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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Listening to God
Listening to God 1 Kings 19: 9-18,; Mark 9: 2-9 March 5, 2000 Last week at a conference, someone turned to me and asked a question that I’ve been mulling over ever since. The question was, “What is the major difference between the church today and the church of your ordination?” in other words, how…
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A Word to My Fellow Listmakers
A Word to My Fellow Listmakers Acts 6: 8-15, 7: 51-58 February 6, 2000 One of my favorite lyrics comes from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado. It’s when the Lord High Executioner sings, “I’ve got a little list. I’ve got a little list – who never would be missed. Who would never be missed.” Well,…
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Facing the Millenium: The Secret of Getting out of Bed
Facing the Millenium: The Secret of Getting out of Bed January 30, 2000 In a certain morning show, there is often a box in the lower left hand corner with the picture and a pole they have conducted. A while ago the editors had asked a number of people what the most important element in…
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The State of the Parish
The State of the Parish Isaiah 49:1-7 Mark 1:14-20 January 23, 2000 In 1789, when Thomas Jefferson was ambassador to France, he wrote this description of King Louis XVI: “In normal times, he would undoubtedly make an amiable and acceptable monarch. Unfortunately, his ancestors bequeathed him a revolution.” We, too, have been bequeathed a revolution.…
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Preparing for Christmas
Preparing for Christmas December 12, 1999 Recently, in a visit, someone said to me, “Can’t understand why everyone gets all worked up at this time of the year. The Christmas story is a fairy tale for children with little or no basis in reality” (Just what one needs to hear on the first parish call…
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World Aids Day Meditation
World Aids Day Meditation December 1, 1999 What a magnificent psalm. My soul waits for God – yet at the same time – I cry out to God – why hast thou forgotten me. The psalmist so accurately reflects the contradictions within us all. The contradiction of longing and hope, of terror and doubt –…
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Saying Please and Thank You
Saying Please and Thank You Philippians 4: 1-9; Matthew 22: 1- 14 October 10, 1999 This past weekend we had two of our grandchildren with us. I’ve been interested to watch (as only a grandparent can) the way their parents are teaching them manners. Griffin, our two-and-a-half-year-old, is at the stage when he wants something…
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On Turning Inward and Turning Outward
On Turning Inward and Turning Outward Nehemiah 8: 1-3 Luke 4: 14-21 September 12, 1999 I am about to ask you a number of questions, but don’t worry. This is not a quiz where you have to hold up your hand and get a grade. But, if you answer these questions, it will put this…
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Back to Basics
Back to Basics Mathew 16: 21-27 August 29, 1999 In the church’s calendar, this is the fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost. It is not a particularly dramatic moment in the church year, and it is totally overshadowed by the fact that this is also the Sunday after the opening of the Arizona football season. Now that…
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What’s in a Name?
What’s in a Name? Matthew 3: 13-17 August 29, 1999 It seems right on this day that we celebrate “Kick Off Sunday,” on this day of young people’s registration. On this day when we begin the boys’ and girl’s choir. On this day of beginnings, we start with baptism – the Sacrament of new beginnings.…