Archive
May 30, 2000: “Boomerangs Come Home Again” – Rev. Cecil Murray
Preaching to a young audience, Rev. Murray talks about the boomerang effect in terms of actions having consequences that come back to us: “What goes around comes around.” He also talks about …
May 23, 2004: “I’m Going to Trust in the Lord” — Rev. Cecil Murray
In this sermon, Rev. Murray emphasizes the importance of always trusting in God, through thick and thin. He reminds his congregation that you always praise the Lord, not only when times are …
May 19, 1996: “Playing Childish Games With God” – Rev. Cecil Murray
In this sermon, Cecil Murray addresses people who choose to be negative and always critical of others because of their own insecurity. During his 27 years as the pastor of First African …
May 16, 1999: “Old Jordan River is Chilly and Cold” — Rev. Cecil Murray
In this sermon, Rev. Murray speaks to his congregation about the coldness that can exist in the world: loneliness, rejection, etc. However, he assures us that nothing is wrong with being alone, …
May 12, 2001: “Man, That’s Your Mama!” — Rev. Cecil Murray
Reverend Murray discusses moms during this Mother’s Day sermon. He highlights the importance of honoring your mother by being a good son and appreciating what your mother taught you. Women should look …
May 2, 1992: “All God’s Children Got Shoes” – Rev. Cecil Murray
Preaching on Luke 15, Pastor Murray urges his congregation to be grateful for what they have, know that what they want isn’t always what’s best for them, and trust God to provide …
March 13, 1994: “Building Blocks and Stumbling Stones” — Rev. Cecil Murray
In this sermon, Pastor Murray compares Jesus to a rock, saying that Jesus is the most solid foundation you can have. However, he warns the audience that you can always take something …
March 5, 1995: “Shadow’d Beneath Thy Hands: Trust” — Rev. Cecil Murray
In this sermon, Cecil Murray encourages people to get in touch with God. “You’ve got to be crazy to be in God’s house on Sunday, and not trust God on Monday.” In …
March 2, 1997: “I’m Going to Tell God On You” — Rev. Cecil Murray
In this sermon, Cecil Murray warns his congregation that people will resent optimism and success. He says that as you move forward in life and break old habits, those who used to …
June 28, 1992: “I Get the Neck of the Chicken” –Rev. Cecil Murray
“There’s this grave-marker in the cemetery. It says, ‘She died of want of things,’ and right next door another grave-marker that says, “He died trying to give them to her.” Pastor Murray …
June 16, 1996: “Never Too Wise for God to Teach You” — Rev. Cecil Murray
In this sermon, Pastor Murray tells his congregation that “you never outgrow your need for God.” He encourages them to continually re-evaluate themselves, learn delayed gratification and to handle problems with the …
July 14, 2002: “Eating Helpings of Fruit Daily” — Rev. Cecil Murray
In this sermon, Rev. Murray preaches about lust: lust for material possessions, each other, drinking, looking good, etc. He gives statistics about the Black community’s spending habits in comparison to other communities …
July 7, 2002: “First Things First” – Rev. Cecil Murray
In this sermon, Rev. Murray preaches about love, specifically loving God. He recites the commandment: “Thou shall love the lord thy God, and obey every one of God’s commands.” He tells his …
July 5, 1992: “Don’t Let Recognition Wreck You” – Rev. Cecil Murray
Pastor Murray encourages the members of his congregation to surround themselves with people and to not be so insular. He argues that having people around you teaches you how to give and …
January 7, 2001: “Dancing Before the Rainmaker” – Rev. Cecil Murray
“You will have worry, but listen to this: Don’t worry about your worry!” Cecil Murray addresses doubt in this sermon, affirming to his congregation that it is normal to have doubts, but …
February 22, 1993: “I Don’t Have Cable, Lord!” — Rev. Cecil Murray
“It ain’t the Lord that’s lost if you can’t find the Lord,” Pastor Murray says, making the point that if you don’t try to find Jesus, you won’t. He urges his congregation …
February 1, 2004: “Free for Nothing, Good for Something” – Rev. Cecil Murray
“The greatest freedom is freedom from yourself,” Rev. Murray says in this sermon about freedom, relationships with other people and finding passion in life. He emphasizes the importance of treating other people …
Jamila Afghani: Educating and Empowering Women in Afghanistan
Jamila Afghani is an advocate for women’s rights and education in Afghanistan. She is the founder and chairperson of the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organization, which provides literacy training, income generation projects …
December 12, 2000: “Enough is Enough” — Rev. Cecil Murray
In this sermon, Rev. Murray warns his congregation against materialism. He reminds them that Jesus is number one, and that nothing besides Jesus is permanent. Rev. Murray also reminds his congregation not …
August 10, 2003: “Cry Me a River” — Rev. Cecil Murray
In this sermon, Rev. Murray speaks about problems in the community, specifically how the work ethic has diminished, and people seem to be losing motivation or giving up. However, Rev. Murray reassures …