Sermons on Appearances:

When You’re Down To Nothing, God Is Up To Something

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 1, 2024

In the middle of our troubles, when it looks like God is nowhere around – God is at work. His hand will soon materialize. His fingerprints are about to appear. Have faith in God!

WHEN YOU’RE DOWN TO NOTHING, GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. The Pastor's wife walked into the kitchen to find her husband stalking around with a fly swatter. "What are you doing?" She asked. "Hunting flies" He responded. "Oh. Killing any?" She ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 19:32-34

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Wrestling With God October 2023

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 1, 2023

We might think of It as odd that Jacob was involved in a wrestling match with an unspecified person. ….. Was it an another human, his brother Esau, an angel or even God appearing in the form of this wrestling opponent?

WRESTLING WITH GOD Text: Genesis 32:22-32 Gen 32:22-32 The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. (23) He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. (24) Jacob was left ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: United Methodist

Are Sinners More Successful Than Godly People?

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 24, 2025

Sinners may appear to succeed, but it is a shadow without substance. Their end is sorrow unless they repent. The godly may seem to struggle now, but they are building an eternal reward that cannot be taken away.

ARE SINNERS MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN GODLY PEOPLE? By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 73:1-17 Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 12:1-3, Job 21:7-15, Malachi 3:13-18, Luke 16:19-31, Matthew 6:33 INTRODUCTION: Throughout history, one puzzling question believers have asked is why the ungodly seem to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Resurrection Mercy

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 2, 2024

The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus provide the mercy of God that all of us need. In John 21, the resurrected Jesus appeared offered Peter the mercy of God that Peter so desperately needed.

A. How great it is to worship the Lord together today, on the Sunday that many refer to as Easter Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday, because it correlates to the Sunday that Jesus arose from the grave two thousand years ago. 1. Praise God that the tomb of Jesus is still empty! 2. Turn to the person ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3, Lamentations 3:22-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rock On!

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Aug 12, 2002

In spite of present appearances, the kingdom of God rocks on – forever – toppling the nations and bringing hope to god’s people. Therefore, in spite of current conditions we need to rock on – God is in charge!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Scripture is taken from the New Living Translation. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - On Friday morning terrorists threw grenades into a group of Christian nurses in Pakistan as they emerged from chapel. Three died and 23 were injured. This is just the latest attack by ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:24-49

Denomination: *other

The Second Death Series

Contributed by Neil O'donnell on Feb 9, 2001

The dead appear before God, and all who are not written in the Book of Life- that is, who have not during one of history’s eras put their trust in God- are consigned to the lake of fire.

"I cannot preach on hell unless I preach with tears." - D.L. Moody "Then death and hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death" (Rev. 20:14) The thousand-year-reign. This is the only mention in the Bible of a thousand-year period during which Christ rules on ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:1-15

Denomination: Catholic

Suddenly

Contributed by John Mccaherty on Dec 23, 2002

: Picture the amazement of the shepherds as they are out watching their sheep, and then SUDDENLY angels appear. For hundreds of years the prophets had been foretelling the coming of the messiah and not SUDDENLY here are the angels proclaiming the time ha

Suddenly 12/22/02 Rev. John McCaherty 1st Baptist Murphy Text: Luke 2:13-14 Lu:2:13: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Lu:2:14: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Intro: Picture the amazement of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

"If The Church Would Just Pray"

Contributed by Bishop William Bryant Wilmore, Jr. on Aug 17, 2003

When Peter was in prison, awaiting what appeared to be a sure execution, the church prayed without ceasing for him and Peter was set free by an angel of the Lord. Powerful things happen the church prays.

In the text, we find something taking place that seems to be missing in many churches today – that is church folk praying for church folk. In this particular case, a church member in trouble. The Apostle Peter is on death roll and all petitions to commute his sentence have been exhausted. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:5, Acts 12:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

From Fear To Joy

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

In this Christmas Day message, we see how the angels appeared to the shepherds, who were afraid when they saw them and teh glory of God. The angels tell them to not be afraid but to joyful.

Introductory Considerations 1. "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." 2. It is with these words that the first newscast was made to the world about the greatest event ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Progressing Through The Storm 

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Have you ever wondered why some people are afraid to progress when conditions appear difficult? Most of us are hesitant to try something new unless we are given guarantees

Illustration:When Pablo Casals reached 95, a young reported threw him a question: "Mr. Casals, you are 95 and the greatest cellist that ever lived. Why do you still practice six hours a day?" And Mr. Casals answered, "Because I think I’m making progress." Your goal is to make progress every day of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:10-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Are You Writing? Failure By Punctuation!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 23, 2006

It is not the size of the dog in the fight! It is the size of the fight in the dog. Life is a story line --- you must punctuate properly. Is this a comma or a period. Ask Hezekiah for what appears the end might be a new opportunity.

WHAT ARE YOU WRITING? FAILURE BY PUNCTUATION? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD MADE AND GAVE TO US, WHAT WE DO WITH THIS DAY COULD BE OUR GIFT TO THE LORD! Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lord, When Are You Coming Back?

Contributed by Rex E. Faile on Jan 29, 2007

In the Olivet discourse Jesus gives his disciples signs and warnings concerning his second coming. May we too be looking for his appearing for these signs are truly upon us in this generation

The Olivet Discourse (Teaching on the Lord’s Second Coming) When Are You Coming Back? Matt 24:1-14 1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14

Denomination: *other

Are You Disabled? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 17, 2007

You may appear as if you have it all together but inside be disabled spiritually. Jesus meets two people and shares with them how to become abled. Which group are you in?

Disabled (adj) crippled; injured; incapacitated. 1. to make unable or unfit; weaken or destroy the capability of; cripple; incapacitate: 2. to make legally incapable; disqualify. When we use the word "disabled" we normally think of someone who has a physical weakness. And in John 5 we meet someone ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-47

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Chip Off The Old Rock

Contributed by Jason Miller on Jan 25, 2011

People can tell from our appearance, our attitude, and our associations whether or not we have been with Jesus. Can we really be looked at as chips off the old rock?

Chip Off the Old Rock They Had Been with Jesus This Thursday night Dr. David Jeremiah will be in town to give a talk on his new book Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World: What on Earth Should We Do? Part of what he will be talking about is how to live in the times that we’re living in. ...read more

Denomination: Mennonite

"Cross" Your Heart Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Sep 10, 2015

In the cross, Jesus illustrates the relationship that we have with God (the vertical) and others (the horizontal). It appears that God places a much higher emphasis on the horizontal than we may realize.

1. [Angry Toddler https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_UVgmPDMRY 2. Matthew 5.21-24 a. Remember WE have offended someone in this Scenario b. "Coping with difficult people is always a problem; especially if the difficult person happens to be you." -John Maxwell 3. Anger is one thing that Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ