Sermons on Appearances:

The Qualifying Round - Mark 3:16-19 (Luke 6:12-16) Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 4, 2023

Jesus selected 12 men who, by all appearances, were deeply unqualified. But he was very deliberate about who he selected. Why did he chose the men he choose?

Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve-- designating them apostles-- that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:12-16

The Ecstasy Before The Agony

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2024

Religious excitement does not necessarily translate into spiritual worship. Rather, the one following Jesus must guard against being turned aside by that which appears good. Remember that good is enemy of the best.

“The large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Why Can Spiritual Stuff Be So Scary? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 1, 2019

Mary was "greatly troubled" by the appearance of the angel. Many are in a similar spot - "greatly troubled" by all things spiritual. What can help them take a step forward?

“GREATLY TROUBLED”: Spiritual stuff can be scary. - Luke 1:29. - An angel shows up to speak to Mary. On the one hand, the angel is light and not wielding a sword, so there is a sense in which he shouldn’t be scary. But, of course, we don’t see angelic beings very often and I’m sure his presence ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Denomination: Baptist

No Perfect People

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 13, 2021

Some people believe that Christians are supposed to be and appear perfect, and that the only ones who can attend church are those who “have it all together.” The church is not a country club for saints, but a hospital for sinners.

Life is hard, and there are many people who are wounded and hurting inside, who are dealing with personal and emotional issues. This is true not only of unbelievers, but Christians as well; but all too often we come to church wearing a mask and putting on a show. People will ask us how we’re ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14, Romans 5:6-9, Hebrews 10:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

Taking It To The Mat Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 23, 2015

How do we defeat Satan? It appears we do it by (as a Church) beating down the gates of Hell. But how exactly do that, and what is the objective in beating down those gates?

When Joe Louis was in his prime he fought "Two-Ton" Tony Galento. Louis was favored to win because 2 Ton Tony loved to fight… but he hated to train. At the first part of the fight, Galento threw his Sunday punch and sent Louis sprawling to the mat. Louis was more surprised than hurt and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Revival (Section 5) Hindrances To Revivals (From Charles Finney’s Lectures) Series

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Mar 28, 2019

It has always been the case, whenever any of the servants of God do anything in His cause, and there appears to be a probability that they will succeed, that Satan by his agents regularly attempts to divert their minds and nullify their labors.

Revival (Section 5) HINDRANCES TO REVIVALS (From Charles Finney’s Lectures) Nehemiah 6: 3 I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? Nehemiah had journeyed from Babylon to rebuild the temple wall. ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:3, 2 Corinthians 2:15, 2 Timothy 2:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Oh, That You Would Bless Me!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 20, 2019

It appears that Jabez came from a dysfunctional family, with a mother who tried to lay a guilt-trip upon her son, and a father who is not even mentioned in Israel's genealogy list.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER, RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 ILL. During some of the darkest days of the American Revolution, after the Continental Army had experienced several defeats, a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Ephesians 1:3, Genesis 12:2, Psalm 37:23-25, Genesis 6:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

15. David’s Anointing - God’s Choice (1 Samuel 16) Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 27, 2025

When God chooses a leader, He looks not at appearances, but at the heart. His plans are always unfolding, even in quiet fields and unlikely places. While men elevate the impressive, God prepares the faithful.

David’s Anointing - God’s Choice June 4, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 16 When God chooses a leader, He looks not at appearances, but at the heart. His plans are always unfolding, even in quiet fields and unlikely places. While men elevate the impressive, God ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Go Out In Joy And Peace

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jun 30, 2025

Isaiah 55 is a poem that starts like a commercial. God appears as a street vender in the marketplace near a river, eager to sell his goods, but with a big difference. What He’s offering is free.

Isaiah 55 is a poem that starts like a commercial. God appears as a street vender in the marketplace near a river, eager to sell his goods, but with a big difference. What He’s offering is free. His merchandise--wine and milk--represent life’s blessings. Milk is a symbol of nourishment, wine a ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

Tell Them!

Contributed by Brian Credille on Mar 4, 2001

The risen Christ appeared to the two Marys and gave them clear direction as to a new meaning and purpose for life. Jesus’ words to them give us new meaning and direction for our lives today as well.

“Tell Them!” Matthew 28:9-20 INTRODUCTION Jesus had been gloriously raised from the dead. The two Marys had been to the tomb and found it empty! As they encountered the risen Christ, a new meaning and purpose for life was revealed. That meaning and purpose is for you and I today: I. WE HAVE A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:9-20

Denomination: Baptist

How Do I Face The Future

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 25, 2005

The future and its possibilities can be scary. Evil appears to be hiding around every corner. Our faith in God, though, gives us hope for the future and enables us to face the future with confidence and power.

Matthew 28:19-20 “How Do I Face the Future?” INTRODUCTION Times have changed. A few years ago, the future, which we faced, was filled with potential and possibilities. Nothing seemed impossible. The stock market was marking double and triple digit gains. The economy was expanding, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Hypocrisy

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 19, 2004

It seems that this passage describes God’s indictment of all hypocrites, regardless of race or religion, culture or creed. Both Jews and Gentiles are included in this discussion, but the Gentile often appears in a better light than the Jew.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Despite the mind-numbing brutality of the Joseph Stalin regime in the Soviet Union, his propaganda machine did its job well. Many Russians hailed him as a hero and a savior, including a young school girl who was chosen on one occasion to greet Stalin. Years later, this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

God Has Purpose For You! Pt. 1

Contributed by Rev. M Edmunds on Oct 18, 2005

God has chosen this generation, though they appear defiant, disinterested, and dysfunctional to be a delivering generation of earthmovers like Othniel and Ehud in the book of Judges that will fulfill God’s purpose and plan to deliver an oppressed people.

Elder M. Edmunds Co-Pastor of United Ordained Church June 2002 This morning, I would like to concentrate on verse thirty-one of our text. For it is the foundation, in which I will elucidate and bring relevance by building from, to encourage our youth today, who are experiencing many ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:30-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Little Bible Words

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 1, 2010

There are seven monosyllabic words which appear oftentimes in the Bible. Though insignificant to many casual readers, they actually convey some if the greatest truths of God. These are BUT, GO, LO, HO, WOE, NO, and SO.

Intro: There are seven monosyllabic words which appear oftentimes in the Bible. Though insignificant to many casual readers, they actually convey some if the greatest truths of God. These are BUT, GO, LO, HO, WOE, NO, and SO. 1. BUT = indicates a contrast or a comparison (used 3,994 times): ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 12:6

Denomination: *other

Securing The Foundations

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 16, 2010

As the church enters a new era, many things appear to have changed. But the foundation in Christ is secure and is therefore the basis for the future. We must secure our intellectual, spiritual, and relational foundations in order to succeed.

For a number of years the building had stood in the community, serving our children as their elementary school. It had weathered the coming and going of several generations of children. It had withstood not only the storms that beat on it from the outside, but also the onslaughts of thousands of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-23

Denomination: Baptist