Showing titles in Sermons

No one knows when the day of Judgement will occur - not even Archibald Alexander. He foretells this day as a day of miracles, where all the lives of the past and ancient patriachs will stand present. And for those who pass judgement of Jesus Christ, their future will be in heaven.

There are certain elements of piety that are common among all Christians. They dedicate theirselves to the Lord, have good will toward all men, to name a few. But to truly be pious, one must spread the word of God to nonbelievers.

Samuel Davies, one of the most famous Puritan colonial ministers, here delivers a powerful word of warning to the members of his congregation. With stirring imagery, he illustrates that not all who are ressurected in the final days of Christiandom will be saved; in fact, he believes many will then be sent to Hell. Here he counsels his followers how to prepare, so they do not rise up only to be cast down.

Balaam, son of Beor, is known to us as a non-Israeli prophet who, despite his initial refusal to curse the Israelis, was eventually overcome by wickedness. Horatius Bonar explores in depth the nature of this duality. He details the fate and torments of anyone who allows themselves to be guided by a divided heart.

The essence of Christianity is to have faith. A blind faith, some would say, but Horatius Bonar takes this far away from the otherwise negative context it is used in. He illustrates how all the miracles, as performed by prophets such as Moses, were so great because of this unyielding faith being able to receive God’s full power.

What armor would we wear when considered in a biblical sense of the glorious war? None of ornate metal but one that has a more spiritual defense. Bonar reflects further on the resolve, mental strength, and faith needed in order to build up a defense against sin and against evil.

If we ask ourselves what it means to disobey God, we can recall many references to his cruelty and relentlessness in punishing those who refuse his word. These punishments go very deep and Bonar takes this biblical theme as a launching pad for discussing the frivolous nature of the so called human remedies. How we are a race of diversions and entertainments, façade and masquerades, in short, creators of a superficial and temporary solace.

The way of Cain, Horatius Bonar explains, leads to a barren world marked by the way of blood. Bonar details the haunted life lead by Cain once he had poisoned it with the murder of his brother. How despair, banishment, and fruitfulness would enter the lives of those who reject the right choices, as defined by the Bible, first given to them.

If there is one tactile gesture that has immense metaphorical value in the bible, it is the kiss. The most famous kiss was one of betrayal, but others would be for good. Bonar further interprets the kiss Oprah gives her mother-in-law in great detail and shows how truly complex this symbol can be.

Sharing his analysis of the phrase ‘go and possess the land’, Horatius Bonar reads deeply into the meaning of ownership. In some ways this entails a reflection on the biblical sense of nationalism. The Israelis, first wanderers and to some extend forced nomads, are told to settle and identify with this one place, one land, one city.

Horatius Bonar allows us to learn more about his interpretations of God as a father to all the people. The phrase ‘Oh that they were wise’ laments humanity and its inability to choose a path of constructiveness and righteousness. Bonar reflects further on these characteristics that shapes human nature in a manner that is, in his mind, unteachable.

Ninteenth-century Scottish churchman and poet Horatius Bonar muses on the biblical journey from sin to sentence. Mainly remembered as a highly skilled hymnist, Bonar starts by describing a world created similar to the heavens, with perfection and beauty shaping its every detail. Once tainted by sin, the celestial path leads down and Bonar’s sermon focuses more on the darkness humanity finds itself in after falling from grace.

One of the first biblical stories we are told as children is the one of David and Goliath. We learn about the small, weak man slaying the giant with nothing but a rock. In this, Bonar compares the carnal weapons, Goliath being great of stature and physically superior, to the spiritual cloak David wears by being on the side of God.

Horatius Bonar shows himself as a very passionate hymnist in this sermon focusing on the Fig-Leaves Adam and Eve use to cover themselves after acquiring the knowledge of shame. He shares his views on how a fig-leaf, a pure and beautiful form of vegetation, can’t possibly shield Man from his loss of innocence. In Bonar’s mind, the one thing that can save us from the anger and wrath of God, is the rituals we now associate closely with the Catholic faith.

Balaam looks around at the Israelis who have suffered and wandered, but are now so close to glory. Horatius Bonar describes a man overlooking the encampment and feeling a certain conflict rise within himself. We see, along with him, the weary Israelis on one side and on the other, the land of milk and honey within their grasp.

A collection of sermons and speeches that lay out a groundbreaking vision for intersectional organizing, paired with inspirational and practical essays from activists in today’s Poor People’s Campaign The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II has been called “the closest person we have to Martin...

Utilizing the data available from the study of contemporary and ancient cultures, Dr. John Pilch presents a totally new and even revolutionary understanding of St. Paul. He shows how deeply Paul was attached to the religion of his ancestors and how he brought the story of the resurrected Jesus to the lost sheep of Israel and in the process changed the world forever.

What does praying to make a difference look like? It's unselfish praying; it rejects the status quo of oppression and injustice; it presupposes that change does not come easily; it anticipates God-orchestrated events; and it points us toward catalytic relationships. Effective praying to make a difference will require a commitment to time, effort, and expectation.

In addition to her continuous post as professor at Duquesne, her past roles have included assistant dean of the music school, chair of the piano department, and membership on numerous committees and boards. She has received the President’s Award for Excellence in Community Service and was honored with membership in the Century Club of Distinguished Alumni.

Sean Cardinal O'Malley explains why evangelization is at the heart of our faith and that there is a mandate to share the Gospel with the world. Passing on the faith is not an option but an imperative. In every century, believers have to hand on the faith to the next generation and at the same time offer the wisdom of the Church to a world that is content with foolishness. Drawing upon the scriptures, philosophy, and literature, he illustrates how this passing on the faith is ultimately God's enterprise.