All Sermons
The reflection below was written by the Rev. Roger Douglas as part of the introduction to his book An Audience of One. It expresses the spirit behind all of his preaching and offers a helpful way to approach the sermons preserved in this archive.
As you read these sermons, you may find they help you make sense of the world, or invite you into your own conversation with God. Roger often said that he sought meaning in a world of death and suffering, beginnings and retirements, successes and failures, sense and nonsense.
His experience as a preacher taught him that most sermons first speak back to the one who writes them; the real dialogue is between the preacher and God. If anyone in the congregation hears a word that touches them, it is because God has chosen to let them in on that conversation.
Roger believed that preaching is deeply personal work — a struggle to make sense of Scripture, an openness about doubts, and a willingness to share the journey. The more honestly he engaged that struggle, the better others were able to identify with it.
He described this kind of work as “confessional” preaching, not in the sense of offering anecdotes, but in speaking truthfully from within one’s own life while pointing people toward Jesus. It frees the preacher from having to solve every problem and reminds us that we are not steering the ship, but contributing our part to the dialogue.
May these sermons draw you into that same conversation of faith — one marked by mystery, humility, and the grace of God at work in all things.
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From Shame to Forgiveness
From Shame to Forgiveness Romans 10: 6-13; Luke 4: 1-13 March 8, 1992 Last week, following the service, someone came up to me and said I enjoyed your sermon on forgiveness but I think you left something out. It is relatively easy to forgive someone else. I imagine if I kept count my score would…
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From Judgement to Forgiveness
From Judgement to Forgiveness Luke 6: 27-38 March 1, 1992 Let me start by asking all of you a question. Aside from the fact that many of these people have contributed to human progress, what do the following have in common: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, David, king of Israel, John F Kennedy period Paul Tillich the…
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“State of the Parish Address”
“State of the Parish Address” January 19, 1992 This summer, Lyle Shaller, one of the most respected writers and consultants on church life, asked if I would write a chapter for a book he was editing on the city church, aa told me much has been written on the demise of the urban church. He…
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What is the meaning of Life?
What is the meaning of Life? John 1: 6-8, 19-23 December 1, 1991 You are only young once, but you can be immature forever. And when we ask, when is the time of maturity? Is it in the afternoon of life or do we have to wait until the evening of life? For those of…
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What is the Meaning of a Pledge?
What is the Meaning of a Pledge? Mark 12: 38-44 October 27, 1991 It’s a strange feeling coming back from a holiday and finding the canvas half completed. It’s even a stranger feeling to find that there is no need to urge people to give, it is all been taken care of. And it’s the…
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Sunder not What God has Joined
Sunder not What God has Joined Mark 10: 2-9 October 2, 1991 My text comes from our gospel. We’ve heard it so many times that I wonder if we ever think much about its implications. The text, in its less chauvinistic translation, is this: what therefore God has joined together, let no one put asunder.…
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Who are the Good Guys, and How can you Tell the Right Ones from the Wrong Ones?
Who are the Good Guys, and How can you Tell the Right Ones from the Wrong Ones? Numbers 11: 4-6, 10-16, 24-29 September 29, 1991 A number of parents experienced A traumatic moment this month, they watched a child leave home, either for college or maybe for first grade. I imagine as they watched them…
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Why are we Here?
Why are we Here? James 2: 1-5, 8-10, 14-18 Mark 8: 27-38 September 15, 1991 Let’s begin this welcome back Sunday with some personal questions. Actually, during the next few months I want to raise with you a few of the basic questions of life. Questions we often ask in the middle of the night.…
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Impressions from the Convention
Impressions from the Convention 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 Matthew 25: 21-43 July 21, 1991 Sometimes a preacher preaches because he has something to say. Other times, a preacher preaches because it’s Sunday and he has to say something. I hope this is one of the former times, for I want to share with you some…
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Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory Prayer James 5: 13-16 John 14: 1-14 July 14, 1991 In a study group I had, the subject of prayer came up, and a man raised these questions: “If I were a wise, loving father, would it seem ludicrous that I would need prodding to do good for my children?” “If one of my…