Sermon in a Sentence: Instead of the dysfunctional trait of blaming and shaming, healthy (church) families ask, “What can I do to help improve things?”

 

Text: Matthew 7:3-5.

 

Excerpt: Have you ever known a family that never had a problem? Where no one ever got seriously sick or was unemployed for an extended period of time? A family of perfect children and perfect in-laws?

Of course not. No family escapes problems.

In fact, a healthy family anticipates problems and develops ways to deal with them. But a dysfunctional family is more likely to fall into a pattern of blaming and shaming when troubles come their way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Navy SEAL rescue operations may be a long way removed from our everyday lives, but we are grateful nevertheless. In a similar way, as believers, all of us thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the daring raid He initiated when He rescued us from Satan’s grasp and made us a child of God. Keep that in mind as we voice our praise to Him this morning.

 

 

 

After nearly 60 years, Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom announced that theme-park workers would be allowed to grow a beard. In the much older Kingdom You so introduced, beards were never a problem. I mean, Jesus wore one!

The truth of the matter is that outward appearances aren’t nearly as important to You as what’s going on inwardly. What do people’s hearts look like? This Sunday, please help us get a glimpse of what You see when we gather as Your church.

 

 

 

 

Sermon in a Sentence: Because God loves us unconditionally, we can extend the same kind of love to all in our church family.

 

Text: Ephesians 5:1-2.

 

Excerpt: Back when you were growing up, was there a doghouse in your family? Not outside for Fido, but a figurative doghouse that one of the family members always occupied?

Maybe there was a favorite child, another who was usually in a more neutral spot, but also a son or daughter everyone knew was regularly in the doghouse. That was for doing something bad or embarrassing. Along with putting a family member in that position went the withholding of love. For example, a parent might not talk to the person for days ... or weeks ... or months! The family “doghouse” can be an awful place for the person in it.

But how does one get relegated to the “family doghouse”?

 

 

 

 

Sermon in a Sentence: Christ’s pattern of consistent, extended periods of prayer is worth being copied.

 

Text: Mark 1:32-33, Luke 5:15-16, Luke 4:1-2, Mark 14:37.

 

Excerpt: Would you pay closer attention if I told you that this visit I’m going to share a simple secret that could revolutionize your life? This is not meant to be a clever way of grabbing your attention; it’s a personal promise that what I have to say will be of great value to anyone open to receiving it.

If you’re one of that large category of believers who has stayed on a beginner’s prayer plateau for too long, give my words a little more attention than normal.

As a basis for my remarks I want to look briefly at the life of the greatest of all prayers, namely, our Lord Himself.

 

 

 

 

Sermon in a Sentence: Because leaders seldom get to accomplish all they would like, they would do well to discover the joy of encouraging their replacement generation.

 

Text: Deuteronomy 3:23-28.

 

Excerpt: Being in a position of leadership in a given area of ministry in my mind is truly a privilege. Whatever the downside, it’s more than made up for by the upside. I know there are those who would challenge my statement, but that doesn’t alter the fact that this is how I feel.

Having been employed by churches, by parachurch ministries, worked long years in the field of religious radio and television, and also served on boards and as consultant for various groups for the past 52 years, how wonderful that by God’s grace I’m still somewhat active. Karen and I don’t keep up the ministry schedule we once did, but our Kingdom efforts haven’t yet been halted altogether.

That day will come. It does for everyone who at one time or another experienced what it was like to play a leadership role somewhere in the vast work of our Lord that circles this globe.