Tag: Sermons

The Acts Of God in History There have been certain special seasons in history duringwhich God has been at work with unusual demonstrations of Hispower and His mercy. The Great Awakening in America was one suchperiod. Another was the Protestant Reformation. There haveactually been dozens of such time...

We don't know what is in our own hearts. Do you rememberwhen Peter told Jesus that he would never deny him? Peter reallybelieved this, but Jesus knew better, and later circumstanceswere a demonstration to Peter that he was mistaken about himself.He wasn't the blameless man he thought he was. He thou...

During the time of the Reformation, one issue that was hotlycontested was whether a person is justified by faith or by works.The Catholics emphasized James 2:24, which states that "a man isjustified by works, and not by faith alone," while theProtestants responded with Galatians 2:16 and Romans 3:28...

One of the most powerful images in the Bible is that of theplumb line. It is a very graphic illustration of how reality canbreak in on us and shatter our illusions. You can construct ahouse, and as far as you can tell, it may appear to be absolutelystraight. Yet, if you take a long string with a lea...

In Isaiah 61:10 there is a reference to the robe ofrighteousness: "I will rejoice greatly in the Lord; My soul willexult in my God, for He has clothed me with garments ofsalvation; He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as abridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adornshersel...

This sermon points out some of the spiritual truths which can be found in THEWIZARD OF OZ (see the third paragraph and following). Note that, in theEmerald City, which represents the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem, therewas much joy and laughter. ("That's how we laugh the day away in the merryold ...

Our efforts to please God arise from our love for Him. Becausewe love Him so much, we will begin to want more than anything todo that which pleases Him, even if it might involve hardship.Sacrifice will becomes easier once He brings us to the point thatwe're so deeply in love that despite ourselves, ...

Our love for God will automatically elicit obedience to Him.If you love someone, you naturally want to do anything andeverything you can to please that special person. If you've everbeen in love, then you'll recognize this principle immediately.In a genuine romance, the tendency is to bend over back...

When life becomes difficult, it helps a great deal if youcan see things from God's perspective. This isn't easy. Ittakes a great deal of prayer, and a lot of dying to self. What is God's perspective upon our problems? First of all,we must understand that He loves us very much, and that He wantsthe v...

In the Christian faith, nothing is more powerful thanweakness. It provides the background for the release of all ofthe power of God. Every advance that is made in the kingdom ofGod derives its efficacy from this. Christianity is full of apparent contradictions. Many ofthose who are first shall be la...

In His series of woes against the scribes and the Pharisees,Jesus said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Foryou tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected theweightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy andfaithfulness; but these are the things you should have donewithout...

Calvin and Wesley on the Christian LifeRichard M. Riss Glenwood Presbyterian Church, Glenwood Landing, NYMeeting jointly with The United Methodist Church of Sea Cliff, NY August 2, 1998 With respect to the Christian life, most of what John Wesleysaid in the eighteenth century was in perfect agreemen...