In Sermons: showing 61-75 of 534

A Consoling Word Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 24, 2016

Relationships are important. Paul send a consoling message to the Corinthians in an effort to mend bruised relationships.

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 “A Consoling Word” INTRODUCTION In his second letter to the Corinthians Paul continues to address issues with which the Corinthian church is struggling. Despite their struggles Paul wants the Corinthians and all the Christians, or saints, in Achaia to realize ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

The Good Gift Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 10, 2016

Peter doesn't have any money to give to the beggar, but Peter does heal him and the man is able to walk.

Acts 3:1-10 “The Good Gift” INTRODUCTION The writer of the Gospel of Mark understood that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus was, “The Beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” Jesus’ walk on earth was the first chapter. Following this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Sharing The Good News Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 3, 2016

Jesus commissions his disciples to be his witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 1:1-14 “Sharing the Good News” INTRODUCTION The chocolate Easter bunnies have been consumed along with much of the Easter candy. Easter outfits have been cleaned and hung back up in closets. If the Easter decorations haven’t been taken down and stored, then they soon ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Total Commitment Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 7, 2016

Jesus summarizes the law in the Great Commandment, the scribes seek honor, and a poor widow gives all.

Mark 12:28-44 “Total Commitment INTRODUCTION It doesn’t take long, while reading the gospel of Mark, to realize that the kingdom of God is a very different from the nations and societies of the world. When reflecting on the kingdom of God and what it means to be a disciple of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-44

Denomination: Lutheran

Robbing God Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 1, 2016

Jesus shares the Parable of the wicked servant.

Mark 12:1-12 “Robbing God” INTRODUCTION The writer of Mark continues to expand upon the central message of his gospel that the time is fulfilled, the kingdom is here, repent and believe. To do this Mark recounts Jesus telling a story that has come to be known as “The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

The Call To Serve Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 22, 2016

Jesus makes his third passion prediction, and tells his disciples that the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve. Jesus also heals a blind man.

Mark 10:32-52 “Call to Serve” INTRODUCTION Our eyes can play tricks on us. Sometimes we can’t see what is in plain sight—we can’t see our glasses on top of our head, or the car keys on the table. There are times when we can only see what we want to see—we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-52

Denomination: Lutheran

True Value Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 15, 2016

A rich man is called to sell all he has and to follow Jesus

“Mark 10:17-31 “True Value” INTRODUCTION Mark continues to explain to us what Jesus meant when he said, “The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is here. Repent and believe.” Mark has helped us understand what Jesus meant by telling us stories and parables of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Sent Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 1, 2016

Jesus is rejected at Nazareth, sends out the twelve and hears about the death of John the Baptist.

Mark 6:1-29 “Sent” INTRODUCTION We continue to work with the central point of Mark’s gospel as it is stated in Mark 1:15, “The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is upon us, Repent (change your mind and perspective) and believe (trust and live in the truth). An ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-29

Denomination: Lutheran

From Hopelessness To Hope Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 25, 2016

Jesus heals Jairus' daughter and the woman with the flow of blood.

Mark 5:21-43 “From Hopelessness to Hope” INTRODUCTION Mark continues to flesh out the central premise of his gospel, “The time is fulfilled. The kingdom is upon us. Repent (change your perspective) and believe (trust). Mark does this through two powerful healing stories. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Lutheran

Word Problems Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 20, 2016

Parables of sower and mustard seeds

Mark 4:1-34 “Word Problems” INTRODUCTION What is the difference between a fable and a parable? A fable is primarily didactic, a clever story meant to offer some insight into and instruction about life – think Aesop’s Fables for a moment. A parable, on the other hand, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-34

Denomination: Lutheran

Inside And Outside Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 14, 2016

Jesus heals a paralytic and eats with tax collectors.

Mark 2:1-22 “Inside and Outside” INTRODUCTION Often times our images of heaven are peaceful and serene. The books, Heaven is for Real and Ninety Minutes in Heaven, certainly underscore this thought. Heaven is a place to be reunited with family and friends. There is no struggle ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-22

Denomination: Lutheran

The Whole Good News Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 7, 2016

Jesus heals a man with an unclean spirit, Peter's mother-in-law, and a leper.

Mark 1:21-45 “The Whole Good News” INTRODUCTION What would be some of the greatest headlines that you’d like to read in 2016? • ISIS Defeated! • Surprise Resident Wins Powerball Lottery • War On Poverty Won! For the writer of the gospel of Mark the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-45

Denomination: Lutheran

Rebuild Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 15, 2015

The people of Israel return from exile and rebuild the temple.

Ezra 1:1-4, 3:1-4, 10-13 “Rebuilding” INTRODUCTION The self-improvement industry is a billion dollar business in the United States. Zig Ziegler is still selling thousands of books even though he has been dead for several years. Tony Robbins and a list of big hitters in the ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

A Comforting Embrace Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 8, 2015

Comfort, comfort my people, a voice cries out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord.

“Isaiah 40:1-11 “A Comforting Embrace” INTRODUCTION Pictures of Comfort We all need a hug at some point in our lives. In fact, experts say that we need to experience the touch of another person at least fourteen times a day for us to be able to lower stress, anxiety, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Following The King Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 23, 2015

Israel is pictured as a vineyard. God looks for the fruit of righteousness but finds only injustice. God promises a faithful king who will judge with righteousness.

Isaiah 5:1-7, 11:2-5 “Following the King” INTRODUCTION The texts that we have before us today may seem rather divergent. In chapter five, God is pictured as a gardener—a vine dresser—and the Southern Kingdom of Judah as wild grapes. In the second passage, chapter ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran