Sermons on Sacred Tension:

Taking Laughter Seriously

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

Solomon was right, for laughter is not enough to give life ultimate meaning. But it is, nevertheless, a vital part of the meaningful life. Solomon is himself one of the key authorities in the Bible for supporting the value of laughter.

Tom Mullen begins his book, Laughing Out Loud and Other Religious Experiences with this story. An engineer, a psychologist, and a theologian were hunting in the wilds of Northern Canada. They came across a isolated cabin, and decided to check it out. When no one answered their knocks, they tried ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Mental Health In The Psalms: 28 Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on May 22, 2024

Mental health and spiritual health are not mutually exclusive.

MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PSALMS: 28 PSALM 28:1-9 #mentalhealth INTRODUCTION 1… POOR BISHOP HOOPER PSALM 28 (EVERY PSALM)… youtube.com/ watch?v=Pcazsb9uGNs [3:08] INTRODUCTION 2… Tremper Longman III, How to Read the Psalms. IVP Academic; Inter-Varsity Press, 1988, 76–85. [adapted] We are beginning ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 28:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Taking Laughter Seriously Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 6, 2021

Drain your life of humor, and it is like draining your car of oil. You will not get far before you lose power and lock up the engine. Laughter keeps the engine of life running smooth. It allows us to keep making progress down the road to God's goals.

Tom Mullen begins his book, Laughing Out Loud and Other Religious Experiences with this story. An engineer, a psychologist, and a theologian were hunting in the wilds of Northern Canada. They came across a isolated cabin, and decided to check it out. When no one answered their knocks, they tried ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

The Question Evil Can’t Answer

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 29, 2025

Evil remains a mystery, but the cross reveals God’s character. He enters human suffering, bears its weight, and assures us that love—not evil—has the final word.

There are certain questions that do not arise from curiosity, but from collision. They are not born in classrooms or debates, but in moments when life presses hard against the soul and refuses to explain itself. These questions surface when loss interrupts routine, when suffering enters without ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7, Job 42:5, Isaiah 53:3-5, Matthew 27:46, John 19:30, Romans 8:18, Revelation 21:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Obedience And Art In Worship Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 9, 2009

As the disciple is obedient to the word of Christ, so we can witness our obedience to the Father in the world by respecting the need for beauty in worship.

May 11, 2009 Sacramentum Caritatis When we read the words of the Last Discourse in John, which we will hear each day between now and the Ascension, we can be struck with an apparent disjoin in the conversation. The apostles often ask a question, and Jesus appears to give a good answer to an ...read more

Scripture: John 14:21-26

Denomination: Catholic

Mystery Babylon: Jesuits, Hapsburgs, And Mary Margaret Alacocque Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Jul 17, 2015

Babylon has a voice in every generation, until its demise in the end of time. See how she speaks in the 17th and 18th centuries...

FORTY: THE LEGS OF ROME I have shown how Rome has ruled the earth from the days of the Caesars until about 1600 A.D. She has torn and plundered and deceived her way to power by use of Roman swords, German kings, Spanish Inquisitors, French missionaries. The Mistress riding every known power on ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 18:4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Letting God Be God In Death #1 Series

Contributed by Norris Harris I on Jan 1, 2003

This is the first in a series of message dealing with Letting God Be God in all areas of our lives. This offering is an attempt to show how we can allow God be God God when we experience the pain and perplexity of Death.

“In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.” On Saturday a week ago, I went to King’s Convenience Store across the way to procure some nutriment for my body, because I had become famished. And while I ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 20:1

Denomination: Baptist

Extravagant Love

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Feb 17, 2007

What this woman does stands in stark contrast to all of the other players. When we read of her deed side by side with Jesus’ hate-filled adversaries, the treacherous Judas, and the confused and misguided disciples, we can’t help but ask ourselves, where

Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Extravagant Love Matthew 26:6-13 According to businesses, Valentine’s Day is the third biggest day of the year for buying gifts. Christmas is first. Mother’s Day is second. I am not sure Father’s Day made the list. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

O Worship The King Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 3, 2011

The blessedness of this time is portrayed in the fact that holiness is no longer profaned by wickedness and the King is given the worship due Him

ZECHARIAH 14: 16-21 "O WORSHIP THE KING" [1 John 3:1-3] Because of the terrible judgment depicted in the preceding verses, overt rebellion of the nations against God and His people has been crushed. Jerusalem will now occupy its proper place as the religious and governmental capital of the world. ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 14:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Generous With Our Presence Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Jul 25, 2017

Stewardship is about more than money. A faithful steward not only stewards his/her resources, but his/her connection to the body of Christ. This message touches on offering ourselves to the body of Christ through our presence in worship.

We continue our Generosity: Possible series this morning discovering what it means to be generous with our presence. When we became a Christian, and one who chose to walk the faith journey as United Methodist, not only did we commit to support the body of Christ with our prayers and witness, but ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus Answers Even The Trick Questions.

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Nov 10, 2007

A sermon for the 24th Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 27

23rd Sunday after Pentecost [Pr. 27 November 11, 2007 “Series C” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, you sent your Son, Jesus the Christ to reveal your Word of grace and truth, and to redeem us through his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38

Denomination: Lutheran

Who Let The Dogs Out? Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Sep 24, 2007

Dogs and hogs. Is Jesus showing some signs of ADHD? A difficult passage like this needs the context to help us understand it.

Our passage today is a tough one. Probably one of the toughest ones in the Sermon. Jesus has just finished a little ditty about not judging people especially judging them religiously that includes are rather harsh judgment about hypocrites. Then he starts spouting off about hogs and dogs. What does ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:6

Denomination: Church Of God

Contract Or Covenant? Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Feb 20, 2015

Focus on the best and most biblical view of marriage and then give 5 implications for marriage (Material adapted from Andreas Kostenberger's book, God Marriage and Family; chapter 4 The Nature of Marriage: Sacrament, Contract or Covenant? pgs. 81- 91)

HoHum: A young minister was preparing for his first wedding ceremony that he had ever performed. The young minister was a nervous wreck and asked an older minister what to do if he messed up. The older minister said that if you forget what to say you can always quote scripture to fill in. So, as ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:14-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Inspiration Of Jesus: Always Inspiring! Series

Contributed by Thomas Gaskill on Aug 27, 2011

Jesus gives us an example to follow. He was always inspiring.

Jesus - Always Inspiring! Thomas A. Gaskill August 21, 2011 Selections from 1 Corinthians 10:23,24,31,11:1 NKJV (23) All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. (Thayer: to promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Heart Speaks To Heart

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 2, 2018

St. Luke records that when Jesus began his ministry, he proclaimed that He was sent “to heal the brokenhearted, and proclaim deliverance to captives.”

Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost 2018 Healing of the Heart When I was growing up in the fifties and early sixties, this Extraordinary Form Mass was everywhere the norm. So we heard this wonderful Gospel every year. But what is “dropsy”? Now we have the Internet and we can learn easily that dropsy ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:13-21, Luke 14:1-11, Luke 4:18

Denomination: Catholic