Sermons on Bad Guys:

Return To Me Series

Contributed by Doug Mccoy on Jan 25, 2019

In the prologue of his prophecy, Zechariah gives us the bad news that we have departed from God but also the good news that we can return to God.

Opening: I’m Not The One Who Moved. I want to tell you my third favorite joke of all time (I may have told it to you before; I’m not sure I have or not; but in any case I am going to tell it to you now): An older couple was riding in their older car. It was one of those cars that has the ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:1-6

Justice For The Nations

Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Jan 14, 2003

Justice is not just a matter for that guy over there, nor is it simply a matter of punishment. God shows us His brand of justice in His Servant-Savior who would make us just by grace and then send us out as agents of justice to the world.

Epiphany 1 B Isaiah 42:1-7 Justice for the Nations 01/12/03 The images seem so stark in contrast don’t they? Last week our chancel was decorated in color and light, green trees and a Christmas stable. This week it’s back to its original design. It’s beautiful still, but bare in contrast, not ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Exodus 13 - Don’t Touch Me! I Belong To God, So Back Off! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 25, 2009

In friendly banter, I will say to guys that give me a friendly push, "Hey, I belong to God! I am annointed! Don’t touch the Lord’s annointed! Back off!" What about you? Do you belong to God?

Exodus 13 - Set Apart for Him! Exodus 13 interests me as it speaks about the firstborn sons of Israel. I am a firstborn son. If I had been in Egypt in the previous chapter I too would have perished unless I took the blood of the lamb and put it on the doorposts and lintels of my house. And in this ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 13:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Facing Your Giants And Wining Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Dec 30, 2018

We love the story of David and Goliath. We want to root for the underdog. We want the little guy to win when he faces a giant. Who wants to root for the big bully? Bullies are nothing new. The Philistines and Israel were in a face off.

Why is it that the story of David and Goliath has become one of the most familiar and best loves stories in the Old Testament? One reason is that we love to root for the underdog. We want the little guy to win when he faces a giant. Who wants to root for the big bully? Bullies are nothing new and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Importance Of Being Paul Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Sep 16, 2008

God will use your past history, good, bad and even what you see as irrelevant to further the Gospel in your life today.

The Apostle Paul has been accused of not being the real thing. Paul is being accused of not being authentic, he is accused of being a slick salesman rather than a true disciple. Is Paul reliable? Is Paul authentic? Are his writings to be taken seriously? Can we trust Paul and his understanding of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:10-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus, The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 10, 2015

Jesus does not protect those he loves from bad things happening, but uses bad things to fulfill his plans for our lives. When we suffer, he is glad not because we are suffering, but because through suffering we have the chance to grow in faith.

A mother was once asked by a census-taker how many children she had. She replied, “Well, there’s Billy and Harry and Martha and…”. “Never mind the names,” the man interrupted, “Just give me the numbers”. The mother angrily replied, “They ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

Death Valley Days

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 10, 2001

Ties together Israel’s disobedience during the Exodus, people’s failure to recognize Jesus when he came, and our own obliviousness to the warning signs around us. Lesson: Hardships aren’t for punishnment, it’s to point us to God.

Have any of you ever watched a movie or a TV show about a wagon train? You know, a column of Conestoga wagons, what they called prairie schooners, with the rounded canvas tent-tops? When I was young Westerns were the commonest sort of show, and everyone knew the conventions: The square-jawed ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21, Numbers 21:4-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

All Things Work Together For Good - Short Homily

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jan 28, 2016

Romans 8: 28-30 shares with us at least two truths: Our bad things, which are bad things, work together for good, and Our good things which are transforming cannot be lost. Full Message - "All Things - Work Together For Good / Predestined To Be Transformed " July 2020.

If you are a follower of the Christ, ...... you know.... .....that your life should be filled .... Filled to overflowing ... with joy. You probably also know ...... that you should experience joy ..... in spite of .... The circumstance. The Scriptures clearly teach us.... that the joy of the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:35, Matthew 5:45, John 16:22, John 17:13, Romans 8:28-30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Fruit Of Their Character Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 17, 2025

The phrase "by their fruit you will recognize them" is a profound teaching of Jesus Christ,

The phrase "by their fruit you will recognize them" is a profound teaching of Jesus Christ, recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 7:16-20). This simple yet powerful metaphor offers insight into the nature of true discipleship and the characteristics that distinguish those who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

"I" Problem

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 31, 2007

The main difference in how a man stands, when he stands before God, is whether or not he stands with humility or arrogance.

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: United Methodist

Once, For All!

Contributed by David Richardson on Jul 15, 2005

Paul has some thought provoking and compelling words in Romans six. Words that are designed to cut to the heart of the listener. Words that are well chosen to solicit a quick response from the heart of the Christian and the backslider.

Title: Once, for all! Scripture: Romans 6:9-14 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:9-14

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Appearance Can Be Deceiving

Contributed by Paul Duke on May 27, 2004

This is a talk I gave our kids about appearances. How good things can actually be bad and how we need to get over stereo typing.

Mike wanted a talk on appearance. So he asked around to see who the best looking leader was. And since my wife did not want to do it, he asked me. =-) Don’t raise your hands, but which category or categories do you fit into: Cool Popular Nerdy Geeky Athletic Classy Shy Bashful Still, with out ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who Can I Hate?

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Jan 7, 2005

This is about loving our enemies.

Read Matthew 5:43-48. This is yet another hard saying of the Sermon on the Mount. This goes beyond the revenge we looked at last week. Jesus said that we shouldn’t seek revenge. Okay, fine. I’d love to take revenge, but I won’t. Now he says that I have to love them. Isn’t it enough that I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Wesleyan

Intensifying Conflict

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 5, 2011

As the Passion of Christ draws near, the conflict intensifies with the Jewish religious leaders. We think conflict is always bad, but it is actually inevitable. What is the appropriate response?

Passage: Matthew 21:23-32 Intro: On our trip through Matthew, have you noticed the slowly intensifying conflict? 1. it has not been with Rome, but with the religious leaders of the Jews. 2. began in Sermon on the Mount, PP Matthew 5:43-44 3. over time, popularity of Jesus caused ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Life Story Of Joseph

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 10, 2006

our story this week is about a guy who had no supernatural strength. He had no halos. He never performed miracles. But he had a great heart of grace. The Joseph story is quite a lengthy story (Gen.37 – 45), so allow me to summarize. The dramatic narrative

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: I have to tell you that I’m proud of my WV heritage, but over the years I have had to overcome a lot of adversity associated with my home state. People actually think that one leg is longer than the other and that people don’t wear shoes. In fact, I pulled out of my ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:20