Sermons on Sermon In The Plain:

Sermon On A Sense Of Belonging

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 10, 2025

A sense of belonging is the feeling of being accepted, included, and connected to another person, a group or a community.

Brené Brown, a female American academic once remarked: "True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Peter 4:10, Philippians 2:1-4, Ephesians 4:16

Sermon On The Sparrows Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 14, 2025

A sparrow is defined as a common bird of flight and song.

Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist once remarked: “Look at the sparrows; they do not know what they will do in the next moment. Let us literally live from moment to moment.” Matthew 6:26 reminds us: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:20-21, Psalm 104:12, Proverbs 26:2, 1 Peter 5:7

Sermon On Dreams Or Desires?

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 17, 2025

Dreams are defined as a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.

Edgar Allan Poe, an American poet once remarked: “Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” Genesis 37:5-9 reminds us: Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:5, Daniel 7:1, Psalm 37:4, Jeremiah 29:11

Sermon On The Way To The Stars

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 21, 2025

The idiom: "The Way To The Stars" is often used metaphorically, especially in contexts like the RAF motto "Per ardua ad astra" (Through adversity to the stars).

Norman Vincent Peale, an American author once remarked: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” Genesis 1:14-18 reminds us: “And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:26, Psalm 8:3-4, 1 Corinthians 15:40-41, Amos 5:8

Sermon On An Eminence Of Friendship

Contributed by William Meakin on Jul 31, 2025

Friendship is the bond that unites.

Henri Nouwen, a Dutch priest once remarked: “When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13-15, Proverbs 17:17, Exodus 33:11, Revelation 3:20

Sermon On The Palindromes Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 7, 2025

A palindrome is defined as a word, name, sentence, verse, or even number that reads the same backwards or forward.

Yayoi Kusama, a female Japanese artist once remarked: “With just one polka dot, nothing can be achieved. In the universe, there is the sun, the moon, the earth, and hundreds of millions of stars. All of us live in the unfathomable mystery and infinitude of the universe. Pursuing 'philosophy of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Galatians 6:7, Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:11-13

Sermon On The Jigsaw Connection

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 1, 2023

A jigsaw puzzle is defined as a picture or etching, usually portraying an item of interest, embossed onto cardboard or wood and cut into various pieces of differing shapes and sizes that are purposefully and befittingly joined together.

Diane McLaren, a Canadian-born nutritionist, iridologist and wellness coach once remarked: “Nature has given us all the pieces required to achieve exceptional wellness and health, but has left it to us to put these pieces together.” Isaiah 40:22 reminds us: “It is he who sits above the circle of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-14, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Matthew 28:19, Isaiah 48:16

Sermon On Inspirational Teachings

Contributed by William Meakin on Oct 19, 2024

One of the many definitions of teaching is said to be ideas or principles taught by an authority.

Henry Brooks Adams, an American historian once remarked: "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." Titus 2:7-8 reminds us: “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, James 3:1, Psalm 32:8, Colossians 3:16

Turning Your Warm Twig Into A Burning Bush

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Aug 6, 2003

God worked through a plain duck in the desert like Moses.

Turning Your Warm Twig Into A Burning Bush November 17, 2002 (1 of 1) Exodus 3:1-12 FBC, Chester, Illinois Mike Fogerson, Speaker TEXTUAL SERMON Introduction: A Show clip of "The Ten Commandments." a Burning Bush b I want that! I’m no Charlton Heston. More like a pre-mortem Chris ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Happiness Is What? Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 23, 2001

Part 2 of series on Sermon on the Mount, looks at true happiness.

Happiness is What Sermon on the Mount # 2 Rev. Denn Guptill, BCC Sept. 22 1996 Last week as we started to discuss the Sermon on the Mount we mentioned several things that bear repeating. The first is that these are the words of Jesus for today, not for yesterday or tomorrow but for September 22 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Who Will Inherit The What? Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 23, 2001

Part 3 in Sermon on the Mount Series, looking at the meaning of meek.

"The Who Shall Inherit the What?" Rev. Denn Guptill, BCC, Sept. 29 1996 If you were to survey a select group of people in 38 countries asking them this question, "Taking all things together, would you say you are: 1) not at all happy, 2) not very happy or 3) quite happy or very happy" where do you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-5

Denomination: Wesleyan

You Gotta Want It Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 23, 2001

Part 4 of Sermon on Mount Series, who much do you want righteousness?

You Gotta Want it Rev. D.V. Guptill, BCC Oct. 6 1996 Sermon on the Mount #5 Have you discovered that words can’t be taken in isolation. They have to be looked at in their environment. I performed a wedding about ten years ago and it was a miserable day in February, worst storm of the year. Five ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Pass The Peace Please Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 23, 2001

The fifth part of Sermon on the Mount Series, how we bring peace to those around us.

The year was 1938, the date was October 6th the place was London England, the speaker was Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and this was the message "We should seek by all means in our power to avoid war, by analysing possible causes, by trying to remove them, by discussion in a spirit of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-9

Denomination: Wesleyan

How Salty Are You Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 23, 2001

Part 6 in Sermon on Mount Series, looks at our need to make a difference.

If you were going to make a statement that would indicate the worth of someone who meant a great deal to you what metaphors would you use. "a million bucks" "gold" "silver" "pearls" "priceless" "a mint" how about "Salt" For the past several weeks we have been following the words of Christ as he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Wesleyan

Loving Those We Hate Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 23, 2001

Part 9 of Sermon on Mount Series, the tough job of loving those who hurt us

Salt, Light and those We Love to Hate November 17 1996 Matt. 5:38-48 Matthew 5:43-44 (NIV) "You have heard that it was said, ’Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, This particular command comes from Leviticus 19:18 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Wesleyan