Dr. Ken's Sermons & Studies

Two unknown disciples encounterJesus on the way to Emmaus. They walk with him for hours, even invite him to stay with them. And they have no idea who he is.  How much do we resemble those disciples!

Most folks have heard of the great conversion experience of Paul on the road to Damascus in the 9th chapter of Acts, but few remember a man named Ananias, an unsung hero of the story - and a model for every believer.

Jesus' words in the sermon on the mount about being salt and light may not mean what they think we mean, for we live in a world where salt is plentiful and light requires just the flip of a switch. But in Jesus' day salt was rare and light disappeared with the setting of the sun. So, what did he mean by saying we are to be salt and light?

In Philippians 2:12, Paul writes the puzzling words, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling." But what does he mean? How are we supposed to do this? What is our life's work as followers of Jesus?

In 1 John 5:6-13, John invites us to take a seat in the jury box, to hear the testimony he has to present about the true identity of Jesus, and then to reach our own verdict about who we believe Jesus to be.

In the 10th chapter of Matthew, Jesus sends his disciples out to spread the Good News, and he gives them some instructions that still apply to us today.

The message is inspired by 1 John 3:16-24. The key is found in verse 18 - "...let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." Is love more of a noun, or more of a verb for you?

Continuing to celebrate the resurrection, we look at the story in Mark 16 of the women coming to the tomb with kipple in the hands and in their hearts. How much kipple keeps you from truly celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

There are many voices pretending to offer us joy, fulfillment, and purpose. Only one, however, is the true Shepherd. Do you know his voice?

When the news is too good to be true; too good to believe, what do you do?

Have you ever gotten good news that made the day, the week, your life better; brighter? How does the Good News of Easter change you?

Just in case you were wondering, here's how NOT to receive eternal life!

Lots of people went to Jerusalem for Passover but only the elderly and pregnant women rode on the backs of donkeys. So, why did Jesus? Sometimes the fingerprints of God can be seen in the simplest of acts.

Hebrews 9:13-16 encourages the early church - and us - to stop depending on sacrifices in order to win God's favor. Instead, we are reminded to accept the gift of grace in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. But it is so hard to believe!

Based on the promises of Jeremiah 31:31-34, we find hope that, no matter what binds and traps us, God will never let us go.

What does it mean to take up our cross and follow Jesus? It might not be what you think!

We are challenged in this message to see the Ten Commandments for what they really are: not a burden or a political statement, but the secret to a fulfilled personal life and a world that lives at peace with God and one another.

You might not want to listen to this message based on Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18. But you do need to listen to it - especially in this season of Lent. The Book of Leviticus is one of the least read books of the Bible, but it was one of Jesus' favorites. Find out why. If you have an extra minute, read these verses before listening to the podcast: Leviticus 19:1   And the LORD spoke to Moses, sayin...

How are we to reconcile Jesus's instruction in Matthew 7:1-12 not to judge others with his words in this same teaching not to give what is holy to dogs and not to throw our pearls before swine? Here are some thoughts on how we might do both.

Based on the story of Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14:22-31, we are invited to think about those times in our lives that the wind and waves seem too overwhelming and we get that sinking feeling.

A challenging message based on the story of Jesus' meeting a woman at a well in the region of Samaria, as recorded in John 5:3-42. The word "evangelism" may have been replaced with terms like church growth, branding, and the like, but the real question is why we are seeking to share the Good News. All too often, we have our own interests at heart.

Based on the story of Nicodemus coming to visit Jesus in John 3:1-17, this message invites us to consider what it means to be dust in the wind in light of Jesus' reference to the Holy Spirit as the wind that blows where it will.

We often refer to people's behavior as breaking the law and, therefore, when we sin, we break God's law. But we have it backwards. The law is not broken by our sins, but rather we are broken by our insistence on doing things our way instead of God's. However, there's Good News...!

Based on the temptation story in Genesis 2-3 and on Romans 5:12-19, we are challenged to begin the season of Lent with an examination of the sin within.

Based on the story in the 9th chapter of John's gospel about the healing of the man who had been born blind, and the problem it presents to the religious leaders: A. because Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath, and B. because no one had ever given sight to someone who had never had it before. The story, and this message challenge us to examine how much we think we have Jesus figured out compa...