Sermons on Vocation:

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

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

Like Lightning Lighting Up The Sky Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 9, 2013

In the Christian life, with suffering, God gives us wordless and imageless insights that strengthen and confirm faith.

Thursday of 32nd Week in Course Lumen Fidei To get a clearer understanding of today’s Gospel, we have to take it in context. First, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees, who wanted to know when the kingdom of God would come. Remember that this sect–really a kind of political party as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:20-25

Denomination: Catholic

The Bad And The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 29, 2013

Contrasting irresponsible shepherds with Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

THE BAD AND THE GOOD SHEPHERD. Ezekiel 34. The teaching of Jesus and of the New Testament is that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who seeks out the lost sheep, and dies for His flock. This is in contrast to those who are not shepherds at all, but merely hired helps, who have no personal concern with ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith And Unity Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 10, 2014

To fulfill Christ's intention for the Church, the Church treasures the unbreakable link between one faith and one community.

Thursday of 4th Week of Easter 2014 Lumen Fidei In these first weeks of the Easter season each year the Church gives us much of St. John’s Gospel writings on the Eucharist, the sacrament of nourishment and unity. The Eucharist brings us together: those who profess the same Catholic faith ...read more

Scripture: John 13:16-20

Denomination: Catholic

I Am The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Jun 5, 2014

I Am Series, part 1 I Am The Good Shepherd

I Am Series, part 1 I Am The Good Shepherd John 10:7-18; 27-30 David Taylor We are in the first week of a new three week series leading up to Easter, entitled I AM, looking at three of the I am statements made by Jesus. This week we will look at I Am the Good Shepherd; next week we will look at I ...read more

Scripture: John 10:7-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

A Carpenter's Dream

Contributed by Perry Anderson on Dec 4, 2014

Although we know little about Joseph’s life, we know quite a bit about his character from his actions. He demonstrated great faith. We can learn much from living Holy lives by following the example set by Joseph.

Joseph is too often overlooked in the Christmas story. We must never fail to acknowledge the role he played in the life of Jesus. It wasn't just a coincidence that he was engaged to be married to Mary. He was chosen by God for this special calling...to be the earthly father of Jesus. God in His ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:16-25, Matthew 2:13-23, Luke 2:21-52

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

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

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

Nineteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B: Food For The Journey

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 5, 2024

[Bless those] who…know the depths of [the] sacrament.

Elijah went a day's journey into the desert, until he came to a broom tree and sat beneath it. He was the last remaining Prophet of the true religion left. He had just stood his ground against four-hundred pagan prophets of the fertility god Baal. Today’s pagan fertility god is In-Vitro ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:4-8, John 6:41-51

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

Faith For The Distance Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on May 26, 2004

Faith in the resurrection reality of Jesus Christ produces perseverance for the journey and hope for the future.

Holy Spirit Series 2000 Life in the Spirit: Faith For The Distance 1 Corinthians 15:58 Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Life is a marathon, not a sprint, so the saying goes. The same is true of the Christian faith. Finishing well, not just starting ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:58

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ