In Sermons: showing 31-45 of 88

From Worry To Peace Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Nov 16, 2006

In Phil 4:4-7, Paul gives three ways to take a bite out of worry, anxiety, and stress.

Phil 4:4-7 Our scripture focuses on a challenge all of us face from time to time – how to deal with worry, anxiety, and stress. Sometimes we deal with it well and handle it in a mature way. At other times we may let it get out of hand. Watch what happens to Mr. Steinbloom. (He asks question ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:7-11

Denomination: Brethren

Love Your Enemies

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 13, 2006

A reminder of God’s redemptive work in a world torn by hate and violence with reference to 9-11

I want to begin by telling you about something happened to me in college. I didn’t have a car as a freshman, but in 1959 I got my grandpa’s 1951 Chevy, which I drove from my home in Iowa to Hesston, Kansas, where I attended college. It was a nice car and I liked it. I didn’t drive it much ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Brethren

Take A Swat And Keep On Movin' Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 3, 2006

Don’t let distractions keep you from doing the work God wants you to do

Sue and I like to hike when we go on vacation. About ten years ago, we decided to check out the beautiful scenery along Lake Superior. We walked along the sandy beach in the icy cold water and viewed the rocks on the floor of the lake. We walked through the woods and saw scenic ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-16

Denomination: Brethren

A Passion For People In Pain Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Sep 11, 2006

Pain in the soul is a gift that can lead you into ministry to hurting people.

Even though a year has passed since Hurricane Katrina, stories about people who experienced that disaster are still surfacing. A few weeks ago, a pastor told me the story of a church in Louisiana. The members of that church were forced to leave their homes and when they returned, they found their ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Worship: Foundation For Life Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Aug 14, 2006

Worship should be a priority in our lives as we respond to God’s provisions.

Worship: foundation for life Ezra 3 As most of you know, when Sue and I go on vacation, we give serious thought to where we will worship on Sunday morning. If at all possible, we try to attend two worship services. We did that last month in Colorado and the two services could not have ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:1-11

Denomination: Brethren

From No Account To Significance

Contributed by Wes Richard on Aug 1, 2006

Goliath-sized giants sometimes challenge small congregations, but God can work through us even though we are small.

T he Old Testament records the confrontation between David and Goliath. The giant, over nine feet tall, stood as a formidable enemy. But, in the end, with God’s strength, David prevailed. You may be up against giants in your own personal life such as addictions, economic realities, or doubts ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Denomination: Brethren

No Innocent Bystanders Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Jun 12, 2006

The prophet Obadiah makes clear that we can’t stand idly by while our neighbors suffer.

At approximately 3:20 on the morning of March 13, 1964, twenty-eight-year-old Kitty Genovese was returning to her home in a nice, middle-class area of Queens, NY, from her job as a bar manager. She parked her red Fiat in a nearby parking lot, turned-off the lights and started the walk to her ...read more

Scripture: Obadiah 1:1-21

Denomination: Brethren

Separated Unto God Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on May 9, 2006

Four personal stories that illustrate how God’s people are set apart from the world and separated unto God.

I want to begin by telling you about this book. When Sue and I were in high school, we were active members of our youth fellowship. There must have been 40 or 50 of us. A farmer in our congregation was so concerned about the spiritual life of the youth that he purchased a book for every one of ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Why Celebrate Easter? Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Apr 17, 2006

I Corinthians 15 provides three reasons to celebrate Easter.

Last Monday, four couples in this church celebrated wedding anniversaries. Tom & Darlyn reached a special milestone - their 40th. Two weeks ago today, members of their family held a reception here at the church. Their whole family came from near and far for the celebration along with many of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-54

Denomination: Brethren

Resurrection Reminder Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Apr 10, 2006

The cross of Jesus and his resurrection can give you hope.

If there is one symbol that Christians around the world recognize, it is the cross. The cross is a positive symbol, not just because it looks like a plus sign, but because the death of Jesus is a positive event. It is a forward-looking event. It is a saving event. In spite of its gruesome ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Denomination: Brethren

Flee From Secularism Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Mar 30, 2006

Paul’s admonition to the Corinthian church to flee from idols is relevant to our temptations to secularism.

Flee from Secularism I Cor. 10:1-14 Most of you probably saw the story in the news last week about a man in Afghanistan who could be sentenced to death because he converted from Islam to Christianity. Under the religious laws of that nation, converting to Christianity is a crime. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-14

Denomination: Brethren

Church House Or Courthouse? Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Mar 13, 2006

I Corinthians 6 challenges us to follow the way of the cross in dealing with contentious issues within the church

Several years ago, on a Sunday morning, I was responsible for the children’s story. I wanted to help the children think about Jesus as their friend, so I began with this question: Who would you go to if you had a problem? One child said he would go to his grandma. Another said he would go to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Denomination: Brethren

God, The Lord, My Strength Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Feb 27, 2006

We can make it through tough times because we live by faith, joyfully in Him.

Ray Charles was a pianist, singer, and composer featured in the award-winning biographical film Ray. The film reveals how Ray compensated for his blindness by learning to hear what others could not—a skill that would contribute to his musical talent. Scene: As a 10-year-old boy, Ray enters ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-19

Denomination: Brethren

Not So Fast! Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Feb 6, 2006

The gift of intimacy as described in Song of Solomon is wonderful, but its development comes with restraints.

Today is the first Sunday of February. Some of you will soon be shopping for valentines, trying to find one with just the right message to express your feelings of friendship or love and romance. • You might look for the biggest card you can find. I did that one year. It was so big I had to ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 2:1-7

Denomination: Brethren

God's List Of People Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Jan 10, 2006

God uses all kinds of people to accomplish his purposes.

The first 16 verses of Matthew might seem like a Biblical wasteland for some of you. Some of the names might not be familiar to you and they are hard to pronounce. For those of you who read the Bible through, I don’t know how long it takes you to read these verses. And if you don’t know the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Brethren