Sermons on Rodney Stark:

The Crown Of Thorns

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Oct 9, 2005

A look at Jesus and the crown that he wore here on earth the Crown of thorns.

The Crown of Thorns Matthew 27:27-29 I. Introduction A. What a Decision Pilate Had to Make! 1. He had to judge the Judge of all the earth 2. He had to decide between Christ and the crowd 3. We must each do the same B. Pilate Offered the Crowd Jesus or Barabbas 1. The Master or the murderer 2. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-29

Denomination: Baptist

From Pofession To Perfection Series

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Oct 12, 2005

1 John 2:6 From Profession to Perfection - In the Series on 1 John

From Profession to Perfection Introduction A. The Christian Life Begins with New Birth 1. "My little children" (v. 1) 2. We are born again through faith in Christ (John 3:1-16) B. God Wants Us to Be Confident of Our Salvation 1. Know is found forty times in this epistle 2. The joy of ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:6

Denomination: Baptist

Our Advocate Series

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Oct 12, 2005

1 John 2: 1-2 Our Advocate in the Series on 1 John

Our Advocate A. The Purpose of This Epistle Is the Abundant Life 1. Fellowship with God and His family 2. Fullness of joy, flowing from assurance of salvation 3. Forgiveness of sin in daily life B. The Problem of Sin in the Lives of Believers 1. Sin destroys fellowship (ch. 1) 2. Sin ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Perfect Storm

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 16, 2005

1. Storms will come. 2. Jesus will be with us in the storm. 3. Jesus will calm the storm. 4. It is only in the storm that we really know who Jesus is.

It has been interesting to watch the blame game during the recent disasters which hit the southern part of our country. The mayor was to blame. No, it was the director of FEMA. No, it was the governor of the state. No, it was the people who refused to evacuate. No, it was the people who built ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41, Mark 1:21

Denomination: Methodist

To Love Or Not To Love Series

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Oct 19, 2005

I John 2: 1-17

To Love or Not to Love? That Is the Question I John 2:1-17 I. Introduction A. The Epistle with the Family in Mind 1. "My little children" 2. "Our fellowship is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ" B. Love in Our Earthly Families 1. Lovers pledging their love in marriage 2. Love ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Cast Your Net On The Other Side

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 23, 2005

1. It is important to listen to Jesus and obey him. 2. We meet God when we come to the end of our resources. 3. You have to put your net in where the fish are.

The setting of today’s scripture takes place on the Sea of Tiberias (the Roman name for the Sea of Galilee). The disciples are in a depressed mood because of the horrific events leading to, and culminating in, the death of Jesus. They have gone to Galilee and returned to what they knew best: ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-9, John 21:5-6

Denomination: Methodist

Living A Life Of Faithfulness

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 30, 2005

1. Christ’s delay should cause watchfulness, not forgetfulness. 2. Faithfulness is measured in terms of relationships.

“[Jesus said,] ‘You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.’ Peter asked, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?’ The Lord answered, ‘Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:40-48

Denomination: Methodist

Who Is This Jesus?

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 9, 2005

Jesus Christ is: 1. God 2. One of us 3. Lord of all

A recent Newsweek poll found that “84 percent of American adults consider themselves Christians, and 82 percent see Jesus as God or the son of God. Seventy-nine percent say they believe in the virgin birth, and 67 percent think the Christmas story — from the angels’ appearance to the Star of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-21

Denomination: Methodist

The Inaugural Message Of Jesus

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 16, 2005

We need to repent because: 1. We have a problem. 2. Something better has come. 3. The Kingdom is here.

One of my favorite cartoon strips is “Frank and Earnest.” Frank is in the courtroom standing before the judge who says to him, “It’s ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty.’ You can’t plead ‘I gotta be me.’” The cartoon is humorous because it touches a reality in our culture which places the need for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-17

Denomination: Methodist

Being Salt & Light Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 23, 2005

Both salt and light: 1. Are necessary for survival. 2. Have the ability to purify. 3. Must make contact to have an effect.

I love grilling out on a beautiful summer day with the sun shining. My favorite thing is to grill steaks. I like to grill them till they are so tender you can pull them apart with a fork. Then I take roasting ears and dip them into water with the shuck still on; wrap them in foil and let the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Methodist

A New Kind Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 30, 2005

Jesus’ new kind of righteousness is based on: 1. Internals rather than externals. 2. Transformation rather than avoiding transgressions. 3. A relationship rather than rules.

Perhaps you have seen it. It is a bumper sticker which displays the slogan: “Christians Aren’t Perfect, Just Forgiven.” It is a catchy phrase, the only problem is that it misrepresents the Christian life. Is that all we are, “just forgiven”? Is there no more to it than that? Do we, in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Methodist

Dealing With Anger Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 6, 2005

Jesus’ teaching about anger is: 1. Murder begins as an attitude in the heart. 2. Anger grows as we express it in name calling and cursing. 3. Anger ends by means of reconciliation.

David A. Slagle, from Lawrenceville, Georgia, tells a wild story about an experience he had: “I served as a nurse in the operating room for several years. One day a couple arrived, both with gunshot wounds. He had awakened late for his first day on the job because his wife did not set the alarm. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26

Denomination: Methodist

Faith & Future

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 8, 2006

1. Our faith in the future is built on God’s faithfulness in the past. 2. Our faith determines our Future. 3. We need to build an altar of faith for future generations.

An old Chinese proverb says, “May you live in interesting times.” That has certainly been the case for the world this past year. Mark Bowden, editor of The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, offered this observation about the year we have just come through: “The world was wracked with pain in 2005, ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Desperate Housewives And Their Spouses

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 15, 2006

Successful marriages are built on: 1. Self-giving, rather than self-fulfillment. 2. Building each other up, rather than tearing each other down. 3. Continual growth, rather than taking the relationship for granted.

Henry David Thoreau, the writer and naturalist, once said, “Most men lead quiet lives of desperation.” If you believe television, most housewives do as well. In the show, Desperate Housewives, Susan Mayer, Lynette Scavo , Bree Van De Kamp, Gabrielle Solis and Edie Britt lead us through a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

What Is Truth?

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 22, 2006

1. Truth is known through revelation. 2. Truth is knowable. 3. Truth creates passion.

Pilate’s question from our scripture today is the defining question of our culture: What is truth? Leslie Newbigin, in his book The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, reminds us of the ancient fable from India of the blind men and the elephant — popularized by American poet John Godfrey Saxe ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-38

Denomination: Methodist