship, we offer sacrifices of praise and become living sacrifices to God.

1. Cost of Freedom When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire-building by George W. Bush. He answered by saying that..."Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:10-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Extravagant Giver

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Aug 19, 2014

1. You can’t out-give God 2. God will be no one’s debtor 3. He invites us to trust his Word 4. He challenges us to put him to the test

Extravagant - Expressing celebration - Lavish, Unrestrained - Spending much more than necessary Example Psalm 103:1–5 (AV) — 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38

Denomination: Baptist

"I Want That Mountain!" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 6, 2016

Caleb was resolute in his faith and objectives. He shows us that life is a matter of perspective. Where others saw obstacles, he saw opportunities.

When I was in high school in New Jersey, I attended a church whose youth leader loved to sing an old-timey chorus: “I want that mountain, I want that mountain; where the milk and honey flow, where the grapes of Eschol grow. I want that mountain, I want that mountain, the mountain that the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:6-14

Denomination: Congregational

Because Of You, Jesus Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Aug 21, 2016

Isaiah 61:1-4 shows us the wonder of the Anointing of the Lord. Because of You, Jesus the good news is preached, the broken hearted are restored, captives are set free and the favor of the Lord is a present reality today!

Because of You, Jesus! Because of You #1 (August 21, 2016) Isaiah 61:1-4 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:2-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Remember Who You Were Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 28, 2016

Many people in the Bible seem to carry with them the constant memory of their roots. It reminds him of the goodness and grace of God.

Ephesians 2:11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-13

Denomination: *other

No Place To The Devil (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Oct 9, 2016

There are two institutions that God has established and ordained….Marriage and the Church! Satan has, Satan does, and Satan will attack these two institutions! That’s why we need to protect them, pray over them, guard them!

Ephesians 4:25-Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32

Denomination: Baptist