In Sermons: showing 46-60 of 534

The Banquet Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 25, 2016

Jesus' challenge to the host in Luke 14, that he should not invite those who could serve his needs but those whose needs he could serve, challenges the worldly approach to human relationships.

Luke 14:1-14 "The Banquet" INTRODUCTION The word "Stewardship" has gained an ugly reputation in Christian circles. It is frequently associated with congregational pleas for more money. The word has lost its wholistic dimension. Stewardship, or if you prefer, good management is no longer ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Unfaithful Impatience Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 11, 2016

The Golden Calf shows Israel's unfaithfulness at Mt. Sinai. Moses intercedes and God forgives

Introduction Faith has a short shelf life. Yesterday's faith doesn't rollover to today. This fact is especially evident in today's story of golden bull. The Lord had moved miraculously in the lives of the Israelites. God had parted the Red Sea, provided them with manna every morning and given them ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Life And Death Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 2, 2016

Passover: the blood of the lamb and unleavened bread signify God's sacrifice of the lamb and God's deliverance.

Life and Death” INTRODUCTION Three weeks ago we commemorated the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11. Our activities were not confined to memorializing those who lost their lives on that tragic day. We also acknowledged the profound effect that 9/11 has had on us as individuals and our country ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Promises Promises Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 17, 2016

The Lord promises great things to Abraham. Abraham believes and lives in hope.

Introduction Not all Bible passages are created equal. Some Bible verses are inconsequential, others are confusing. There are some verses in the Bible that are ignored and others that have transformed lives and changed the world. The New Revised Standard Version The Divine Shepherd The LORD is my ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Faithfulness And Betrayal Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 17, 2016

We run from the commitment that God's steadfast love and overwhelming grace invite us to make.

INTRODUCTION The are two pictures of God that we receive in the first two chapters of Genesis. Chapter one paints a portrait of a transcendent creator God who can create with a word. A very different picture of God is seen in chapter two. In that chapter God is a master craftsman who lovingly ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Breaking The Shackles Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 5, 2016

We ask that the Lord protect and deliver us from evil. We do this not fully understanding the extent to which evil has enslaved us.

Matthew 6:13; Mark 5:1-15 “Breaking the Shackles” INTRODUCTION We come to the end of our reflections on The Lord’s Prayer. We started off realizing that when we pray for God’s kingdom to come and God’s will to be done we are praying that we will live in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Eating Humble Pie Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Aug 8, 2016

Job realizes that he is only mortal and human.

Job 42:7-17 “Eating Humble Pie” INTRODUCTION The ending of Job reads like it was written by an American screenwriter. American plays and movies almost always have to have a happy ending. For forty-one chapters we have walked with Job through his suffering. The storyteller has ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:7-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Creation And Chaos Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Aug 1, 2016

God questions Jobs ability to question the Creator of the Universe.

Job 38:25-27, 41:1-8, 42:1-6 “Creation and Chaos” INTRODUCTION How do you build trust? Job had lost his trust in God. God had let him down. God had allowed these terrible things to happen to him and to his family. God was faced with the challenge of rebuilding Job’s trust ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Answers To Suffering Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 26, 2016

God asserts God's divine wisdom and talks about the limits of Jobs understanding.

Job 31:35-37; 38:1-11 “God’s Answer’s to Suffering” INTRODUCTION When we encounter a speed bump on the road of life, we often find ourselves asking, “How did that get there?” or “Why did I hit that speed bump?” It is our human nature to want to ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Hope In The Midst Of Suffering Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 21, 2016

Job struggles with his mortality. He blames God for his suffering, yet speaks of God's faithfulness.

Job 14:7-15, 19:23-27 “Hope in the Midst of Suffering” INTRODUCTION In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes, “And now faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Paul is certainly correct. Life without ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Stuck Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 14, 2016

Job is in so much pain that we wishes he had never been born. His suffering continues and is not lessened by the words of a friend.

Job 3:1-10, 4:1-9, 7:11-21 “Stuck” INTRODUCTION Jay Wilson and Phillip Clay are heroes. Jay was half way home after finals at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. On I-65 a Jeep Cherokee suddenly veered and hit the median guard rail. At first he thought the driver was drunk. ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

When Bad Things Hapen Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 6, 2016

Job is a man with abundant blessings and a sincere faith. Still he experiences tragic loss.

Job 1:1-22 “When Bad Things Happen” INTRODUCTION There are times when we believe in ideas that are not true. Though it may not make much sense here in the Valley of the Sun, but I grew up believing that if I didn’t dress warm enough for the harsh fall and winter days I ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:1-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Faith Walk Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 13, 2016

We live our lives not based on what we see, but on what we know to be true and cannot see.

“Faith Walk” 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10 INTRODUCTION One of the most common demonstrations of faith is one person leading another person who has been blindfolded. It is one thing to say that we walk by faith and not by sight, but if someone isn’t looking out for us we are ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Imperfect People Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 6, 2016

We hold a holy treasure in clay pots, but that's all that's needed to share the gospel and honor God.

2 Corinthians 4:1-15 “Imperfect People” INTRODUCTION Many illustrations are used to explain the deep truths of God’s grace and our lives as Christians. In the thirteenth chapter of Matthew Jesus explains to his disciples that God’s kingdom is like a mustard seed (vs. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-15

Denomination: Lutheran

A Practical Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 29, 2016

Forgiveness and love are hallmarks in the Christian community.

2 Corinthians 2:1-10 “A Practical Forgiveness” INTRODUCTION In the second chapter of his second letter to the Corinthians Paul continues to address the issue of community and to answer the questions, “What is authentic community?” and “How do we as individuals ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran