Sermons on Shemitah Year:

3rd Sunday After Epiphany, Year A. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 20, 2022

JANUARY 22nd, 2023.

Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 27:4-9, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23. A). THE DAWNING OF THE LIGHT. Isaiah 9:1-4. The prospect at the end of Isaiah 8 was one of ‘trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish’ (cf. Isaiah 8:22). But now there is a “Nevertheless” (Isaiah 9:1). The darkest ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 27:4-9, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

4th Sunday After Epiphany, Year A. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 20, 2022

JANUARY 29th, 2023.

Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15:1-5, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12. A). THE LORD’S CONTROVERSY. Micah 6:1-8. It is tragic when God has to serve a summons upon His own people. The “prisoner in the dock” is Israel herself, and the LORD is ready to submit His case. The witnesses are the ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8, Psalm 15:1-5, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

5th Sunday After Epiphany, Year A. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 20, 2022

FEBRUARY 5th, 2023.

Isaiah 58:1-12, Psalm 112:1-10, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, Matthew 5:13-20. A). THE NATURE OF TRUE FASTING. Isaiah 58:1-12. Surprisingly, the only place where the law of Moses commands fasting is in the “affliction of soul” associated with the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-31; Leviticus ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-12, Psalm 112:1-10, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

6th Sunday After Epiphany, Year A. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 20, 2022

FEBRUARY 12th, 2023.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37. A). CHOOSE LIFE. Deuteronomy 30:15-20. On more than one occasion I am sure, “Choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19) has been used, not inappropriately, as the text for an evangelistic sermon. The context, however, suggests ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Things We Need For The New Year 1 Of 2

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 30, 2022

As we enter a New Year, we never know what things will be like during the next 365 days. Some go to fortunetellers at this time of the year hoping to find out what the future holds for them.

But God had a purpose in us not knowing everything. Illus: A man was wandering around a fairground and he happened to see a fortuneteller's tent. Thinking it would be good for a laugh, he went inside and sat down. "Ahh....." said the woman, as she gazed into her crystal ball. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B-- Heal

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 14, 2024

The answer to the “tsunami of secularism” is nothing less than a tsunami of the Spirit.

In the film “Dead Man Walking,” there is a striking moment of contrasting pastoral styles. As the condemned prisoner, Matthew Poncelet, walks to his execution, the prison chaplain, Father Farley, suddenly appears to offer his blessing — a dispassionate ritual performed from a safe distance. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Catholic

2023 New Year’ Message: "Preparing For The Journey Ahead”

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Dec 31, 2022

Unbelief caused their forefathers to die in the wilderness, never seeing God’s best, and never experiencing the future God had for them. They had God as their father, Moses as their leader, God's promises and yet die with their dreams unfulfilled.

2023 New Year’ Message: “Preparing For the Journey Ahead” Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:8-17 “Therefore, be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have strength to go in and take over the land you are about to enter. 9 If you obey, you will enjoy a long life in the land ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:8-17, Deuteronomy 11:18-20

Denomination: Methodist

First Sunday Of Lent, Year A- The Tactics Of Temptation

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 21, 2023

C.S. Lewis made an astute observation in his masterful Screwtape Letters: the devil cannot manufacture real goods or pleasures; he’s stuck with the ones God has made and for which our natures have an inclination.

I saw this Cartoon of Satan tempting Jesus, saying: “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a medium rare ribeye steak with truffle butter.” [Jesus is thinking to himself, “He’s getting better at this.”] Note that Jesus did not say, “Man cannot live by coffee alone, but he will ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7-9, Genesis 3:1-7

Denomination: Catholic

Second Sunday Of Lent, Year A- Transfiguration Thoughts

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 25, 2023

There is no "on the mountain" and "off the mountain" which can be explained by the virtue of equanimity.

Peter was talking, but yielded to the voice from heaven and listened. “Listen to him" we hear from God the Father. Matthew 17:5 A woman named Barb tells about an incident that happened in her granddaughter’s kindergarten class. A boy in the class just wasn’t listening to his teacher. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9, Genesis 12:1-4

Denomination: Catholic

We Are Witnesses Second Sunday Of Easter, Year C

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Apr 24, 2022

Easter is unsettling. That’s our thesis for this series. No, wait, that’s a given. That’s a foundational statement. The thesis is because Easter is unsettling for the world, we need to be witnesses to the Easter event.

We Are Witnesses SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C Acts 5:27-32 5:27 When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 5:28 saying, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:27-32

Denomination: United Methodist

Fifteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A- The Sower

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 18, 2023

Even in the fruit-bearing hearers of the word there are gradations.

I saw a neighbor working in his front yard wearing a funny T-Shirt that said, “Sorry I Can't My Plants Need Me.” In today’s parable from Matthew, chapter 13, the seed is the Word of God (verse 20), and the ground is our hearts (verse 19). It all depends on what kind of soil a person is because ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Second Sunday In Ordinary, Year C: Humility

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 29, 2025

The crucified and resurrected body of Jesus thus represents the ultimate paradox’ and provides the necessity for disability. Jesus became so completely identified in his life and teaching with the lowest place, not only in the Eucharist by being disguised as the poor.

Imagine this situation, if you will: a husband comes home from work on a Friday afternoon, as he drives into the driveway, he sees that there is a rented tent in the back yard. Under the tent are tables and chairs for about forty people. A bandstand and dance floor are assembled in one corner of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: Catholic

The First Sunday Of Advent, Year C: Not Very Christmasy.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 12, 2024

The Church tells the Christmas Story backwards: the focus is to prepare for the coming of the Lord: at the end of the world, and when Christ comes for us at the end of our individual worlds, at death.

Our Gospel from St. Luke today is a little unsettling. Not very Christmasy. Unseasonal thoughts about the end of the world. Yet, the word Advent from the Latin, adventus, means “coming.” The Church tells the Christmas Story backwards: the focus is to prepare for the coming of the Lord: at the end ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:36

Denomination: Catholic

Second Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C: Cana

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 23, 2024

Are we holding up OUR part of the covenant of our vocations?

Jesus walks into a bar. “Just 12 waters, please,” while winking at his disciples. I saw this post on social media, DOES ANYONE KNOW WHICH PAGE OF THE BIBLE EXPLAINS HOW TO TURN WATER INTO WINE? I AM JUST ASKING FOR FRIEND. “The Church attaches great importance to Jesus’ presence at the wedding ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

The Seven Years Tribulation & God’s Wrath

Contributed by Jedidiah Jedidiah on Jul 30, 2025

The seven years Tribulation is part of God’s plan to: Judge sin, end evilness on earth, redeem Israel and the world in general and establish His kingdom.

The Seven Years Tribulation & God’s Wrath No single Bible verse directly states the reason why God sends the seven-year tribulation as a distinct event. The concept of a seven-year tribulation is primarily an interpretive framework drawn from various passages such as Daniel 9:24-27 and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18