Sermons on Welcoming Committee:

#10 Wineskins Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Aug 30, 2021

Jesus came to make us spiritually whole, not just patch us up.

"Tell me a Story” is a simple and shorter way to reference Jesus' use of parables. A parable is a relatable way to share a moral or spiritual lesson. While some don’t like parables because they don’t get right to the point. Others love a good story because it forces us to think and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Paul Got One-Star Reviews

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 30, 2019

The Corinthians criticize Paul's preaching. What can we learn from this conflict?

[First half of church fight story from Andy Stanley about his Dad - this can be found at the start of Andy Stanley's book Deep and Wide] TRASHING PAUL: It is both stunning and comforting that Paul got some negative reviews. - 2 Corinthians 10:1, 9-10. - We usually think of Paul as the great ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-2, 2 Corinthians 10:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Bloom Where You Are Planted Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on May 31, 2017

We can leave a legacy through our participation in the community in which we live.

1. There is something inside of us that wants to be remembered. a. Reason for Monuments; Tombstones b. Reason for Family Stories and Traditions 2. Mr. Holland’s Opus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8E807R7GkI (4.07-5.36) 3. Jeremiah 29.4-14 I. Be Deliberate with Your Life (29.4-6) – 2 ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:4-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Moves Our Cheese

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 10, 2016

If we prayerfully look at our own lives, and especially at the times when somebody “moved our cheese” and inconvenienced ourselves, I think we can almost always see the finger of God at work amid the ruins of our plans.

“Der mentsh trakht un Got lakht.” The stark Yiddish proverb is true: man plans; God laughs. Now there’s many ways to interpret the saying. A politician might work for years on a piece of legislation that looked like the smartest thing for the greatest number of people, only to see it shot down in ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Giving It Up For Jesus

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 22, 2022

Jesus gave His life for us. What are you giving up for Him? A look at the time in Gethsemane before the arrest.

Giving it up for Jesus Mark 14:32-42 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 32 They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here until I have prayed." 33 And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. 34 And He *said to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42

Denomination: United Methodist

Choosing A Church Based On The Preacher

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Aug 16, 2022

What criteria should a layperson use to determine which church to attend? It is vital for preachers and bishops to understand the concept. Preachers have the responsibility to present the Bible accurately and to encourage the people to follow it.

Choosing a Church Based on the Preacher John 4:43-54? Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz ?43 After athe two days He went forth from there into Galilee. 44 For Jesus Himself testified ?that aa prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans ?received Him, ahaving seen ...read more

Scripture: John 4:43-54

Denomination: United Methodist

Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C -- The Word Nonviolent Can Be An Adjective, It Modifies How

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 20, 2025

Jesus is asking us today not so much as “how can I find a gracious God? But “How can I find God in my enemy?” And, how can we be children of God in real life without loving our enemies?

The fictional Klingon language from Star Trek has no words for love. Of course, the Klingons were creatures of pure logic, not emotion. So, the closest words for “love” in their language were “honor” or “unhate.” That would be easy for us if we could define love simply as “unhating” others. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 26:2-23, Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Catholic

Was Prayer For The People Really Needed?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 13, 2024

What is penance? What is repentance? What is confession? Can we pay for our sins?

What is penance? Penance is an act of self-abasement, mortification or devotion performed to show sorrow. What is repentance? Repentance is to turn from sin and dedicate oneself, to feel regret or contrition. What is confession? Confession is a disclosure of one’s sins in sacrament of ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 9:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Answering God’s Call

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jul 8, 2025

What is the barrier that stops people from answering God's (or Jesus') call?

Answering God’s call Luke 11:5 – 8 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 11:5 And He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 because a friend of mine has come to me from a journey and I have nothing to serve ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-8

Denomination: United Methodist

James: An Introduction And Exposition Of James I Series

Contributed by David Wilson on Feb 26, 2009

A in-depth look at James Chapter one encouraging the reader to view the book of James in full context. This entire series is also available as an IBOOK via ITUNES for the nominal cost of $4.95

Introduction James is my favorite book of the Bible. I have always been drawn to its practical approach and straightforward method of approaching the subject of living one’s faith. James doesn’t spend a lot of time discussing doctrine, though the book is full of doctrinal concepts. Instead, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

To Die Or Not To Die: Issues Of Life At It's End Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2007

Our culture is pretty mixed up about death, and faces a whole series of ethical questions and dilemmas, and of a shift in our culture.

To Die Or Not To Die: Issues of Life At It’s End Series: In But Not Of May 15, 2005 Preamble: Before we take a look at today’s topic, issues of life at it’s end, which is part of our series of sermons addressing issues in our society from a Christian perspective, I want to acknowledge that this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-57

Denomination: Baptist

To The Church Of The Namby Pamby

Contributed by Jeremy Long on Jul 19, 2025

If John could have seen the Church today when writing the Revelation, I think he wouldn't have been quite so biblically polite in the Letter he would send to it.

To the Church of the Namby-Pamby I’ve been somewhat bothered with something lately and can’t seem to get it off of my mind. A feeling that God is pushing us to get things sorted quickly because His return is VERY SOON. Anyone else felt this? Felt the urgency of the church’s mission? Felt like ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: *other

Show Love, Not Favoritism (James 2:1-13) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 27, 2022

Favoritism is a tricky thing. But we need to copy God's example, in honoring the poor. Also, my first crack at unpacking "kingdom" in light of Scot McKnight's book Kingdom Conspiracy.

Let's start today by reading James 2:1-4: (1) My brothers, don't, with partiality, hold the faith of our glorious Lord, Jesus Christ. ["w/partiality" =focused] (2) For suppose someone should enter your assembly with a gold ring on his finger, with fine clothing. Now, also a ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Forward Momentum

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Oct 26, 2001

We are encouraged to keep our forward momentum going in ministry by focusing on the things of Christ.

CONSIDER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STRONG AND A WEAK CUP OF TEA. BOTH TYPES CONTAIN THE SAME INGREDIENTS OF WATER AND TEA. THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE STRONG CUP OF TEA RESULTS FROM THE TEA LEAVES’ IMMERSION IN THE WATER LONGER, ALLOWING THE WATER MORE TIME TO GET INTO THE TEA AND THE TEA INTO THE ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Promise Revealed Series

Contributed by Harvie Neatherlin on Aug 19, 2002

God made a promise to Abraham. It was a promise of His grace and blessing. Paul reminds the Galatians of this promise. He reveals it to you and me in hopes we will receive it.

Introduction: In my sermon last week the Galatians proved something. They proved that even though God through His Son, Jesus Christ had made them heirs to that promise He had made to Abraham many years before, they had still followed an unseemly path and had rejected that promise by turning away ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:15-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational