Sermons on Robert Leroe:

Sin In The Camp Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 21, 2016

God's punishment upon Achan (and his family and possessions) seems severe...and it was, because sin is a serious matter. Sin is rebellion. Sin is covenant-breaking. Sin is choosing to go our way and reject God's way. And sin has consequences.

Hamlet famously complained that “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” Joshua found that something was rotten in Canaan, within his own people. After devoting himself to God, and after a miraculous victory at Jericho, Joshua's army suffered a defeat in Ai. Israel was enjoying ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-13

Denomination: Congregational

The Lordship Of The Risen Christ

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 27, 2016

A key accomplishment of the empty tomb is so Jesus might be “the Lord of both the dead and the living.” Lordship implies ownership or the right to exercise authority over another. When we come to Jesus, we're under new management.

“Christ died and returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.” A few months ago I was summoned to serve jury duty for a serious murder case. Because of my former work with law enforcement and corrections, I wasn't selected, but I followed the case, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:9-11

Denomination: Congregational

Our Eyes Are On You

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Apr 3, 2016

A final sermon to a congregation at my retirement. This may help fellow-pastors who need to construct a last, parting message.

I have served as your 14th pastor, and I'm retiring again after 17 years here in Saugus. I'm retiring just as I did after 25 years as an Army Chaplain--with fond memories and no regrets. This is all to the glory of God. Our choir sang “To God be the Glory,” which was sung at my ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-12

Denomination: Congregational

"a Somber Question" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 30, 2022

“When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” This is perhaps the most disturbing question in Scripture. It haunts me with each passing year.

“When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8 This is perhaps the most disturbing question in Scripture. It haunts me with each passing year. It comes at the close of a parable encouraging faithful, persistent prayer. God answers prayer, but what if a day comes when ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Congregational

Anti-Semitism Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Apr 3, 2022

The British have a condescending saying: “How odd of God to choose the Jews.”

The British have a condescending saying: “How odd of God to choose the Jews.” They sneeringly look down on God’s chosen people. Yet God’s choice is not odd. The Jews chose God. And through them came our Savior. Some people deny that Jesus was Jewish; the idea that Jesus was a Jew is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:11-25

Denomination: Congregational

"patience, The Virtue That Carries A Lot Of Wait"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Oct 10, 2021

In the musical Fiddler on the Roof, the persecuted Jewish villagers of Anatevka are forced to flee the Russian pogroms. Someone asked the Rabbi, “Wouldn’t this be a good time for the Messiah to come?” The Rabbi answered, “Yes, my son; meanwhile, let’s get packing!”

In the musical Fiddler on the Roof, the persecuted Jewish villagers of Anatevka are forced to flee the Russian pogroms. Someone asked the Rabbi, “Wouldn’t this be a good time for the Messiah to come?” The Rabbi answered, “Yes, my son; meanwhile, let’s get packing!” In the Lord’s Prayer we pray: ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Congregational

The Burning Book

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 28, 2022

If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island, what book would you most want to have? Maybe Ship-Building for Beginners! But to survive the storms of life, we need God’s revelation.

If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island, what book would you most want to have? Maybe Ship-Building for Beginners! But to survive the storms of life, we need God’s revelation. Karl Barth said, “We must read the Bible through the eyes of shipwrecked people for whom everything has gone ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

"all Things New, A New Year Message"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 14, 2022

For many of us, a new year is a time for resolutions and getting rid of bad habits. Today is January the 8th…so far, so good! Someone was writing down New Year resolutions: “Gain weight, save less money, set realistic goals.”

Norman Vincent Peal spent New Year’s Eve in Rome. A friend warned him to stay inside his hotel for his own safety, because people have a habit of throwing old, unwanted things out their windows on New Year’s Eve. He explained, “If you should be walking down the street, you’re likely to have an ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-7

Denomination: Congregational

The Three Crosses

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 26, 2022

The Cross was a God-forsaken death for a God-forsaken people. In our reading we see 3 aspects of the Cross of Christ: The Cross of Rejection, Reception, and Redemption.

Martin Luther declared: “No one understands the Bible unless they are acquainted with the Cross.” The Cross was a God-forsaken death for a God-forsaken people. In our reading we observe 3 aspects of the Cross of Christ: It is a Cross of Rejection, Reception, and Redemption. ? Rejection The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43

Denomination: Congregational

Reluctant Recruits

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jan 1, 2018

Jesus did not present a rosy, unrealistic picture of the Christian life. In Luke 9 we encounter 3 potential recruits. Jesus appraises their resolve, exposes their excuses, and urges them to consider the cost of discipleship

It’s Career Day at the high school and a small crowd is gathered at the Army’s booth. A Recruiter tells the students about field duty in the winter, eating MRE’s, family separations, grueling physical exercise, frequent moves, and the likelihood of war…and pretty soon he’s standing alone. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Congregational

Labor Pains

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 4, 2016

A sermon on job satisfaction. Do you have a dead-end "job" or a holy "vocation"? Work worthy of your calling.

I’d like to read to you a workplace memo on the subject of “Absenteeism”… “The frequent absences by personnel have been brought to the attention of the company executives, and the following changes will be in effect immediately: -Sickness: There is no excuse. We ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Denomination: Congregational

"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

Choose This Day Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 13, 2016

We cannot be neutral. When God calls us, He demands strict and exclusive loyalty. We're to renounce all God-substitutes. We have a choice to make.

Knowing he is near the end of his life, Joshua assembles the elders to give one last charge to Israel. It is a solemn moment, and the climax of the book. Joshua's last words are rooted in history, and in the wondrous works of God the children of Israel witnessed themselves. Joshua reminds his ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

Mary's Song

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 13, 2015

The Magnificat. We should take Mary seriously. Jesus' mother is also our mother. She is a “mother” to all who accept Jesus as Lord. Her most significant role is to point us to her Son.

Christmas songs bring back memories. When I hear certain carols, I'm transported back to my childhood in Germany. I especially remember Stille Nacht, the German hymn by Fr Joseph Mohr that celebrates Jesus, born of a virgin, sleeping in heavenly peace. Here in Luke chapter one we see Mary's song, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Congregational

The Unfailing Word

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 2, 2023

The authority of Scripture is crucial to our faith. The Bible is either God’s word or mere human opinion.

I give you my word!” How often have we heard this? We hear it from politicians, salespersons, recruiters, unlicensed contractors, and unreliable people in general. When people give us their “word,” how dependable is their word? When they make claims and promises, we need to know their basis of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:35-37

Denomination: Congregational