Sermons on Apparent:

Faith Works

Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Nov 13, 2003

A faith that doesn’t show itself in word and deed is dead.

Pentecost 17 B James 2:1-5; 8-10; 14-18 10/05/03 A woman called her doctor one morning, complaining that her husband had a snoring problem that kept her awake all night. She asked him if there was anything he could do to help out. "Well,” he said, “there is an operation I can perform that will ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Do You Feel Insignificant? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 30, 2006

Luke 2 teaches us that Jesus purposefully came to those who no one would choose - from a young poor couple to outcast shepherds. Learn also about his ordinary/extraordinary childhood.

Luke chapter 2 is very unique - it is the only place where we learn in detail what happened at the birth of Christ - again, evidence that Luke may have gotten the story from Mary herself. It is the only place where we see Jesus presented for circumcision at the Temple, and the only gospel that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-52

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Symbols Of Disparity Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 21, 2008

Jesus was trying to teach the disciples something about humility and service when He used the basin and towel. Whereas Judas Iscariot Iscariot betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver – money was his downfall. And to this very day, people betray Jesus for m

Illustration: There was a boy who was very popular among others his age. He was an excellent leader in his school groups. One of his friends visited him and saw a homemade plaque in his room with the words "I Am Third" on it. His friend asked him what it meant and he replied, "It is the motto I try ...read more

Scripture: John 13:3-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I've Just Seen Jesus! Series

Contributed by Darrin Hunt on Jul 2, 2007

A look at Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Lord.

I’ve Just Seen Jesus Jn. 20:1-18 Show Video (Sunday’s Coming). Guess what?! Sunday’s here!! Today is Resurrection Day. Because of Easter, every day is Resurrection Day. In preparation for today, we’ve been looking at various people’s responses to their encounters with Christ. Please turn with ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Deadly Sin Of Hypocrisy Series

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Oct 10, 2007

Hypocrisy is deliberate deception, trying to make people think we are more spiritual than we really are.

THE DEADLY SIN OF HYPOCRISY Acts 4:34-5:11 “BUT” -starts chapter 5. The “buts” in the Bible are hinges on which great doors swing. They always mark a decisive change in the story. The incident of chapter 5 begins in chapter 4. The story of Ananias and Sapphira is a story ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fear Not! Why Not?

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 11, 2010

Many of us may be fearful or even afraid of the future and what it holds for us ... God’s Word continually reiterates “FEAR NOT” which is a commandment and also gives us the reasons to fear not …

Opening illustration: Columnist George Cantor told how he dealt with a childhood fear. Almost every night he would wake up in the darkness and imagine scary creatures lurking outside his room. Often he would be too scared to go back to sleep. Sometimes he would go and lie down by his parents’ ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Servant's Heart Series

Contributed by Darrin Hunt on Mar 21, 2007

Part of a series in Philippians, we’re challenged here to be examples of Christ.

(Joe Fornear) A couple of opposing candidates for county office were sitting near each other in the local diner... One turned to the other and said, "You know why I’m going to win this election? Because of my ’personal touch.’ For example, I always tip waitresses really well and then ask them to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-30

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob-What He Did For Love Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 4, 2022

Jacob was now staying at his uncle Laban's house. Laban offered him a job, and asked him, "What kind of wages would you want from me?" Jacob's reply eventually changed his life forever!

Introduction: Jacob had arrived in Haran, the land of his mother and uncle Laban. He had assisted Rachel, Laban’s daughter, by watering her flock of sheep. Laban then ran out to meet Jacob, and they all returned to Laban’s house. For Jacob, things were about to get interesting. 1 The wages ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:14-30

Denomination: Baptist

Samson: The Final Chapter, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 21, 2020

When these events took place, Samson was in trouble and he knew it. The final chapter of his life concludes with a very significant event. May we learn from Samson: trust God, but don't make the same mistakes he did!

Introduction: When the events of this story took place, Samson is in the Philistine prison in Gaza (16:21); his head was shaved and he was bound in fetters of bronze (brass, KJV). He was sentenced to grind (grain?) in the prison house. Even worse, he was blind—the Philistines had put out his eyes ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:22-31, Genesis 20:3-4, Romans 1:18-32

Denomination: Baptist

Achan-His Greed Cost Him His Life Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 23, 2021

Some of us remember the Battle of Jericho but not very many remember Achan, who took some things which were not intended for anyone at the time. What he took, he couldn't keep, and he paid with his life.

Introduction: Israel had just won their first victory in Canaan. They had followed God’s commands to walk around the city, shout, and then God would do the rest. They next decided to attack Ai, a smaller city, but something awful happened. The sin of one man was the reason why. 1 Achan’s deceit ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Wisdom Factor Series

Contributed by David Welch on Apr 11, 2018

Sixth in a series on the characteristics of God as our loving Father. This message has to do with the fact that God is there to provide wisdom for life.

“The Wisdom/Counsel Factor” (The Fatherhood of God Pt 6) Review Dads play a vital role in our development. Many of the talents or traumas we have today stem from our interaction with our fathers. Scripture employs the image of a father as one way to explain God’s relationship to His creation. 2 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

An Outline Of Acts 20

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 8, 2023

Acts 20 has a summary of Paul's ministry in various places after he left Ephesus. His closing message to the elders of Ephesus is a masterpiece of a charge to church leaders anywhere.

1 Paul’s journeys from Ephesus to Troas Text, Acts 20:1-6, KJV: 1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, 3 And ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:1-38

Denomination: Baptist

Attributes Of A Forgiving Person Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Jan 12, 2023

The apostle Paul wrote a personal letter to a man named Philemon who had been wronged by his servant named Onesimus whom had, it is widely believed, stolen money from him and then ran away to Rome.

A. Philemon 4-7 (READ) 1. We live in a SOCIETY that KNOWS little about FORGIVENESS. We live in a SOCIETY that CARES little about FORGIVENESS. a. In fact, I would think that one of the major CONTRIBUTORS—if not the major contributor—to the DESTRUCTION of RELATIONSHIPS in our ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

First Christmas Risktakers

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Risk taking is an essential ingredient in ministry for the Kingdom of God. Most Bible heroes were risk takers. Jesus was a risk taker too.

Opening illustration: Christian villagers in a rural district of India’s Maharashtra state have been told that one church will be closed down every week because they have been “destroying” local tradition and culture by “luring” others to convert to Christianity. Some Christians have also been told ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:40-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Waiting On The Lord

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 25, 2025

God’s delays are deliberate designs, revealing His glory, deepening our trust, and assuring that His perfect plan unfolds exactly when it should.

1. The Strange Stillness of God Our journey, today, begins in Bethany: (John 11:1-6) > “Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha… So the sisters sent to Him, saying, ‘Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.’ But when Jesus heard it He said, ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-6, Jeremiah 29:11-14, Isaiah 40:31, Romans 8:24-25, Revelation 21:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist