| Sermons... |
These sermons are 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. You should know that I rarely preach exactly from manuscript; things come to me as I go. (Most ministers will empathize.)
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. 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 used the Book of Common Prayer Lectionary for my sermon texts. Since each Sunday contains 4 passages, I usually used the Gospel on Sunday morning; use the Psalm or Old Testament reading as additional scripture; and used the Epistle as my sermon text on Sunday night. I occasionally modified this and used the Old Testament or Epistle reading on Sunday morning.
I used 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.
Note: The Episcopal Church has begun moving to the Revised Common Lectionary beginning with Advent 2007. I'm not Episcopalian, but I wonder about the move from a Lectionary that has worked well for decades. Therefore, beginning with Advent 2006, I will depart from the Lectionary while I sort this out.
I will continue to 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 2006 are from the Year B readings through Advent. See note above.
Current week 31 December, First Sunday after Christmas: In the Beginning. Scripture reading: Psalm 147. Sermon text: John 1:1-18.
Other Sermons:
Our Daily Bread. Scripture reading: Psalm 78:1-25. Sermon text: Luke 22:14-30. This is the sermon for Maundy Thursday 2006.
My Redeemer Lives. Sermon text: Job 19:25. This is an ordination sermon.
The Cost of Salvation. Sermon text: Mark 10:17-27 (the story of the young ruler).
Mighty Works, Mighty Wind. Scripture reading: John 14:8-17. Sermon text: Acts 2:1-11. This is a Pentecost sermon.
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.
Thinking about Mary. Scripture reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-16. Sermon text: Luke 1: 26-38. From Advent, Year B.
The Cross Holds a King This is a poem, not a sermon.
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.
Here's how to get to New Hope from Tuscaloosa:
- Take 20/59 South to exit 63 (the Fosters exit, just across the Warrior River). Turn right at the top of the exit. You will see a gas station and the Fosters post office.
- At the 4-way stop, go "straight" onto Gainesville Road. This is a typical Southern road, so be careful driving on it. You will pass Myrtlewood Elementary School and the Fosters Fire Department.
- Go to the end of Gainesville Road (about 5 miles). You will see the Romulus Volunteer Fire Department on your right. Please stop at the stop sign; lots of people don't, costing our firefighters an evening of work. (They had rather practice than actually have to work on a wreck.)
- Turn left onto Romulus Road.
- The church is on the left, about a quarter-mile from Gainesville Road.
Service Times:
Sunday morning: Sunday School at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m.
Sunday night: worship at 6 p.m.
Wednesday night: Fellowship supper at 6:30 p.m. (potluck usually), prayer service at 7:15 p.m. Please notify me by 5 p.m. Wednesday of any prayer requests you'd like listed on the prayer sheet.
Christmas Season
1 January(Second Sunday after Christmas): Called to His Majesty. Scripture reading: Psalm 8. Sermon text: Romans 1:1-7.
Epiphany
8 January a.m.: Special guest speaker Laurie Beth Wedgeworth will tell us of her mission trip in the summer of 2005.
8 January p.m.: Listen... and Find. Sermon text: 1 Samuel 3:1-10.
15 January a.m.: Crossing the Line (from last Sunday's readings). Scripture reading: Acts 10:1-20. Sermon text: Acts 10:30-48.
15 January p.m.: Earnestly Seek Him. Sermon text: Psalm 63.
22 January a.m.: The Return of the Faithless. Scripture reading: Mark 1:14-20. Sermon text: Jeremiah 3:21-4:2.
22 January p.m.: Does God Ever Listen? Sermon text: Psalm 130.
29 January: Winter Bible Study. Dr. Allen Ross of Beeson Divinity School will teach from the life of Joseph.
5 February a.m.: Why Are They Looking for Him? Scripture reading: Psalm 142. Sermon text: Mark 1:29-39.
5 February p.m.: What Will You Do for Him? Sermon text: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23.
12 February a.m.: A Secret Too Good to Keep. Scripture reading: 2 Kings 5:1-15. Sermon text: Mark 1:40-45.
12 February p.m.: Hungry for God. Sermon text: Psalm 42.
19 February a.m.: God Forgives and Forgets. Scripture reading: Psalm 32. Sermon text: Isaiah 43:18-25.
19 February p.m.: What's Harder? Sermon text: Mark 2:1-12.
26 February a.m.: Wait for the LORD. Scripture reading: 1 Kings 19:9-18. Sermon text: Psalm 27.
26 February p.m.: I Know What I Saw. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:16-21.
Lent
1 March : Ash Wednesday. Joint worship service with Romulus Methodist Church; service will be at New Hope at 7 p.m. Sermon: Cry Out and Listen. Scripture reading: Psalm 103. Sermon text: Isaiah 58:1-12.
5 March a.m.: A Strange Way to Show Pleasure! Scripture reading: Psalm 25. Sermon text: Mark 1:9-13.
5 March p.m.: The Bow in the Clouds. Sermon text: Genesis 9:8-17.
12 March a.m.: God is for Us. Scripture reading: Psalm 16. Sermon text: Romans 8:31-39.
12 March p.m.: Surviving the Test. Sermon text: Genesis 22:1-19.
19 March a.m.: Gideon Sunday. A member of our local Gideons organization will tell the congregation of their ministry.
19 March p.m.: What Law Do We Serve? Scripture reading: Exodus 20:1-17. Sermon text: Romans 7:13-25.
26 March a.m.: How Are We Saved? Scripture reading: 2 Chronicles 36:14-23. Sermon text: Ephesians 2:1-10.
26 March p.m.: Feeding the 5,000. Sermon text: John 6:1-15.
2 April a.m.: A New Covenant. Scripture reading: Psalm 51. Sermon text: Jeremiah 31:31-34.
2 April p.m.: "We Wish to See Jesus." Sermon text: John 12:20-33.
Holy Week
9 April a.m. (Palm Sunday): Hosanna! Scripture reading: Psalm 118:19-29. Sermon text: Mark 11:1-11.
9 April p.m. (Palm Sunday): Turn and Be Saved. Sermon text: Isaiah 45:21-25.
12 April: Passover Seder at Romulus Methodist Church, service at 7 p.m.
Maundy Thursday, 13 April: Holy Communion Service at Romulus Methodist Church, 7 p.m. Sermon: Our Daily Bread. Scripture reading: Psalm 78:1-25. Sermon text: Luke 22:14-30.
Good Friday, 14 April: Joint service with Romulus Methodist Church, service at New Hope at 7 p.m. The Rev. David Lawrence, pastor of Romulus Methodist Church, will deliver the sermon.
Easter
16 April, Easter Sunday: Raised with Christ. Scripture reading: Mark 16:1-8. Sermon text: Colossians 3:1-4.
23 April: Conqueror of the World. Scripture reading: John 20:19-31. Sermon text: 1 John 5:1-6.
23 April p.m.: Ordination sermon for a candidate in my religion classes: My Redeemer Lives. Sermon text: Job 19:25.
30 April a.m.: Our Light and Our Advocate. Scripture reading: Luke 24:36-48. Sermon text: 1 John 1:1-2:2.
30 April p.m.: The Marvelous Works of the LORD. Sermon text: Psalm 98.
7 May a.m.: My LORD, My Shepherd. Scripture reading: Psalm 100. Sermon text: Psalm 23.
7 May p.m.: My LORD, My Father. Sermon text: 1 John 3:1-8.
14 May, Mother's Day (U.S.): "If you love me." Scripture reading: 1 John 3:18-24. Sermon text: John 14:15-21.
21 May a.m.: Love One Another. Scripture reading: 1 John 4:7-21. Sermon text: John 15:9-17.
21 May p.m.: Sing a New Song. Sermon text: Psalm 33.
28 May a.m.: That We May Be One. Scripture reading: 1 John 5:9-15. Sermon text: John 17:11-19.
28 May p.m.: Special service at Shiloh Baptist, Ralph, Alabama. We will examine The Da Vinci Code with presentation by James Fowler of Ridgecrest Baptist Church.
Pentecost
4 June, Pentecost Sunday, a.m.: Born of 2 Worlds. Scripture reading: Acts 2:1-11. Sermon text: Psalm 33:12-22. This will definitely be a different Pentecost sermon.
4 June, Pentecost Sunday, p.m.: Formed for His Witness. Sermon text: Isaiah 44:1-8.
11 June: Homecoming. Rev. Herbert Davis will deliver the sermon.
18 June: Trading Places. Scripture reading: Exodus 2:1-22. Sermon text: Exodus 3:1-14. No, this isn't from the Lectionary. We're entering our Vacation Bible School, and the theme is "Trading Places." We'll hear about Moses' response to trading places in life.
25 June a.m.:Leaving the Legion Behind. Scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. Sermon text: Mark 5:1-20.
25 June p.m.: Answer Me! Sermon text: Job 38:1-18.
2 July a.m.: "Give." Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 15:7-11. Sermon text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15.
9 July a.m.: "Only Believe." Scripture reading: Habakkuk 3:1-18. Sermon text: Mark 5:22-43. This is from last week's Lectionary reading. Long story.
9 July p.m.: Dealing with the Thorns. Sermon text: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10.
16 July a.m.: "Who Are You?" Scripture reading: Mark 6:7-13. Sermon text: Amos 7:7-15.
16 July p.m.: Oh, the Blessings of God! Sermon text: Ephesians 1:1-14.
23 July a.m.: United in Christ. Scripture reading: Isaiah 57:14-21. Sermon text: Ephesians 2:11-22.
23 July p.m.: Reviving the Soul. Sermon text: Isaiah 57:14-21. No, this isn't a typo.
30 July: Can God Help You? Scripture reading: Psalm 114. Sermon text: 2 Kings 2:1-15.
6 August: No sermon. The Rev. Clay Hahn will minister to the congregation in my absence.
13 August a.m.: The Bread of Life. Scripture reading: Psalm 34:1-8. Sermon text: John 6:37-51.
13 August p.m.: A Tall Order. Sermon text: Ephesians 4:29-5:2.
20 August a.m.: Living Wisely. Scripture reading: Proverbs 9:1-6. Sermon text: Ephesians 5:15-20.
20 August p.m.: It's So Good to Sing! Sermon text: Psalm 147:1-16.
27 August a.m.: Heavenly Love on Earth. Scripture reading: Psalm 16. Sermon text: Ephesians 5:21-33.
27 August p.m.: "To Whom Shall We Go?" Sermon text: John 6:60-69.
3 September a.m.: Putting on the Uniform. Scripture reading: Psalm 15. Sermon text: Ephesians 6:10-20.
3 September p.m.: Hold Fast and Live. Sermon text: Deuteronomy 4:1-10.
10 September a.m.: Here Is Your God. Scripture reading: Psalm 146. Sermon text: Isaiah 35.
10 September p.m.: Doing, not Saying. Sermon text: James 1:17-27.
17 September a.m.: Calling Upon a Gracious Lord. Scripture reading: Isaiah 50:4-9. Sermon text: Psalm 116.
17 September p.m.: Who Am I? Sermon text: Mark 8:27-38.
24 September a.m.: Are We First or Last? Scripture reading: James 3:16-4:6. Sermon text: Mark 9:30-37.
24 September p.m.: Save Me, O God! Sermon text: Psalm 54.
1 October a.m.: Catch the Spirit! Scripture reading: Mark 9:33-41. Sermon text: Numbers 11:24-30.
1 October p.m.: "He Gives More Grace." Sermon text: James 4:1-12.
8 October a.m.: God's Gift to Man. Scripture reading: Psalm 128. Sermon text: Genesis 2:18-24.
8 October p.m.: How Majestic Is His Name. Sermon text: Psalm 8.
15 October a.m.: You Are What You Worship. Scripture reading: Amos 5:6-15. Sermon text: Mark 10:17-27.
15 October p.m.: Partners in His Calling. Sermon text: Hebrews 3:1-6.
22 October a.m.: Carved by the Sword. Scripture reading: Mark 10:35-45. Sermon text: Hebrews 4:12-16.
22 October p.m.: Abiding in His Shadow. Sermon text: Psalm 91.
29 October: How Long? Scripture reading: Psalm 13. Sermon text: Mark 10:46-52.
5 November a.m.: Robed in White (from All Saints' Day readings). Scripture reading: Psalm 149. Sermon text: Revelation 7:1-17.
5 November p.m.: The Greatest Commandment (from 22 Sunday readings). Sermon text: Mark 12:18-34.
12 November a.m.: The Heavenly Holy of Holies. Scripture reading: Hebrews 9:1-15. Sermon text: Hebrews 9:19-28.
12 November p.m.: Nothing to Lose. Sermon text: 1 Kings 17:8-16.
19 November a.m.: Waiting in Hope. Scripture reading: Daniel 12:1-10. Sermon text: Hebrews 10:31-39.
19 November p.m.: Community Thanksgiving Service, Rev. Paul Peeples of Romulus Methodist presiding.
25 November a.m. (Last Sunday of Pentecost, Sunday of Christ the King): The Lord Reigns. Scripture reading: Daniel 7:1-14. Sermon text: Daniel 7:15-28.
25 November p.m.: The LORD is King. Sermon text: Psalm 93.
3 December a.m.: Speaking after the Silence. Scripture reading: Luke 1:1-17. Sermon text: Luke 1:18-25.
3 December p.m.: Lift up Your Soul. Sermon text: Psalm 25:1-10.
10 December a.m.: The Strangest Answer to a Prayer. Scripture reading: Luke 1:26-38. Sermon text: Luke 1:39-56.
10 December p.m.: Who can Endure His Coming? Sermon text: Malachi 3:1-6.
17 December a.m.: New Hope's Choir will perform our Christmas Cantata, "Jesus: There's Something About That Name." This is the devotional for the lighting of the Advent Candle: There's Something about that Name.
17 December p.m.: Our annual Service of Carols and Lessons, with the children's program.
24 December (10 a.m.): Unto Us a Child Is Born. Scripture reading: Isaiah 9:1-7. Sermon text: Luke 2:1-20. We will celebrate Holy Communion in this service.
Christmas Season
31 December: In the Beginning. Scripture reading: Psalm 147. Sermon text: John 1:1-18.