Sermons on Appearance:

Rebuilding The Altar Of Sacrifice

Contributed by Paul Robinson on May 17, 2023

How do we as Christians become "acceptable sacrifices" to God?

Sacrifice is a word we don’t like. To sacrifice our time, money, our very lives, is a hard thing. But it is important. There are troops overseas right now who are sacrificing themselves; many have already given their lives. Many Christians have set aside the altar of sacrifice and replaced it ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Reuben, Mister "Might Have Been” Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 13, 2022

The firstborn son had certain privileges in Hebrew families. Reuben, Jacob's oldest, gave in to sin and as a result, he lost his blessing and birthright. Don't make Reuben mistakes!

Introduction: Back in the early 1980’s, Pastor Dale Burden, then living in the Tidewater area of Virginia (the cities near Norfolk and Virginia Beach) preached a message, or a series (IIRC) about Reuben, calling him “mister might have been”. After all these years, I still remember bits and pieces ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:32, Genesis 30:14, Genesis 35:22, Genesis 49:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Ingredients Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Dec 7, 2022

Life consists of many different recipes. Each recipe is usually made up of many elements and each ingredient performs its own individualistic and distinctive purpose.

Ron Ben-Israel, an Israeli-American pastry chef once remarked: “Pastry is different from cooking because you have to consider the chemistry, beauty and flavor. It's not just sugar and eggs thrown together. I tell my pastry chefs to be in tune for all of this. You have to be challenged by using ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:2, Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 6:33, Genesis 9:3

Sermon On Rejuvenation

Contributed by William Meakin on Dec 11, 2021

Pottery is frequently used and admired in our everyday lives.

Shivangi Singh, the Indian-born author of “Moraya: A Metempsychosis Of Ganapati AtharvaShirsha” once remarked: “A few moments of calmness, in the ‘just be’ state gives more answers, clarity, wisdom and solutions than hours of mind chatter. It rejuvenates and heals. But the catch is - we can never ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 6:1, Jeremiah 17:14, Acts 3:21, Jeremiah 33:3

"a Typical Day In The Life Of Our Lord" (Mark 1:21-34) Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 1, 2021

Mark presents what Jesus did on one particular Sabbath Day, showing through His preaching, encounters with demonic forces, and healing the sick that He was God in the flesh, Having power and authority over all creation, and to show His love and mercy for HIs people.

Mark 1:21-34 presents a series of events in the life of the Lord Jesus that occurred on one particular Sabbath day. On this day of rest, He would teach the Scriptures as no one else had ever done, show that He had power and authority over the demons, and bring healing to the sick. He ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-34

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On Pride

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 4, 2021

There is a recurrent saying: "Pride goes before a fall."

Clive Staples Lewis, (C.S.Lewis) a British writer and lay theologian once remarked: “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.” Luke 14:11 and Matthew 23:12 both agree that: “For those who ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 16:5, Psalm 10:4

Navigating God’s Will Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 17, 2018

God’s will is something we usually discern with our renewed minds, but sometimes God directs us differently (but never contrary to Scripture); sometimes He hints at those plans, but has not been clear about them — yet He reveals them in His time.

Navigating God’s Will (Matthew 1:18-25) 1. Some people think you can find God’s will by opening up a page of the Bible and putting your finger down, “Bible dipping.” So this guy tries this method of finding God’s will for him. He prays for guidance. He closes his eyes, lets his Bible fall open, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

King For Now, King Forever

Contributed by David Roth on Jan 5, 2019

The magi found the Savior and saw a king. We see our King, and find a Savior.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “King for now, King forever” Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. You know well the story of Epiphany. How the wise men ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Approaching Life With An Ecclesiastes Philosophy Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 26, 2018

By taking heed to God’s Word here in Ecclesiastes, we can approach life with a godly, practical philosophy at hand.

Approaching Life With An Ecclesiastes Philosophy (Ecclesiastes 7:20, 29, 8:11, 9:7-18) 1. All of us have principles we live by, a personal philosophy of life. 2. Here are some comical ones: ? If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip. ? If you’re not part of the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:7-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Amazed By God

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 6, 2018

Sometimes when I think of God and all the ways He blesses us, I am amazed.

AMAZED BY GOD TITUS 3:3-7 1. AMAZED BY GOD’S LOVE * The Love note. Dearest Jimmy, No words could ever express the great unhappiness I've felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you'll take me back. No one could ever take your place in my heart, so please forgive me. I love you, I love ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Judas Iscariot

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 13, 2018

Why did Judas Iscariot betray Jesus - was there an ulterior motive? Did Judas Iscariot see something in Jesus that the other disciples missed? Was Judas Iscariot trying to kick-start Jesus into action as the real and promised Messiah, the expected Messiah

Judas Iscariot John 12: 1-8 Today’s gospel from John is set in holy week, the anointing of Jesus with precious ointment – a poignant scene; but Judas reacted that it was a terrible waste, the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor. John's comment is that Judas said this, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16, Matthew 26:47-50, John 12:1-8

How Is Your Life Invested?

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 19, 2018

God has made a great investment in us so that we might make a great investment in others. Bringing others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ is where we should invest our time and energy. God will examine the books to see if we made a profit for Him.

How is your life invested? Luke 19:11-27 Matthew 25:14-46 I’m always fascinated about how many different conclusions people can come to about God’s word. This is especially obvious when you read and study the Parables of Jesus. There is great temptation to take the words of Jesus and make them ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27, Matthew 25:14-46

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Gods Protection, Plan & Promise Are Yours

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 20, 2018

God has a plan to protect us so that his promises for us will come true. Listen carefully Saints, not the plans you have or desires you have for yourself, no quite the contrary. Here we are talking about God’s plan for your life as His servants.

Gods Protection, Plan & Promise are Yours Matthew 2:13-22 Psalm 139 We are a full week into 2018 and the Christmas story is fresh in our minds. Many of you may have taken down your decorations and have stored away the cards and the gift wrap for another year. What remains is the message of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-22, Acts 12:6-7, 2 Timothy 2:20-21, Proverbs 3:5-6, James 4:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Did The Angels Announce The Birth To Shepherds?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 6, 2017

A message about the choice to proclaim the news of Christ's birth to the lowly shepherds. The sermon looks at how the shepherds were a foreshadowing of who the ministry of Jesus would focus on.

OF COURSE IT WAS SHEPHERDS: We act like this was an inevitable part of the story, but it wasn’t. - Luke 2:8-12. - The Christmas story is so familiar that we presume that each part had to happen that way. “Of course the shepherds heard from the angels. It had to be like that.” Only it didn’t. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

The People Who Found Christ Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 22, 2017

This sermon shows some people who found Christ.

Introduction A few days ago, I received a Christmas newsletter from a friend of mine who is serving as a missionary in Japan. Here is what he wrote in his newsletter: Dear Friends, Christmas music came early this year. My family found a radio station that started playing 24-hour-a-day Christmas ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20, Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed