Sermons on St Francis:

Radical Forgiveness

Contributed by Francis Balla on Mar 25, 2013

IF CHRIST COULD FORGIVE WHEN HE DIED ON THE CROSS WHY CAN'T I?

Just before the Valentines Day the sporting world was shocked to learn that Oscar Pistorius popularly known as the “blade runner” allegedly killed his girl friend Reeva Steenkamp a 29 year old South African Model. Another tragic loss of life! Following the tragedy Reeva’s uncle ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-43

Denomination: Baptist

United We Stand

Contributed by Francis Balla on Aug 24, 2012

This sermon highlights the need for the Church body to be united in "mind and purpose" in the midst of conflicting, and constantly changing ideologies and trends.

SUNDAY, JULY 1, 2012 UNITED WE STAND Let me read one of Aesop’s Greek fables; In the forest, there lived four oxen. They were very good friends and always went together to graze in the fields. However, every time they went, a hungry lion tried to attack them. The lion longed for their meat. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Calling On The Lord

Contributed by Francis Balla on Aug 24, 2012

In the world of advertising especially the TV commercials every scriptwriter understands the power of two words. “CALL NOW” To our great annoyance all most all commercials carry phrases like; “Pick up your phone and call now” “the first 100 callers will g

In the world of advertising especially the TV commercials every scriptwriter understands the power of two words. “CALL NOW” To our great annoyance all most all commercials carry phrases like; “Pick up your phone and call now” “the first 100 callers will get a gift” “not available in stores only ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

Run To Win

Contributed by Francis Balla on Aug 27, 2012

Christian Life is like a Spiritual Marathon. What do we have to do to prepare for it, stay on the course, and eventually win the race?

Around here in Boston Patriots Day is famously known for “The Boston Marathon” in which runners from all over the world participate. I watched with keen interest as the gun shot went off for the 116th Boston Marathon. Upmost in every ones mind was the question “Who will get the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Hamburger Vs Fruit Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Francis Balla on Sep 10, 2012

There are life style options for Christians.In Galatians 5th chapter the Apostle Paul points out two ways of living and their consequences.

For many in America daily breakfast happens on the run on their way to work, for others it happens at home at the kitchen table. It is a matter of making choices between an endless variety of cereals, breads, pastries, or maybe plain oats. If you are to choose between a BIG Mac and a platter of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

Aiming For Excellence

Contributed by Francis Balla on Sep 10, 2012

Does God care about education? What does the Bible say about learning?

AIMING FOR EXCELENCE 09/02/2012 It is the time of year again; kids and their parents are gearing up for yet another hectic school year with mixed emotions. Parents may be relieved that summer vacation has finally ended so that they can get their kids out of their hair where as some kids may be ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:2-5

Denomination: Baptist

Be Holy?

Contributed by Richard Francis on Jan 31, 2009

How do you feel to "Be Holy as I am holy" up to the task, impossible? Take heart and lets explore holiness and living like Jesus and find hope in loving like Jesus

Eyes fixed on Jesus If we are honest it is difficult to live to a set of values and ideals isn’t it. Its difficult to proclaim on a Sunday morning that we want to be like Jesus yet lose it in the office on a Monday or with the family on the way back from Church. Is it just me or do you have those ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Fullness Of Christ

Contributed by Richard Francis on Aug 19, 2008

As a Christian is your heart for people, walk with Jesus and see how he reached out with a heart for people and lets learn to be more like our Lord everyday.

A prayer for all believers in Christ Before we explore John 5: 1-11 can you walk with me for a while and consider our hearts? I would like to start by asking what fills your inner being, what defines you? It’s a difficult one to answer, if you are like me many things can fill my inner being most ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Save Us...we Have The Victory

Contributed by Richard Francis on May 10, 2009

Still fear the credit crunch, redundancy, illness, rejection, pain all these things might come, but through the storm through it all remember God is Good, God will not forsake you and leave you and Jesus has paid the price, the Victory is yours, its fact

Verse 1 - 4; This is a celebration song of victory so let Gods word stir up a victory dance in your heart today It is done we have won the followers of Christ should be singing and celebrating, yes even in these times of gloom, especially in these times for what is it to us? Give thanks to the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Suffering And Glory Of The Servant

Contributed by Richard Francis on May 10, 2009

God that is Father, Son and Holy Spirit knew from the beginning of creation that this day would come, still the pain for Jesus Suffering and death imagine how any parent would feel seeing a child suffer in such away, image what pain for the creator of all

See my Servant (52: 13 – 15); I’ve preached many a time on the theme that God knew the cost of creating us and still did What cost well, the suffering of Jesus Have you ever wondered did Jesus really have to die, well did he? After God is God, surely he could well just change the rules a bit and ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Walk With A Limp, Hands Up Who's Perfect?

Contributed by Richard Francis on May 10, 2009

When you encounter God do not expect to walk away the same, pray to walk with a limp as Jacob did and live in the promise and purpose God has for your life

What is it with God? It never ceases to amaze me the type of people God uses for great purpose I would have expected the most gifted, handsome, athletic, warrior, intellectual and generally those that reflected his perfection to project that “Look at me I’m right with God” persona to make us all ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prophecy: Were Are The Holy Spirit Fire Starters?

Contributed by Richard Francis on May 26, 2009

I beleive we need the gift of prohecy above all others in these times, for worshiping in spirit and trurth, for building the church up, fro bringing the holy fire to burn away the dross and to unleash rivers of living waters to our dying nations too peopl

So what is a prophet? To many people the term prophets conjures up a vision of an weathered haggard person with a more than slightly, no very wild look in their eyes. Someone who is weird sitting at the back of the church with a crazy look? Even perhaps an old lady sitting in a with a crystal ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Narnia: Always Winter, Never Christmas Series

Contributed by Richard Francis on Nov 28, 2005

In the middle of winter, we need Christmas, but in our spiritual winter, we need Jesus and all he brings to us.

Always Winter, Never Christmas Isaiah 64:1-9 Charlie Brown says that Christmas is at the top of a long hill, and I think that’s a pretty good description of how Christmas seems when you are young. I know it was that way with me. December 25 was the most highly-anticipated day of the year as far ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Desperate For God?

Contributed by Richard Francis on Sep 10, 2007

As a deer pants for water so my soul pants for God, are you desperate for God, do the mockers surrond do you fear the storm. Jesus is near ask and he will reach you, of this I’m sure Love will come down and rescue you, hold on help is here.

Psalm 42 overwhelmed with sorrow: Verses 1 - 2: As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? What do you picture? A nice deer skipping up to a clear bubbling flowing spring and gently ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11, Psalm 63:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Should We Worship?

Contributed by Francis Murphy on Jun 21, 2008

This sermon asks the question, "How should we worship God?"

Sermon 22/06/08 Psalm 24 How should we worship? Every communion service we sing these words, “Ye gates lift up your head on high”. It’s not so often that we have time to ponder what these words mean, so we hope be able to do that today as we look at this psalm together. Some traditions we have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed