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I’ve had the privilege of preaching across the country, from Pennsylvania to California. Since retiring from the classroom, I look forward to each invitation to teach congregational ‘students’ on Sabbath. With our move from Santa Rosa, CA to Grants Pass, OR in 2015, I look forward to opportunities to continue my ministry there.
I invite you to find inspiration in each of the 34 sermons given here. Simply choose a topic of interest and you can view or listen to sermons given in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church from 2004-2015. All photos were taken by my daughter Judy while preaching there.
I hope my former students and colleagues recognize a familiar style that started in 1961 at Blue Mountain Academy and has continued to this day—one where a smile reveals my joy in preaching the good news of God’s infinite love and redemptive grace.
Review from a Former Student…
Gordon was my Blue Mountain Academy Bible teacher and boss during my Junior and Senior years. I’m really enjoying his ‘teaching’ Sermons. What a great reminder of what a wonderful teacher he was! How privileged I was to be one of his students during my formative years! One can tell from his Sermons that Elder Kainer continues to diligently study the Bible, considering subjects which impact us today, sharing his insights in Sermons and books using his well hewn ‘teaching style’–thus making it very easy to hear and understand the lessons presented. I haven’t read any of his Books yet, but after listening to his Sermons I’m wondering why I haven’t; I’m convinced I will be doing so very soon. It would be wonderful if someday soon his books could be available on tape. It would be wonderful to listen to them while driving or working, hearing them presented in his warm friendly voice! I encourage you to check out Gordon Kainer’s sermons soon! You won’t want to miss hearing him again. — Karen Arkebauer Hill
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church on 2-26-05, “Cut and Paste” is a study of the God of the Old Testament. Our response can either be “cut and paste”–find excuses and rationalize, or believe God’s Word and repent.
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 10-30-04, “Angels vs. Demons” is the third part of a series called “Got The Picture?” Here the three angels’ messages are analyzed, as well as the threefold demonic union that opposes them.
“An Investigative Report” is part 1 in a series of 2 sermons, preached by Gordon Kainer in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church on 11-31-04, discussing the key differences and unique features of each of the four Gospels and their writers.
“An Investigative Report II” is the 2nd part in a series of 2 sermons, preached by Gordon Kainer in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church on 2-28-04, discussing the key differences and unique features of each of the four Gospels and their writers.
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church on 1-14-07, “Islam in Prophecy” attempts to answer two questions: How is Islam presented in Daniel and Revelation? What is the role of Islam in the final conflict?
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church on 10-08-05, “God’s Mountaintop Message” is the “Sermon on the Mount”, which is the Sinai of the Old Testament. Carrying out the ideals of either one must never overshadow the need of saving grace.
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 4-30-05, “Public Enemy #1” reveals what is our #1 public enemy and the answer the Bible gives us might surprise you.
Preached by in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 5-29-04, “My Three Sons” explores the role of Noah’s three sons and studies their significance in the world’s history.
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 2-11-06, “See No Hands” discusses the work of grace in the prophecies of Daniel and how it illustrates its significance in our life.
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 9-30-06, “Songs Never Forgotten” immerses in the background and spiritual significance of the biblical psalms and the important role they play in the Christian life. (Very small part of the audio missing at beginning of sermon).
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 6-26-04, “Showtime of Suffering” compares Hollywood’s presentation of Christ’s crucifixion to the biblical record.
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 6-10-06, “Only a Touch” explores the tragic story of Uzzah’s touching the ark of the covenant and the important lesson it teaches regarding Jesus as our High Priest before God.
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 7-22-06, “The Changing Scripture” reveals the historical background of the writing of the Bible and divine revelation’s unique message of salvation. (Very small part of the audio missing at beginning of sermon).
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 3-27-04, “Seventh From Adam” takes a look at the two men who were seventh from Adam according to the genealogy of Genesis 5 and its spiritual significance for us today. (Very small part of the audio missing at beginning of sermon).
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 3-12-05, “Water and Wine” discusses Christ’s first miracle in turning water to wine compared to the role of grace in the communion service.
This video begins with a musical & photographic “Personal Testimony” by Gordon’s daughter, Judy Irené, after she survived a near fatal car accident. It is followed by the sermon, “It’s Heaven’s Cuisine” preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 5-28-05, relates to these two issues: What role does “food and drink” play in Christ’s ministry? What does the Bible have to say about our daily menus?
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church on 7-31-04, “The Traveler’s Theology”, The Christian life is compared to a person traveling on one of the most dangerous places on planet earth–the interstate.
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 4-1-06, “Remember Lot’s Wife” shows the importance in answering the question: Why should we “remember Lot’s wife?” In answering this question its essential that we understand the whole story.
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 3-13-04, “What’s Left Behind” discusses the erroneous view of the “secret rapture” that was popularized by the Left Behind” series of fictional books.
How do you respond to the fact that honest and dedicated Christians often disagree what the Bible teaches? This is what “When Christians Disagree” is all about.
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 5-13-06, “The Highest Honor” features a special musical (video) that, along with the sermon’s message, gives special recognition and tribute to all mothers. HINT: The sermon portion is a static image but the musical tribute video is live.
Preached in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church on 12-30-06, “Who Needs Tamar?” answers the question about Tamar, the prostitute who gave birth to twin boys fathered by Judah, –why is she listed in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus?
“Without a Country” reveals that more than any other person, Elijah is the most sought after man in all of the Bible. His greatest problem were the prophets of Baal who were fed at the Jezebel’s table. What does Elijah’s experience have to tell us about God’s people in the final conflict?
No biblical theme raises more fear, confusion, or discouragement among Adventists than God’s judgments, especially the pre-advent judgment. “Dilemma or Great News” reveals when we understand it from a biblical perspective immersed in grace, the fearful dilemma will be replaced with the great news that Jesus is our Substitute and personal Advocate in the judgment.
Facebook let me know the tragic news that many former students of mine had left Adventism. “Why Leave Adventism” discusses what are the main reasons why people leave the church.
Have you ever wondered why the entire Jewish nation misunderstood the first coming of Jesus? “How Readest Thou?” reveals the answer is relatively simple: they misinterpreted Scripture. The system we use to interpret the Bible determines our understanding as to what it teaches.
There may be no story in the Bible that we know as well as the birth of Jesus. “The Christmas Crowd” ask, is that really the case? Does its simplicity hide from us its mystery and its depth of meaning?
What is the role of genealogy in the Bible? “Your Family Genealogy” reveals what genealogy teaches us about God’s plan of salvation.
Laws are designed to protect our freedom . . . but the big questions is this: “Laws of Liberty” dives into the question, what does freedom actually mean?
It’s been said that asking good questions is half the battle; what do you think makes up the other half? “What’s Your Question?” offers great questions and thoughtful answers.
The divided culture of the U.S. illustrates the divided condition of the people who live before the 1st and 2nd advent. The casualty of fragmenting freedom is a significant highlight of the end of time. “Our Fragmenting Freedom” discusses how only freedom that truly lasts is the kind we have in Jesus.
When a famous preacher turned things around and declared that it was the faithful older brother for whom the father threw a party, what was the response?  Listen to “it’s Party Time” to find out!
Preached  in the Healdsburg Seventh-day Adventist church, “When Dreams Die” investigates the answer to the question: What entitles an individual to be listed in God’s “hall of fame” in Hebrews 11? The initial introduction to the audio missing at beginning of sermon–here is the text of what was not recorded:
I am sure that all of you are familiar with what is generally called the “hall of fame.” In the world of sports there is a hall of fame for every major sport, such as baseball, football, hockey, tennis, golf. The people selected for this prestigious award are considered the best in their field, they are athletes who are honored for their life-time achievements, someone people can emulate or look up to as a sports hero.
So what’s your idea of a sports hero? No doubt their accomplishments, their leadership, and how many championships they’ve won might all be important. For some its their career earnings. When I was a youngster, professional athletes over the course of their careers, could eventually become millionaires; today many professional athletes are instant millionaires.
The average professional basketball player makes over 5 million a year, baseball players 2 ½ million, nearly 2 million for hockey players, and football players get a measly 1 ½ million a year. The highest paid baseball player makes 26 million a year, in basketball it’s 21 million and football 23 million. Most of us are familiar with Barry Bonds. In the past several years Barry Bonds got over $35,000 for each time he came to bat, regardless if he got a hit or not. Several years ago that equaled my salary for the whole year….