Packed full of stories about the human condition, this book of insightful sermons based largely on texts from Paul's letter to the Romans will be invaluable to preachers, teachers, and laypersons. Readers will serendipitously find marvelous results when one acts in faith on the ""absurd"" notion that God loves us unconditionally. These messages from an outstanding preacher demonstrate that when we follow the example of Paul and faithfully try to become what God created us to be, wonderful things begin to happen! Gary Carver moves beyond those who find Paul's words to be complex and rigid. He gives to us examples in which Paul's timeless and deep theological concepts are used to address the struggles of contemporary Christians sensitively.... From teenage athletes to contacts in Alcoholics Anonymous to couples struggling with marriage and a host of other human experiences, Carver profoundly recalls experiences that illustrate Paul's insistence that one can experience a changed life in Christ. (from the Foreword)Harold C. Warlick, Jr.Professor of Religion and Minister to the UniversityHigh Point UniversityWith a scholarly understanding of the Pauline writings, Gary Carver uses his masterful skills as a storyteller to bring the biblical accounts to life. His treatment of each passage is brought to a climax with probing ethical insight and deeply moving personal application. Both laypersons and preachers will benefit greatly from a reading of these prophetic sermons laced with marvelous illustrations.Thomas H. GravesPresidentBaptist Theological Seminary at Richmond To experience the preaching of Gary Carver is to find oneself in a gallery of living illustrations, all pointing to Jesus Christ. No cookie-cutter preacher, this gifted communicator is endowed both with uncommon insight into the human predicament and God's absurdly fetching grace. Read this book and discover God's spirit calling you to a more meaningful, involved following of Jesus.Timothy L. OwingsPastor, First Baptist ChurchAugusta, Georgia Gary Carver has a vivid sense of the wonder God creates in everyday life, and he has a keen eye for the human condition.... His insight into the Bible and into the heart of its stories always finds the underlying story of hope, even in the most hopeless-looking of situations. His discoveries, then, make it seem quite natural and sensible to ""act on the absurd.""Dudley RoseDirector of Field EducationHarvard Divinity SchoolGary L. Carver is pastor of First Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He has also served as pastor of churches in Alabama and Indiana. Carver is a graduate of Samford University (B.A.) and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. and D.Min.), and has done additional graduate study at Candler School of Theology and Harvard Divinity School. He has been widely published in a variety of church and clergy publications, and is the author of Distinctively Different and Out From The Ordinary (CSS).

Acting On The Absurd

Religion & Spirituality

Gary L. Carver

Christian Books & Bibles

CSS Publishing Company

Wherever you are in your walk with Christ, this anthology offers practical, scripture-based wisdom as well as delightfully serendipitous surprises on every page. Three outstanding preachers from diverse denominations provide a complete set of sermons for each Sunday and major celebration throughout the Christian year based on the Second Reading from Cycle C of the Revised Common Lectionary. Weaving together illustrations that enlighten the mind and warm the heart with fresh insight into New Testament epistle texts, these creative messages invite you to experience God's presence anew. Each biblically grounded sermon draws on a deep understanding of the human condition, reaffirming the hope that is ours through Jesus Christ and challenging you to a more intense faith relationship with the Almighty. This is an essential resource that's useful for: * Fresh homiletical approaches to the lectionary texts * Preaching illustrations * A clearer understanding of scripture passages * Adult study and discussion groups * Personal devotions and Bible study on each Sunday's readings Dallas Brauninger has a way with words that makes one's heart sing and be open to learn and hear more. Gentle phrases leap out and make one think and wrestle with God and one's self. Margaret Slater Inclusive Ministry Coordinator, Local Church Ministries United Church of Christ Gary Carver's sermons are a delight to read. True to life, often humorous, and filled with insight, they mark points at which the gospel intersects with everyday experience, call us to renewed faith, and show us what it means to live gracefully. R. Alan Culpepper Dean and Professor of New Testament McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University

Sermons On The Second Readings

Robert S. Crilley

Dallas A. Brauninger

Bring Jesus' message and ministry to life with this complete set of inspiring and thought-provoking sermons for every Sunday and major celebration in the Church year. Six notable preachers from across the denominational spectrum offer a treasure trove of creative homiletic ideas and practical, scripture-based wisdom in messages based on Gospel texts from Cycle C of the Revised Common Lectionary. Weaving together insightful illustrations with keen insight into contemporary life, these sermons passionately proclaim the Good News and powerfully remind us of God's limitless love. Each riveting message is certain to enlighten the mind and warm the heart. This essential resource is useful for: * Fresh homiletical approaches to the lectionary texts * Inspiring preaching illustrations and sermon starters * Understanding scripture passages * Adult study and discussion groups * Personal devotions and Bible study Gary L. Carver has been the pastor of First Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee for more than 20 years. His sermons and articles have appeared in a variety of publications, including Lectionary Homiletics, Preaching, and The Abingdon Minister's Manual, and he is the author of Acting On The Absurd, Distinctively Different, and Out From The Ordinary (CSS). Carver is a graduate of Samford University (B.A.) and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. and D.Min.), with additional graduate study at Candler School of Theology and Harvard Divinity School. Tom M. Garrison is the pastor of Sun Lakes United Church of Christ in Sun Lakes, Arizona. He has also served as pastor of congregations in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and Nova Scotia (Canada), and has taught ministry and homiletics at Southern Christian University (Montgomery, Alabama) and Atlantic School of Theology (Halifax, Nova Scotia). Garrison is a graduate of Alabama Christian College (B.A.), Southern Christian University (M.A. and M.Div.), and Columbia Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He is the author of A Call to Love (CSS). Donald Charles Lacy is now retired after more than four decades serving United Methodist churches in Indiana. He is the author of 10 books, as well as more than 1,000 smaller pieces, several of which appear in his recently published Collected Works (Providence House). Lacy's sermons have appeared in many outlets, including Great Preaching 2001, Keeping the Faith: Best Indiana Sermons (2003), and The Minister's Manual 2004. David R. Cartwright served for 22 years as the senior minister of Hazelwood Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Muncie, Indiana. He is a graduate of Washington University, Yale Divinity School, and Christian Theological Seminary. Ron Lavin is the award-winning author of more than 20 books, including Turning Griping Into Gratitude, Way To Grow! and the popular Another Look series (CSS). He is the former Pastor-Director of Evangelical Outreach for the Lutheran Church in America, and pastored five thriving congregations, all of which grew substantially under his leadership. Lavin is a popular speaker and church consultant on the dynamics of small groups and evangelism. John Wayne Clarke is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ who currently pastors First Congregational Church in Meriden, Connecticut. He is the author of What Good Is Christianity Anyhow? and A Quest for Silence. Clarke is a graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary and Providence Theological Seminary (Otterburn, Manitoba, Canada).

Sermons On The Gospel Readings

Ron Lavin

Tom M. Garrison

Donald Charles Lacy

David R. Cartwright

John Wayne Clarke

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Books by Gary L. Carver