Sermons on Secret Service:

Was A Sacrificial Lamb Really Necessary For Humanity?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jun 9, 2024

If a sacrificial lamb was necessary for people during Biblical times, is one still necessary for people of today?

As the Hebrews arranged for their departure from subjugation in Egypt, they were told to make bread without yeast (“unleavened bread”) on the grounds that they lacked the necessary amount of time to sit and wait for it to rise. Yeast was likewise an image of wrongdoing, so they were directed to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:7-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Does It Mean To Appeal For The Useful?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jul 7, 2024

An example of grace in how it demonstrates the action of true Christian fellowship.

Paul wrote this letter as a plea for a runaway slave of Philemon’s named Onesimus. He had stolen from Philemon then ran away to Rome where he met Paul. Subsequently he accepted Christ as his Savior, so Paul was writing this letter as he was sending Onesimus back to Philemon, but he wanted Philemon ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:8-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In Search Of The Cross

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Sep 16, 2024

A sermon for the season following Pentecost, Year B, lectionary 24

September 15, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Mark 8:27-38 In Search of the Cross Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Yesterday, September 14, is recognized as Holy Cross Day. The festival commemorates when St. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Lutheran

The Last In Line

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Sep 24, 2024

A sermon about seeking to imitate the humility of Christ.

The Last in Line Mark 9:30-37 Ever play “King of the Mountain” when you were a little kid? It doesn’t take any equipment. All you need is a pile of dirt or maybe a mound of snow. Then, several children run up the mound and try to push the others off on their way to the top. Whoever is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: United Methodist

We Lift Our Hands Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Oct 7, 2024

The second sermon in a stewardship series. This week focuses on service and vocation.

September 29, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Micah 6:6-8; Philippians 2:1-11; Mark 1:29-31 We Lift Our Hands Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. We lift our hands. Hands are amazing things. There are 27 bones in a ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:6-8, Philippians 2:1-11, Mark 1:29-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Leadership 101 Basics Of Biblical Leadership

Contributed by Thomas Bartlett on Oct 27, 2024

Leading in a word is influence, but before I can lead others, I must lead myself. It's not about what you have, it's about who you are!

OUTLINE LEADERSHIP 101 – Part 1 Celebration Church October 27, 2024, Dr. Tom Bartlett What is leadership? Part 2 is: leading others · Leading others is the ability to get people to follow willingly, in a word leadership is influence Part 1 is: Leading self · Leading self is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:26-28

Denomination: Other

How Can We Stand In The Gap?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 27, 2023

What is it to stand in the gap for someone else? Is it to stand in the place for another?

In Chapter 22, we learn why judgment would be placed on Jerusalem (22:2-16), how it would approach them (22:17-22), and who would be affected by it (22:23-31). The Jewish leaders were particularly liable for the ethical environment of the country since God had picked them to lead. Those actions and ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:1-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Can These Dry Bones Live Again?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 1, 2024

How many dry bones can we find in our lives and in our churches?

I have a bone to pick with you. In the valley of dry bones, we can learn something about ourselves and our local churches. Let us take a moment to find out what these dry bones can tell us. Some Bible scholars, theologians, teachers, or preachers may say that the translation of this chapter ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Have We Been Chosen For A Specific Purpose?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 27, 2023

You may never know when you will be picked, or chosen, to do or be in a position of prominence. The outcome of that said choosing will depend upon the state of your heart.

In this chapter, the king chooses a new queen. In Chapter 1, King Ahasuerus, had a party to show off his queen, Vashti. She refused so the king banished her and stripped her royalty. After banishing Vashti, the king sent officers out to gather fair young women of all the lands to choose a new ...read more

Scripture: Esther 2:1-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Are We Truly In The Hands Of God?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 9, 2023

What are our hands good for doing?

What are our hands good for doing? They can make things. They can comfort and they can chastise. They write words. Hands can make signals and signs. Hands can be on the offense and hands can be on the defense. Without hands we could not eat, unless we put our face down on to a plate of food but ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:73

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Becoming Servant Of Truth

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Feb 20, 2025

Romans 6:17-18 (KJV): But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness

BECOMING SERVANT OF TRUTH Romans 6:17-18 (KJV): But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Since Indonesia's independence was ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:17-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Servant Leadership Series

Contributed by Michael Monica on Jan 1, 2023

Understanding Servant Leadership

Matthew 20:17-28 & Luke 18:31-34 [Intro] (1) Review: The Rich young man and the laborers in the vineyard / 11th hour workers. (2) Jesus / disciples are journeying closer to Jerusalem where Jesus will be betrayed and given over to the chief priests and he will be crucified. The disciples most ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Time To Get Back To Work

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 2, 2023

It appears like everybody needs something from us, family members, friends, bosses at work, the schools that we may attend, our churches, clubs, etc. We wind up racing through life, taking care of the necessary, the immediate, and the urgent.

Repeatedly the important is abandoned. Our problem is not the volume of requests or lack of organizational skills, but values - what is really important to us. Our values and our priorities are reflected in how we use our assets/resources. Frequently our activities give a false representation of ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Simple Steps For An Extraordinary New Year

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jan 6, 2023

Psalm 22 begins as a lament - a desperate plea to God from someone who knows how much he needs God. The terms are clear - without God there is no hope. With God there is always hope, and David gives us a map here, finding hope when challenges are all around us

_____________ To receive sermon notes in your email inbox, subscribe here: https://forsythesermons.substack.com/ To receive emails from John Dobbs on topics of faith, books, photography, and miscellany: https://johndobbs.substack.com/ To watch videos of sermons from Forsythe Church of Christ: ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:22-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Are We To Do When God Does Nothing?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 11, 2023

This is a story about one of two men that did not die. Enoch had walked with God and was taken so that he did not see death, Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind.

In the preceding chapter, Elijah has a contest with evil prophets. In this chapter, Elijah flees for his life. In verses 1-4: Jezebel was maddened with regards to the passing of her prophets since they had told her what she wanted to hear, forecasting her future glory and power. Their ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible