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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I’m Sorry
I’m Sorry Luke 15:11-24 September 28, 1980 There is a famous line from a play by Christopher Fry that goes: ‘ Where in this small-talking world can I find a longitude with no platitude?’ Longitudes with no platitudes- that is what this series on the common sayings is all about. Changing Latitudes to longitudes, changing…
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Thank You- Common Sayings in Life
Thank You- Common Sayings in Life Luke 17: 11-19 September 21, 1980 One of the great German thinkers of the 20th century once wrote: ”Words are worn out not by use but by careless use. The most noble words can become ineffective clichés, but clichés put into a new context can become powerful vehicles of…
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Who Is Your Audience?
Who Is Your Audience? Matthew 6:1-9 February 3, 1980 Keith Miller is a layman in the Church whose words are increasingly seen as prophetic. I went to school with Keith, and so I have always been partial to his writings. I am particularly grateful to him for his ability to take a simple incident and…
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“ON LEARNING TO PLAY”
6 January 1980 Gen. 1 :27-2:3 Matt. 2:1-12 “ON LEARNING TO PLAY” 3rd sermon in series “To A Workaholic” by The Very Rev. Roger 0. Douglas Several months ago, while preparing for this series on workaholism, I ran across a cartoon in the “New Yorker” magazine. It showed a very serious-minded, middle-aged. executive in the…
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“CONFORMING TO THE WORLD’S EXPECTATIONS”
“CONFORMING TO THE WORLD’S EXPECTATIONS” John 1: 44-51 December 2, 1979 There is a well known line of cameras that uses this slogan in its advertising, what you see is what you get. Now this may be true of cameras, but with human beings the claim ought to be slightly changed. What you seek is…
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“TO THE WORKAHOLIC”
“TO THE WORKAHOLIC” Matthew 6: 24-34 August 12, 1979 This summer, I found out a shocking truth about myself: I am an addict. No, I am not a drug addict, nor am I an alcoholic. But I am addicted to something even more serious and more lethal, though it never is listed as the direct…
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Resentment
Resentment Philippians 4: 4-13 March 11, 1979 A funny thing happened to me on the way to preach in South Carolina last week. Actually, it wasn’t too funny. It was the kind of incident that makes you want to stay in bed, or at least stay in Tucson, or at least confine your trips to…
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Accepting imperfection
Accepting imperfection II Cor. 3 : 1-12 John 8: 1-12 September 25, 1977 A young bride-to-be was extremely nervous at the rehearsal. Finally, when she appeared weak-kneed and unable to even practice the service, the clergyman called her into his study. The minister said: Now, I know you’re anxious and tomorrow is going to be…
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Whitsunday 1977
Whitsunday 1977 May 29, 1977 One of the non-essential bits of reading to which I often draw back is the Personal Section of the Sunday Times. It’s good fun to browse and imagine what lies behind the short cryptic messages. Here’s a fascinating one I read a while ago. Let me share it with you,…
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New Beginnings
New Beginnings Acts 10 Revelations 21: 1-7 April 23, 1977 One of the most enjoyable books of the past year was a novel called in the Beginning by Kayam Potok. Hotel starts out his novel with this reminiscence. I can remember hearing my mother murmur these words while I lay in bed with a fever.…