In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 125

Patience Is A Virtue... So What?

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 21, 2021

We’ve been waiting for things to get back to normal. Waiting for schools to start and restaurants to open. Waiting for family reunions, weddings, and funerals. Waiting for test results,

W hat a year. We’ve been waiting for things to get back to normal. Waiting for schools to start and restaurants to open. Waiting for family reunions, weddings, and funerals. Waiting for test results, the next wave of virus, and a vaccine. Waiting seems to have been the theme 2020. What’s promised ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23, James 5:7-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Not An Easy Hike

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 21, 2021

I received my first 50-mile badge about 1969 hiking up in the Lassen National Park. The first day we hiked 5.5 miles up a hill and it took us 5.5 hours.

I received my first 50-mile badge about 1969 hiking up in the Lassen National Park. The first day we hiked 5.5 miles up a hill and it took us 5.5 hours. It was so steep a climb that the switchbacks were no more than 10 apart at their widest point. Our packs were heavy too as we had all 9 days of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4, Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A New Direction

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 21, 2021

Michelangelo left four unfinished sculptures called “The Prisoners or Slaves”. Individually they are known as “The Awakening Slave”, “The Young Slave”, “The Bearded Slave”, and “The Atlas Bound” (Accademia).

Michelangelo left four unfinished sculptures called “The Prisoners or Slaves”. Individually they are known as “The Awakening Slave”, “The Young Slave”, “The Bearded Slave”, and “The Atlas Bound” (Accademia). They are partway carved from their block of marble but, never finished, they are forever ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

First Steps

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 21, 2021

December 23, 1776 Thomas Paine wrote “These are the times that try men’s souls” in reference to “summer soldiers” who fought well in Spring and Summer but gave up and went home in the cold.

December 23, 1776 Thomas Paine wrote “These are the times that try men’s souls” in reference to “summer soldiers” who fought well in Spring and Summer but gave up and went home in the cold. It was a statement read to the Colonial army at Valley Forge before they crossed the Delaware and attacked ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8, Mark 13:32-36

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Give Peace A Chance

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 21, 2021

During Christmas in 1914 the German and Western armies made an unofficial cease fire unsanctioned by the command staff of the armies.

During Christmas in 1914 the German and Western armies made an unofficial cease fire unsanctioned by the command staff of the armies. This came about because of a request from Pope Benedict XV who earlier suggested a ceasing of warfare during Christmas. The move Joyeux Noel or Merry Christmas ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36, Jeremiah 33:14-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Singing Loud For All To Hear…

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 21, 2021

A survey of the ‘happiest nations’ show Afghanistan coming in dead last which shouldn’t surprise anyone.

A survey of the ‘happiest nations’ show Afghanistan coming in dead last which shouldn’t surprise anyone. But close to it is Zimbabwe. The list varies by the measure used to judge happiness. First century Israel the reason was quite clear. Rome was in charge even when it came to their faith. High ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hoping Or Wishing

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 21, 2021

The name Bethlehem means ‘house of bread’ in Hebrew, and it was located in an area called ‘fruitful’—Ephrathah. Compared to the city of Jerusalem, it is small. Not only in size but in significance.

The name Bethlehem means ‘house of bread’ in Hebrew, and it was located in an area called ‘fruitful’—Ephrathah. Compared to the city of Jerusalem, it is small. Not only in size but in significance. “[T]his birthplace of David would also become the birthplace of his greatest descendant, the Messiah ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-53

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Simple Acts Of Christmas

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 21, 2021

What do we know about the birth of Jesus? It may be easier to list what we do not know about his birth.

What do we know about the birth of Jesus? It may be easier to list what we do not know about his birth. Because no date is given we do not know when he was born. We don’t know who was with him at his birth. My guess is Joseph and Mary were in a house with his relatives (who were also descendants of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:12-18, Luke 2:1-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Real Authority

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Jan 29, 2015

How does Christ's authority differ from the various authorities we face each day

My least favorite classes in my undergrad political science classes dealt with ‘political theory’. But I will always remember the discussion we had around the concept of ‘authority’ and what made for legitimate authority. Keep in mind this was at the winding down of Vietnam ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Turn Around

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Jan 29, 2015

The need for and meaning of repentance

Before I moved to Oregon I use to consider myself a fisherman. I got my license each year and spent many afternoons and days off with a string in the Walker River or Lee Vining Creek. One of the few times I fished here was in my first few years and I went out to the Sandy near Troutdale. Steelhead ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Strange Way Of Freedom Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Apr 13, 2010

Relationships and mutual submission is what brings about freedom rather than captivity.

I f you've served in the armed forces you attended a multi-week camp even which was meant to acquaint you with a new way of living your life. This new way of life included, as Sgt. Hulka so elaborately said in the movie Stripes, " I'm gonna teach every last one of you how to eat, sleep, walk, talk, ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Did You Get The Memo? Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Apr 13, 2010

Palm Sunday is the opportunity to prepare for Holy Week and the emotional roller-coaster it involves

A great story from a couple of years ago was reported by Robert Bazell of NBC News. After an attempted IED attack near Tikrit the hospital at Camp Speicher was down to 10% of its blood supply. Brian Suam, was first in line to donate blood when the call went out. His blood was going to be used for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Determining One's Loyalty

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Apr 13, 2010

Easter visitation to the disciples tests ones loyalty while Acts demonstrates it in public

T he Best Picture in 1981 went to a little recognized film called Chariots of Fire. It chronicled two British runners, Eric Liddell, a devote Christian and Harold Abrams who were to run in the 1924 Olympics held in Paris. Liddell refuses to run his race because it is to be held on Sunday and his ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Signs Of Life Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Jan 27, 2010

One does not look for signs of death but signs of life. That is true when we look for spiritual life as well. One of the "Great Buts" of the Bible. Vvv. 1-5

As late as 5 pm Wednesday a 5-year-old boy named Monley was pulled alive from a collapsed Haitian home on Wednesday, eight days after the earthquake.1 In addition rescue workers heard a faint tapping from the Hotel Montana but it ceased following the after-shock. Nicholas Reader, spokesman for the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Running Toward The Kingdom Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Jan 27, 2010

Our journey of following Christ has it's shares of uphill grinds and downhill free-wheeling. The key is knowing how to deal with both of these times

After I-80 replaced old highway 40 over Donner Pass the trip to Reno from our house got a bit easier. It easily cut the time in half but it also made for some interesting driving strategies for those on the drive. Do you remember those 1965 VW's bugs? When we drove Donner pass with one the bug ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed