Sermons on Rodney Stark:

The Cry Of Desertion PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 2, 2024

This sermon explores the profound spiritual significance and lessons derived from Jesus' declaration of thirst during His crucifixion.

Greetings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. What an honor and privilege it is to gather together as a family, united by our shared faith, to delve into the rich tapestry of God's Word. Today, we turn our hearts and minds to a poignant moment in the narrative of our Lord Jesus Christ's ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28

Topics: Suffering, Thirst

Martha's Confession Of Faith PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 4, 2024

This sermon explores Martha's faith in Jesus as the resurrection and life, encouraging us to trust God amidst doubts and fears, and embrace His promise of resurrection.

Good morning, beloved friends. We gather here today, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the grand narrative of faith. We are united by a shared hope, a common purpose, and a mutual love for our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the eleventh chapter of ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-27

Topics: Belief

Unbridled Passion PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 11, 2024

This sermon explores the dangers of uncontrolled passion and lust, emphasizing the importance of self-control, discipline, and discernment in living a Christ-centered life.

Good morning, dear church family. It's a joy to be here with you today, in this sacred space where we come together to fellowship, to seek wisdom, and to grow in our understanding of God's Word. As we gather here, we are reminded of our shared commitment to living in accordance with God's ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:26, Proverbs 11:6, Romans 1:24-27

Topics: Lust

Culture Shifts: Slow Down, You're Going To Fast

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Jan 21, 2002

This line from a Simon & Garfunkel song describes the breakneck pace of our technologically advancing culture. How do we go about tuning out the world and tuning in to Christ, striving to be faithful Christians in today’s world.

Phillipians 4:8-9 Bibliography: Cultures Shifts, Lesson 3 The world was forever altered in 1436 when Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. Although forms of printing had existed for approximately 400 years, Gutenberg’s moveable type made out of metal revolutionized the printed world. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9

Denomination: Methodist

Learning To Do The Right Thing

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 25, 2002

To learn to do the right thing: 1. You must take responsibility for your actions. 2. You must want to do the right thing. 3. You must know what the right thing is. 4. You must have a plan.

On the morning of August 2, a fired Columbus police officer, Hermando “Cliff” Harton, Jr., 39, shot his wife in their Prairie Township home. He then led the police on a chase on I-71 into Ashland County where he was shot and wounded by State Patrol troopers. His wife had informed him that she ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:1-15

Denomination: Methodist

Sharing Christ: The Gift Of Evangelism Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Apr 27, 2003

We need to understand: 1. People are eternally lost withhout Jesus Christ. 2. Lost people matter to God. 3. Lost people should matter to us.

Calvin Coolidge was vice president of the United States between 1921-1923, under President Warren Harding. He was not a very active vice president, but he took great pleasure in presiding over the Senate. One day, as he was presiding, one senator angrily told another to go “straight to hell.” ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

The Difference

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 22, 2002

Jesus Christ came to those who needed: 1. A friend. 2. A change. 3. A Savior

Two weeks ago we talked about the importance of the Old Testament prophecies about God sending his Son into the world. They provided such hope for those who waited in darkness. Last week we talked about the fulfillment of those prophecies and what they meant in the lives of the people who lived ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35

Denomination: Methodist

I Believe In The Forgiveness Of Sins Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Sep 12, 2003

1. We all stand in need of forgiveness. 2. We are all offered forgiveness. 3. We must individually receive God’s forgiveness.

Last week the news broke that Dr. Laura Schlessinger is no longer a practicing Jew. Dr. Laura, the psychologist whose radio talk show is second only to Rush Limbaugh, is heard on 300 radio stations with an estimated 12 million listeners. She comes from a home where her mother was Roman Catholic ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

The Father's Heart

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 5, 2005

Appreciate the heart of the Father. Don’t waste your life away. Treasure the resources God has given us. Love the things He loves.

(I have taken most thoughts in this sermon from Rodney J. Buchanan’s ’The Father’s House’, July 7, 2002, Mulberry St. UMC, Mt. Vernon, OH.) Let’s take a look at this interesting story again. Looking at the three characters in this story, we can learn something about ourselves and our heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Finding Balance At The Speed Of Life Series

Contributed by Anthony Seel on Sep 19, 2005

First of a series of three on balance in the Christian life.

The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost September 18, 2005 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church The Rev. M. Anthony Seel, Jr. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 “Finding Balance at the Speed of Life” Many of us have a vague “feeling” that things are moving faster. Doctors and executives alike complain that they ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

A Great Light

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 18, 2005

The message of Christmas is: 1. God is the sovereign ruler of the world. 2. Evil cannot win. 3. The world is coming to a wonderful conclusion.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, each year displays a twenty-foot blue spruce Christmas tree covered with angels, with a beautiful eighteenth century Neapolitan nativity scene underneath. In many ways it is a very familiar scene. There are shepherds who have been jarred awake by the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

Redemptive Relationships: Marriage Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Sep 21, 2003

Marriage becomes redemptive when we understand: 1. It is to be a model of our relationship with Christ. 2. It is where we learn to love and be loved. 3. It is intended to be a source of joy.

I am one of those fortunate people who grew up in a good home that was fairly normal and functional. There was love, my mother was a stay-at-home mom, and my dad worked long hours. We did not have a lot, but we were well cared for. It was not a home without its kinks, but it was a good home ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 16:4-14

Denomination: Methodist

One

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 24, 2003

A sermon on Psalm 16:8-11 on the one guide, one traveler, one path and one life.

Sermon for 11/23/2003 Psalm 16:8-11 One Introduction: Lost in the jungle, a man sought desperately to find his way to safety. His strength was ebbing fast as the insects and stifling heat did their deadly work. Suddenly he heard what he thought to be a bell tolling in the distance. Believing he ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:8-11, John 14:6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Worth Of A Man Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 16, 2002

A man’s role is to be: 1. A man of character. 2. A man of consistency. 3. A man of authenticity.

In the news this week, Rev. Rebecca Ann Steen has applied to return to pastoral ministry in the United Methodist Church. She has been on leave of absence since 1999 from the Baltimore-Washington Conference after serving for 17 years as a pastor. But her application for appointment has been ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Christmas And Creation

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 17, 2006

1. Christmas proclaims a mystery. 2. Christmas promises redemption. 3. Christmas promulgates meaning.

Last week we read the prayer of Zechariah called the “Benedictus”,as he praised God for his faithfulness to his covenant with Abraham. This week we are looking at the prayer of Mary, often called the “Magnificat.” Mary also connects the birth of her son with the covenant God made with Abraham, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Methodist