In Sermons: showing 31-45 of 45

If Only And What Ifs

Contributed by David Petticrew on May 4, 2003

Jesus enourage us to avoid if onlys about the past but instead look to the future with what if (I believe).

Back to the Future. Young teenager Marty McFly has a chance to go back in time due to the invention of his friend Doc Ement Brown. While in the past he has the chance to change things and make his future a better one by encouraging his father to act in a better way. Then in the second movie he ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-57

Denomination: Holiness

Resurrection And New Creation

Contributed by David Petticrew on Apr 30, 2003

A look at Christ’s resurrection through the New Creation imagery of John, with a look forward to our resurrection.

I thought we’d start this morning with the top ten list of excuses the Roman guards might have given for the empty tomb. 10. "I thought he was the pizza delivery guy leaving. No wondered he smiled when I tried to give him a tip!" 9. "I was putting another denarius in the chariot meter!" 8. "With ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-31

Denomination: Holiness

The Crucifixion - The Ultimate Display Of God's Glory

Contributed by David Petticrew on Apr 30, 2003

A Good Friday sermon based on the crucifixion story from John’s gospel, where the ultimate glory of God is shown in the most improbably place, on the cross.

And so we come to the crucifixion. The cross stands at the very heart of Christianity. It has come to symbolise Christianity the world over. We put crosses at the front of our churches, crosses on the top of our churches, we were jewelery in the shape of crosses and crosses form the cover art for ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-3

Denomination: Holiness

What Are You Blind Or Something?

Contributed by David Petticrew on Apr 30, 2003

A look at the implications of Jesus healing of a blind man for him then and for us now.

One day at a busy airport, the passengers on a commercial airliner are seated, waiting for the cockpit crew to show up so they can get under way. The pilot and co-pilot finally appear in the rear of the plane, and begin walking up to the cockpit through the center aisle. Both appear to ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Holiness

Is Christian Hope Just Pie In The Sky

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 19, 2003

Christian hope is not pie in the sky but founded on the concrete reality of what has been promised by God.

Has anyone seen The Postman. It’s a bit old now, it was released a few years ago. And while it comes from a good book, the movie does boil down to a new setting for Kevin Costner to play the same character he played in every other movie he’s ever been in. But in this movie, the self-centred guy who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:12-25

Denomination: Holiness

Gideon - Small Steps To A Big Impact

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 19, 2003

Gideon’s example shows us what God can do with people who will follow him even in the small things.

Introduction play Nothing Ever Happens by Del Amitri Describes a world that is not liked. The situation is no good. It refers to injustice, American business snap up Van Goghs for the price of a hospital wing. The Second World War, burning down the synagogues. And says it never changes, no matter ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-40

Denomination: Holiness

Jonah - A Lesson In What Not To Do

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 19, 2003

A look at how Jonah got it wrong and how we can get it right, by understanding and acting on the grace of God.

Introduction A long time ago in a country far, far away, there lived a prophet, God sent him a message of destruction. The country was corrupt, responsible for murder and cruelty. The prophet said, “Wait a minute God, if I go preaching against them they’ll kill me I don’t want to go.” There was ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

The Temple Incident

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2003

Jesus actions in the temple demonstrate that we have a responsibility to reach out and not just to make things comfortable for ourselves.

The story we read today is an interesting one. It’s one that doesn’t really fit with the picture of Jesus that we usually think about. How does a loving Jesus, who goes around teaching good morals, fit with this violent figure who disrupts a market place, stops temple worship and causes chaos. If ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-25

Denomination: Holiness

Peacemakers In A Time Of War

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 4, 2003

A look at Jesus beatitude about peacemakers in the context of possible war with Iraq but focusing on what it means for us.

v9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. "If you were my husband, I’d put poison in your coffee." -- Lady Astor "If you were my wife, I’d drink it." -- Winston Churchill Conflict we all recognise it is a fact of life and try to avoid it, yet none the less always ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Holiness

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 4, 2003

Contrasting the Magi with Herod to show the acceptance of outsiders in the Kingdom of God and a warning to the insiders to be careful.

Introduction Ever since I first started preached I have longed to preach this sermon, or rather a sermon with this title. It just struck me as the perfect title for a sermon on the story on magi’s visit to Jesus, Star Trek, but then it is not only about the story of the magi but about how the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Holiness

Babel Vs Abram, How To Have A Great Name

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 4, 2003

A look at humility and pride by contrasting the Abram and the builders of the tower of Babel.

Introduction Four preachers had a series of theological arguments, and three were always in accord against the fourth. One day, the odd man out decided to appeal to a higher authority. "God!" he cried. "I know in my heart that I am right and they are wrong! Please show me a sign, so they too will ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9, Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Holiness

Genesis 3 As A Response To Suffering

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 4, 2003

A look at suffering as the result of sin, which arises from free will which is necessary for true love, in the light of Genesis 3.

Introduction Adam was walking around the Garden of Eden feeling very lonely, so God asked him, "What is wrong with you?" Adam said he didn’t have anyone to talk to. God said he was going to give him a companion and it would be a woman. He said, "This person will cook for you and wash your clothes; ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24, 1 Corinthians 8:18-27

Denomination: Holiness

Genesis 1:1-2:3 For Those Fed Up With The Evolution Creation Debate

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 4, 2003

A look at what Genesis 1 has to say to us about God as creator, sustainer and soveriegn of the universe.

Introduction A doctor, an architect, and a lawyer were arguing over who had the oldest profession. The doctor said, "Well the first operation was performed on Adam, so the medical profession is the oldest." "No," said the architect, "Architectural planning and design was needed to create the earth ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

Why Does God Choose Left Handed Leaders?

Contributed by David Petticrew on Nov 15, 2002

God uses our weaknesses for his glory.

Judges 3:12-30 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Judges 3:15 ‘Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer, Ehud, a left handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite.’ Introduction Bean was small and insignificant, or so everyone thought. That was how he got his name. He was a street ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Judges 3:12-30

Denomination: Holiness

Freedom! William Wallace And Paul

Contributed by David Petticrew on Apr 5, 2002

Freedom in Christ is freedom to love not freedom to do what we want.

[either play this clip from Braveheart or get two people to read it out] William: I am William Wallace, and I see before me an army of my countrymen here in defiance of tyranny. You have come to fight as free men, and free men you are. What would you do without freedom? Will you fight? Tall ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-26

Denomination: Holiness