Sermons on Appearing:

Looking For God In The Wrong Places

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 20, 2017

The sermon focuses on the unimpressive sign the angels point to: a baby in a manger. Not much that's flashy about that. What are the ways that God comes into our lives that don't initially look impressive but are important and meaningful.

That’s All You’ve Got? Taken at face value, the angel’s sign is pretty unimpressive. - Luke 2:12. - Luke 4:17-21; Luke 4:41; Luke 5:14; Luke 13:18-21; 1 Corinthians 1:26-30. - We get entranced by the Christmas story and the swaddling clothes and manger and don’t see it for what it is. In fact, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Life Of Abraham, Part 3: Lot Is Not The Heir. Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 6, 2014

Lot makes the wrong choice and sells out his inheritance for the promised riches of this world

The Life of Abraham, Part 3: Lot is not the Heir. Genesis 13:1-18 Introduction In the last lesson, we left Abram heading back to the desert, having been expelled from Egypt with all he possessed. And we can see from the beginning of the text today that Abram managed to spoil the Egyptians in much ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Life Of Abraham, Part 4: Abraham Meets Melchizedek Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 7, 2014

Just who is this mysterious Melchizedek?

The Life of Abraham, Part 4: Abraham Meets Melchizedek Genesis 14:1-24 Introduction In the last lesson, we were met with the ominous words that the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked before the LORD. Yet Lot chose to live in a house there rather than pitch his tent on the backside of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:1-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus As Refugee

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 25, 2019

Mistreatment of others is part of every nation’s history. Let’s recognize humanity’s mistreatment of foreigners and innocent children, and Jesus as the world’s only hope, in Matthew 2:13-23.

Mistreatment of others is part of every nation’s history. Let’s recognize humanity’s mistreatment of foreigners and innocent children, and Jesus as the world’s only hope, in Matthew 2:13-23. Flee to Egypt Matthew 2:13-15 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

In The Beginning Series

Contributed by Delwyn Campbell on Dec 25, 2019

The prologue of "According to John" is beautiful to hear, in English or in Greek. It is an interesting contrast to what has become a most depressing season.

In the Beginning... In the Beginning... Rev. Delwyn and Sis. Lenita Campbell / General (Illustrations for Biblical Preaching) Christmas Christmas is a depressing time for most people. An article written by a director of the California Department of Mental Hygiene warns: “The Christmas season is ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Nothing But Jesus Crucified

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 1, 2020

the preaching of Christ's Cross should be at the center of our message.

Nothing But Jesus Crucified I Corinthians 2:1-16 In the Appalachians where I live, many of the ministers and churches have an aversion to book learning, especially when it comes to the Bible. And I really cannot blame them as I have seen many an aspiring minister ruined by seminary. “Preach the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Defending The Faith Sermon Iii: Focus On Grace And Truth Evidenceed In The Word Incarnate Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on May 6, 2020

In times of crisis when our Christian Faith is attacked by unbelievers and scoffers, mature Christians stand firm and stay focused on grace and truth evidenced in the Word that was in the beginning and became flesh.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE - FOCUS ON GRACE AND TRUTH EVIDENCED IN “THE WORD” INCARNATE John Arthur, my three-year-old great-grandson, calls me Paw-Paw. We call him Art. When Art comes to our house, he plays with toys Mee-Maw keeps in a bottom dresser drawer so he can get to the toys ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14-18, John 18:36-38

Grace For The Humble

Contributed by Larry Grant on Jul 16, 2023

King Rehoboam walked away from God, refusing to serve the Lord like David his grandfather or Solomon his father. He simply refused to commit his life to God and he and his people paid a terribly high price. God is worthy of our very best. A we must humble ourselves and give it.

2 Chronicles 12:1-10 Grace for the Humble July 16, 2023 The Apostle Peter says, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. When ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 12:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

O Grave! Where Is Thy Victory

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Mar 26, 2022

The bodily resurrection of Jesus means everything!

O Grave! where is thy Victory? 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 When Paul heard of what was going on in the Church at Corinth which he had founded, he must have wondered whether he had just wasted a year and a half of his life establishing the church. The church was divided into factions. Some held to Paul, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus' Prayer In Gethsemane Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Mar 29, 2022

Jesus was aware that he would be arrested, tortured, dragged into the courts, and sentenced to death by his enemies. Though it was the eternal plan of God for establishing justice and holiness of God. However, Jesus was sorrowful and troubled with friends.

Theme: Carelessness in Prayer Text: Matthew 26:36-46 Greetings: “The Lord is good and his love endures forever.” Context: Jesus was aware that he would be arrested, tortured, dragged into the courts, and sentenced to death by his enemies. Though it was the eternal plan of God for establishing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Methodist

Overturning Status Quo

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jul 11, 2023

We might think Jesus is the "go along to get along" Savior, but He is not. He challenges us to overturn the sins of our lives and nation.

1. Praying Away the Grasshoppers John Maxwell, Partners in Prayer In the summer of 1876, grasshoppers nearly destroyed the crops in Minnesota. So in the spring of 1877, farmers were worried that the dreadful plague would again visit them and destroy the rich wheat crop, ruining thousands of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:11-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Going By A Different Route

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 27, 2024

A sermon about making the decision to follow Christ.

Going by Different Route Matthew 2:1-12 We aren’t told how long of a time had passed between when the magi first saw the star and when they arrived in Jerusalem, but Herod’s order—in verse 16—to kill all male children two years and younger in accordance with the time that the star first ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

What Can Jesus’ Childhood Teach Us? (Luke, Part 1) Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jan 23, 2022

Even as a child, Jesus was fully human, but understand how special His relationship was with God. Today, we have the same opportunities to know God as well, if only we will devote ourselves to His business.

Introduction - When we were last in the Gospel of Luke, it was a very familiar story • We discussed Advent (the waiting & revealing of the Messiah) • We also rejoiced at the birth of Jesus – God incarnate (Immanuel) - Today we’ll begin a study of Luke; this should take ~ 3 months (to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:40-52

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Now I Can See Series

Contributed by William Baeta on Mar 17, 2023

“They called the man who had been blind and said to him, ‘Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.’ He answered, ‘whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see’”. (John 9:24-25)

Introduction: The theme for today’s sermon is “Now I can see”. Man is “fearfully and wonderfully made”. (Psalm 139:14) Man is a spirit being, he possesses a soul and lives in a body. The body relates to its physical surroundings through the five senses which include the sense of hearing and ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 6:8-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Names Of God: El Shaddai, The God Who Gives From His Own Abundance Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Aug 1, 2022

Do you believe that God is faithful? Do you believe that he will work all things out? Because he certainly will. He is our provider. And from his bounty, we are fed. But many times in life we try to feed ourselves from our own bounty, as we wait on God’s promises to come true.

"Roger Simms, hitchhiking his way home, would never forget the date--May 7. His heavy suitcase made Roger tired. He was anxious to take off his army uniform once and for all. Flashing the hitchhiking sign to the oncoming car, he lost hope when he saw it was a black, sleek, new Cadillac. To his ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-2

Denomination: Salvation Army