Sermons on Vocation:

Am I A Limb Climber Or Branch Sitter?

Contributed by James Lee on Oct 20, 2012

Joseph was a man who sort of had it made and life was pretty good, from his perspective. Then one day God shows up and asked Joseph to go out on limb.

I used to be a man that was comfortable with life like it was and had no intentions of taking any risk. I had a job, a wife and two children. We had food on the table and a roof over our heads. Then God called me to follow Him in pastoral ministry and my whole world changed. I had to go back to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Belonging

Contributed by John Wright on Aug 24, 2020

There are times in life when you need a good loving snuggle to feel secure. You need someone to wrap their arms around you and let you know that you are loved.

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:11-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Mina Undertaking

Contributed by Perry Greene on Oct 12, 2020

While we are waiting for Jesus to return we must be about the Father's business.

Are you ready for his return? A young woman was expecting a date. She was dressed up and waiting patiently. However, by the time he was an hour late she figured she’d been stood up. So, she took off her makeup, put on her pajamas, gathered all the junk food in the house and sat down to watch TV ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Revival For The Sons Of Thunder Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 18, 2021

The two sons of thunder, sons of Zebedee, were interesting apostles. How did revival change both of them?

The two sons of thunder, sons of Zebedee, were interesting apostles. How did revival change both of them? 1) James the Son of Zebedee’s Revival Can someone with impetuous and unwise passion be useful in God’s work? Notice what Matthew records, “And going on from there he saw two other brothers, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"Waiting"

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 6, 2015

prayer

Isaiah 40:27 - 31 - on "Waiting" 1. THE WEARINESS THAT'S REVEALED. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. The word ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:27-31

Denomination: Holiness

Who Tells You Who You Are?

Contributed by George Durham on Aug 24, 2016

John 15:16; 1 John 5:13; Mark 10:14 Baptism is God's initiative of Grace reaching all those created, even infants, & sinners.

WHO TELLS YOU WHO YOU ARE? John 15:16; 1 John 5:13; Mark 10:14 We Receive Our Identity From Others, From + Expectations Of Friends & Colleagues, From + Labels Society Puts Upon Us, & From + Influence Of Family. To become Christian is to receive a NEW IDENTITY. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:16-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Divine Mercy Sunday--Second Sunday Of Easter (Or Sunday Of Divine Mercy)

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Mar 30, 2020

Jesus really did rise from the dead and come back to harass the very people who betrayed him." …Harass your heart, that is, if you are withholding forgiveness from someone.

Jim Friedrich shared that at the entrance to Jerusalem’s Church of All Nations, next to the Garden of Gethsemane, there is a sign warning every visitor: “NO EXPLANATIONS INSIDE THE CHURCH.” The sign is intended to discourage over-talkative tour guides but it’s also what Jesus practiced after his ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Catholic

Disciples In Mark Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Feb 9, 2023

This study tries to explain the attitude of the Disciples of Christ. From day one they misunderstood, wrongly reacted and worst acted against him. Continued to study to have deeper understanding.

Text: Mark 1:16-20, 3:16-19 Theme: Jesus and Disciples in Mark Disciple: The word Greek word for Disciple is ‘mathetes.‘ It means a ‘learner’ or ‘follower’ who accepts and follows the views and practices of a teacher. The list of disciples found in Mark 3:16-19. These twelve disciples were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:16-19

Denomination: Methodist

Fifteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Cycle A-- 15th Sunday, Year A --The Sower

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 17, 2020

It is the intuitive mind alone that can penetrate the essence and heart of a parable. Then it becomes a living reality, thoroughly relevant to one’s own life.

“To throw alongside” a story with cryptic meaning is called a parable in Greek. In Zen Buddhism, a parable is like a “koan,” which is a spiritual inquiry using perplexing language intended to rouse a student’s innate wisdom-mind to apply it to their own life. As Rabbi Ibn Ezra said of parables, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, Isaiah 55:10-11

Denomination: Catholic

The Consuming Fire

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 29, 2015

FIRE- brings light, warmth, love, gives direction, tests faith, represents wrath, is a holy calling, preparation for holy work, conveys truth and brings pardon.

Jesus declared in Luke 12:49, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” We think of the meek and mild Bethlehem Babe coming to bring peace on earth, good-will to men. Jesus did indeed bring peace, but hardly the way anyone expected. Sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:15-24

Denomination: Congregational

Advent 4--May It Be Done Unto Me

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 1, 2017

"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." Lessons from Mary.

Advent 4--Lessons from Mary A friend asked me to dress as Santa to surprise her son. I went over to their house, changed into a Santa suit in the bathroom, and, to the delight of the little boy, came out with a loud “Ho, ho, ho!” After a half hour, I returned to the bathroom, changed back into my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Catholic

Get Behind Me, Satan

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 29, 2018

Jesus says that the Son of Man MUST suffer greatly...

24B. Talk about anti-climactic: Peter’s inspired answer that Jesus is “The One,” (the Messiah), through whom God will accomplish all that he promised is followed by the rebuke of, “Get behind me, Satan.” e.g. A married lady went out shopping one day and when she returned home she brought with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:24-35

Denomination: Catholic

Finding Answers In The Darkness Lesson 1

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 20, 2019

God made people for relationships.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. “Are you lonesome tonight?” Universal. 2. “I’m so lonesome I could die!” Possible. 3. Two kinds of loneliness. a. Solitude, a healthy experience where we choose to spend time alone with God. b. Loneliness, negative emotions because of no friends or companionship. 4. God ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18

Denomination: Baptist

Truly God And Man

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 25, 2025

Old Herod was not even a Jew, but he sometimes paid attention to Torah, since he was “king of the Jews,” He even thought of himself as the true Messiah.

Word Made Flesh March 25, 2025 This day, this most critical of solemnities, was supposed to take place in a castle or palace, or some really important place in Israel. The Messiah was imagined to be conceived in an independent Israel, and that Messiah, the natural son of a king and queen was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14, Isaiah 8:10, Psalm 40:7-11, Hebrews 10:4-10, Luke 1:26-38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Angel Encounter (Judges 13)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 14, 2025

What happened when Manoah's wife encountered an angel? Let's look in Judges 13.

What happened as a couple encountered an angel? Have we ever possibly met an angel unawares? Let’s look at Judges 13. A Nazarene was from Nazareth. A Nazarite took a special vow of service to God. Did an angel appear to Manoah’s wife and talk to her about bearing a Nazarite son who would begin to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist