Sermons on Thomas Merton:

Close But No Cigar Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 13, 2017

A study in the book of Acts 26: 1 – 32

Acts 26: 1 – 32 Close but no cigar 26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Not A Three Hour Tour Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 14, 2017

A study in the book of Acts 27: 1 – 44

Acts 27: 1 – 44 Not a three hour tour 27 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. 2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Unusual Kindness Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 15, 2017

A study in the book of Acts 28: 1 – 31

Acts 28: 1 – 31 Unusual kindness 28 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Let Us Begin Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 17, 2017

A study in the book of Genesis 1: 1 – 31

Genesis 1: 1 – 31 Let Us Begin 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Joy Is Restored Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 17, 2017

Sorrow is but for a time. The power of prayer, memories of God’s past healing and His loving-kindness sustain Israel. God heals the pain of the present in the same manner as He has healed the pain of the past.

Joy is the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying: it is keen pleasure, or elation. Joy is more elusive, subtle, and nuanced than happiness. We can manipulate circumstances to our own advantage to obtain what we think will bring happiness, or ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

Denomination: Other

Peace Is Restored Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 17, 2017

Shalom is God’s peace made alive in the life of the believer. It guides, comforts, quiets, restores and sustains, regardless of life circumstances. Shalom is found nowhere apart from God.

It is possible not to see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God's [back] fade in the distance. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for ...read more

Denomination: Other

Hope Is Restored Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 17, 2017

Hope is oriented toward what God is doing; wishing is oriented toward what we are doing. Choose hope—hope is living in anticipation of what God is going to do next.

Webster defines a patriot as one “who loves and loyally or zealously supports one's own country”. By that definition, Asaph (author of Ps. 80), was both patriot and man of God, burdened for his country. Among all nations of the world, Israel was/is God's crown jewel. For hundreds of years she ...read more

Denomination: Other

His Story Of Creation Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 18, 2017

A study in the book of Genesis 2: 1 – 25

Genesis 2: 1 – 25 His Story of Creation 2 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How Come? Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 20, 2017

a study in the book of Genesis 3: 1 – 24

Genesis 3: 1 – 24 How Come? Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Head Start Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 21, 2017

A study in the book of Genesis 3: 15

Genesis 3: 15 Head Start And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel. From the Latin word ‘muse’ we derive our English word ‘think’. If you place the letter ‘a’ before, I find it intriguing that the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

They Were Mean To Me Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 22, 2017

A study in the book of Genesis 4: 1 – 15

Genesis 4: 1 – 15 They were mean to me 4 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the LORD.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Your Name Means What? Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 24, 2017

A study in the book of Genesis chapter 4 verse 16 through chapter 5 verse 32

Genesis 4: 16- 24 Genesis 5: 1 - 32 Your name means what? 16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden. 17 And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Who Is This Jesus? Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 24, 2017

God becomes human flesh. God empties himself and becomes a helpless babe. GOD CAME DOWN TO LIFT US UP. This is Christmas—one resolve—God wants to change our hearts; to make us a new creation.

FAMOUS FIRSTS * Virginia Dare (1587): 1st child born in the American colonies, Aug. 18, on (now) Roanoke Island, NC. * André-Jacques Garnerin (1797): 1st parachute jump 6,500 ft. over Manseau Park, Paris in a 23’ dia. parachute made of white canvas with a basket attached (Oct. 22). * Charles ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Other

The Word Became Flesh

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 24, 2017

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Nothing compares to the Incarnation of Christ. Nothing.

C.S. Lewis describes the incarnation this way: Lying at your feet is your dog. Imagine, for the moment, that your dog (and every dog) is in deep distress. Some of us love dogs very much. If it would help all the dogs in the world to become like men, would you be willing to become a dog? Would ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Other

Weird Stuff Is Happening Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 31, 2017

A study in the book of Genesis 6: 1 – 22

Genesis 6: 1 – 22 Weird stuff is happening 6 Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, 2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose. 3 And the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel