Sermons on Utility:

Substance Use Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Feb 12, 2019

God has given us substance in His blessings to us. This lesson explores our responsibilities to be conduits of blessings, especially in regard to our finances.

1. Today we are thinking of the Substance that God has given us, that is, His blessings to us, especially our financial ones. 2. Former US Congressman Bob McEwen from Ohio (1981-93) told a story about his brother taking his son to McDonald’s. The dad bought the son a large order of fries. While ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:10-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon On The Importance Of Vision

Contributed by William Meakin on May 5, 2023

Vision can relate to several derivations.

Ayn Rand, a Russian-born female American writer and philosopher once remarked: “Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision. Their goals differed, but they all had this in common: that the step was first, the road new, the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18, Habakkuk 2:3, Joel 2:28, Jeremiah 29:11

Sermon On Broken Fragments

Contributed by William Meakin on May 13, 2023

Broken fragments have been defined as small particles that have become detached from something larger or whole.

Eva Ashwood, a female author of several novels once remarked: “There’s nothing wrong with being broken. Some things aren’t meant to be whole. And some things don’t need to be fixed. Some things are broken and aren’t meant to be fixed. But that doesn’t mean they’re fine the way they are. It just ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:17, Psalm 147:3, Isaiah 66:2

Sermon On The Tribulations Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on May 23, 2023

Lifts, or elevators as they are often referred to, are defined as a platform or compartment housed in a specifically designed shaft for raising and lowering people or things to different levels.

Andy Rooney, an American television writer once remarked: “Almost all of us have an elevator or two in our lives somewhere. We wait for them, we ride on them. We're annoyed by the wait, but pleased with the lift.” Ezekiel 3:12 reminds us: “Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:21, Romans 12:12, Revelation 3:10, Colossians 3:15

The Miserable Son And The Maddened Sibling

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 24, 2022

Was the miserable son wasteful? Why did the father not punish the young son, if he deserved it? Was the maddened son self-centered and resentful?

Verses 11 – 19: Was the miserable son wasteful? The young son’s portion of the property was 33% (Deuteronomy 21:17). By and large, he would have gotten this at his father’s death, although fathers in some cases decided to split their property early and resign from dealing with the estates. What is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon On Advocate Or Protagonist?

Contributed by William Meakin on Nov 15, 2022

Caterpillars are defined as the larval stage of members of the Lepidoptera family which is an insect order comprising butterflies and moths.

Steven James, a Wisconsin-born American author once remarked: “Think of a caterpillar entering a cocoon. Once he does so, one of two things will happen: He will either transform into a butterfly, or he will die. But no matter what else happens, he will never climb out of the cocoon as a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1, 1 John 2:1, Acts 19:19, Luke 16:26

What Is The Significance Of Keeping Or Having Unity In The Church?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jul 2, 2023

What is unity and what does it mean to have unity within the church?

What is unity? Definition: the state of being united or joined as a whole, oneness, a condition of harmony – accord, the quality or state of being made one – unification, a totality of related parts. “There is one body,” according to Paul, and we have been given many gifts and capacities. Unity ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Agents Of Grace

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jul 3, 2023

A sermon for the Sundays following Pentecost, Year A, Lectionary 13

July 2, 2023 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Matthew 10:40-42 Agents of Grace Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. I’ve always been a fan of good news - bad news jokes: One day, the Pope’s assistant urgently approached ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:40-42

Denomination: Lutheran

Sermon On The Ten Commandments

Contributed by William Meakin on Feb 28, 2021

We probably are all aware that the Ten Commandments were originally delineated to the Prophet Moses on Mount Sinai...

Pope Francis once remarked: “We must not see the Ten Commandments as limitations to liberty. No, they are not this, but we must see them as indications for liberty. They are not limitations but indications for liberty! They teach us to avoid the slavery to which the many idols reduce us that we ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:3-17, John 14:15

The Candlestick Is Gone

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Mar 7, 2021

You are not being loyal or honoring God by putting makeup on a cadaver. Seek life, not mausoleums.

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. If every church in Revelation, including the ones He complimented the most, ceased to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:5, Revelation 3:1, Romans 13:11-12, 2 Samuel 12:14, Luke 16:8, 2 Timothy 3:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

How Exercising Authority Is Powerless Without Enforcing Our Identity In Christ.

Contributed by Patrick Usifo on Mar 24, 2021

Because without knowing and having a recognized identity, we are powerless to use our authority over the things in the heavens and on earth.

When I started my new life in Christ, one of the first things I noticed among believers in the Church was the level of humility and unblemished morality displayed even in troublesome times. But as time progresses, I began to question every form of the appearance of the outward display of humility: ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:23-24, Acts 19:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Respect

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 18, 2020

Where has the respect gone for God's called? What must a person do to acquire respect?

Let’s talk about respect tonight. As the comic, Rodney Dangerfield, proclaimed for decades: "I don’t get any respect!" There may be times in your life you feel like Mr. Dangerfield. You may not get the personal respect you think you deserve or you may feel your opinions or choices are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7, 1 Timothy 3:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Recess Is Over

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 11, 2021

We have played church for too long. It is time to work as one.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Corinthians 14:26, Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On A Loss Of Direction

Contributed by William Meakin on Nov 1, 2021

Many people in life often become distracted by events or circumstances beyond their control which inevitably result in a lack of positive direction.

Melody Beattie, an American author of self-help books on codependent relationships once remarked: "I used to spend so much time reacting and responding to everyone else that my life had no direction. Other people's lives, problems, and wants set the course for my life. Once I realized it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:10, 2 Timothy 4:17, Deuteronomy 31:6

Sermon On The Way Ahead

Contributed by William Meakin on Feb 9, 2024

A mountain is defined as a large natural elevation of the earth’s surface, rising abruptly from the surrounding level.

John Muir, a Scottish author and mountaineer once remarked: “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 54:10, Matthew 17:20, Mark 11:23, 2 Peter 1:21