Sermons on Sd Gordon:

"o Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Dec 16, 2018

I have always wanted to so an Advent series based on traditional Christmas carols/hymns. We've gotten so used to them that I think we miss the depth of the theology contained within in them. One of the most ancient is the beautiful hymn that contains the ancient names of Jesus.

I love the way that Pastor and author Robert J. Morgan describes hymns: “Hymns help us praise God. They’re shafts of brilliant sunlight through the clouds. They provide an almost mystical connection with the endless anthems of praise raising at this very moment before the heavenly throne. They ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 11:1

Denomination: United Methodist

"o Little Town Of Bethlehem" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Dec 19, 2018

We need to go to Bethlehem … the Bethlehem of long ago. We need to find the peace and hope that was born there in Jesus Christ … and Advent and hymns like Brooks’ “O Little Town of Bethlehem” can take us there in mind and heart, amen?

On Thursday, November 29, the people living in and around Anchorage, Alaska, went about their lives as usual – working … shopping … watching TV … talking on the phone ... making plans … surfing the net … hinging out with friends. Just going about life. Totally unaware that 3.9 billion – that’s ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:1-5, Matthew 24:37-39

Denomination: United Methodist

"o Come, All Ye Faithful" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Dec 24, 2018

When we sing hymns and carols like “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” we who are faithful, joyful, and triumphant join with the shepherds and the angels and all the others who are faithful, joyful, and triumphant in praising and adoring our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

On Friday, November 30th, George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States went on to be with his Lord and Maker … the Creator of all that seen and unseen … the Eternal President of the Universe. I’m sure he was greeted by family … especially his wife, Barbara, who died on April 17th … ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20, Psalm 100:1-2, Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: United Methodist

"hark! The Herald Angels Sing" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 2, 2019

This hymn begins with an exhortation … a command … a call to action: “Hark!” “Hark!” … “Listen!” … “Listen to the angels singing!” As we are about to see, this hymn has a remarkable theological depth and richness not often found in carols.

How many of you pay attention to all the little type at the bottom of the hymns? Turn to page 240 and look at the bottom of the page. See them down there? They’re there to give you a little bit of the history of the hymn. If you look at the bottom of “Hark! 5he Herald Angels Sing,” it says that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14, Isaiah 9:6, Malachi 4:2

Denomination: United Methodist

"joy To The World Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 8, 2019

Has the Bethlehem child changed your life? If He is your Lord and King … if He reigns over your heart and soul … if He has changed your life … then He rules over your heart and soul and life with perfect truth and grace then you can’t help but sing: Joy to the world!

I head a story about a woman who was doing her last-minute Christmas shopping at a crowded mall. She was tired of standing in lines. She was tired of fighting her way down long aisles looking for a gift … only to find out that it had sold out days before. Her arms were full of bulky packages ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 98:4-9

Denomination: United Methodist

Gospel Shaped Living – Week 2: ‘a United Church In A Divided World’ Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jan 13, 2019

Gospel Shaped Living – Week 2: 'A united church in a divided world' - Ephesians chapter 2 verses 11-18. PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info

Reading: Ephesians chapter 2 verses 11-18. SERMON OUTLINE: (A). Before They/We Became Christians: • They were without Christ (vs 12a) • They were without citizenship (vs 12b) • They were without covenants (vs 12c) • They were without hope (vs 12d) • They were without God (vs 12e) (B). After ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Brethren

Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 16, 2019

Christ is the King of Glory. He is the One who ascends into the Presence of the Lord. Only He has perfectly fulfilled the Law in perfect righteousness. Christ, who went to the cross and defeated our two greatest enemies: Sin and death!

It’s funny how things go sometimes. A couple of years ago I wouldn’t have started out preaching by making a political disclaimer but, given what’s going on today with the government shut down and caravans, I feel the need to be perfectly clear that what I am about to say is not political in any ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

We Three Kings Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 22, 2019

Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But myrrh is not the final gift. The final gift is the one that God has given to us: the death, the sacrifice, the resurrection of Christ and our death, our resurrection into new life … eternal life with Him … a joy past all telling.

At last … after traveling a thousand miles and enduring countless hardships and obstacles … the caravan reached the gates of Jerusalem. The city began to buzz as the news of their arrival spread … eventually reaching the courts and ears of King Herod. A caravan of magi had travelled all the way ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-2

Denomination: United Methodist

"what Doesn't Kill Us ..." Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 29, 2019

James calls God’s training regimen “various [kinds of] trials” (James 1:2). As he prepares his friends for the inevitable test, he outlines for them ... and for us … the following five strategies to employ when times of testing challenge us.

A very popular show in the sixties and seventies was a little half-hour police drama called … [do the theme music] … “Dragnet.” Remember that show? It starred Jack Webb as “Joe Friday” … a detective with the Los Angels Police Department. Joe Friday was a no-nonsense cop. His famous line was … ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: United Methodist

In Your Face ... Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 30, 2019

Christians have the external world, the internal flesh, and the infernal Devil to deal with every day. If you have been a Christian for any length of time, then the Tempter is no stranger to you.

How do seeds give birth? Seeds. Seeds are baby plants. One of Jesus’ most well-known parables is the parable about the Sower. Jesus describes God as a farmer who liberally sows seeds. He casts seeds where other farmers wouldn’t waste their time and seed … pathways, rocky places, weed patches. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-15, Matthew 13:24-29

Denomination: United Methodist

The Character Of A Disciple: Humility Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on May 12, 2018

Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking rightly about yourself. It's getting and keeping a "right-sized" image of yourself by having a "right-sized" image of God.

How may of you dream or have ever dreamed of becoming famous? I mean REALLY famous? Can't go anywhere without being recognized famous? Remembered and adored long after you're dead famous? Ah ... glad to see that I'm not the only one. When I was in my twenties and thirties, I considered myself ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:6-9, Job 1:1-12, Matthew 11:28-29

Denomination: United Methodist

Grace That Never Lets Go

Contributed by Gordon Pike on May 13, 2018

We can turn out backs on God but God will never turn His back on us.

One of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes is entitled: "It's a Good Life." It starts out with the host, Rod Serling, standing on a dark stage with the map of the United States over his shoulder. Mr. Serling starts out: "Tonight's story on the Twilight Zone is somewhat unique and calls for a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: United Methodist

The Character Of A Disciple: Integrity Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on May 18, 2018

When a person has "integrity," our words, actions, values, beliefs, principles, character, our hearts are one. As disciples of Jesus, who was the embodiment of integrity, our words and actions, our values are integral, are one, with our Lord.

“Caveat emptor” … “Buyer beware” … because what you see, well … it’s not what you always get … and that’s been the case, it seems, ever since we’ve been banned from the Garden of Eden. We get our word “integrity” from a very ancient practice that was done to scam the consumers of pottery jugs and ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-17

Denomination: United Methodist

The Character Of A Disciple: Love Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jul 26, 2018

Agape is the highest form of love … the love that everyone wants to receive but few are ready to give because of the sacrifice involved. How can anyone receive agape if no one is willing to live and to share and to give agape?

Eleven adults and 26 high school students loaded into three vans in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church in Hartselle, Alabama, said good-by to family and friends and home and drove over 700 miles to a little town on the shores of Lake Okeechobee. Two of the adult leaders had been ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2

Denomination: United Methodist

The Character Of A Disciple: A God Inspired Life Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Aug 6, 2018

God wants us to be people of love and joy and peace. He wants to breathe into us the qualities of generosity, integrity, humility, and self-discipline. The disciples of Christ are “inspired” people ... Inspired by God's Holy Spirit.

Let’s go back to the beginning of this chapter … back to verse 1 (Philippians 2:1-5): “If then there is any encouragement in Christ … any consolation from love … any sharing in the Spirit … any compassion and sympathy … make my joy complete … be of the same mind … having the same love … being in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 2:1-5, Philippians 2:6-8, Galatians 5:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist