In Sermons: showing 16-30 of 56

For The Son Of Man Came To Seek And To Save What Was Lost

Contributed by Carl Benge on Jan 5, 2008

Searching for the Lost in our communities Story of Zaccheaus

How many of us remember learning the story of Zacchaeus in song? I remember learning a little song in Vacation Bible Story, about Zacchaeus climbing the sycamore tree. While it is a nice song that paints a wonderful image of Jesus reaching out to someone, is there more to the story? What do we know ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

But The Lord Stood By Me And Gave Me Power

Contributed by Carl Benge on Oct 29, 2007

A sermon on God standing beside us even when no one else will.

Bill and Gloria Gaither have written many wonderful Christian songs. One that Gloria wrote in the late 1960’s came while she was expecting a child. The couple was going through some terrible problems. Bill had been seriously sick, their music had been attacked as not being spiritual. On New Year’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Denomination: Methodist

Remember Who Your Teacher Were

Contributed by Carl Benge on Oct 23, 2007

A Laity Sunday Sermon on the instruction receive through life.

How many of you remember what you thought of your parent’s advice and instruction when you were young? I know when I was in my late teens and early twenties; I have to admit I was stupid, I thought I knew it all. There was nothing my parents could teach me about life, or so I thought. Then one day ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Your Faith Has Saved You

Contributed by Carl Benge on Oct 23, 2007

Sermon about not taking God or the church for advantage

As I looked over today’s Gospel reading I was reminded of the time I have spent as the treasurer of the local ministerial association. Throughout my time in that position I have met many people in various conditions in life. One of the interesting things that always struck me is how people seek ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Methodist

Come And Have Your Meal At Once

Contributed by Carl Benge on Oct 23, 2007

Sharing in the invitation of the Gospel.. Relating to the parable of the servant and the good master and the thier roles

When I think on today’s Gospel parable I at once imagine how I would feel if I had worked all day in the field for somebody. Imagine how you would feel, you have worked all day long for your boss and at the end of the day, instead of being told you have done a great job, you are told to get supper ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10

Denomination: Methodist

Fighting The Good Fight

Contributed by Carl Benge on Oct 1, 2007

A sermon on encouraging congregations about not allowing the little things get in the way of our mission in ministry, and give them a a new perspective into the true meaning of stewardship of ministry the Spreading of the Gospel and its living message.

At a recent Iowa Annual Conference I heard a Deputy Secretary of the General Board of Church and Society state, “If the homosexual issue was truly the dividing issue of the United Methodist Church, then our situation would be easily solved.” He went on to say that, the real issue affecting the UMC ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Denomination: Methodist

No Servant Can Serve Two Masters

Contributed by Carl Benge on Oct 1, 2007

In the end it comes down to what you think is most important to whom do you owe your loyalty - to God or yourself and your desires. As Jesus said; “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other,...

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."(Luke 16:13 NIV) How many of us have ever tried to work two jobs in order to make the ends meet? If you have, have you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13, Matthew 6:24

Denomination: Methodist

Let Us Rejoice

Contributed by Carl Benge on Sep 19, 2007

A sermon on welcoming back the sinner

The title of my sermon today is “Let us rejoice!” Even though it may be under somewhat different circumstances, rejoicing is a common theme throughout the 15th chapter of the Gospel according to Luke. In our gospel reading for today, we read of two different parables that Jesus is telling to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:4-10

Denomination: Methodist

Half Time Discipleship?

Contributed by Carl Benge on Sep 13, 2007

Explains how Discipleship is not a hobby or 1/2 time committment.

Reverend John Thomas the president of the United Church of Christ told of his 2002 experience in China in a sermon he gave in September 2004. “I met many pastors and church leaders who had suffered terribly during the years of the Cultural Revolution under Chairman Mao and his fanatical following ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Methodist

Worth The Wait

Contributed by Carl Benge on Sep 13, 2007

Patience and waiting on God’s recognition of us

How many of us remember as kids, the family Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner? Do you remember sitting at that card table with all your siblings and cousins? Now how many of you remember that dinner when you were finally old enough to sit with the grown ups? No longer were you one of the babies, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:10-14

Denomination: Methodist

Does Grace Take A Break?

Contributed by Carl Benge on Aug 27, 2007

A sermon based on Jesus and the healing on the Sabbath.

In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus performs yet another miracle. However, the thing that causes the biggest stir among many is not the fact that he performed a miracle, but rather the day of the week on which he performed it. Jesus heals this woman on the Sabbath. Healing on the Sabbath? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Methodist

I Have Come To Bring Fire To The Earth

Contributed by Carl Benge on Aug 25, 2007

A sermon on Jesus’ statement about setting the World on Fire

I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!(Luke 12:49 NJB) What a powerful and frightening statement! For those gathered around Jesus it was a very disturbing. Why would it be disturbing? What do these words mean to you? What do you think of when Jesus talks ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Methodist

Are You Ready?

Contributed by Carl Benge on Aug 25, 2007

A sermon on being ready to come face to face with God.

This summer I have performed two weddings, and a constant theme that ran through both for preparation was time. The closer the date became the more the couple, especially the brides, realized they had so much to do and little time to get it done. In the end both weddings went off without too ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:32-40

Denomination: Methodist

Earn All You Can, Save All You Can, Give All You Can

Contributed by Carl Benge on Aug 25, 2007

A sermon on the stewardship found in discipleship and evangelism

“Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can”, this is the motto which John Wesley had lived by. Many of us have parents or grandparents who lived through the Great Depression, and grew up about saving up because you never know when you will need it. Author C.S. Lewis was known for only ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-31

Denomination: Methodist

What Is It Really About?

Contributed by Carl Benge on Aug 25, 2007

A sermon on what is really important in the family of God,

I remember in college, performing in the musical Godspell. In the opening scene we came out onto the stage as the great philosophers and theologians of the day. I was Martin Luther if memory serves me correct. As each person was brought into the light, we gave a little speech on our philosophy ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-19

Denomination: Methodist