Tag: Sermons

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

Nothing is hidden from God God is very concerned about our thoughts, intentions,motivations, desires, and attitudes. If you are interested inpleasing God, then you must begin by paying close attention tothese things, and by asking God to help you rectify them wherenecessary. This is why David said e...

As Christians, we know that at this very moment, we are partof a life and death struggle against the forces of darkness.Whether we like it or not, we are soldiers in an army, and wemust take part in spiritual warfare in order to survive. How can we truly engage ourselves effectively against theenemy...

There are many ways to hear from God. For most of us, themost obvious way is through conscience. If you feel uneasy aboutdoing something, it is probably a warning from God that youshould not do it, lest you be in disobedience to Him. If youcan't sleep at night because you have done something wrong, ...

With respect to the paradoxes of the Christian life, thegreat Christian Humanist, Erasmus of Rotterdam, had somethinginteresting to say. With tongue in check, he wrote: . . . The biggest fools of all appear to be those whohave once been wholly possessed by zeal for Christianpiety. They squander thei...

A sermon is a speech or discourse delivered by a religious leader, usually a pastor, priest or rabbi, in a place of worship, such as a church, mosque, or synagogue. The purpose of a sermon is to provide spiritual guidance, inspiration and instruction to the congregation. The content of a sermon can ...

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...