Sermons on Wasted Time:

Times Of Testing. Joseph Meets His Brothers. Genesis 42-43

Contributed by William Akehurst on Nov 11, 2024

Joseph‘s brothers come to Egypt and undergo a time of testing. As they come into their brother’s presence, unbeknownst to them, they bow low before him. Joseph’s Dream has been fulfilled.

2024.11.10. Sermon Notes. Genesis 42-43. The Test Begins. Joseph meets his brothers. Dreams fulfilled. William Akehurst, HSWC BIG IDEA: Joseph‘s brothers come to Egypt and undergo a time of testing. As they come into their brother’s presence, unbeknownst to them, they bow low before him. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:1-38, Genesis 43:1-34, Psalm 105:16-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It’s Kingdom Time! - Sermon On Mark 1:14-15 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 6, 2023

The arrival of the kingdom demands an immediate human response: repent and believe

Mark 1:14 After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!” Introduction: Jesus Won You’re traveling with a friend, walking north from Jerusalem and you see off in the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-15

12th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A. Sparrow Stories.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 26, 2023

Several times the sparrow flew at the closed window and smacked itself into it, until it got so weak it could no longer fly; it only could walk.

Pastor Don Friesen tells a fascinating story about a sparrow that somehow got into the rafters of St. Helen’s Parish Church in the English town of Brant Broughton. At the time of the intrusion, they were recording a guitar recital for later broadcast on the radio. The chirping bird didn’t exactly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:26-33

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time- Yes Means No And No Means Yes.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 21, 2023

Statistically, in St. Matthew’s Gospel, words and expressions which emphasize obedience, the doing of God’s will, are among his favorite.

Nikos Kazantzakis was a tortured Greek writer who was constantly haunted by God. He once wrote of an experience he had when he climbed Mount Athos to visit a monk at a monastery. “Father Makarios,” he said to the old monk, “I remember that in your younger days you wrestled with the devil. Do you ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:25-28, Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A- Wicked Tenants

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 27, 2023

In one word, what do you live for?

In 1962, when President John F. Kennedy was visiting the NASA Space center, he noticed a janitor sweeping the hallway and asked him, “What do you do around here?” To his surprise, the janitor replied, “Well, Mr. President, I’m helping to put a man on the moon.” This janitor found meaning in seeing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-43, Isaiah 5:1-7

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Ninth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A--Church And State

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Sep 3, 2023

Otherwise, politics is about "bread and circuses."

Have you ever noticed that when you combine the two words, “THE” and “IRS,” it spells “THEIRS”? At one and the same time Jesus affirmed the rights of the state and freedom of conscience to worship and serve God. By allowing Caesar to collect taxes, Jesus opposes the Pharisees by acknowledging ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-21

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-First Sunday-- In Ordinary Time, Cycle C- The Narrow Gate

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 23, 2022

There is a saying, “The nearer the Church, the farther from God”.

In Readers Digest, David Barman, from North Miami Beach, Florida, wrote that at the university where he teaches, the school has a policy of giving a + designation for grades. A 78 is a C+, an 89 is a B+. A student received his final grade and was adamant that I left off the plus sign. I looked ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Catholic

Twenty-Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time, C-- Lazarus And Therapy Dogs

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 28, 2022

Someone has said that this is the only prayer in the Bible addressed to a saint that was not answered.

We heard today from Luke 16:21, which says “Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.” Admittedly, the grammatical construction in the Greek can be translated as “worst of all" dogs would lick his sores. However, the ancients knew when a dog licks a person's sores or wounds, healing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Catholic

Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time- The Opening Up Of A Relational Space By Forgiveness.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 11, 2022

Forgiveness is a conditional gift offered that opens a relational space that expects a reciprocal response.

There used to be a sign in the Princeton University Book Store basement which said: "Love your enemies—it will drive them crazy." Clever but love of enemies and forgiving, commanded by Jesus in our Gospel this Sunday, is not hoping that the other person will change or trying to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Catholic

It’s Time For Your Workout – Philippians 2:12-13 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Feb 2, 2022

Today I want to talk to you about a workout, a spiritual workout that we all need to be engaged in in our lives.

At Muscle Beach they've got this big platform area where guys have all these weights and they're working out. It's kind of entertaining because people who are good looking, you know, who really can lift weights and they're strong, and they do lift those weights, it’s fun to watch ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It's Time For A Spiritual Tune Up - Genesis 15 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 24, 2021

We have a time in Abraham’s life where he really needs to kind of get it back together.

Well over the last several weeks we’ve been looking at the life of Abraham. We followed Him as he left Ur and he went up to Haran and then came back down to Palestine. We tagged along with him as he went into Egypt where he lied and not so many good things there happened. But then he came back to ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Is Good… All The Time! Reconnecting With The Father’s Unfailing Love

Contributed by Sebastien Richard on Jul 28, 2021

How can we get believers to believe the depth of the love of God? Is it even possible? Yes, it is! But we need a love overhaul in our understanding first...

By Sebastien Richard, Author and Bible teacher, Thriving on Purpose Ministries: https://www.thrivingonpurpose.com/ In his epistle to the Romans, Paul admonishes us: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:18-19, Matthew 7:9-11, Jeremiah 29:11, James 1:13, 1 Corinthians 1:20, Romans 8:28, Romans 12:2, Luke 13:4-5, Matthew 17:14-18  (view more)  (view less)

It’s Time For A Spiritual Audit – Philippians 3:7-10 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Apr 2, 2022

What do we value? What do we strive for, day to day? And the interesting challenge here is that even when we value good things (e.g., loving our family, helping others), they don’t come close to who Jesus is.

A couple of weeks ago I was looking at my credit card balance, and it was much higher than I expected it to be. So I knew I needed to do a little audit there myself. I checked it out and realized that some of these charges aren't even mine. So I called the credit card company and we together ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It's Go Time (John 20:19-23) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 14, 2022

Jesus gives us peace, and sends us out with the Holy Spirit, empowered to forgive sins.

Let's start by reading last week's passage, John 20:1-18: (1) Now, on the first day of the week, Mary the Magdalene comes early in the morning, dark still being, to the tomb, and she sees the stone having been taken away from the tomb. (2) Then, she runs and she comes to Simon Peter and ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

The Lord’s Patience Is Only Giving Us Extra Time To Be Saved

Contributed by Dr. Abraham Obadare on May 17, 2021

This is an exposition of 2 Peter 3 as we learn not to become swayed by scoffers who cast doubts in our minds about the return of Jesus Christ. Jesus is coming as He promised; what seems like a delay is only a chance for us to repent. In the mean time, we should live godly as we await His return.

1. In the last days, there will be scoffers (v. 3) 2. The scoffers will be following their own evil (sinful) desires (v. 3) 3. They will mock the promise of the coming of Jesus Christ saying “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal