Sermons
Weekly professional powerhouse sermons by Leonard Sweet.
Belief Brands or Life Story?
Belief Brands or Life Story? Story Lectionary 24 September 2017 16th Sunday After Pentecost Exodus 16:2-15 Psalm 105: 1-6, 37-45 Philippians 1:21-30 Matthew 20:1-16 Text to Life What a month! Harvey and Irma. Say no more. What a couple. Worse than Bonnie and Clyde. The images are inescapable and stalking.…
Where’s the Grace?
Where’s the Grace? Lectionary 17 September 2017 15th Sunday After Pentecost Exodus 14:19-31 Psalm v114 Romans 14:1-12 Matthew 18:21-35 Text to Life “What must I DO to inherit eternal life?” (Lk18:18). Notice the “DO.” Not “What must I BE to inherit eternal life?” but “What must I DO?” Why do…
The Double Thank You Moment
The Double Thank You Moment Lectionary 10 September 2017 14th Sunday After Pentecost Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 149 Romans 13:8-14 Matthew 18:15-20 Text to Life There are two types of people . . . always. I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again. There are two types of people in this…
The Triune Life
The Triune Life Lectionary 3 September 2017 13th Sunday After Pentecost Exodus 3:1-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16:21-28 Text to Life What do you want to be when you grow up? It is the question all kids get asked throughout their childhood. And even adults who never…
The World is Your Keyhole
The World is Your Keyhole Lectionary 27 August 2017 12th Sunday After Pentecost Exodus 1:8-2:10 Psalm 124 Romans 12:1-8 Matthew 16:13-20 Text to Life “Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?” Anyone remember those words? “Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego” was the title of a popular Nickelodeon kid’s…
Mystic Coolness
Mystic Coolness Lectionary 20 August 2017 11th Sunday After Pentecost Genesis 45:1-15 Psalm 133 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28 Text to Life Héctor Elizondo is one of my favorite actors. Most recently in “Last Man Standing,” he is a standard feature in romantic comedies like Princess Diaries and Runaway…
Stuck in the Storm
Stuck in the Storm Lectionary 13 August 2017 10th Sunday After Pentecost Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b Romans 10:5-15 Matthew 14:22-33 Text to Life Beware of anyone who tells you that everything, or anything, is divided into three points. That said, there are three kinds of people in…
Don’t Forget the Leftovers
Don’t Forget the Leftovers Lectionary 6 August 2017 9th Sunday After Pentecost Genesis 32: 22-31 Psalm 17:1-7, 15 Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 14:13-21 Text to Life What makes a great dinner party? Is it the food? Maybe. Is it the decor, the ambiance? Partially. Is it the guest list? To a…
The Innovators
The Innovators Lectionary 30 July 2017 8th Sunday After Pentecost Genesis 29:15-28 Psalm 105:1-11, 45b Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Text to Life How many here this morning have a “two-car” garage that now can only hold one car? Come on, now. Tell the truth! And if the truth be…
The Fred Rogers Doctrine
The Fred Rogers Doctrine Lectionary 23 July 2017 7th Sunday After Pentecost Genesis 28:10-19a Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 Romans 8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Text to Life It was a really hot summer day in the small community of Mountain Home, Idaho. [This happened only a couple of weeks ago if you…