| 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've used the Revised Common 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 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.
Note: The Epiphany sermons each Sunday morning this year address the core beliefs of Christianity as taught in the Apostles Creed. My admissions essay to Beeson Divinity School gives my beliefs about the teachings of the Apostles Creed.
I 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.
Current week, 27 April, Sixth Sunday of Easter: Proclaiming an Unknown God. Scripture reading: Psalm 66. Sermon text: Acts 17:22-31.
Other Sermons and Studies:
Esther: God's Redeemer of Israel.
Session 1: The Persian Empire.
Session 2: Esther's Coronation.
Reformation: From Rome's Fall to Luther's Stand a presentation for Reformation Day 2007.
Moses: Obedience and Redemption Our current Wednesday night Bible study lecture notes.
Revelation Delivered during Pentecost 2007.
The Apostles' Creed Delivered during Epiphany 2008. The Apostles' Creed states the basics of our faith.
Our Daily Bread. Scripture reading: Psalm 78:1-25. Sermon text: Luke 22:14-30. This is the sermon for Maundy Thursday 2006.
Thy Kingdom Come. Scripture reading: Joel 2:1-17. Sermon text: Matthew 6:5-13. This is my second sermon on the Lord's Prayer, preached Ash Wednesday 2007.
Reaching Higher. Scripture reading: Jeremiah 1:1-10. Sermon text: 1 Corinthians 14:1-20. Given events in the SBC, the topic of glossalalia needs addressing.
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.
2004 Sermons (Year C Readings)
2005 Sermons (Year A Readings)
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.
Epiphany
Note: The Epiphany sermons will address the teachings of the Church as described in the Apostles Creed.
Epiphany Sunday, 6 January a.m.: God, the Father Almighty. Scripture reading: Isaiah 43:1-15. Sermon text: 1 John 4:4-14.
6 January p.m.: The Rising Glory. Sermon text: Isaiah 60:1-6.
13 January a.m.: Jesus Christ Our Lord. Scripture reading: Acts 17:24-31 Sermon text: Acts 26:22-28.
13 January p.m.: "This Is My Son." Sermon text: Matthew 3:13-17.
20 January a.m.: Laurie Beth Wedgeworth will give her testimony in the morning worship service.
20 January p.m.: A New Song. Sermon text: Psalm 42.
27 January a.m.: The Holy Spirit, Our Glorious Hope. Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:1-6. Sermon text: 1 John 3:19-4:4.
27 January p.m.: The Message of the Cross. Sermon text: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18.
3 February: Winter Bible Study: Esther: God's Redeemer of Israel.
Session 1: The Persian Empire.
Lent
Ash Wednesday, 6 February: Be Reconciled to God. Scripture reading: Isaiah 58:1-12. Sermon text: 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10.
10 February a.m.: The Joy of Forgiveness. Scripture reading: Romans 5:12-19. Sermon text: Psalm 32.
10 February p.m.: The Ultimate Tempter. Sermon text: Matthew 4:1-11.
17 February a.m.: You Must Be Born Again. Scripture reading: Romans 4:1-17. Sermon text: John 3:1-17.
17 February p.m.: Lifting Our Eyes to Our Help. Sermon text: Psalm 121.
24 February a.m.: Meeting at the Well. Scripture reading: John 4:1-26. Sermon text: John 4:27-42.
24 February p.m.: Reconciled through Faith. Sermon text: Romans 5:1-11.
2 March a.m.: Who Would You Choose? Scripture reading: Psalm 23. Sermon text: 1 Samuel 16:1-13.
2 March p.m.: Children of Light. Sermon text: Ephesians 5:8-14.
9 March a.m.: Lazarus, Arise! Scripture reading: Psalm 130. Sermon text: John 11:1-45.
9 March p.m.: Living Bones. Sermon text: Ezekiel 37:1-14.
Holy Week
16 March a.m. (Palm Sunday): Hosanna! Scripture reading: Psalm 118. Sermon text: Matthew 21:1-11.
16 March p.m.: Mercy in the Time of Trouble. Psalm 31:9-16.
20 March, Maundy Thursday: Keep the Feast. Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Sermon text: Exodus 12:1-14. We will meet with Romulus Methodist Church at 7 p.m. at the Methodist church. We will celebrate Holy Communion in this service.
21 March, Good Friday: Rev. Paul Peeples will deliver the sermon at New Hope at 7 p.m.
Easter
23 March, Easter Sunday: "I Have Seen the Lord." Scripture reading: John 20:1-18. Sermon text: Acts 10:34-43.
30 March a.m.: Do You Believe? Scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9. Sermon text: John 20:19-31.
30 March p.m.: Fifth Sunday Night Singing.
6 April a.m.: Burning Hearts. Scripture reading: Psalm 116:1-17. Sermon text: Luke 24:13-35.
6 April p.m.: Ransomed by the Blood. Sermon text: 1 Peter 1:17-23.
13 April a.m.: "I Am the Door." Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:19-25. Sermon text: John 10:1-10.
13 April p.m.: Adding to the Number. Sermon text: Acts 2:42-47.
20 April a.m.: When the Heavens Open. Scripture reading: John 14:1-14. Sermon text: Acts 7:44-60.
20 April p.m.: A Royal Priesthood. Sermon text: 1 Peter 2:1-10.
27 April a.m.: Proclaiming an Unknown God. Scripture reading: Psalm 66. Sermon text: Acts 17:22-31.
27 April p.m.: The Other Among Us. Sermon text: John 14:15-21.
4 May a.m.: That We May Be One. Scripture reading: Acts 1:1-14. Sermon text: John 17:1-11.
4 May p.m.: When Trials Come. Sermon text: 1 Peter 4:12-5:11.
Pentecost
11 May, Pentecost (Mothers Day, U.S.): Why the Spirit? Scripture reading: Acts 2:1-21. Sermon text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-13. We will celebrate Holy Communion on this day.
18 May a.m.: Gideon Sunday. A local Gideon will tell the congregation of the vital work of the Gideons' ministry.
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Christmas