In Sermons: showing 31-45 of 407

New Year's Food

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jan 3, 2016

Just as we eat traditional foods at New Year, we partake of the Bread and Cup in the most significant meal of all.

I was twenty-four years old ... when I first became aware ... of what it meant to be ... under the scalpel of God's word. It was then ... that I heard and understood clearly ... that I was a sinner .... and as such .... had no right to eternity ... in heaven. I remember being cut through ... ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-22

Denomination: Congregational

Slave Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 29, 2015

In this overlooked parable Jesus describes the life of discipleship in terms of service. Rather than focusing on our rights and needs, and deciding what we'd like to do, we need to focus on how we can serve our Master.

This has been called “the most troubling parable” in the Bible. Why does Jesus say we are like unworthy servants? I know I must have read this before, but somehow I glossed over it. I've got a lot of books on the parables of Jesus and most omit this one. A year ago an article in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:7-10

Denomination: Congregational

Mary's Song

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 13, 2015

The Magnificat. We should take Mary seriously. Jesus' mother is also our mother. She is a “mother” to all who accept Jesus as Lord. Her most significant role is to point us to her Son.

Christmas songs bring back memories. When I hear certain carols, I'm transported back to my childhood in Germany. I especially remember Stille Nacht, the German hymn by Fr Joseph Mohr that celebrates Jesus, born of a virgin, sleeping in heavenly peace. Here in Luke chapter one we see Mary's song, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Congregational

Triumph!

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 6, 2015

Paul paints a word picture of believers, as former enemies conquered by grace, as conquerors, and as a fragrant aroma.

Note: I lit a piece of incense at the beginning of my sermon...also this has some Christmas references, but is not a Christmas sermon per se. Some of you may be familiar with the Grand March from Verdi's opera Aida. In the first act there is an elaborate, triumphant procession to mark the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Denomination: Congregational

The Consuming Fire

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 29, 2015

FIRE- brings light, warmth, love, gives direction, tests faith, represents wrath, is a holy calling, preparation for holy work, conveys truth and brings pardon.

Jesus declared in Luke 12:49, “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” We think of the meek and mild Bethlehem Babe coming to bring peace on earth, good-will to men. Jesus did indeed bring peace, but hardly the way anyone expected. Sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:15-24

Denomination: Congregational

The Blessings Of Unity & Hope Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 22, 2015

In Christ we have a living hope that lifts us from fear and despair. We also have unity, which is not uniformity but a celebration of diversity. We are truly blessed.

Bible Blessings – the Blessings of Unity & Hope, Romans 15:5-13 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts (22 November 2015) With Thanksgiving approaching, we have lots of blessings to be thankful for. We've seen in this series that the Bible is a treasury ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:5-13

Denomination: Congregational

The Blessing Of Love Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 15, 2015

We bless because we love. True love isn't mere emotion or attraction; it is a fruit of the Spirit, produced by God, with tangible results.

“Peace to you, brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.” When I was stationed in Korea, long before email and Skype, I used the MARS, or Military Amateur Radio System, to call home. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:23-24

Denomination: Congregational

The Blessing Of Security Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 8, 2015

We're secure; we didn't earn Heaven--Jesus earned it for us--so we won't lose out. We're guaranteed Heaven--not based on what we've done--but based on what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross.

How secure do you feel? The story is told of a monastery in Portugal, perched high atop a 3,000 foot cliff and accessible only by a terrifying ride in a swaying basket. The basket is pulled up with a single rope by several strong men, perspiring under the strain. One American tourist who visited ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:17-25

Denomination: Congregational

The Blessing Of Holiness Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 1, 2015

Holiness is part of a process whereby God makes us more like Christ. It isn't just what we do in church on Sunday that marks us as holy; it is being faithful during the week, before the watching world...letting our light shine.

In a speech to the nation in 1863, Abraham Lincoln said this... “We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

Denomination: Congregational

Blessing Of Power Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Oct 25, 2015

God does help those who can’t help themselves! We’re disabled by sin, yet God still loves us too much to leave us in the mess we’re in. Admitting our powerlessness is the first step on the road to recovery and to receiving power from Above.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us. To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations; for ever and ever! Amen.” On July 13th 1977, I was having dinner in Little Italy, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-20

Denomination: Congregational

Leadership Blessing Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Oct 11, 2015

Paul wanted to encourage church leaders to continue serving faithfully after he's gone. We who lead live out what we've learned. As witnesses to the truth, we apply the wisdom we've acquired through experience and by time spent in prayer.

As General George Patton was preparing for combat operations in North Africa during WWII, he called on his aging mentor, General John J. Pershing, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Patton thanked Pershing for giving him his start as a Company Commander. Pershing said, “I can always pick a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:28-32

Denomination: Congregational

Trinity Blessing Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Oct 4, 2015

-The Father looks at us and says: “I will never leave you; I created you and I love you!” -The Son looks at us and says: “I will never leave you; I died for you!” -The Holy Spirit looks at us and says: “I will never leave you; I dwell within you!”

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Sometimes blessings are risky. A California public school student was suspended for saying “God bless you,” when another student sneezed; and a Kentucky ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

The Priestly Blessing Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 27, 2015

God blesses us and causes us to be a blessing to others. We need to learn what it means to bless, and to let people know we are blessed.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” In Fiddler on the Roof, a man from the Jewish village of Anatevka asks the Rabbi, “Is there a blessing for the Czar?” The ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27

Denomination: Congregational

"On Eagles" Wings

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 13, 2015

A reassuring message from a long-silent God to all who need hope.

For some people, life is drudgery, and then you die. What are we resting our hopes and dreams on? Where is our peace in life and our security for eternity? The prophet Isaiah proclaims to our great relief that we can rest in God's care--now and forever. This is a wonderfully reassuring chapter, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-31

Denomination: Congregational

We Are Gomer

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 6, 2015

James Montgomery Boice calls the enacted parable of Hosea and Gomer "the second greatest story in the Bible," a depiction of God's embracing, pardoning grace. In it we see that We are Gomer.

We enact a parable of grace every time we observe the Lord's Supper. Another living parable was dramatized by Hosea the prophet. He was told by God to marry a wayward women who would prove to be unfaithful. He did so, to depict God's grace. It was not unusual for God to ask His prophets to do ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:1-10

Denomination: Congregational