Sermons (Page 9)

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SCRIPTURE: Kings 5:1-14 NRSV, Arranged for Ten Voices NAAMAN: Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. ISRAELITE GIRL: 2 Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to…

Jesus’ Itinerary: NOT a Vacation Plan

SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:51-62, Good News Translation, The Message, First Nations Version 51 When it came close to the time for his Ascension, Jesus gathered up his courage and steeled himself for the journey to Jerusalem. 52 He sent messengers ahead of him, who went into a village in Samaria to get everything ready for him. 53 But the people there would not receive him, because it was clear that he was on his way to Jerusalem and they wanted nothing…

Freedom’s Song

SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:19-34, New Revised Standard Version 19 [In Philippi, two men who were angry because Paul and Silas had interfered with their control over an enslaved woman] seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. 20 When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men, these Jews, are disturbing our city 21 and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us, being Romans, to adopt or observe.” 22 The crowd…

What’s God’s Favorite Color?

A RAINBOW OF BIBLE PASSAGES Matthew 16:2When it is evening, you say, “It will be fair weather: for the sky is RED.” Song of Solomon 4:14Body and soul, Beloved, you are paradise, a whole orchard of succulent fruits –Ripe apricots and peaches, ORANGES and pears. Psalm 68:13You will be lifted as the wings of a dove, her feathers covered with YELLOW gold. Psalm 52:8I am like a GREEN olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness…

When Pentecost Happens

SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:1-17, The Voice Translation – as a first person, present tense, account When the holy day of Pentecost came [50 days after the festival of Passover], they were gathered together in one place. 2 [Picture yourself among the disciples]: A sound, roars from the sky without warning, the roar of a violent wind, and the whole house where you are gathered reverberates with the sound. 3 Then a flame appears, dividing into smaller flames and spreading from one…

Jesus, Healer: Miracles & Memorials

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 8:5-13, The Voice Translation Narration, the way the community of Matthew tells the story, Centurion, a Roman military office in charge of about 100 foot soldiers, Jesus, the Word and the Way. 5 Eventually Jesus came to the little town of Capernaum. In Capernaum a military officer came to Him and asked Him for help. 6 Lord, I have a servant who is lying at home in agony, paralyzed. 7 I will come to your house, and I…

Inside -&- Out

SCRIPTURE: John 14:23-28, 30-31, New Living Translation, The Message 23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. [Creator] will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me, and keep my words. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the [Maker] who sent me. 25 I am telling you these things now while…

You Want Me to Eat What?

SCRIPTURE: Acts 11:1-18 Common English Bible The apostles and the brothers and sisters throughout Judea heard that even the Gentiles had welcomed God’s word. 2 When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him. 3 They accused him, “You went into the home of the uncircumcised and ate with them!” 4 Step-by-step, Peter explained what had happened. 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying when I had a visionary experience. In my vision, I saw something…

The Gazelle in the Room

SCRIPTURE: Acts 9:36-43, New International Version 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas*); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time [when the disciples were traveling in the area] she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged…