Sermons on Robert Powell:

Love Your Enemies?

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 2, 2002

Responding to Sept 11th and a (minor) break-in to our church building, this sermon focuses on how live Jesus’ call to do unto others as we would have them do to us.

Today we celebrate All Saints Day, when we honor those well-known saints of the church. And All Saints Day also helps us to recall those faithful departed who have gone before, people who have died in the faith from this congregation and in our lives. But All Saints Day also serves as a reminder ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-31

Denomination: Lutheran

What's Love Got To Do With It?

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 2, 2002

Discusses Paul’s use of love as the yardstick for Christian living, then turns to several congregational issues to ask what the loving response would be.

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (Year C) 1 Corinthians 13, is a popular passage to use for wedding sermons, because of course the topic is love. Brides and grooms have often chosen this lesson because of the beautiful, poetic prose it contains. But Paul did not write this to the Corinthians so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Topsy-Turvy Kingdom

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 2, 2002

Approaches the Beatitudes as the promise of a future great reversal of fortunes (uses images from Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame).

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake." Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Micah 6:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

The Nicodemus Question

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 2, 2002

What does it mean to be born again? How can we be saved?

Second Sunday In Lent (Year A) Many people attend sporting events carrying signs labelled JOHN 3:16, the promise that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. I heard of a sporting event recently, where the announcers began to snicker and gawk at a sign one of the spectators held that ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

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

We Are The Church

Contributed by Carla Powell on Apr 20, 2002

Explores the four images of church/Christians in 1 Peter 2: infants, living stones, priests, chosen people.

Lectionary Texts for 5th Sunday of Easter - April 21, 2002 "We Are The Church" - 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14 [Okay-say it with me…]"Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the doors, and see all the people." That little kids’ rhyme and fingerplay holds some truth to it. The church is your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:2-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Made Known In The Breaking Of The Bread

Contributed by Carla Powell on Apr 20, 2002

Involves the congregation in some immediate community-building, as well as inviting them to see the face of Jesus on their brother or sister. Explores the corporate role of "communion".

Easter 3A - April 14, 2002 "Made Known In The Breaking of the Bread" - Luke 24:13-35 Grace and peace be to you from our Lord and Savior, who is made known to us in the breaking of the bread. On that first Easter day, two of Jesus’ followers were heading away from Jerusalem toward Emmaus. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Panic Room

Contributed by Carla Powell on Apr 20, 2002

References the movie "Panic Room" (Jodie Foster). Recalls the disciples’ reaction to hide out in a locked room after finding the tomb empty. The "Panic Room" can be both a safe haven and a well-fortressed prison.

"Panic Room" - Easter 2A April 7, 2002 - John 20:19-31 This week I saw the newly-released movie "Panic Room". In this movie, "Jodie Foster plays a wealthy single mom with a teenage daughter. They buy a fancy brownstone in NYC that has a ’panic room’, a fortified hi-tech room in the center of ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

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

Believer's Boast

Contributed by Dallas Powell on Sep 21, 2002

Our faith is an expression of our Godly boast.

Preacher’s Boast Romans 1:16-17 September 21, 2002 A minister, a boy scout, and a scientist were the only passengers on a small plane. The pilot came back to the cabin and explained that the plane was going down but there were only three parachutes and four people. The pilot then added, "I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16

Denomination: Baptist

Sacrifice, Our Christian Duty

Contributed by Dallas Powell on Sep 21, 2002

An Acceptable sacrifice begins with love. Do you love him?

Sacrifice, Our Christian Duty Hebrews 13:7-16 December 1996 Sacrifice of Leaders Charlotte was born of hearty stock an old Virginian family. Her brother would be a respected physician, and a sister would be also be a doctor, the first female doctor south of the Mason-Dixon line. She would serve ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7-16

Denomination: Baptist

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