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”?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warnings are issued repeatedly about distractions while driving. Can I issue a similar reminder about distractions while worshiping?

Worship requires concentration, paying attention to the words you sing, listening closely to the Scriptures, and identifying with the prayers. Does focus really make a difference? Of course it does. So make it a part of your worship experience starting NOW.

 

 

 

Last week, legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno died. Because of recent events, we have been made aware of the need to finish well. So I pray for our senior citizens.

Like the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9, he wanted to keep running in such a way as to get the prize. After a lifetime of serving Jesus, he didn’t want at the end to somehow be disqualified.

I pray Paul’s desires for our older members—and for all of us as well. Help us to always run this race of life keeping in mind receiving from You a crown that will last forever.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Sermon in a Sentence: Revered saints long for times characterized by a great manifestation of the Lord’s presence.

 

Text: Genesis 50:22-26.

 

Excerpt: How come the years appear to go by quicker the longer you live?

Asked a different way, why is it the final grains of sand in an hourglass seem to drop faster than the earlier ones?

Well, a group of psychologists, after extensive study, made what now seems an obvious discovery. The reason each passing year of life seems shorter is because ... relative to the total number of years lived, it is!

Sound like doubletalk? Let me explain. It’s all a matter of perspective.

If you’re 5 years old, one year represents 1/5 of your life. But for someone who’s 70—well, a year is only 1/70 of that person’s life. One-fifth is 14 times greater than one-seventieth. So, from a 5-year-old’s perspective, his or her year is greater or longer.

By comparison, when the 5-year-old reaches age 70, the years will seem shorter, much shorter. In fact, the older one gets, the smaller the fraction and the faster time appears to pass. Or, as I said before, each year feels shorter because relative to the number of years lived, it is shorter.