Sermons on Simchat Torah:

A New Motivation

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on May 8, 2004

A "Dog eats dog" Kingdom or a Kingdom of Love

Jn 13:31-35: A new motivation Story: The Liberal Prime Minister, William Gladstone, in announcing the death of Princess Alice on 14th December 1878 to the House of Commons, told this touching story. The little daughter of the Princess was seriously ill with diphtheria. And so the doctors told ...read more

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Denomination: Anglican

Stephen’s Witness To The Jews, And Ours

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 26, 2009

We need to consider the early Church’s message to their elder brothers, the Jews, and our attitude of love for them today.

December 26, 2009 St. Stephen, protomartyr Once the Church of the first decade accepted the reality that the scandalous execution of the Messiah, Jesus, was really the beginning of the transformation of man into the obedient child of God, a new scandal occupied their attention. And so, with the ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

The Narrow Gate And The Universal Love Of God Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 22, 2019

The Church and her missionaries do all these things in response to the commands of Jesus to love even unbelievers as Jesus loves them, to do to others as they would want others to do to themselves

Tuesday of 12th Week in Course 2019 St. Dominic Henares, bishop If you look carefully at the long Biblical accounts of the life of Abraham–here identified as Abram before the Lord changed his name–you might wonder why God chose him. The answer is similar to the reply to the question “why does God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:6-14, Genesis 13:2-18, 1 Timothy 2:4

Denomination: Catholic

The Scene Is Set For Revolution And Reformation Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 21, 2017

God writes straight with crooked lines, in every age.

Thursday of 29th Week in Course 2017 Reformation and Revolution Let’s imagine for a moment what happened when St. Paul and his companions came to a town in Anatolia or Greece, his two assigned missionary territories. There were probably Jews there, who met in someone’s home or maybe, if the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-53

Denomination: Catholic

The Real Problem Is Sin Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 5, 2020

The prophecies of Isaiah were fulfilled in the mission and work of Jesus--and more than fulfilled.

Monday of the 2nd Week in Advent 2020 Scholars tell us that the Book of Isaiah appears from language and tone to have three parts, written with the words of the prophet, living late in the life of the kingdom of Judea. The first part prophesies the need for repentance in Judea and in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26, Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 85:9-13

Denomination: Catholic

Be Transfigured Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Oct 16, 2016

Jesus took three disciples who were transfigured in life they were with Jesus and therefore life was transformed in latter stages. They were died as martyrs.

Text: MARK 9:2-9 Theme: “Be Transfigured” Background: Mark 8 describes Jesus involved in many activities and programs. He taught, did miracles, healed. Mark 9:10ff describes Jesus tells about resurrection, miracles, importance on fasting-prayer. 1. Go to Mountain Mark 9:2 Called, took to High ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-9

Denomination: Methodist

Listen To Him

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 3, 2018

We stand as onlookers with Peter, James and John and see a very special experience - a mysterious experience and hear God say: "This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him"

Listen to Him Luke 9:28-36 Today we stand as onlookers with Peter, James and John and see a very special experience - a mysterious experience. His countenance, and even the robe Jesus is wearing, begins to glow until it is a dazzling white and with him we see two men - Moses the law-giver, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36, Mark 9:2-8, Matthew 17:1-8, 2 Peter 1:17-18

Judgement? Or Fraternal Correction

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 4, 2022

You know what happens whenever you point out some evil in the culture. The next words somebody will say are, “Jesus taught you not to judge.”

Friday of the 22nd Week in Course Today’s Gospel is so straightforward and goes to the heart of Christ’s teaching that we can be forgiven for ignoring all the other Scriptures we have heard. It’s kind of a slap at the Pharisees, who try to keep all the six-hundred plus rules of Torah involving ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:33-39, Matthew 18:15-18, Matthew 7:1-3, 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Denomination: Catholic

Just Do It!

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jan 5, 2023

As God's chosen child, we are to answer the call of God with humble obedience.

Just Do It – Matthew 3: 13 - 17 Intro: Timmy had a loose tooth. He asked his dad to help him get rid of the lose tooth. His father tied a 3-foot length of waxed dental floss to the tooth and then tied the other end to a 5-pound weight from his exercise equipment. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Prayer Of The Humble Pierces The Clouds

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 21, 2022

Paul had prayed all his life, as we should. “The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds.” God always hears our prayers.

Thirtieth Sunday in Course 2022 It’s helpful for us, two thousand years since the events, to consider some background on this story, this parable, of Jesus about the Pharisee and the tax-collector, sometimes called the “publican.” The word “Pharisee” comes directly from the Greek. It means ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-18, Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Catholic

Joseph Was Not Egyptian, But He Was A Leader With Integrity

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Feb 14, 2025

Who was Joseph? Joseph was the son of Jacob

JOSEPH WAS NOT EGYPTIAN, BUT HE WAS A LEADER WITH INTEGRITY By definition, the word integrity comes from the English language, derived from the root word "integer," which means whole, complete, or entire. It is a form of religious adherence to moral codes, values, and conduct. If we ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hosea--Is He A Loser And Chump? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 24, 2025

He fell in love with a woman who found herself lovers, lots of them. She was frequently unfaithful. Despite her infidelity, Hosea took her back time after time.

Friday of the Third Week in Lent 2025 The prophet Hosea, if he lived in our modern culture, would be called a total loser, an inveterate chump. He was prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel and ministered during the reign of King Jeroboam II in the middle of the eighth century before Our Lord. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34, Psalm 81:6-11, Psalm 81:14, Hosea 14:2-9

Denomination: Catholic

Miracles? How Can I Believe That?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 20, 2024

Why are there any miracles at all?

Sixth Sunday in Course 2023 I suppose the most frequent question I’ve been asked since my ordination, and even before that, is “why after the years of prayer doesn’t God heal my physical problem?” Or it could be the sickness or injury of a friend or relative that is getting the prayer. “There’s so ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45, 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Leviticus 13:1-46

Denomination: Catholic

The Claims Of Jesus

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Intro.: 1.

Intro.: 1. At Caesarea-Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples a very important question ............. "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" a. "John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of prophets." b. "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Peter). 2. If Jesus were to ask his disciples ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:62-66

"And What About Women In Leadership?"

Contributed by Paul Shafit on Mar 25, 2003

Women are not second class citezens; they’re subject to God’s Word like the rest of us.

Women have never been second class citizens in the Church. They have been honored for their gifts of ministry and served along with men in the early Church and right up to the present. There is some confusion as to the positions women may hold within the Church that have opened the door to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:9-15, Titus 2:3-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational