Dr. Ken's Sermons & Studies

When Bartimaeus, a blind man, comes to Jesus on the Jericho road, Jesus asks a strange question: what do you want me to do for you? After, isn't it obvious? Maybe not.

It may be the number one reason for the decline of the Protestant Church in the United States: the belief that I am special and the world, including the church, should be serving me. Nothing could be further from the message of Jesus.

It is the question that seems to trip us up more than any in our faith: if God is all loving and all powerful, why do he allow suffering? Based on Jesus' parable of the wheat and the weeds, this messages offers a way to look at the question that is not all-encompassing, and is not simplistic, either. I hope it will offer some comfort and hope to you when you suffer.

There's a lot of talk about greatness these days, so it might be helpful to hear what Jesus says about the subject. This message is based on Jesus's teaching in Mark 9:30-37 which is printed below. Mark 9:30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into hu...

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 instructs the people of Israel what to do with the teachings and commandments of God so that everyone, including the children, will know and understand them. This message is an intensely personal one in which I share my memories of growing up being formed by the community of faith that taught me about God's love.

Based on the story in Mark 1:16-20 of Jesus calling Simon and Andrew, along with James and John, this message challenges us to consider the urgency of Jesus' call to get out of our boat and follow him.

The Book of James tells us that the children's nursery rhyme about words not having the power to hurt us is wrong. In fact, the words we say are terribly powerful and we are terribly careless about how we use them.

This is a very special episode of our podcast as it is the world premiere of a song and sermon collaboration! The song, "Paper Chain," is written and sung by Jack Gorham, while Dr. Ken adds the sermon between the verses. This sermon/song is based on Ecclesiastes 3:1,6 - "For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven...a time to keep and a time to let go....

There are atheists - people who do not believe God exists. There are also functional atheists - people who believe that God exists but it makes no difference in how they live their lives. But, what difference should believing in God make in your life?

Most of us want to simply add Jesus to our lives so he can make our lives better. But, what if Jesus wants us to subtract something from our lives if it keeps us from living like him?

Ever heard the statement, "Be patient; God isn't through with me yet." Turns out, that's in the Bible!

The story of Noah and the flood is not just a children's story. It's mostly for adults who have experienced life being turned upside down.

If you think the title is confusing, check out these teachings from Jesus!

It may be amazing, but it's also a bit confusing. If we're saved by grace, not by works, why worry about the way we live?

Why do salmon swim upstream, against the current, jumping over rocks to return to the place of their birth? It's a mystery...but so is faith!

Weaving the lyrics to Bob Dylan's song with the teaching of Jesus to take up our cross, this message tells us that it all comes down to a...comma.

The parable of the talents, about the three servants who received a certain number of talents (money) from the master, is about what Jesus expects of us, his servants. What does Jesus expect? Hint: it is not nothing!

It is one of the most well-known stories of Jesus' ministry with one of the most well-known quotes: "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's." But do we really understand what Jesus was saying in those famous words?

One of the most difficult to understand of all Jesus' parables is the story of a king who has this guy thrown out because he isn't wearing a wedding garment. What?! What is Jesus saying to his disciples, and what is he saying to us 2000 years later?

Jesus tells a parable about two sons whose father tells them to go to work. One tells his father "No!" but then goes out and does his father's bidding. The other says he will do what his father wants but then doesn't do it. The first son is a no/yes person; the second is a yes/no person. Which one are you? If you're the no/yes person, then you know what the word is that no...

Is it even possible to be a follower of Jesus without being part of his Body? Or is there a difference between being a follower and just being a fan?

When Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to the disciples, he gives us the power to do something extraordinary!

You've heard of someone giving you the evil eye, but in this parable of the vineyard owner who pays everyone the same, regardless of how long they worked, Jesus challenges us to consider whether our eye is evil.

What's the most difficult part of Christianity for you to accept? The virgin birth? Christ's humanity and divinity? Or could it be something else - like our belief in the importance of forgiveness?

There are many different kinds of darkness and it can make life pretty hard, but the first chapter of John's gospel tells us one thing darkness just can't do.