Sermons on Rodney Stark:

We Must Serve The Poor Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 25, 2016

The church ministered to the poor. If we lose that character, we are no longer the true church.

Fifth Day of the Christmas Octave 2016 Joy of the Gospel St. John the Evangelist is the apostle and evangelist of love, but he can write in very black-and-white manners. In his first epistle his language is stark: if you obey the law to love your brother you are walking as Jesus did. If you say ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-35

Denomination: Catholic

A Single Commandment

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 7, 2015

A two-pronged, present-continuous, commandment to love - set in its original context.

A SINGLE COMMANDMENT. 1 John 3:16-24. “This is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another” (1 John 3:23). Before we look at the two prongs of this single commandment, we need to set the verse within its immediate context. The ones who ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Could This Be The Biggest Myth In Evangelism Today? Series

Contributed by Louis Posthauer on Mar 17, 2022

This myth has effectively crippled much evangelism in the West in our time because we actually believe it and operate as if it were true. And it is not.

What myth? Anyone in church leadership in the West knows that to a great extent, the growth of active Christians in a Christian community (of whatever sort—big church, little church, home church, store front church and so on) has diminished and flattened out. The reason is that we in the Western ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:4, Matthew 19:12-13, Jeremiah 16:16

Embracing The Call To Sacrificial Living Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Feb 20, 2024

Finding Meaning in Times of Trial.

Embracing the Call to Sacrificial Living Scripture: John 12:20-33 Introduction: Finding Meaning in Times of Trial. Reflection In the tumultuous landscape of today's world, where uncertainty looms large and adversity seems to be an ever-present companion, the timeless wisdom encapsulated ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33

Denomination: Other

Stop Chasing The World You Will Be Left Empty And Broken. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Mar 9, 2024

The world we live in often entices us to chase after its fleeting pleasures and riches but let us be reminded that these things are temporal and will ultimately leave us empty and broken.

We live in a world that is consumed by chaos and darkness. Every day, we are bombarded with news of conflict, suffering, and despair. It can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of worldly pursuits and seek to impress those around us with our accomplishments and possessions. As Jesus taught ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-20, Psalm 34:19, Luke 12:15, Colossians 3:2

The Vision Of A Nation Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Nov 28, 2024

This is the 10th Sermon in the Series from the Book of Amos, "Social Justice".

Series: Social Justice [#10] THE VISION OF A NATION Amos 7:1-17 Introduction: In the Book of Amos, we find a powerful message directed to a Nation that has strayed from its moral and spiritual foundations. Through vivid visions, God communicates the impending judgment that awaits due to the ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Petulance Of Jonah.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 25, 2023

God, for His part, cares for the whole of His creation.

THE PETULANCE OF JONAH. Jonah 3:10, Jonah 4:1-11. The LORD is merciful to those who repent (JONAH 3:10; cf. Psalm 130:3-4). When Jonah at last arrived in Nineveh after his circuitous journey, his message was simple: ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown’ (cf. Jonah 3:4). ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:10, Jonah 4:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No, It's Not Fair, But Bear With It In Christ

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 28, 2023

Forget the old song that asks “how can it be wrong when it feels so right?” That’s unmitigated baloney. Your mind must rule your emotions, not vice-versa.

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Course 2023 Have you or anyone you know ever said that some fine or traffic ticket or concert ticket price or something else “isn’t fair”? I suspect that a show of hands would involve almost everyone who is here today. That cry, “it’s not fair!” is one of the most common ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 21:28-32, Psalm 25:4-9, Ezekiel 18:25-28

Denomination: Catholic

Six Woes.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 9, 2023

Our Lord Jesus did not hesitate to rebuke hypocrisy.

SIX WOES. Luke 11:37-54. A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him (LUKE 11:37). Though this man was probably not converted, Jesus did not refuse to recline at table with him. Jesus accepted the hospitality of the Pharisee, but did not fail to use the opportunity to speak out against the whole ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-54

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hatred And The Outworking Of Love.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 26, 2024

Recalling Jesus' commandment to love one another.

HATRED AND THE OUTWORKING OF LOVE. 1 John 3:13-24. “Marvel not” – stop wondering – that the world of the ungodly hates you (1 JOHN 3:13). Abel’s righteousness stood as a rebuke to Cain, and Cain killed him for it (cf. 1 John 3:12). The ones who ‘abide in death’ (1 JOHN 3:14) are identified as ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:13-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Heart Of Worship PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 29, 2024

This sermon challenges us to evaluate the authenticity of our worship and to ensure our faith is reflected in our daily actions.

What a joy it is to gather together, as the family of God, to ponder the precious truths of His Word. Our hearts are like parched soil, craving the life-giving rain of Scripture. Today, we turn to the book of Amos, a book that may not be as familiar as Psalms or as comforting as the Gospel of John, ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:21-24

Topics: Continual Worship

War PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 14, 2023

Explore the realities of war and the hope for peace, encouraging us to understand these concepts through the lens of faith.

Good morning everyone. Today, we'll be diving deep into Matthew 24, a chapter that speaks to us about war and peace. It's a challenging passage, one that presents us with the harsh realities of our world but also gives us a glimmer of hope in the midst of it all. As Philip Yancey, renowned ...read more

Topics: Matthew, End Times

Jesus Is Coming Back PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 16, 2023

To explore the signs of Jesus's return as described in the Gospel of Matthew, emphasizing the need for readiness and understanding the unpredictability of His return.

Good morning and welcome, brothers and sisters. Today, we are diving headfirst into a topic that certainly carries a weight of mystery and anticipation. We're going to talk about the signs of Jesus's return, the need to be ready for His return, and the unpredictability of the day and hour of His ...read more

Topics: Jesus, Coming Back

A Life Of Extravagant Love

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Apr 5, 2025

John’s Gospel. Here, we encounter a mesmerizing moment of devotion, a simple yet profound act of love performed by Mary, the sister of Lazarus

Beloved family , grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ. As we gather this sacred morning to partake in communion, I invite you to immerse yourselves in the rich, poignant story found in the twelfth chapter of John’s Gospel. Here, we encounter a mesmerizing moment of devotion, a simple ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

The Offense That Saves

Contributed by Ronald Moore on Jul 11, 2025

The message of the Cross has never been popular. It was not popular in Corinth when Paul wrote these words, and it is not popular now. The world has always had a problem with the Cross.

---The Cross as Crisis--- Beloved, the message of the Cross has never been popular. It was not popular in Corinth when Paul wrote these words, and it is not popular now. The world has always had a problem with the Cross, because the Cross is not an inspirational slogan or a religious ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Anglican