Sermons on Sermon In The Plain:

A Baptism Sermon Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Nov 5, 2017

This is a message before a baptism service. It includes a standard 'congregational renewal of Baptismal Vows" at the end of the message.

October 15, 2017 sermon - Baptism - Ephesians Series – Part 1 – Ephesians 1:1-6 I speak to you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. And I speak to you today, on a joyous day that marks the baptism of 6 adults and the dedication of one infant in the name of the Father ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon On Change

Contributed by William Meakin on Oct 5, 2022

Change is defined as to make someone or something different.

Sydney J. Harris, an American journalist once remarked: “Our dilemma is that we hate change and love it at the same time; what we really want is for things to remain the same but get better.” James 1:17 confirms: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51, Jeremiah 29:11, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Deuteronomy 31:6

Sermon On Reciprocity

Contributed by William Meakin on Nov 27, 2022

Reciprocity is defined as the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit.

Erik Pevernagie, a Belgian painter and writer once remarked: “While we are threading our way through the vagaries of life, our shortage of reciprocity and solidarity may corner us into breaches of culpability. We can eschew this and kindle a dream of universalism that does not impose itself but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9, Philippians 2:4, Hebrews 13:16, 1 John 3:17

Sermon On Substitution

Contributed by William Meakin on Jun 27, 2023

Substitution is defined as the action of replacing someone or something with another person or thing.

Mitch Alborn, an American author, journalist and philanthropist once remarked: “You can’t substitute material things for love or for gentleness or for tenderness or for a sense of comradeship. Money is not a substitute for tenderness, and power is not a substitute for tenderness.” Romans 5:18 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, 1 Peter 2:1

Sermon On Motivation

Contributed by William Meakin on Jul 20, 2023

Motivation is defined as a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way.

Taylor Swift, an American singer-songwriter once remarked: "I just want you to know that if you are out there and you are being really hard on yourself right now for something that has happened ... it's normal. That is what is going to happen to you in life. No one gets through unscathed. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23, Matthew 19:26, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 12:11

Sermon On Perseverance

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 18, 2023

Perseverance is defined as doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Denis Waitley, an American motivational speaker once remarked: “Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” Proverbs 24:16 ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:36, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 41:10

Sermon On Redemption

Contributed by William Meakin on Apr 7, 2023

Redemption is defined as the action of saving or being saved from sin, error or evil.

Michael Bakari Jordan, an American actor, producer and director once remarked: “I think redemption is about righting a wrong, and in that pursuit, it's about trying. You can stumble, you can make mistakes, but it's about trying to do the right thing.” Ephesians 1:7 confirms: “In him we have ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:14, Psalm 111:9, Psalm 130:7, John 3:16

Sermon On Doubt

Contributed by William Meakin on Apr 10, 2023

Doubt is defined as a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.

Francis Bacon, a former Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain once remarked: If we begin with certainties, we shall end in doubts; but if we begin with doubts, and are patient in them, we shall end in certainties. Proverbs 3:5-8 confirms: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:22, Matthew 14:31, Mark 11:23, Luke 24:38

Sermon On Devotion

Contributed by William Meakin on Apr 14, 2023

Devotion is defined as love, loyalty or enthusiasm for a person or activity.

Jagadish “Jaggi” Vasudev, better known by the honorific title “Sadhguru,” an Indian yoga guru and proponent of spirituality once remarked: “True devotion means becoming the hand of the Divine. Whatever comes your way, you will know how to transform it into something beautiful.” James 1:22-26 ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1, Romans 14:1, 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 20:35

Sermon On Fulfillment

Contributed by William Meakin on May 18, 2023

Fulfillment is defined as the achievement of something desired, promised, or predicted. It may often result in a feeling of contentment.

Germany Kent, an American print and broadcast journalist, television personality and author once remarked: “Positive thinking is powerful thinking. If you want happiness, fulfillment, success and inner peace, start thinking you have the power to achieve those things. Focus on the bright side of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:22-23, Romans 13:8, Galatians 5:14, Ezekiel 12:28

Sermon On Insincerity

Contributed by William Meakin on May 28, 2023

Insincerity is defined as the quality of not expressing genuine feelings.

Giannis Delimitsos a Greek philosopher and author once remarked: “Many ask: “Why are we so insincere, why are we so hypocrites?” Well, it is because this is how human nature works. If there was a time and a place where human beings were 100% of the time honest, who always said what they had in ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:1, 1 Timothy 1:10, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 3:13

Sermon On Impatience

Contributed by William Meakin on Jun 6, 2023

Impatience is defined as the tendency to be impatient or, more specifically, not to allow sufficient time for events to take their natural course.

James Keller, an American Catholic priest once remarked: “Three hundred years ago a prisoner condemned to the Tower of London carved on the wall of his cell this sentiment to keep up his spirits during his long imprisonment: 'It is not adversity that kills, but the impatience with which we bear ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:14, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 4:2-3, Romans 12:12

Sermon On Materialism

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 24, 2023

Materialism is defined as a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values.

Nancy Pearcey, an American author once remarked: “When a person accepts materialism as a life philosophy, its effects do not stay neatly contained within the mental realm. It leads to destructive personal behavior and harmful public consequences.” Luke 12:15 reminds us: And he said to them, “Take ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:16, Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:33-34

Sermon On Collegiality

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 15, 2023

Collegiality is defined as the relationship between colleagues. It may include companionship and cooperation.

Deepak Chopra, an Indian-American writer once remarked: "Whatever relationships you have attracted in your life at this moment, are precisely the ones you need in your life at this moment. There is a hidden meaning behind all events, and this hidden meaning is serving your own evolution." ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12, 1 Peter 2:17, James 5:16, Titus 2:7

Sermon On Autumn

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 20, 2023

Autumn is defined as the season after summer and before winter, in the northern hemisphere from September to November, and in the southern hemisphere from March to May.

Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, an American poet, author and editor once remarked: "Spring is beautiful, and summer is perfect for vacations, but autumn brings a longing to get away from the unreal things of life, out into the forest at night with a campfire and the rustling leaves." James ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9, Psalm 23:4, 2 Corinthians 9:10, Psalm 104:19