Sermons on Robert Powell:

Sum Of All Fears

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jul 20, 2002

Looks at fear and why we shouldn’t be afraid. Tom Clancy’s movie is used as the title, and little else.

Just a few weeks ago, the movie "The Sum of All Fears" was released. This movie plays on the fear of international hostility, and allows our favorite Tom Clancy character Jack Ryan to save the day once again. The movie title though, seems to hit on a very timely topic these days: fear. Even though ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Denomination: Lutheran

A God Who Camps With Us

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 8, 2003

Sermon focuses on John 1:14, using the translations the word became flesh and "tabernacled" or "set up camp" with us. (Good for use in a camping setting or a location where many hearers are familiar with camping.)

Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. How many of you would call yourselves “campers”? Yes, several of our members disappear for varied weekends throughout the summer to spend time at a campsite. But let me get more specific here. How many ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14, John 1:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Home By Another Way

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 8, 2003

An Epiphany sermon - explores the way that we are changed after we meet the baby in the manger, just like the "wise men" were. (also makes reference to the James Taylor song of the same title)

Grace be to you and peace from the One who was and is and is to come. Amen. As the story goes, the Magi in our gospel lesson had seen a star at its rising that they interpreted as announcing the birth of a king. Magi may have been dream-interpreters, astrologers, or astronomers, but not likely ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Random Acts Of Kindness

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 8, 2003

Uses Biblical story of the Sheep and the Goats to talk about the way to live out kindness and love in life. Presents three stories of "random acts of kindness" done by people.

Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let me tell you a true story about kindness between two very different people who lived far away from one another: Beverly Powell (no relation), a cleaning lady from New Mexico, read a story in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Having Fun With Jonah

Contributed by Carla Powell on Oct 2, 2002

A re-telling of the entire story of Jonah, but with a twist.

This sermon was given without notes, so the text may differ somewhat from the actual preached word. I asked the people to help me as I read the story of Jonah from the Bible, to raise their hands whenever they heard something that differed from the story as told in the Bible. This sermon works ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Confrontation

Contributed by Carla Powell on Oct 2, 2002

Uses Matthew 18 to address the best way to approach interpersonal church conflicts.

An amusing news story from Wales told of a feud in a church looking for a new pastor. It read: “Yesterday the two opposition groups both sent ministers to the pulpit. Both spoke simultaneously, each trying to shout above the other. Both called for hymns, and the congregation sang two -- each side ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Lutheran

What's The Big Deal About Angels?

Contributed by Carla Powell on Oct 2, 2002

Written for St. Michael and All Angels Sunday, this sermon explores the biblical purpose and role of angels. It does not highlight one particular text, but uses a broad biblical overview to confront the popular notion of a fluffy, harp-playing angel in fl

Today we celebrate the festival of St. Michael and all angels, known in some other countries and traditions as Michaelmas. Michael, the archangel, is mentioned in the books of Daniel, Jude, and Revelation, as well as other Bible-time writings that we do not consider to be part of our Bible. This ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:2, Psalm 35:5-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Justice From Within

Contributed by Carla Powell on Mar 2, 2002

Overview of Nicodemus’ role in the gospel of John, particularly John 3:1-17 and John 7:51. Encourages hearers to get involved on behalf of God’s justice - even if they are the sole voice speaking out.

February 24, 2002 - Second Sunday in Lent (A) "Justice from Within" - John 3:1-17 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. In our gospel lesson, Nicodemus, a leader of the Pharisees, comes to Jesus at night. He has some questions for Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17, John 7:49-51

Denomination: Lutheran

Running From Your Baptism

Contributed by Carla Powell on Mar 2, 2002

Exploration of traditions of adult/infant baptism, and discussion of how we respond to our baptism. Do we run from it? Or do we turn toward God who is always turning toward us?

Baptism of our Lord (A), January 13, 2002 "Running from Your Baptism" Today we hear about Jesus’ baptism as an adult. This baptism was the beginning of his official ministry, sort of his inauguration or commissioning as it were. John was baptizing people at the Jordan River as a symbol of washing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Ministry In Daily Life

Contributed by Carla Powell on Feb 2, 2002

Sermon describes how we minister in our daily life, relating our ministry to our work using Jesus’ images of being salt, being the light of the world, and putting our lamp on a lampstand for all to see.

Matthew 5:13-20 - Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany [On this day, worshippers were asked to wear their work uniform or bring a symbol of their work so that we will be reminded of the connection between our faith and our work. I refer to it in my sermon several times.] Grace be to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Security In Being Secure

Contributed by David Powell on Nov 14, 2000

Security of the Believer

Security In Being Secure: John 10:25-30 (.doc format) MSWord Trying to tell all about Security in 20 min. is like trying to paint a house with a 2" brush. But we'll try. ILL. When the world was series going on in San Francisco and Oakland the Golden Gate bridge played a significant part in ...read more

Scripture: John 10:25-30

Denomination: Baptist

How The Grinch Couldn't Steal Christmas

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 2, 2002

No Grinch can take away the true meaning of Christmas, because Jesus was born for us! (uses refernces from Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas).

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas has always been a favorite of mine, but this year, it has also made quite a box office splash. In this annual Christmas story, the old Grinch who lives on a mountain has been annoyed by the merriment of the Who-ville townspeople at Christmas. According to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Seek Ye First At Thanksgiving

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 2, 2002

Where do your priorities lie? Originally written as a Thanksgiving sermon, most of this sermon would be appropriate to challenge people to examine their priorities (e.g. beginning of the year, Lent, etc).

<P>Thanksgiving Eve Service - November 22, 2000 A Money magazine article several years ago told of the life of a woman who saved 80% of everything she earned, investing it all in the stock market and turned it into a $22 million fortune within 50 years. It sounds like an incredible success story, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: Lutheran

Practicing Your Piety In Secret

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 2, 2002

The life of faith is low-profile. We minimize ourselves so that God can be magnified and glorified. Contrasts showy piety and quiet faith actions.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day in Lent, the season of the church year during which we focus our attention on our devotion to God before Easter. Ash Wednesday gives us an unusual opportunity to focus on our mortality and our sin. These are not popular topics, nor issues that we like to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Free To Really Live (Easter Sunday)

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 2, 2002

Resurrection isn’t just about life after death; it is also about the promise of abundant life-now!

[I have a tradition when preaching on Easter Sunday to insert "Christ Is Risen" as often as possible, to which the congregation respond, "Christ is risen indeed. Hallelujah!"] Christ is risen! (He is risen indeed!) Shouts of alleluia ring out; flowers adorn our sanctuary; people are dressed in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran