In Sermons: showing 16-30 of 534

The Answer Is No!

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 17, 2018

Jesus is too much a threat to Rome, to the Jewish religious authorities, and to the crowds. They all reject his words of life and his invitation to walk in God’s kingdom.

INTRODUCTION In the movie, “The Lion King” there is the classic plot of good versus evil. There is also a sub-plot of Simba learning what it is to be king. He has to answer the question, “Why will he be king?” Is it to have people do his will? Or, is being a king to serve people. A similar ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

What's The Truth

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 13, 2018

Jesus receives the title, “King of the Jews,” but he declares that his kingdom is not of this world and it is a kingdom of truth.. If it is not of this world, then where is it? And, where can we find the truth? Is God’s kingdom confined to heaven, or does

INTRODUCTION Pilate’s question, “What is Truth?” was a hotly debated question centuries before he took his first breath and for millennia after he took his last. With so many religious purveyors of truth, we have come to question the reality of absolute truth. Relative truth is currently ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-40

Denomination: Lutheran

From Words To Actions

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 13, 2018

It is one thing for Jesus to say that he loves his disciples, but he puts these words into action when he washes their feet. At the same time, Jesus demonstrates to us that love needs to go beyond words and is seen in service.

INTRODUCTION Love is in the air—or at least the airwaves. A majority of songs on the stations that I listen to are songs about love. I suspect that the same can be said about the songs and stations to which you listen. Love is a BIG force in our lives, yet as one song suggests, “There’s just too ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Walking In The Light

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 12, 2018

Jesus is the Light of the World. He brings light and sight into the life of a man born blind and in a similar manner brings light into our lives and enables us to see life through the eyes of faith.

INTRODUCTION Today is Transfiguration Sunday. It is the Sunday between Epiphany, when Jesus reveals himself to us and Lent, which is a penitential time of preparation before Easter. Usually the text for the day leads up the mountain where Jesus is transfigured before his disciples and his divinity ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Birth Of Hope Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 4, 2017

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The burst of light, God's presence, is the basis of our hope.

Isaiah 9:1-7 “The Birth of Hope” INTRODUCTION Certain things in life are absolutely necessary. Air is one of them. We need air to breathe. We need water, also. Humans can only live about three days without water. We also need hope. Life without hope is difficult, if not impossible. In ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Antidote Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 4, 2017

As the Israelites enter Canaan, God warns them not to be so lost in their abundance that they forget that it is God who gives it to them.

Deuteronomy 8:7-18 “Antidote” INTRODUCTION For those of us who have worked hard and put in long hours, it is easy to look at our accomplishments and our possessions and pat ourselves on the back. We discover, when we do so however, that our self-centered pride rears its ugly head and we ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:7-18

Denomination: Lutheran

The Cry For Justice Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 14, 2017

Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream is the Lord's cry through the prophet Amos. God desires that everyone experience the abundance of God's creation and the fullness of God's kingdom.

Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24. “The Cry for Justice” INTRODUCTION What makes a good worship service? We all have our opinions. Some would say that great worship is when we sing familiar hymns and the worship band rocks. Others would argue that they need a sermon that they can understand and is ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:14-24

Denomination: Lutheran

People Whisperer Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 11, 2017

Elijah is at Mount Horeb. The prophet is in despair and God speaks to him in silence.

1 Kings 19:1-18 INTRODUCTION Traditionally, one of the most special Sundays in the church year is the Sunday we are observing today, All Saints Sunday. It is a time when we view the Church from a broader perspective. We see how our Christian forefathers and foremothers have influenced the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Giving Is Helping Others Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 1, 2017

We respond to God’s grace when we look beyond ourselves, see the needs of others and strive to met those needs.

James 2:8, 14-17. “Giving is Helping Others” INTRODUCTION We come to the fourth and final Sunday of our Stewardship Emphasis Program. Within the theme “Giving Is ...” we’ve highlighted that giving and stewardship is “Praising God,” “Loving Our Neighbor,” “Serving Jesus,” and “Helping Others.” ...read more

Scripture: James 2:8-17

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Presence Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 1, 2017

Solomon built his temple. The worship at the temple by the people of God almost immediately needed to be reformed. Amos and other prophets called the people back to God. The reformation continued with Martin Luther and continues in the church today,

1 Kings 5:1-5; 8:1-13 “God’s Presence” INTRODUCTION “Reformed and Always Reforming” is a phrase that catches the spirit of our Reformation commemoration. We remember that five hundred years ago the Church had strayed away from the gospel of Jesus Christ. It had become deformed and, as a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Giving Is Loving Our Neighbor Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 12, 2017

Loving our neighbor (those in need) is at the center of the teachings of Jesus. God meets our needs abundantly and asks us to share those blessings and love our neighbor.

1 John 4:5-12 “Giving is … Loving Neighbor” INTRODUCTION We are on disaster overload. Monday morning we woke up to the news that the worst mass shooting in United States history had taken place in Las Vegas. A week ago we were dealing with the devastation in Puerto Rico, which was caused by ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:5-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Unworthy Rrecipients Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 12, 2017

Jacob gets a blessing by trickery, flees, dreams of a ladder with angels ascending and descending. He then receives God’s promise.

Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23; 28:10-17 “Unworthy Recipients” INTRODUCTION There are many Biblical figures that I admire. Jacob is not one of them. Personally, I like the prophet Samuel. He is portrayed in the Scripture as a man of integrity and without guile. I think King David was a great man. ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

It's All Good Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 12, 2017

God created by word light and life. It was all good.

Genesis 1:1-4, 20-24, 26-27; 2:1-14 “It’s All Good” INTRODUCTION There are times when our practical jokes and pranks can be somewhat cruel. In my high school class, there was a girl who was a bit of a hypochondriac. She always thought she was coming down with some malady. On those rare days ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Doing It Right Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 7, 2017

Holy Communion is meant to bring us closer to God and to each other, and not separate us.

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 “Doing It Right” INTRODUCTION Do you remember the school days of “Lunch Box Envy”? I do. My mother firmly believed that all school lunches should be packed in an ordinary brown paper bag. Metal lunch boxes with Roy Rogers, Sky King, Buck Rogers or Mighty Mouse were out ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Healing Power Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 6, 2017

The Psalmist has faced crisis situations in his life. Through all his troubles God has been with him, heard his prayers, and rescued him. The Psalmist praises the Lord for what God has done and now faces the future with a strong faith, courage and peace.

Psalm 30:1-12 “God’s Healing Power” INTRODUCTION As parents we all want to protect our children from threats, problems and harm. However, even if we are the greatest of helicopter parents we are unable to achieve this goal. Our children will encounter difficult times, failure and pain. This ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran