2012
The Awesome Power of Prayer – 12/27/2012
16 Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as completely human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and a half years! 18 Then he prayed again, this time that it would rain, and down it poured, and the grass turned green and the gardens began to grow again. James 5:16-18 (TLB)
The Happiest People This Christmas – 12/23/12
I’ve always enjoyed telling Christmas stories this time of the year and I’m going to continue that tradition today. However, this morning I will tell several stories and I didn’t compose any of them. I don’t know the names of all of the authors nor can I distinguish fact from fiction. But they each contain lots of Biblical truth and that’s what’s most important. Here’s the first one.
Following the Footsteps of Jesus – 12/16/12
I’m at a loss for words which would explain how I feel about the horrific massacre that took place Friday morning at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. I know each of you folks are also. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of those people. Parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins, friends and neighbors throughout the country are also gripped by fears that the same thing could happen in their family or that of one they care about.
Heaven on Earth – 12/2/12
I ended last week’s message with the following: “Baptist pastor Edwin Lutzer in his book ‘One Minute After You Die,’ writes: “We have reason to believe that a person may see Christ in the twilight zone between life and death. Before Stephen was stoned God gave him a glimpse into heaven. Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56.)
The Devil’s Favorite Christians – 11/18/12
As I left our church last Sunday I believed that this was the kind of message the Lord wanted me to deliver today. The postings on my blog and several conversations I had with various people throughout the week confirmed that strong impression. Allow me to share my opinion of a particular concern. I believe there are countless sincere followers of Christ who are mistaken about the topic I’m about to address in this and my next sermon. So much so, that they have unwittingly become some of the Devil’s favorite Christians.
The Letter From Heaven – 11/11/12
Knowing me as you do, you can imagine how happy I was when Jesus told me that I could send you this letter from Heaven. I marvel over the fact that Jesus always keeps His promises especially when He gives me another one of my heart’s desires.(Psalm 37:4) A rather large crowd of joyful men, women and children welcomed me into heaven.
Overcoming the Temptation to Worry pt III – 11/4/12
It’s always the same. As soon as I realize that I’m becoming excessively anxious about something I turn to the Lord in prayer. I ask Him to help me overcome the temptation to sin against Him by worrying. And He always does! For instance, I’m constantly thinking about my next sermon. I take my calling to be your pastor very seriously. I try hard to provide you folks with Christ honoring spiritual nourishment which will be especially helpful on a particular Sunday.
Overcoming the Temptation to Worry pt II – 10/28/12
I ended last week’s sermon by saying: “In closing I want to say that I purposely depicted a rather graphic description of the excruciating agony Jesus endured on His cross because of His incomprehensible love for sinners such as me and you. The magnitude of the pain Jesus suffered was a zillion times less than the pain which will be experienced in Hell by folks who refuse to believe in Him and accept The Gift Of Everlasting Joy.
The Gift of Everlasting Joy – 10/21/12
Good morning, Kids. I know some parts of my recent sermons were difficult for you to understand. That’s why today’s sermon is especially for kids. I want you to understand everything I say. Feel free to interrupt me about anything.
Overcoming the Temptation to Worry – 10/14/12
It wasn’t always so, but now it’s a habit that I’ve cultivated ever since I was discharged from “the House of Horrors” on last New Year’s Eve. As soon as I wake up and see that it’s after midnight, I immediately thank God for protecting me throughout the previous day so I don’t have to be readmitted into that awful Nursing Home/Rehab facility. Next I ask Him to help me to live my life during the new day in a manner which is pleasing to Him. In so many words, I’m asking Him to help me to love Him with all of my mind, heart, soul and strength and also to love my neighbor as I do myself.
A Divine Jigsaw Puzzle – 10/8/2012
Biblical prophecy experts such as Harold Camping and Hal Lindsey have persuaded millions of naive Christians to shell out millions of dollars to purchase their books over the years. They convinced these gullible people that they have the answers concerning biblical prophecy. I want to go on record as saying that I don’t, and probably won’t until I leave this world and go home.
What if Jesus Didn’t Return? – 9/30/12
“Boy I got lots of good stuff for our Bible study, teacher. Wait till you see what I’ve been able to come up with. I mean, like, it will blow your socks off!” “I’ve been asking God all week to bless you in your quest to learn the truth concerning the Second Coming of Christ and the end of the world.” “Would you like to lead today’s study, young man?” “Would I. Wow! I mean like, you bet I would, teacher.” The teen-age boy’s mother was obviously very proud while his father seemed to be unmoved.
The Burden of Proof – 9/23/12
I ended last week’s sermon about the end times by explaining how I felt about the issue. I told Jesus that I was deeply sorry about the awful things that millions of evangelical Christians are unknowingly doing. Those people cause Him grief by the manner in which they are dealing with the so called end time’s issue. I also told Jesus how I grateful I am that the apostle John didn’t record everything He did during the 33 years He lived in this world.
My Prayer to Jesus – 9/16/12
Good morning Jesus. Please tell the Apostle John I said thanks for not recording everything you did during the thirty three years you lived in this world. Although I would loved to have read about those other things, I’m grateful that you ordained otherwise. I’ll explain my reason at the end of this prayer but first I want to get some things off my chest.
Would You Have Thought…? – 8/12/12
Have you ever thought about how Jesus would use the manner in which you handled your divinely ordained afflictions and use it as a means to bestow wonderful blessings upon His followers many years later? Let’s have a show of hands. That’s exactly what I expected. Not a single one of you have. The thought just never occurred to you.
The Wise Man and the Wise Guy – 7/22/12
“Stop bugging me! How many times do I have to tell you I don’t want to go to the crummy Bible study,” the boy shouted at his father. “Don’t speak to your father like that,” said the boy’s mother. “Yeah,” echoed the father. “If anybody can use a Bible study it’s this kid. “Look,” the boy shot back; “it’s the same every Saturday morning. For over a year! Ever since that old guy moved in next door! It’s making me crazy!”
I’m Feeling Happy and Sad – 7/8/12
Good morning. It’s nice to have so many visitors today. We’re glad you’re here. Our text this morning is found in Ephesians 6: 10-20. The great Apostle Paul wrote it from prison where he was waiting to be martyred. He concluded his letter to the early believers in Ephesus with the following.
Especially For Gabie and her Girls – 6/24/12
This is the sermon Gabie wanted you folks to hear this morning. No more and no less.
I’m sure none of us expected to be here this morning under these sorrowful circumstances. Gabie would have loved to have her husband Jim sitting by her side together with all of her girls and so would the rest of us who attend this church. As you know, Jim was in a terrible motorcycle accident and was rushed to the hospital.
Exercise Your Right to Hate – 6/17/12
This isn’t the message I planned to deliver at the conclusion of my last sermon (The Unnamed Sermon) but I believe it’s the one the Lord wants you folks to hear today. We’ve all heard about Gods incredible love for poor lost sinners such as you and me.
The Unnamed Sermon – 6/3/12
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
An Irish Lullaby – 5/20/12
It felt as though I had been on a spiritual treadmill for three and a half hours…and getting nowhere! As soon as he started speaking I silently asked God Why? Why!“Why have You sent another one into my life? The man was a rude, obnoxious, argumentative, know-it-all who was obviously in love with himself. It didn’t matter how polite and patient I was, I got nowhere. The words that I spoke whistled into one ear and zoomed out the other.
A Pasture for Wayward Sheep – 5/6/12
I remember the first time I read the verse. It was before sunrise back in the early eighties. My wife and our four children were still sleeping soundly and I was seated in my favorite chair alone with my thoughts and Bible. I was flipping through the Book of Isaiah when the verse seemed to leap off the page and imbed itself into my mind and heart. It has remained there ever since.
Charlie and the Angel (REVISED) – 4/29/12
In what appeared to be a split second, the patient arrived at a level of consciousness he had never before known. This was a welcome relief from his previous state in which he experienced an increased inability to think clearly, concentrate, and a multitude of other symptoms of his disease.
South Foreverland – 4/22/12
Good morning! I’m awfully happy to be with you folks again. Being together at our church is one of the highlights of my week. I hope everyone will be blessed by today’s message as much as I was while I was crafting it. In case you’re wondering why I’m wearing this shirt that doesn’t quite fit I’ll explain towards the end of this message.
North Foreverland – 4/8/12
Good morning everyone. Happy Easter! Christ the Lord is risen today, halleluiah!
Except for being in Heaven, I would rather be with you folks right now than anywhere else in the world. The Lord has laid it on my heart to deliver the following message on this very special day. There’s lots of food for thought in it. For instance, one point I want to argue is that if it wasn’t for God’s infinite mercy He could have let non-Christians experience a punishment worse than winding up in Hell.
Don’t Ever Give Up pt II – 3/25/12
Good morning again. Judging from the feedback after I delivered last week’s message, I know I accomplished my objective of providing you folks with much needed comfort, encouragement and hope. So here’s part 2 of “Don’t Ever Give Up!
Don’t Ever Give Up pt I – 3/18/12
Good Morning everyone! Throughout each day, all the members of my family and at our church, as well as other special people are in my constant thoughts and prayers. And I do mean constant as those of you that are in the midst of a rough trial know, don’t you. In case you’re wondering how many sermons I intend to preach on holiness, all I can say is that I really don’t know.
Take Time to be Holy pt IV – 3/5/12
Good morning everyone. Considering that quite a few of you weren’t able to be here last Sunday, I’m glad I didn’t preach this message then. As you know, I have been pleading, even begging you folks to take time to be holy. If you don’t sincerely struggle and make every effort to become holy, you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God.
Don’t Sweat Tomorrow – 2/26/12
We live in a country that’s plagued by prophecy peddlers. Guys like Harold Camping and Hal Lindsey have made millions of dollars over the years exploiting gullible people. All too often Gods children take the teaching of these men and purchase their books.
Take Time to be Holy pt III – 2/19/12
Good morning everybody. It’s wonderful being able to be with you folks this morning and for that, I give our Lord a hearty thank you. I’ll begin this message with the Bible text we’ve been focusing on for the past two weeks. Then we will pick up from where we left off.
Take Time to be Holy pt II – 2/12/12
Good morning, everyone. Most of you are aware of the divinely ordained severe physical and emotional pain I have been living with for almost three years. It’s been one of the most difficult periods of my life. However, beyond the shadow of doubt, I know this trial has been a huge blessing to me especially in my spiritual growth. During this time I have shared with you folks lots of praises to God for Him faithfully meeting each of my daily needs and seeing to it that my burden has never been more than I can handle.
Take Time to be Holy pt I – 2/5/12
Hello again Kids. I have lots of very important questions for you this morning. However, today my questions will be for the grownups, too. Please pay attention everybody because this message is very important. It’s been my prayerful hope that each of us will receive a blessing from it. Please let me know whether or not you have after the service.
The Saddest Man on Christmas Day – 1/8/12
As I look at you children sitting on those hard uncomfortable pews this cold winter day in January; I remember you telling me how happy you were on Christmas morning when you opened your presents. Some of you were wearing a present to the next worship service and some were having a hard time waiting until the service ended before taking a look at the cool gadget you brought with you. Raise your hand if I’m mistaken. That’s what I thought.
