Sermons on Thomas Merton:

Provision Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 22, 2013

Whatever we may think of Elijah, “he was a man just like us.” So says the Apostle James (5:16-17). Yes, he was a mighty prophet, but he was also a flawed person with doubts, fears, and needs--a real person, not a superhero.

Whatever we may think of Elijah, “he was a man just like us.” So says the Apostle James (5:16-17). Yes, he was a mighty prophet, but he was also a flawed person with doubts, fears, and needs--a real person, not a superhero. He experienced success and despair. “He put on his ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

Be Not Afraid

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 28, 2014

Let’s not fear what nature or nations may do to us. Sometimes the Lord calms the storm…sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms us.

The most often repeated command in Scripture is “fear not.” It is given 114 times…that’s not just something an angel says in a Christmas play! God tells us in verse one, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.” We have ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-28

Denomination: Congregational

Provoking Good Deeds And Love

Contributed by Jeremy Harbin on Feb 16, 2020

"Provoking" is the ability to call forth a reaction, feeling, or emotion from another. The reaction is usually unwanted. What if we used this power to call out the good in our neighbor?

1. What a strange phrase in our Bibles: PROVOKE ONE ANOTHER TO LOVE AND GOOD WORKS. 2. When we hear the word “provoke” we don’t often think of good intentions or good outcomes. 3. We might think of the guy who cuts us off on the interstate, and he doesn’t even use his blinker when he does it . He ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

Sermon On Repentance

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 15, 2022

Some people in life bitterly regret certain remarks or actions after the event.

Thomas Merton, an American Trappist monk, writer and theologian once remarked: “God does not demand that every man attain to what is theoretically highest and best. It is better to be a good street sweeper than a bad writer, better to be a good bartender than a bad doctor, and the repentant thief ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, Acts 17:30, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Matthew 3:8

Sermon On Solitary Moments

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 3, 2025

A cosmic experience is regarded as a state of consciousness that can involve a special sense of connection to the universe.

Thomas Merton, an American monk and writer once remarked: “When we are alone on a starlit night, when by chance we see the migrating birds in autumn descending on a grove of junipers to rest and eat; when we see children in a moment when they are really children, when we know love in our own ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, Matthew 14:23, Isaiah 40:26

The New Take On The The Story Of Doubting Thomas

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 30, 2014

Everybody knows the story of doubting Thomas that there is little to add, but I have, and it is delivered in three separate parts: an Old Testament approach, an Old Testament approach with Jesus thrown in; and finally a New Testament approach.

Word Count: 2603 This sermon was delivered to the congregation in St Oswald’s in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 1st May 2011: by Gordon McCulloch (A Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries). Summary: Everybody knows the story of doubting Thomas that there is ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-30

Denomination: Episcopal

A Call To Holy Obedience

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Apr 30, 2017

You were purchased with Christ’s blood; your life’s purpose is to glorify him in holy obedience.

Arabian horses go through rigorous training in the deserts of the Middle East. The trainers require absolute obedience from the horses, and test them to see if their training is complete. The final test is nearly beyond the endurance of any living thing. The trainers force the horses to do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-23

Denomination: Other

Under The Mercy

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Aug 27, 2020

We're all sinners, saved only by the great mercy of God.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 (Greet the congregation with “Good morning, saints.” After they reply, greet them again with “Good morning, sinners.” They’ll probably miss a beat before replying, but the point will be made.) We’re both saints and sinners, aren’t we? We’re saints seeking God, and sinners ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Supernatural Resources Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 27, 2014

When you have a decision to make, utilize the supernatural resources you have at your disposal as a child of God. Utilize your spiritual assets of the Word of God and prayer.

A 32-year-old man was just appointed president of the bank he worked for. He never dreamed of being president, and certainly not at such a young age, so he was a bit intimidated. He sought the advice of his gray-haired predecessor: “Sir, what has been the secret of your success?” The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:15-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Faith And Doubt In Between

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Apr 29, 2014

During our life, from baptism and going home to the Lord, we live "in between" faith and doubt. But not all doubt is bad, and it can be used to draw us closer to God.

What is our motto? “A believing church in a doubting world.” St. Thomas the Disciple is a church that believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. What does that—believing in Jesus Christ—mean? Isn’t that the real question? Lots of churches, real and so-called, profess some ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-21

Denomination: Anglican

Love-In-Action Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 4, 2006

Outline: • Murderous un-love, 11-15 • Sacrificial love, 16-17 • Confirming love, 18-20 • Love¡¦s outcome, 21-24

I¡¦d like to begin by quoting an 8-year old theologian: ¡§There are two kinds of love. Our love. God¡¦s love. But God makes both of them.¡¨ God is the Source of love. This is something we¡¦ve known from the beginning of our Christian experience. ƒçMurderous un-love, verses 11-15 An old Burt ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-24

Denomination: Congregational

The Eyes Series

Contributed by Jordan Muck on Sep 6, 2016

The seven things God hates.

Series: Seven Week: 1 Passage: Proverbs 6:16-19 Title: The Eyes Interesting Statement: “The face is the mirror of the mind, and eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart.” Jerome Introduction: The writer of Proverbs chapter six outlines a “six/seven” pattern ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:16-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Despair Or Repair Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jan 29, 2013

Nehemiah's life is a lesson in leadership. Nehemiah did more than rebuild a wall; he helped restore a people from ruin and despair to new hope and a renewed walk with God.

Nehemiah is an appropriate book to study as we get into a new year. It is the story of a new beginning. Nehemiah saw the heart-breaking plight of Jerusalem and determined to be part of the solution. His life is a lesson in leadership. Nehemiah did more than rebuild a wall; he helped restore a ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-10

Denomination: Congregational

Pride & Humility Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 12, 2012

The proud are caught up in illusions about themselves. Humility helps us submit to God’s definition of reality rather than ours.

We’re starting a new series on the Seven Deadly Sins and their corresponding Heavenly Virtues. With every negative command in Scripture there’s a related positive duty; for every “Thou shall not” there is a “Thou shall”. Sin is our ruin, virtue our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Congregational

I Am The One Who Bears Witness Of Myself Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 29, 2012

Best summed up by a D.A. Carson quote: ¡§Jesus does not merely bring his Father¡¦s message; Jesus is the message, He is the Word.¡¨

Let's understand the context¡KJesus has just claimed to be the ¡§Light of the world,¡¨ and His critics are outraged at such audacity. They¡¦d like to yell, ¡§Who do you think you are!¡¨ but He just got finished telling them who He was. His self-disclosure is indeed outrageous if it isn¡¦t true. ...read more

Scripture: John 8:13-30

Denomination: Congregational