Sermons on But Difference:

The First Advent

Contributed by Jeffrey Dillinger on Dec 19, 2023

The first coming of Jesus brought to us "the Word which became flesh," We beheld His Glory," and "Grace upon Grace. This is a different way to talk about why Jesus coming in the flesh is so important.

The First Advent (John 1:14-18) Intro: A. Its a time of year when some Christian denominations talk about “Advent.” The word simply means “the coming of someone or something important.” Traditionally “advent” is the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day, in which people celebrate the coming of ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5, John 1:14-18, Luke 2:8-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Name Fame And Game Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Sep 8, 2024

Life is a gift, life is a game. How do we treat it matters a lot. The given name and earn name differs at many occasions. Let’s strive for a great and good name which comes from the life lived with the fear of God and humility.

Text: Proverbs 22:1-8 Theme: Debt free Life   Text: Proverbs 22:1. “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,    and favour is better than silver or gold. … 4. The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honour and life. … 6. Train up a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

Mary's & Zechariah's Songs (Luke 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 22, 2024

Is it wrong to sing I, me, my as some believe? What about Mary's Song? Do some righteous believers still doubt? What was different between Zechariah and Mary? Let's keep going in Luke 1.

Is it wrong to have church songs with lyrics about I, me and my as some believe? What about Mary’s Song? When Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, did he speak in tongues or prophesy? Can even righteous people like Zechariah have doubts and others like Mary simply believe? Let’s continue in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Give Us This Day, Part 2 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jan 11, 2026

John unpacks the marvelous miracle of Jesus walking on the water from a totally different perspective than what Matthew does (who includes Peter also walking on the water). Why did one disciple include this and why does another leave it out?

John, Part 23 Series: Give Us This Day, Part 2 John 6:16-21 - Continuing in John with sermon series: “Give Us This Day” (5 parts) -- Purpose: To examine the command (in discipleship) to follow Him (obediently) -- Understand: In order to grow it requires us to dig; comes from a desire for ...read more

Scripture: John 6:16-21, Matthew 14:22-33, John 1:14, Exodus 3:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Responses To Christmas

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 6, 2006

Three different responses to the news of Christ’s birth: (1) the Magi, passionately seeking Christ to worship Him; (2) King Herod, eager to get rid of Christ, do not want Him to sit on his throne; and (3) Jerusalem, apathetic to the prophecies rega

Matt 2:1-12, 16-18 We see here 3 different responses to the news of the birth of Jesus Christ. • First, we see the Magi in a passionate search for the child Jesus. • Second, we have King Herod also eagerly seeking to find the child, but so that he could kill him. • And thirdly, we see the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Optimist Vs. Pessimist

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Jul 29, 2003

The optimist says: “My cup runs over, what a blessing!” The pessimist says: “My cup runs over: what a mess!” We need both… And you know, most times the pessimist and the optimist are right. Both of them are right. The difference is that the optimist tries

Let me ask you a question: it’s an embarrassing question but here in the church is the place we can say anything... Are you a pessimist or an optimist? Maybe the person who sit closest to you, and who know you the best, can answer the best. None of us like to be labeled as pessimist, right? And ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

This Is, Thou Art

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Aug 28, 2003

There is a fundamental difference of me looking directly into my sons eyes and saying, "You are my beloved son," and if I were to put my arm around him and say to you, "this is my beloved son." One is a private declaration, one is a public demonstration.

This is Thou Art Text: Luke 3:21,22; Matthew 17:5 Luke 3:21-22 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:21-22, Matthew 17:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Out Of Sight: When The Lot Falls On You -- Or Doesn't

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 31, 2003

Our work is different when we are supervised than when we are not, but our character and commitment are measured thereby. We can be Matthias, who accepted an assignment he did not seek, with joy; or Joseph Justus, who failed to get that same assignment,

When you can see your supervisor, you work. When you cannot see him, your work style is likely to slow down. The difference between those two things is the measure of your character and your commitment. When you can see your supervisor, you work diligently. You work hard; you get the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:6-26

Denomination: Baptist

"Dear Woman, Here Is Your Son" Series

Contributed by Kevin Cummins on May 4, 2003

This statement speaks of the love and responsibility Jesus felt for his mother. But I also challenge you to see this from a different angle. His total obedience also showed the cost that total obedience can have on the family. We also see the cost of o

Today we come to the third week of our seven week series on the Statements from the Cross. Last week our statement was, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” A wonderful statement about salvation and what awaits those who put their trust and faith in Christ. We ...read more

Scripture: John 19:25-27

Denomination: Church Of God

When Life Turns Up The Heat

Contributed by James Chandler on Mar 8, 2006

As we look at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendago, we realize that we have all been in the furnace at some point in our lives. Who we look to for strength and how we react will make all the difference in the world...when life turns up the heat!

A. Everyone will find themselves in the furnace at some point in their lives. We live in a sinful world. Satan is called the prince of this world. Man does horrible things to one another. Where was God on September 11, 2001? 266 people were on the planes, that could of held 1,000 Less than half ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living An All Purpose Life

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jan 15, 2007

There’s an all purpose cleaner that is used to clean almost anything. This cleanser has replaced sprays that have only one purpose. God created us for many purposes, and our brain proves that fact as the human brain has different components such a passage

Living an All Purpose Life Text: Romans 12:1-2 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Is Your Seed Still In The Barn?

Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Nov 4, 2004

We have had some great weather recently haven’t we? Praise the Lord for plenty of rain and good weather this year. It has made a real difference in the harvest. I hear that the peanut crop and the cotton crop was wonderful this year. As churches i

We have had some great weather recently haven’t we? Praise the Lord for plenty of rain and good weather this year. It has made a real difference in the harvest. I hear that the peanut crop and the cotton crop was wonderful this year. As churches in the Bethel association we are in a similar ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:19

Denomination: Baptist

The Wisdom Of Being Inconvenienced Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 27, 2005

We fight so much for individual rights that we forget that our behavior is being watched by others - and can make a difference whether they come to Christ or not. So being free in Christ means freedom to say "no" to things we can do.

The key to understanding Titus chapter 2 is found in verses 11 & 12. Rather than a series of rather random and possibly restrictive or even discriminatory rules - Titus 2 teaches us how to live our lives in relation to the gospel - what it has meant to us and how it shapes our lives as we relate to ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-15

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What To Do When You Are Placed In A Position Of Contention 

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Occasionally we all find ourselves in a position where we face a prickly difference of opinions with our peers. When Peter returned from visiting the house of the Gentile Cornelius, his Jewish friends cried out in anger, "You went to the uncircumcised men

Illustration:No great advance has been made in science, politics or religion without controversy. Lyman Beecher 1. Occasionally we all find ourselves in a position where we face a prickly difference of opinions with our peers. When Peter returned from visiting the house of the Gentile ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being Born From Above

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 11, 2006

Being "born again" and being "born from above" are different sides of the same coin. Christ Jesus says, we cannot enter the kingdom of God without a dramatic, spiritual change. Putting it another way, we have to be born of the spirit from above.

Being Born From Above – John 3: 1 - 17 Intro: 3 men died and were standing at the pearly gates. “What have you done to deserve heaven?” asked Peter. The 1st man, a police officer, said, “I enforced the law and fought crime.” Peter said, “OK, go on in.” The 2nd was a wealthy man who said, “I ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed