Sermons on Shining Light:

What Does It Mean To Be The Church?

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Oct 4, 2005

How we are to be salt and light in the world

Brooks Atkinson, an American journalist, said, “I have no objection to churches, so long as they don’t interfere with God’s work”. Why are we here? What does it mean to be the church in Farnham in 2005? Our gospel reading has some ideas for us on what it might be all about, and our epistle ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Spectacle To The World

Contributed by Doug Houck on Dec 22, 2020

One purpose for the church is to reveal the character of God to men and angels

Introduction This has been an interesting election season. We each had to vote for our next leaders, often based on insufficient or conflicting information. But we try our best to evaluate: * What is the candidate’s platform? * What are they promising? * What is their character? * What sources ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 4:5-8, Deuteronomy 7:6, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 4:9, Ephesians 3:8-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Salty Christianity

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Feb 7, 2023

Jesus tells us we are the salt of the earth.

Matthew 5:13-20 Salty Christians or Believers 1. The following is some of the uses I found for Salt: • Salt is used for money and many people fought for in wars. "worth his salt" because of the value of salt. • Salt is used to cure and store meats It is used to disinfect wounds • It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Methodist

Paul Says, Hang In There

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Feb 14, 2018

Staying Faithful to the Gospel - Sharing the Light of the Gospel

Mid-week Message/Devotion February 14, 2018 Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Paul says – Hang In There Wishing All A Very Happy Valentine’s Day Sunday, we experienced the Glory of the Transfiguration and it left us with such a powerful and uplifting understanding of not only the Glory of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Go! And Grieve The Darkness — Until You See The Light Amos 8:9 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 4, 2025

Divine warning and impending judgement found in the sobering words of the prophet Amos. A prophet sent to a prosperous yet spiritually bankrupt people.

Go! And Grieve the Darkness—Until You See the Light - Amos 8:9 Amos 8:9 (NLT) – “In that day,” says the Sovereign Lord, “I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth while it is still day.” Introduction: Today we step into a moment of divine warning and impending judgement found in ...read more

Scripture: Amos 8:9-10, Matthew 27:45, Isaiah 59:2, Isaiah 9:2, John 8:12, Ephesians 5:8, 2 Corinthians 7:10, Romans 10:9, Mark 15:33-35, Isaiah 53:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

7 Virtues

Contributed by Robert Cox on Jan 23, 2009

Is it OK to want more?

MATTHEW 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

War And Witness For God's Glory Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Feb 6, 2014

Living on Mission in a Foreign Land War and Witness For God's Glory

Living on Mission in a Foreign Land War and Witness For God's Glory 1 Peter 2:9-12 David Taylor We are in our second week of our new Series, “Living on Mission in a Foreign Land,” based upon 1 Peter 2.11-4.11. Today we finish looking at “War and Witness for God's ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Epiphany Of The Lord

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 2, 2023

We have to expect to have epiphanies.

I saw a comic strip that said, “The Three Wise Accountants” and one of them said to Mary and Joseph just before Jesus was to be born in the manger, “If you can hold off a week, you can deduct the child on your Year One Taxes.” We hear Isaiah 60:1 in our First Reading; “Your light has come,” ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Its Moving Day Again

Contributed by Charles Scott on Oct 17, 2006

Christians are to be a light in a dark place, Our lives are to be an example, a light others can follow in our pilgrimage to the Father’s house.

ITS MOVING DAY AGAIN Hebrews 11__1-16 BY CHARLES SCOTT Church of the Good Shepherd Indianapolis Hebrews 11:1-3, (4-7), 8-16 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-16

Denomination: Anglican

The Purpose Of The Church Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Jan 3, 2007

Purpose Driven Concepts. Five Purposes presented as an acrostic - SHINE. Second Sermon in this Series - God’s Committed Community.

God’s Committed Community: The Purpose of The Church Last week we looked at the Nature Of The Church and we found that the Bible calls the church: 1. A FELLOWSHIP. 2. A FAMILY. 3. A BODY. 4. A FLOCK. Each one of these terms gives us a different understanding of The Church and shows how The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Looking Into The Window

Contributed by James May on May 23, 2004

Jesus is the Light of the World. He is the open window to eternal life and light and there is no other way. This sermon is told in story format.

Looking into the Window By Pastor James May There it stood, in the side of the wall; it was just a window. But there was something different about this window that was different from most. Those on the inside could look through it to see the outside world, and those on the outside could look ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:10-13, James 1:25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Advent Candlelighting Liturgy

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Nov 30, 2019

liturgy for lighting of each of the candles in the Advent wreath

As the season of Advent approaches, I am re-posting an Advent Candlelighting liturgy. . . Blessed Advent! Advent Candlelighting Liturgy First Sunday in Advent Leader: Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ. He is Emmanuel, the hope of all peoples; he is the wisdom that teaches ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 9:6, John 3:16-18, Luke 1:46-49, Isaiah 9:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Episcopal

Don't Blame The Darkness

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Mar 13, 2009

The only remedy for the darkness in the world is to produce more light!

IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT ANYTIME ANYONE ENTERS A DARKENED ROOM THAT THE FIRST THING THEY WANT TO DO IS FIND THE SWITCH TO TURN ON THE LIGHTS SO THEY CAN SEE. OTHER THAN TO SLEEP, I HONESTLY DON’T THINK MOST PEOPLE ENJOY DARKNESS. IT IS ENVELOPING AND SUFFOCATING. IT CAN SOMETIMES BE UNDERSTOOD AS ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Joy Of Pentecost

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 28, 2006

For the believer that lives for more, this is your time to shine! It’s time for you to understand and experience Pentecost.

The Joy of Pentecost Acts 2:1-4 The NKJ Bible Acts 2:1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Who Is Jesus? (John 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 28, 2025

Who is Jesus? Let's look in John 1.

Is Jesus God? What kind of faith made the disciples follow Jesus? Do we overcomplicate faith? Let’s look at John 1. Who is the Logos or Word that was in the beginning with God and also was God? In the beginning was the Word [Logos], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist