Easter sermons. Yes, Easter is a season, not a Sunday.
These sermons were delivered at New Hope Baptist Church in Romulus, Alabama (unless otherwise noted). I've placed these sermons here for my non-resident members (or anyone else interested in some sermons). Some sermons are in HTML format, some are in PDF. Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures are from the English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. These sermons are not for profit; I'm not selling them, and you can't either. If they help you, please let me know. Feel free to share them if you think they're worth it.
I rely heavily on Dr. Allen Ross' Old Testament studies for my Old Testament sermons. Dr. Ross is an Old Testament professor at Beeson Divinity school, where I attend. You can find Dr. Ross' site at www.christianleadershipcenter.org. If the sermon text is from the Old Testament, you can rest assured I've visited his site.
For some time now, I've used the Book of Common Prayer Lectionary for my sermon texts. Since each Sunday contains 4 passages, I usually preach from the Gospel on Sunday morning; use the Psalm or Old Testament reading as additional scripture; and preach from the Epistle on Sunday night. I occasionally modify this and use the Old Testament or Epistle reading on Sunday morning.
I use the Lectionary because it forces the minister to approach the entirety of Scripture. Almost every passage is covered at some point during a 3-year period. Of course, we're also free to use non-lectionary passages as necessary.
I also follow the Church calendar, primarily because it helps tie us to other Christians who do the same. Actually, most Christians in the world follow the same calendar you'll find here. Our time is the LORD's, not our own and not the world's.
Sermons for 2004 are from the Year C readings through Advent, when Year A begins.
Current week, 19 December, Fourth Sunday of Advent: Festival of Carols and Lessons, followed by Christmas Communion.
Other sermons:
The Choice of Eternity. Scripture reading: Amos 6:1-7. Sermon text: Luke 16:19-31. Note: this will be a very uncomfortable sermon for most readers, but it's time someone made the choice of life plain to everyone.
Psalm 51: Relationship Restored I preached this sermon in Preaching class on Friday after Ash Wednesday.
No Shortcuts I preached this sermon at Beeson's weekly Communion service 03 March 2004. Students typically deliver the homily for this service.
Too Blessed to Worry Preached at the Community Thanksgiving Service in Romulus, 2003.
Building on God's Foundation Based on a sermon I wrote for Preaching class.
Summation of the Trinity In 2003, I preached a series on the Trinity. This was the last sermon of the series.
The Cross Holds a King This is a poem, not a sermon.
Epiphany
11 January: Nothing Is the Same; Jesus' Baptism
18 January a.m.: Can He Change Me? Water to wine? What else can Jesus do?
18 January p.m.: Reason for Spiritual Gifts God has a reason for everything.
25 January: Winter Bible Study 2004 This is the outline. I'll ask Dr. Day for her actual lecture notes. If I can't post them, I'll post my own notes. Update: Dr. Day used only the outline. I'll post my notes when possible.
1 February a.m.: No Turning Back. Scripture Reading: Psalm 71:1-17. Sermon text: Luke 4:21-32 (Jesus teaches in his hometown synagogue, with disastrous results). Also read Mark 6 for Peter's acccount.
1 February p.m.: The Call of Jeremiah. Sermon text: Jeremiah 1:4-10
8 February a.m.: Called from Obscurity. Scripture Reading: Judges 6:11-24 (call of Gideon). Sermon text: Luke 5:1-11 (call of Simon Peter).
8 February p.m.: Truth of the Resurrection. Sermon text: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. This is a PDF file rather than HTML to preserve the Greek characters.
15 February a.m.: Do We Belong Here? Scripture Reading: Psalm 1. Sermon text: Luke 6:17-26. Note: We will not observe Sunday night service tonight due to the death of a family member in the church. The congregation is encouraged to attend the family visitation in Northport tonight.
22 February a.m.: The Glory of Christ. This is the last Sunday of Epiphany. Scripture Reading: Exodus 34:29-35 (Moses' face glows in the presence of God). Sermon text: Luke 9:28-36 (Jesus' Transfiguration)
22 February p.m.: The More Excellent Way. Sermon text: 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13. This is Paul's masterpiece on pursuing -- and demonstrating -- the love of God.
Note: Most of you know I'm a big C.S. Lewis Fan. This Sunday's sermons rely heavily on Lewis' sermon "The Weight of Glory," which he preached at Evensong service in St. Mary the Virgin Church at Oxford University, 8 June 1941. "The Weight of Glory" stands today as one of the best sermons ever preached in the English language -- perhaps in the history of the Church. Not bad, considering Lewis never considered himself anything but a layman.
Lent
29 February: The Promise of Salvation. Text: Romans 10:8-13. In commemoration of this being a leap year (the first Sunday on 29 February since 1976) we will have dinner and singing in the afternoon. There will be no Sunday night service.
7 March a.m.: Heavenly Citizenship. Due to the presence of several visitors from Japan, this is a complete manuscript. I always compose a manuscript for international guests so they can follow the sermon. We will celebrate Baptism and Communion on this day. Sermon text: Philippians 3:17-4:1.
7 March p.m.: The Mistaken Many. Sermon text: Luke 13:22-30. Warning: This is definitely an outline, not a manuscript. If you can't make sense of this, e-mail me with questions.
14 March a.m.: Postponing the Inevitable. Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. Sermon Text: Luke 13:1-9.
14 March p.m.: The Holy Ground of I AM. Sermon text: Exodus 3:1-15 (the call of Moses). Another outline, not manuscript.
21 March a.m.: Coming Home. We will celebrate Communion today. Scripture Reading: Sermon text: Luke 15:11-32 (the Prodigal Son).
21 March p.m.: Standing on Our Own. Sermon text: Joshua 5:9-12 (the cessation of manna after the Israelites enter Canaan).
28 March a.m.: The Danger of New Things. We will celebrate Baptism and Communion on this day. Sermon text: Philippians 3:8-14.
28 March p.m.: The Possibilities of New Things. Sermon text: Isaiah 43:16-21.
Holy Week
Palm Sunday, 4 April a.m.: Blessed Is the King. Scripture Reading: Psalm 118:19-29. Sermon text: Luke 19:29-40.
Palm Sunday p.m.: Obedient to Death. Sermon text: Philippians 2:5-11. This sermon relies on Dr. Gerald Bray's book The Doctrine of God and Anselm of Canterbury's Cur Deus Homo. C.S. Lewis has an excellent treatment of the Kenosis and necessity of Jesus' death for us in Mere Christianity.
Maundy Thursday, 8 April: The Fulfillment of Passover. Scripture Reading: Exodus 12:1-14. Sermon text: Luke 22:14-30. We will celebrate Communion in this service.
Good Friday, 9 April: Behold Your King. Scripture reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12. Sermon text: John 19:1-37.
Easter
Easter Sunday, 11 April: Rejoice in the Resurrection. We will celebrate Easter Communion in this service. Scripture Reading: Isaiah 51:9-11. Sermon text: Luke 24:1-12.
18 April a.m.: What We Don't Understand. Scripture reading: Job 42:1-6. Sermon text: Acts 5:12-29.
18 April p.m.: Marvelous in Our Eyes. Sermon text: Psalm 118:19-24. Warning: This is definitely notes, not a manuscript.
25 April a.m.: Worthy is the Lamb. Scripture reading: Psalm 33:1-11. Sermon text: Revelation 5:1-14.
25 April p.m.: Fear the LORD. Sermon text: Jeremiah 32:36-44. Sorry, it's just notes again.
2 May a.m.: Give Thanks unto the LORD. Scripture reading: Psalm 100. Sermon text: Revelation 7:9-17.
2 May p.m.: Passing the Torch. Sermon text: Numbers 27:12-23.
9 May a.m.: Mother's Day: Love's Beginning. Scripture reading: Genesis 2:4-25. This is also the sermon text! There will be no p.m. service.
16 May a.m.: God Will Be Our Light. Scripture reading: Revelation 21:1-4. Sermon text: Revelation 21:22-22:5. Note: due to a death in the church, there will be no p.m. service.
23 May a.m.: Special Presentation: Awon Shanglai of Nagaland, India will give her testimony. Awon is a student at Beeson Divinity School.
23 May p.m. - 28 May: Vacation Bible School.
June sermons
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Pentecost
Pentecost Sunday, 30 May: Mighty Works, Mighty Wind. Delivered at Pisgah Baptist Church in Sipsey, Alabama.
Trinity Sunday, 6 June a.m.: Holy, Holy, Holy. Scripture reading: Revelation 4:1-11. Sermon text: Isaiah 6:1-8.
6 June p.m.: Guide Us to the Truth. Sermon text: John 16:5-15.
13 June: Homecoming Sunday: Living for God. Scripture reading: Psalm 32. Sermon text: Galatians 2:11-21. There will be no p.m. service.
20 June a.m.: Father's Day: One in Christ Jesus. Scripture reading: Luke 9:18-24. Sermon text: Galatians 3:23-29. There will be no p.m. service.
27 June: no sermons. I'll be on vacation.
July sermons
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4 July: Boast in the Cross. Scripture reading: Luke 10:1-20. Sermon text: Galatians 6:1-18.
11 July a.m.: Gideon Sunday. Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 30:1-14. One of our local Gideons will speak about their ministries during the sermon time.
11 July p.m.: Sharing Their Inheritance. Sermon text: Colossians 1:1-14.
18 July a.m.: Choosing the Best. Scripture reading: Psalm 15. Sermon text: Luke 10:38-42.
18 July p.m.: No sermon. Singing and ice cream supper instead.
25 July a.m.: Pray! Scripture reading: Psalm 132. Sermon text: Luke 11:1-13.
25 July p.m.: Continuing in the Faith. Sermon text: Colossians 1:21-29.
August sermons
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1 August a.m.: Store the Right Stuff. Scripture reading: Psalm 49. Sermon text: Luke 12:13-31.
1 August p.m.: Fullness of Christ. Sermon text: Colossians 2. This isn't a long chapter, and we really need to understand all of it.
8 August a.m.: Have Faith. Scripture reading: Hebrews 11:1-16. Sermon text: Luke 12:32-40.
8 August p.m.: Believe the LORD. Sermon text: Genesis 15.
15 August a.m.: The Dividing Line. Scripture reading: Jeremiah 23:23-29. Sermon text: Luke 12:49-56.
15 August p.m.: So Great a Number. Sermon text: Hebrews 12:1-14.
22 August a.m.: When the Fire Consumes. Scripture reading: Hebrews 12:18-29. Sermon text: Luke 13:22-30.
22 August p.m.: Our Refuge and Strength. Sermon text: Psalm 46.
29 August a.m.: Entertaining Angels? Scripture reading: Hebrews 13:1-8. Sermon text: Luke 14:1-14.
September sermons
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5 September a.m.: The Cost of Discipleship. Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20. Sermon text: Luke 14:25-33.
5 September p.m.: The Stand of the Righteous. Sermon text: Psalm 1. Warning: this is more a set of notes than a manuscript.
12 September a.m.: Found and Forgiven. Scripture reading: Exodus 32:1-14. Sermon text: Luke 15:1-10.
12 September p.m.: Cleansed and Called. Sermon text: 1 Timothy 1:12-17.
19 September a.m.: Friends of Wealth - Or Wealthy Friends? Scripture reading: Amos 8:4-12. Sermon text: Luke 16:1-13. The sermon text is taken from The Message by Eugene Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by NavPress Publishing Group.
19 September p.m.: Walking in the Midst of Trouble. Sermon text: Psalm 138.
26 September a.m.: The Choice of Eternity. Scripture reading: Amos 6:1-7. Sermon text: Luke 16:19-31. Note: this will be a very uncomfortable sermon for most readers.
26 September p.m.: Eternal Treasure. Sermon text: 1 Timothy 6:11-19. This sermon didn't happen; instead, I preached from Romans 5 as a follow-up to the morning sermon.
October sermons
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3 October a.m.: Upholding the Righteous. Scripture reading: Habakkuk 1:1-13, 2:1-4. Sermon text: Psalm 37:1-11.
3 October p.m.: I Know Whom I Have Believed. Sermon text: 2 Timothy 1:1-14.
10 October a.m.: Where are the Nine? Scripture reading: Psalm 113. Sermon text: Luke 17:11-19.
10 October p.m.: Your God Shall Be Mine. Sermon text: Ruth 1.
17 October a.m.: When We Are the Authorities. Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:13-17. Sermon text: Romans 13:1-7. This isn't in the Lectionary, but the American 2004 presidential election is far too important for Christians to ignore.
17 October p.m.: Proclaim the Message. Sermon text: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5.
24 October a.m.: Pompous or Publican? Scripture reading: Psalm 84. Sermon text: Luke 18:9-14.
24 October p.m.: Fight the Good Fight. Sermon text: 2 Timothy 4:6-18.
31 October a.m., Reformation Day: Saved by Grace through Faith. Scripture reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34. Sermon text: Romans 3:19-28. You can find a copy of Luther's 95 Theses at Project Wittenberg.
November sermons
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7 November: No sermon. I'm on vacation. Instead, Clay Hahn will minister to the congregation.
14 November a.m.: Wonderful to the Last. Scripture reading: Psalm 98. Sermon text: Luke 21:5-19.
14 November p.m.: Working for a Living. Sermon text: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13.
21 November a.m., Last Sunday of Pentecost (Christ the King): The Cross Holds a King. Scripture reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6. Sermon text: Luke 23:35-43. This poem goes with the sermon.
21 November p.m.: Community Thanksgiving Service with Romulus Methodist Church. Rev. David Lawrence of Romulus Methodist Church will preach.
Advent
Beginning of Year A Readings28 November a.m.: Wake Up! Scripture reading: Isaiah 2:1-5. Sermon text: Matthew 24:37-44.
28 November p.m.: Live in Love. Sermon text: Romans 13:8-14.
5 December a.m.: The Rule of the King. Scripture Reading: Psalm 72:1-8. Sermon text: Isaiah 11:1-10.
5 December p.m.: Cleaning before Christmas. Sermon text: Matthew 3:1-12.
12 December a.m.: Returning the Ransomed. Scripture reading: James 5:7-10. Sermon text: Isaiah 35:1-10.
12 December p.m.: Who Do You See? Sermon text: Matthew 11:2-11.
19 December a.m.: Yearly Service of Carols and Lessons. We will celebrate Christmas Communion on this day.
19 December p.m.: Children's Program.
Christmas
26 December a.m.: Clothed with Salvation. Scripture reading: Psalm 147. Sermon text: Isaiah 61:10-62:3.
26 December p.m.: No service.
2005 Sermons can be found here.
