Sermons on Train Your Spirit:

For You

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 7, 2023

A Sermon for Maundy Thursday

April 6, 2023 Maundy Thursday Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Matthew 26:17-30 For You Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. There is joy in hosting a meal. Eating is so essential to all of us. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:17-30, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Easter Overcomes Fear

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Apr 22, 2023

Easter helps us overcome fear of death..

Matthew 28:1-10 Easter overcomes Fear 1. Fears is something we all have • Many people have intense fears of spiders snakes infects • Fear of closed spaces. That’s another common fear, called claustrophobia. People with this fear find it unbearable to be inside small spaces such as elevators, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

What Does It Look Like When God Finally Answers? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 10, 2023

After years of what felt like silence from God, Joseph finally gets his moment when the pieces come together. What can we learn from his experience?

A LONG TIME WAITING: Joseph finally gets his answer. - Genesis 41:1-57. - Overview the story. - No doubt Joseph wondered countless times why he was in the place and shape that he was in. Now he finally gets an answer. Not a complete reckoning but one that fills in the major pieces. WHAT DOES ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:1-57

Denomination: Baptist

One Foot In God's Word, And One Foot In The World And The Dangers Of Compromise Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 30, 2025

As Christians, we are called to be in the world but not of the world

As Christians, we are called to be in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-19). However, many of us have found ourselves straddling the fence, with one foot firmly planted in God's Word and the other foot deeply rooted in the world. This compromise has led to a watering down of our faith, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-32

Whitewashed Tomb Christians Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 10, 2025

This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, exposing the hypocrisy that plagues many who claim to follow God.

In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus unleashes a scathing critique on the Pharisees, calling them "whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness." This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-28, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Disorderly Christians (2 Thessalonians 3)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 3, 2024

What can we do about disorderly, lazy and idle Christians? Lets look at that in 2 Thessalonians 3.

Do we pray for our ministers? Is God faithful? Is Christ steadfast? What should we do about disorderly Christians? Let's discuss this in 2 Thessalonians 3. Do we pray for faithful ministers of the Gospel, for both their message and their safety? Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Solemnity Of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King Of The Universe, Year B., Christ The King B-- Let The Truth Finish Up

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 15, 2021

"First, I preached my church empty, and then preached it full again."

David Foster Wallace said, "The truth will set you free. But not until it is finished with you,” in other words, the truth has to be assimilated in your conscience before it can set you free. Stanley Hauerwas, of Duke Divinity school, says, in effect, that, when we don’t let the truth ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-38

Denomination: Catholic

Resolute Within Vacillating Winds

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 6, 2020

Jesus maintains his unwavering course to the cross through the events of Holy Week

April 5, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Matthew 21:1-11; Matthew 27:11-54 Resolute within Vacillating Winds Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Lawrence Pertillar wrote the poem “By the Shift of Winds.” It starts ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Matthew 27:11-54

Denomination: Lutheran

The Antidote To The Deadly Sin Of Pride

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 8, 2025

Countering the deadly habit of thinking of ourselves as a "god."

Friday of the Twenty-Third Week in Course 2025 Take a look at the opening prayer for our worship today. We implore God, by whom we are redeemed and receive adoption, to look graciously on your beloved sons and daughters. We are redeemed by God through the free and meritorious ace of the Son of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:39-42, Psalm 16:1-11, 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 1 Timothy 1:12-14

Denomination: Catholic

Rage Of The Heathen

Contributed by Charles Payne on Sep 12, 2025

If there is any purpose to be gleaned from the murder of Charlie Kirk, it is this: we can no longer lean on activists like Charlie to do our work for us.

RAGE OF THE HEATHEN (Inspired by the political assassination of Charlie Kirk) 2 Samuel 1:17–27) “The beauty of Israel is slain upon your high places: how are the mighty fallen!” (v.19) PROLOGUE: A WORLD SHAKEN BY VIOLENCE When a public figure is assassinated—Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:19, Psalm 2:1, Acts 4:25-28, Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Hath Appointed A Day Series

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Oct 30, 2025

God hath appointed a day

Acts 17:16-34 God hath appointed a day 30 but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; I. It's Certainty - 31 because he hath appointed a day A Divine ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Holiness

Asa Of Judah (2 Chronicles 14)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 13, 2025

Do we trust God to give us victory?

Do followers of God experience victory? What will be our ultimate victory? Let’s begin in 2 Chronicles 14. Who became king of Judah after king Abijah? Did the land experience peace? Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. His son Asa became king in his place. During ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God's Standard Of Accountability For Men Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 23, 2025

The Bible emphasizes God's concern for the well-being and dignity of women.

The Bible emphasizes God's concern for the well-being and dignity of women. Throughout Scripture, we find examples of men being held accountable for their actions towards women. Here are five biblical examples: 1. Adam's Responsibility (Genesis 3:1-7, 12-13) In the Garden of Eden, Adam ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:12, Isaiah 1:17

Who Will Inherit Eternal Life? Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 26, 2025

The Bible teaches that only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, love and obey God's commandments, and persevere in their faith will inherit eternal life.

The Bible teaches that only a few will enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:24, Revelation 3:16, Acts 3:19

Israel Sins Again (Judges 10)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 11, 2025

Does Israel's cycle of falling into sin mean that we in the church are also guilty? Let's look at Judges 10.

Do we in the church fall into cycles of sin and repentance as Israel did? What can we learn from their continual falling into sin? Who can save us? Let’s look at Judges 10. Did Tola serve 23 years and Jair 22 years as judges in Israel? Now after Abimelech died, Tola the son of Puah, the son of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist