Sermons on Richard Fratianne:

Difference Makers Know Their Story Series

Contributed by Richard White on Mar 19, 2009

People are drawn to storytellers. Just as Paul told his story, someone is waiting to hear yours.

Difference Makers Tell their Story. Acts 21:40-22:21 Years ago there was a commercial for this super discount place. To be able to shop there you had to a member of a union. It began with a guy wearing a hardhat and someone asking him "What’s the Story Jerry?" At the end "Jerry" would say "thats ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Triumphal Entry

Contributed by Richard White on Mar 28, 2009

This march is not like other conquering heroes march, it begins before the victory, and takes the Victor to Calvary the place of the triumph.

The Triumphal Entry Matt 21:1-11 Every conquering hero has a “victor’s parade.” The march goes through the countryside with the foot soldiers leading, maybe charioteers or cavalry to follow, with the captives somewhere in the middle. The conquering hero would come from the rear riding high ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Calluses And Compassion

Contributed by Richard White on Apr 3, 2009

Why does God continue to search for us?

Calluses and Compassion Matt 21:33-22:14 Max Lucado tells of a time, as a young child, he was in church and his father’s hand was on his lap. He noticed the calluses and wondered how hard they were. He found a pin in the welcome packet and began to probe his father’s hand. It took a while for ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Letting Go Of Looking After Oneself Only

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Apr 3, 2009

A midweek Lenten sermon that explores what it means for us and Jesus to let go of looking after oneself only.

In the novel The plague by Albert Camus a North African coastal city has been hit with the bubonic plague. They are cut off from the rest of the world. Imagine that, living in a place where no one could get in or out. By law no one was allowed in to the city and no one was allowed to leave. You ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:69-75

Denomination: Lutheran

What It Means To Be A Christian?

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Apr 3, 2009

Using Ephesians 2:1-10 this sermon explores what it means to be a Christian.

Who here has seen the movie Ice Age 2: The melt down. In this movie there is a character called Ellie she’s a mammoth. But she has a huge problem she believes she is a possum. She has been adopted by some possums, hung out with possums and tries to do many things that possums do. Like swing from ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Letting Go To Receive

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Apr 3, 2009

To receive God’s gifts and grace we need to let go of things, attitudes and even our understanding of how things should be.

The sermon began with the following visual “I have asked Andy Broom to help me with today’s sermon.” Like every other journey we go on throughout our journey in life we pick up many packages and things. We pick up: The package of WHAT PEOPLE THINK & SAY ABOUT ME!!! The package of WHAT I ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33

Denomination: Lutheran

Loving Through Suffering

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Apr 3, 2009

A sermon that explores how Jesus loves us through suffering....and how through our suffering we may have an opportunity to love.

Have you ever said if I was God I would…. If I was God there would be no weeds in my garden. If I was God no one bad would get good things. What would you do if you were God? What about if you were in the situation that Jesus faced in the reading from Matthew what would you have done? If you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:32-44

Denomination: Lutheran

Christmas Peace?

Contributed by Richard Jumper on Dec 22, 2007

Is peace possible at Christmas, if not, I wonder if it was really peaceful on the 1st Christmas?

Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant, so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace. Whenever Christmas carols are sung, this hymn is sure to be among them, for it has long been one of the best loved. For me, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

God Is With Us Series

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Dec 23, 2007

A sermon for Christmas to highlight the fact that God became flesh and is with us

For many years Andrew and Susan had an artificial tree. However this year they decided to get the real thing, so the smell of Christmas could flow throughout their house and they could for once have the real thing. So early in December they approached some locals who told them where they could find ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Seing The Signs Of Who God Is And How He Acts Series

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Dec 23, 2007

A sermon for the 4th Sunday of Advent helping us to continue discovering that Jesus is God and what Jesus’ purpose is.

Over the last few weeks Christians from many churches have been focusing on being ready, being prepared not just for Christmas Day, but for the second coming of Jesus. Our worship time has encouraged us to: Be ready To listen to God, be turned toward God and have our lives totally influenced by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Expect The Unexpected

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Dec 26, 2007

A Christmas eve sermon that highlights God often surprises us with what He does and how He does things.

What do you expect on Christmas Day? For many years our family did much the same thing. All kids we would wake up early in the morning, even my sister who was normally a sleepy head. We expected gifts under the tree, so we’d rush out to the Christmas tree to make sure they were there. Then ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Living Beyond Today Series

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Dec 26, 2007

A sermon for the 3rd Sunday in Advent that helps us see that despite troubles, God has not deserted us and that we are still blessed.

As we continue in this Advent season it is important to remember that we are not just preparing for Christmas but when Jesus comes again as our saviour and our judge. In today’s Gospel reading we hear of John being in trouble because he was a witness of Jesus. John’s story of following Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

What Does It Mean To Follow Jesus?

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Dec 27, 2007

This sermon looks at how following Jesus is a life long committment of listening to Jesus and reflecting HIS light.

Imagine being like those fishermen. Sitting at work, in a place that is familiar to you a place you are comfortable with, even if things were occasionally a bit difficult, then all of a sudden some character comes up to you and says "Hey come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Preparing For The New Year By Seeing What God Has Been Up To

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Dec 29, 2007

A sermon to help us prepare for the New Year by focussing on what God is up to

The time between Christmas and New Years is a good time to reflect. To reflect on the past year, and to contemplate the future. Janua, which is the start of the word January means a door or a window that allows a person to look both ways. So no wonder it was chosen to be the first month of the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Come See The Servant King

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Dec 30, 2007

A sermon for epiphany revealing that scriptures show that Jesus is the servant king.

Why would these characters want to search for another king, a foreign king? Another person to rule over them to push them around to tax them to harass them to want to control them use them for their own gain or force them to perform. Are they nuts, what fool in their right mind goes searching ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran