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In each Sunday's assigned lectionary readings -- the First, Second, and Gospel lessons -- we are invited to view the glorious narrative of scripture through three different, yet harmonious, perspectives. In the second lesson, we become witnesses to the growth and development of the early church as described in the epistles of Paul and the other apostles. As the early Christians take their first steps in their faith, we too learn how to travel on our own journey with Christ.As part of the Sermons on the Second Readings, Series III, Cycle A series, What Can We Believe? guides us through the last third of the season of Pentecost as James L. Killen Jr. explores the second lessons from Proper 23 through Thanksgiving, bringing the lectionary cycle year to its conclusion.This collection of sermons is a valuable resource for:+ Sermon starters and illuminating illustrations + Gaining a new homiletical perspective to the lectionary + Offering a newer, deeper understanding and appreciation of scripture + Using as a starter for adult Bible study groups or personal devotionsThis insightful collection of sermons includes:What Can We Believe about the Christian Life?What Can We Believe about the Reign of Christ?What Can We Believe about Stuff?... and many more!James L. Killen Jr. is a retired pastor in the United Methodist church, serving in short-term interim ministries in the Texas Conference. He has served in many churches in the Texas Conference and currently participates at Trinity United Methodist Church. He holds degrees from the University of Houston (B.S. History and Philosophy), and Perkins School of Theology at SMU (B.D., D.Min.). A past contributor to The Immediate Word, part of CSS Publishing's online pastor resource SermonSuite, Killen's interests include writing, walking, and bird watching.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs." (Matthew 19:14). CSS Publishing is best known for our liturgical and sermon-based books. With A Surprise Ending!, CSS is going back to its roots where it originally got its name.CSS originally stood for Children's Sermon Service and has published hundreds and hundreds of children's sermons throughout its history. Many were originally written by founder Wesley Runk, and then others upon his retirement. This new volume is a perfect companion for all pastors with any amount of experience. Whether your congregation has never presented a children's sermon during worship, or is well versed in the tradition, the contents of A Surprise Ending! will be sure to delight the children of your congregation (and the adults, too!)This anthology consists of some of the best children's object-based lessons for Lent and Easter for Cycle B, pulled from CSS' vast archive of children's sermons. Each installment includes a detailed run-through of the lesson and activity. Easily found items are suggested before each message to help make the message clearer to your younger members. Children's sermons included:¿ "Faith and Grace"- Second Sunday in Lent (Pt.2)¿ "A Surprise Ending"- Resurrection of the Lord¿ "Jesus Chose You"- Sixth Sunday of Easter

"The Pilgrim Road: Signposts On Faith's Journey. Within the psalms, there is a collection of fifteen ancient songs, known as the "Songs of Ascent." These ancient prayer-songs were sung and spoken by multitudes of pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem, and they continue to be used in the spiritual journey of the modern Christian. Each psalm offers advice to those who wish to grow spiritually and draw themselves closer to God, oftentimes posing challenges and difficult questions for the pilgrim on their way. William Carter uses The Pilgrim Road to accentuate the advice that each of these psalms offers to those searching for the path to God. Although the path is not always smooth and easy, Carter reminds us that, as pilgrims, putting our faith in God does a lot more for our spiritual journey if we practice what we preach. Throughout his book, Carter offers thought-provoking questions about the reader's life, intended to force us to take a step back from the trees and look at the forest as a whole. Once we take the time to view ourselves from the perspective of another, we can truly observe our actions in the world around us and begin to make changes where necessary. At the conclusion of his analysis of the Psalms of Ascent, Carter poses a series of study questions, grouped by the psalm to which they pertain. By answering these questions, whether alone or with a group, disciples of Christ will begin to lift the veil on the path ahead of them, understanding the direction that their lives must take to truly follow Christ. Throughout The Pilgrim Road, we as disciples will encounter many trials as well as successes, but none are more rewarding than growing closer in faith to our Lord, Jesus Christ and his Father in heaven"--

"Imagine if before we fired off that comment, posted that pithy, clever post, or took out our frustration on whoever happened to be in front of us, we asked ourselves: Does this build up or tear down? Is this kind? Am I speaking the truth in love? How does this act or word imitate God and show the love of Jesus Christ?" (171) How can we, as disciples of Jesus Christ, best imitate his life on Earth? Jill Duffield uses Lectionary Reflections: Year B to explain, through a variety of different situations, no matter what time of year. Whether we are feeling untethered to Jesus during Thanksgiving, or unsure how to perceive his death on Good Friday, Duffield is prepared to help us live the example of Christ each and every day.Lectionary Reflections, Cycle B is part of a three-part series, of which this is the second installment. After each biblical commentary, Duffield includes a set of questions, centered around readers thinking like disciples of Christ. However insignificant they may seem at first glance, take the time to thoroughly read each question while reflecting on her commentary, and discover her dedication to bring others closer to God, in mind and spirit. This book is intended for preachers and laypeople alike, or even new converts who may have questions as they explore the Bible. If a passage or story is seemingly unclear, Duffield has a detailed response on how to understand His word.Commentary Includes: "Cleansing of the Temple" (Third Sunday of Lent; John 2:13-22) "Palm Sunday and its Importance" (Palm/Passion Sunday; Mark 1:1-11) "How to Spread His Teachings" (Third Sunday of Easter; Luke 24:36b-48)

"But faith in Christ calls us out of solitary pursuits. Faith in Christ calls us to proclaim Christ where the hurt is the worst, where despair is the deepest, where hope has never been born. We can't sit under our telescope or at our desk and respond fully to Christ. We have to feel the brokenness around us. We have to be touched, even wounded by it" (page 15). Thomas Willadsen challenges his readers to look at Christ's sacrifice for us in a new way, to feel the brokenness and challenges that Jesus suffered for us. The challenge of being a Christian is that it is not always easy to spread the good news of God's love for us.However, Willadsen points out that this call to spread Christianity has its rewards, even if we do not realize them at first. "You may discover that you have interests and abilities you didn't realize. You will make new friends and deepen existing friendships. You will learn-I insist on that! -and you will be given opportunities to respond to Christ's call, to Christ's sacrifice" (21). No matter the place you are in your life or your destination, Willadsen encourages us as Christians to love others, and to be as Christ for everyone we interact with. Though this might not be easy, Jesus' ministry wasn't simple either. Become like Christ through your actions. Love like Christ through your words. Suffer like Christ when people reject you. But overall, remember that you are loved by Christ. Sermon titles include: "It's Lonely at the Top" (Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22, Psalm 124, Mark 9:38-50, Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29) "Seeing with the Eyes of Faith" (Psalm 34: 1-8, 19-22, Jeremiah 31:7-9, Psalm 126, Mark 10:46-52) "Steadfast Change" (1 Samuel 1:4-20, 2:1-10, Hebrews 10:11-25, Mark 13:1-8) Fourteen sermons based on the Gospel lessons from the Revised Common Lectionary (Cycle B) for the second half of the season after Pentecost are included in this single volume. The reader will find these messages inspiring, thought-provoking and comforting. The content of this book will be useful for sermon preparation, study groups and for personal devotions.

What is the difference between a wedding and a marriage, and how can a happy couple prepare for it?These questions are a common theme in Rev. Dr. John R. Nagle's That The Two May Become One: The Good News Of God's Love Shared With The Happy Couple, where he often draws the distinction between the happy day itself and the lifetime of union through times both shining and dim that follows.Beginning from illustrations encompassing the bride and groom, the gathered friends and family, the circumstances of the day and the world around them, these sermons smoothly transition to connect to scripture, often chosen by the bride and groom in question. Though the chosen readings are sometimes the same, the application of the verses and the resulting messages are not.Throughout all the sermons the love of God is shared, biblically-based guidance is given, and the importance of Christ's role in marriage is emphasized.That The Two May Become One collects and presents Rev. Dr. Nagle's wedding sermons in the hope that both new husbands and wives and couples celebrating years together might find them good counsel. In all cases, this collection encourages couples to take a moment to reflect on how they can live out their lives and marriages in the love of God.Some sermon titles include: What It Means to Be Tied Up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) The Bridal Couple's Emergency Kit (Colossians 3:12-17) Here's How You Keep In Touch (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) Go For The High Notes! (Psalm 98:1-9) More Than A Pile Of Rocks (Matthew 7:24-27)

"John's gospel challenges us to explore what calling we have, one which we are willing to give our lives for, that also points us beyond this life. This is a Pentecost question for both the church as a group and us as individual Christians" (59). Our callings will vary from person to person, and even throughout our lives, you may not find your true calling until later. This was certainly true for David Coffin, who did not follow his calling into ministry until the age of 29. Unlike many of his coworkers, Coffin was working for an envelope manufacturing company before he applied for seminary and began his walk closer to God. Although his classes were challenging and his life lead him through various twists and turns, he could always turn to God in times of struggle and be reinvigorated.During Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus' disciples, many Christians are looking for a similar sign from above, telling them what they should do with their life. Coffin encourages his readers to instead take this time to search out their true callings, regardless of where they are in their life journey. No matter what trials you may encounter along the way, Coffin uses his own experiences to prove that God will be there for you, and that every hardship happens for a reason, though it may not be immediately clear. Although this season of Pentecost may not be as flashy or miraculous as we want, it will still change our lives for the better if we focus on God and his messages for us. Sermon titles include: "New Life Goes On" (Mark 5:21-43) "Bread and Call" (John 6:35, 41-51) "Belonging at the Table" (John 6:51-58) Fifteen sermons based on the Gospel lessons from the Revised Common Lectionary (Cycle B) for the first half of the season after Pentecost are included in this single volume. The reader will find these messages inspiring, thought-provoking and comforting. The content of this book will be useful for sermon preparation, study groups and for personal devotions.

Lent can be one of the more difficult church seasons to go through, but if God is right there alongside us the whole time, there is nothing to worry about. Mary Austin assures us that God is with us everywhere that we go this Lenten season, and that Jesus is closer to us than ever, even in this time of his fast approaching death and betrayal. However, this does not stop Jesus from being selfless, as he continues to do God's work and form stronger bonds with his disciples. In the same way that we do not want to be alone during this Lenten season, Austin encourages her audience to also be there for Jesus, letting him know that he is loved: "This week, as we come into Holy Week, let us see Jesus as he is, and keep him company in this journey of suffering. And may he go with us, in every place where we feel abandoned, lost, fearful, doubting…so we know that we are never alone" ("Never Really Alone").Austin continues in the idea of emphasizing that nobody is alone during this Lenten season, not even the disciples of Jesus like you and me. Although we may have our doubts, our fears, our lack of faith throughout our lives, Jesus does not turn away from us. "Jesus sees all of this in his friends, as he sees it in us, and what does he do? He comes closer" ("Feet and Hearts").Sermon titles include: Fifth Sunday in Lent: "Seeing What We Don't Want to See" (John 12:20-33) Second Sunday of Easter: "Growing into Our Scars" (John 20:19-31) Seventh Sunday of Easter: "Gifts You Can't Return" (John 17:6-19)Eighteen sermons based on the Gospel lessons from the Revised Common Lectionary (Cycle B) for the seasons of Lent and Easter are included in this single volume. The reader will find these messages inspiring, thought-provoking and comforting. The content of this book will be useful for personal devotions, for a study groups and for sermon preparation.

"Acknowledge your gift. Use your gift for the benefit of others and to the glory of God who has 'gifted' you. People may not long remember your name. They may never know your name. But your gift to them will last forever."Throughout his collection of Advent centered sermons, Ronald Love reminds us to consider all of the gifts that God has given us and to use that which makes us unique to spread the word of God. Although it might be an intimidating task to preach about Jesus to those who may believe differently, Love calls to mind the talents that God has granted us in order to do just that. He reveals that the idea of preaching to others is not an invitation from the Lord but is instead a commandment from God: "What we have is a mandate to preach the gospel to all individuals."Even if you do not believe that you are qualified enough to spread the word, God knows that he chose the right person for the job when he created you and me. Instead of doubting ourselves, love encourages us to be like Paul in his letters to the Corinthians: "Paul's attitude was that nothing will stop him from proclaiming the good news! Paul's attitude was that no obstacle would stop him from offering the message of salvation! Paul's attitude was that he would remain steadfast in his call to be an apostle-an ambassador-for the Lord!"Sermon titles include: Be Near, Ye Faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24) The Abounding Grace of God (Ephesians 1:3-14) A Child of God (1 Corinthians 8:1-13)This Advent season, remember your talents, and share what you have been given with others in order to spread God's word, just as Love uses his gifts to help us grow closer to Jesus at the time of his birth.

"I am old and ready to die. To be truthful, I have been ready to die for years, but right now, I feel ready as I have never been before."This quote was taken from one of David Leininger's sermons titled "Simeon: A Monologue," in which he takes at one of the most well-known stories in the Bible, Jesus' Visit to the Temple, and looks at it from a new perspective. Throughout The 2000 Year Old Preacher, he invites his audience to do the same, observing this holiday season from a new angle.Consider the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her status as the favored one of God. In his sermon, "Mary's Complaint," Leininger references how the favored mother of Jesus does not complain during her complications as she carries the Son of God, but continues to praise His name and remain grateful for the privilege that she had been given.Leininger uses a variety of topics to ask his congregation to view their lives from a new perspective, using sermons such as: Advent 3: Hark the Herald…What? (John 1:6-8, 19-28) Nativity of Our Lord: God Bless Santa! (Luke 2:1-20) Epiphany 5: Heroines of the Faith (Mark 1:29-39)So take a step back from viewing the forest and look at the trees, have a seat at the feet of God, and experience new worlds that Leininger paints with his words of wisdom throughout The 2000 Year Old Preacher.