Sermons on An Unexpected God:

But Nails Hurt! Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2003

Nails were distributed to the congregation, so that they could test: if you wish to endure, you have to endure some pounding. Holes may be punched in you, too. But if you persist, ultimately you will be built up.

If you really want to grow, it’s going to cost you. If you truly expect to be built up, there will be some pain involved. No growth ever takes place without pain. That’s a law of life. That’s not negotiable. No pain, no gain. No hurt, no growth. No rough edges, no building up. If you truly ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

X-Treme X-Pectation

Contributed by Nate Barbour on Jul 30, 2003

Learn about the missing factor in your faith with this message on expectation.

X-treme X-pectation What to Do in the Waiting Room of Life I. Introduction Billy’s mom asked him for a small favor. Usually her favors include driving somewhere and picking up something. And to Billy’s surprise, this favor was exactly what he expected – driving somewhere and picking up ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

While Waiting To Be Crowned

Contributed by Norris Harris I on Feb 1, 2003

Since you and I can’t be Crowned “Till death shall set me free and then go home,” I thought it would be profitable and pertinent to probe this Interim Period of Delay. And so the Question is: WHAT MUST YOU AND I DO WHILE WAITING TO BE CROWNED? I wonder, a

“Must Jesus bear the cross alone, and all the world go free? No, there’s a cross for everyone, and there’s a cross for me. The consecrated cross I’ll bear till death shall set me free; And then go home my crown to wear. For there’s a crown for me.” I feel led of God the Holy Spirit to address this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

We Have, They Need: Formula For Life Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 28, 2002

First of a series based on the Johannine letters: our response to overwhelming need is first of all a discovery of who we are; then a commitment to maximum effort; and finally a discovery of where our passion lies. This will energize us.

I invite you today on an imaginary trip. Let’s walk through just one day in a needy world. Just imagine a few hours in a world that asks us for more than we can possibly give: You are awakened early by the phone’s insistent ringing; you hear the voice of a member of your family. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18, 1 John 3:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

How Shrewd Are We?

Contributed by Jeeva Sam on Sep 24, 2001

Jesus calls his disciples to be shrewd

HOW SHREWD ARE WE? Congregational Participation Question: How would you define the word “shrewd”? Can you think of something that you or someone else did that would qualify to be called “shrewd?” Here are some definitions from the dictionaries: Cambridge: possessing or based on clear ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

Follow Me

Contributed by Joe Bedy on Dec 2, 2002

I preached this sermon in costume as a narrative as an overview of Christ before the Christmas season.

Sermon Outline “Follow Me” I. Hi, my name is Simon, Jesus called me Cephas, you can call me Peter. II. I had heard about the Messiah the Christ. I knew the law and what the prophets had taught. But you know it was not first and foremost on my mind. I had a fishing business to run. Fish to catch ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Parables Of The Father's Love Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Dec 10, 2002

Jesus tells three parables illustrating what it means to be lost, heaven¡¦s joy when the lost are found and how the loving Father looks to save people.

A Study of the Book of Luke Sermon # 41 ¡§Parables of the Father¡¦s Love¡¨ Luke 15:1-32 As we open our study of Chapter fifteen, the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling again. ¡§Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

It's Mother's Day!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Dec 19, 2000

Mother’s Day used to be such an easy Sunday for preachers because we could preach sermons filled with warm, happy illustrations. Well - maybe not for everybody.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2013) ILL. A man came home from work one afternoon & found his three small children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud. Some of their toys were scattered across the lawn & on the driveway. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:25, Ephesians 4:32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Deviled Ham

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Mar 30, 2023

Almost as soon as those devils entered those pigs, the whole herd of deviled ham ran down into the sea and drowned themselves.

Have you ever been in the presence of real evil? Now, I’m not talking about someone who cut you off in traffic or someone else who may have cheated you in some way. I’m not talking about that person on your friends list who’s a raging liberal (or ultra conservative, as the case may be) who’s ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Methodist

Following The Way Of Love Series

Contributed by Jim Mooney on Feb 9, 2001

Love is what idetifies us as Christians. Jesus said, that people would know us by the love that we have for each other, therefore we should strive to walk in love.

FOLLOWING THE WAY OF LOVE CORINTHIANS 13:1-3 What is your greatest aspiration in life? Some of you would answer "to be successful." Others of you would answer "happiness." Others of you would answer "to feel no pain." Some of you are looking for recognition. How you answer that question determines ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Whom Does Jesus Call? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 10, 2025

Jesus calls ordinary, flawed people to follow Him, offering transforming grace and acceptance that overcomes our failures and invites us into a new story.

If you’ve ever felt passed over, mislabeled, or just plain tired, take heart. Jesus has a way of walking into ordinary places and turning them into holy ground. He steps into tax booths and kitchens, into cubicles and carpools, into hospital rooms and waiting rooms. He sees what others miss. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Topics: Calling, Discomfort

The Strength Of Shared Burdens PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 21, 2025

The sermon urges us to notice others’ struggles and actively support one another with practical love, reflecting Jesus by carrying each other’s burdens.

Friends, welcome. If we could see the invisible backpacks in this room, we’d see them bulging. Some are stuffed with worry about kids or parents. Some sag with bills that don’t match the paycheck. Some are crammed with grief that doesn’t clock out at night. We smile, we sing, we shake hands—but ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2

Topics: Love, Law

How To Bless America

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 29, 2004

1- Be respectful of governmental authorities 2- Be diligent in your work 3- Be considerate of others

INTRO.- All is not right in America, but all is not wrong either. Even though America is plagued with many problems…political, moral and spiritual…she is still the greatest country in the world! Of course, I am biased. I have known no other. ILL.- Calvin Coolidge once said, “To live under the ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Standing Firm In The Lord.

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Mar 4, 2001

Year C. 2nd Sunday of Lent March 11, 2001

Text: Philippians 3: 17- 4:1 Year C. 2nd, Sunday of Lent March 11th, 2001 Lord of the Lake Lutheran Church Web page http://lordofthelake.org By The Rev. Jerry Morrissey, Esq., Pastor E-mail pastor@southshore.com Heavenly Father empower each of us here at Lord of the Lake Lutheran Church to imitate ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

The Benefits Of An Intentional Life Series

Contributed by Rob Culler on Mar 21, 2001

Last in a six-part series of living intentionally and not just letting life happen to you.

The Benefits of an Intentional Life INTRODUCTION: For the past 5 weeks I have preached messages under the broad heading of LIVING AN INTENTIONAL LIFE. During this time, we have seen the fact that God has always worked in an intentional manner—that is, he has never had an accident or made a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23

Denomination: Assembly Of God