Sermons on Revise:

Christmas - Love Divine

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 13, 2001

I wonder what Christmas means to the little man in Zimbabwe, 80 years old, living in a hut, who knows nothing of shopping malls or Christmas trees? What does Christmas mean to him?

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Slightly Revised: 2014) A. I wonder what Christmas means to a mother who has lost her husband, who must take care of 3 or 4 children, working every day, never quite getting everything done, never making ends meet? What does Christmas mean to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14, 1 Corinthians 1:26-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas - Joy Or Despair?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 13, 2001

Herod issues an order that all little boys two years old & younger in Bethlehem are to be murdered. In horror, we wonder how anyone could have reacted that way to a baby’s birth.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2014) A. Please listen as I read these familiar words found in Matthew 2:1-12. “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem & asked, ‘Where is the one who has ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Love Test

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Aug 1, 2002

It’s easy to say that we love God, isn’t it? As long as we don’t probe any deeper than that. But the Bible does probe deeper than that, & it asks more questions than just that one.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED - 2018) TEXT: 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Corinthians 11:26?31 A. I'm not thrilled about taking tests, & I'm glad my years of schooling are behind me. At my age the tests I take now are stress tests & EKGs & hearing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23, 1 Corinthians 11:27-31, 2 Corinthians 13:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Dark Places Of The Earth

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Aug 2, 2002

Our Lord said, “Go into all the world & preach the good news to every creature.” What is that good news? I think it consists of two things that need to be proclaimed - that would really be “good news” to the world today.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2017) TEXT: Psalm 74:20 A. The scripture passage that I want us to consider this morning is found in the 74th Psalm. It is a beautiful &, at the same time, a tragic psalm. In it the Psalmist is speaking to the people of ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17, Psalm 74:20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Suffers Too!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Aug 19, 2002

It's easy for some people to have a “pity party” & end up feeling so depressed about themselves & what is happening in their lives. Sometimes they even cry out, “Where is God? Why isn’t He doing something about this?”

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2020) TEXT: Isaiah 63:7-9; Exodus 3:7-8 ILL. The story is told that there were two young Boy Scouts who were twins & did not quite live up to their Scout Oath. They stole things, swore, & ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-9, Exodus 3:7-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thanksgiving - I Owe It All To You

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 7, 2001

For Christians, Thanksgiving is a day to acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God, & to lift our hearts in thanksgiving to Him. But we're not very good at saying "Thank you," are we? .

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2014) A. Many holidays have two different celebrations or connotations - one worldly, & the other, Christian. The world celebrates Easter with Easter bunnies & ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:22-24, John 6:35-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hate The Sin, Love The Sinner

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 10, 2001

I want us to see Jesus - His attitude toward sin, and His attitude toward sinners. And in order to do that, let's look at 3 people and their encounters with Jesus.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2022) TEXT: Matthew 9:10-13; John 4:1-42; Luke 7:36-50, 19:1-10 ILL. There is a story about a pilgrim standing outside heaven, longing to enter, watching as others were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:10-13, John 4:1-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Radical Love!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 14, 2001

Your faith, what you have been taught, what you believe about God & His will for your life, makes all the difference in the way you act, in the values you hold dear, & in the standards that guide your life.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2019) TEXT: Matthew 5:38-41; Luke 23:34 A. Fifty-two years ago Ethel & I became acquainted with Dr. Vijai & Pushpa Lall of India. The story of their family’s introduction to Christianity & their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-41, Matthew 27:54, Luke 23:34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grace From Faith

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Jan 14, 2001

Year C Third Sunday After the Epiphany January 21, 2001

Year C Third Sunday After the Epiphany January 21, 2001 Lord of the Lake Lutheran Church Web page http://lordofthelake.org By The Rev. Jerry Morrissey, Esq., Pastor E-mail pastor@southshore.com Text: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 Title: “Grace from Faith” Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:4-14, Luke 4:14-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Easter: Father, Forgive Them!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 24, 2001

It was not just once that Jesus prayed this prayer. Again & again He prayed, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." But I wonder if we understand what He was praying for?

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2016) TEXT: Luke 23:32 34; Acts 3:17 19 ILL. Jamestown, VA, was the first permanent English settlement in the new world, & some of their religious practices were rather interesting. For instance, they had 2 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-34, Acts 3:17-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Easter - They Didn't Understand

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 24, 2001

In amazement, we wonder, "What's the matter with them? Were they hard of hearing? Why didn't they get the message? Why didn't they understand?" I think there are several answers to that question.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2015) A. The ability to make intelligent & correct decisions is one of the great secrets of successful Christian living. ILL. Even if you aren't a sports fan I think you'll appreciate this story about a college ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:31-34, 1 Corinthians 1:23-24, Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Light Of The World

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Dec 22, 2000

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." Some Bible scholars suggest that Jesus may have timed the saying of these words with the lighting of the giant Menorah.

MELVIN M.NEWLAND,MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2018) TEXT: John 8:12; 1:4-12 A. Last year I preached on the scripture passage that includes these words, "The dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty." (Psalm 74:20) And you realized the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 74:20, John 1:4-12, John 8:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When You’re Down!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 3, 2001

Jesus says that part of the solution to a troubled heart is trust, & he tells His apostles to trust in 3 things. #1 - Trust in My Presence, #2 - Trust in My Promises, #3 - Trust in Me.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED 2018) TEXT: John 14:1-6; John 12:13,19 A. Have you ever had one of those days when everything goes wrong? It ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:3, John 14:1-6, John 12:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Big Are Your Dreams?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 5, 2001

Little dreams lead to little service, but big dreams can lead to big service, so ask yourself, "How big are our dreams? And what are we going to do about them?"

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2014) A. Do you remember hearing about the 12 spies who Moses sent to spy out the Promised Land, & who then came back with their discouraging report? As you may recall, 10 of them gave a negative report, & 2 ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:6-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Parable Of The Weeds

Contributed by Steven Dow on Jul 3, 2002

This sermon will enable you to discover the cause of conflict in the church and show you how to deal with it in practical ways.

THE PARABLE OF THE WEEDS Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 July 7, 2002 Pastor Steve Dow INTRODUCTION: You don’t have to look to hard these days to discover that we are living in a world that is filled with conflict. There is conflict between nations. There is conflict in the Middle East. There is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43