Sermons on chance:

Between Adversity And The Miracle

Contributed by David Spiegel on Mar 28, 2018

Chances are, at some point the adversity you face today as an individual has brought you to the place where you have asked yourself a form of this question. “Why does a good God let these bad things happen?”

Years ago, a large church I was on staff with at the time did a series called “Elephant in the Room” • Prior to the series, the church was polled to narrow down the top things that were on people’s minds that it seemed nobody wanted to address. • We even rented a live Elephant in a cage out front ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-36

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Character Study Of Mark (John Mark) Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 26, 2025

John Mark's life is a powerful example of restoration, faithfulness, and the impact of second chances. Though he stumbled early in his ministry, he became a vital figure in the early church and the author of one of the four Gospels.

CHARACTER STUDY OF MARK (JOHN MARK) – WRITER OF THE GOSPEL OF MARK By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Acts 12:12 "When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying." Supporting Texts: 2 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:12, Acts 13:13, Acts 15:36-40

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Listen, To Receive God's Best (Isaiah 48:1-22) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 5, 2024

God's people have failed to listen once, and missed God's best. God here gives them a second chance, letting them know He's not angry despite their idolatry.

One of the hardest things to do in the entire world, is to listen when someone gives you good advice. Listening requires a lot from you. It requires an openness to unpleasant possibilities-- the possibility that you're wrong, that you don't know everything, that someone else knows more ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 48:1-22

Third Sunday Of Lent, Year C- Exhausting The Soil Or Bearing Fruit

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Feb 8, 2025

I believe that there are a number of Christians living in their spiritual grace period

Jerry Flury, who once worked in the insurance industry, said, “I constantly had to deal with people seeking to maintain their policies perpetually in what they referred to as the policy’s grace period. A grace period is defined as the additional period of time a lender, or an insurance policy ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15, Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Catholic

Muddy Waters [simplicity / Assurance]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 25, 2005

If you had a child that was abducted, and you had the chance to get a message to them telling them how to get home...would you make that message simple or complicated? So it is w/ God’s salvation. Free Powerpoint at website.

Muddy Waters Acts 16:25-30 PowerPoint at: http://www.gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MuddyWaters.html Several cases of child abductions have been in the news in recent weeks. And just this past Friday, in a kidnapping horrifyingly reminiscent of Elizabeth Smart a few years ago, 9 yr. old Jessica Lunsford ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-30

Denomination: Baptist

Look And Live

Contributed by Carl Greene on Mar 23, 2009

Chances are most regular church attendees can rattle off the gist of John 3: 16…often called “the gospel in a nutshell.” There’s truth in that statement, but it may leave some with the assumption the rest of the Bible is just Commentary!

Am I safe this morning to assume that even if you haven’t read it, or subscribe to it… you know what I’m talking about when I mention the New York Times? Of course, it is a well know newspaper and it’s been around for years. How many you have heard it referred to as “the gray lady.” It picked up ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Methodist

Mountain Top Glory & The Descent Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 23, 2015

It’s not by chance that Jesus takes his inner circle up a mountain to witness a most significant moment in their apprenticeship. There they see a manifestation of the glory of God in Jesus.On returning they're reminded of the reality of life in this world

Mountains play a large part in the history of Israel. It was on a mountain that Abraham proved his faith in God in preparing to offer his son Isaac to God as a sacrifice. It was on a mountain top that God showed Abraham all the land of Canaan and promised him all he could see in every direction. It ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-29

Denomination: Anglican

We Are Saved By Grace, But The Choice Is Ours.

Contributed by James Linders on Sep 9, 2015

Each of us is born with a preordained purpose and destiny. NOTHING on this planet happens by chance. Zacchaeus' life is a CLEAR example of this. HE drifted from God's plan of salvation, but was brought back by God to fulfill his destiny...his purpose.

….so when Jesus got there, He looked up and said: “Zacchaeus hurry down! I want to stay with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:5-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Samson's Final Years Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on May 29, 2016

We will learn in this message that in spite of the moral failures of Samson, yet in the Book of Hebrews, his name was listed in the Hall of Faith chapter because he repented and God gave him a second chance due to his inward spiritual transformation.

The eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews has often been called the biblical “Hall of Fame,” or “Hall of Faith.” chapter. In this particular chapter of the Book of Hebrews, the writer introduces an impressive list of heroic figures from the Old Testament - Remarkable men ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:20-31

Denomination: Nazarene

Parable Of The Perfect Father

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jun 18, 2017

Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us how to treat others: with freemdom to make mistakes, with forgiveness in second chances, and with favor out of unconditional love. God is the perfect Father, showing us all three. (Father's Day message)

Luke 15:11-32 Parable of the Perfect Father Today’s story is probably my favorite in the Bible. I’ve shared it with you before, but never in the context of Father’s Day. Since the real hero of the story is the father, I thought it might be a good story to look at today. Let’s consider some gifts ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:25, Ephesians 4:32, Psalm 68:5, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

In His Time

Contributed by Joe Mack Cherry on Dec 10, 2023

Bringing someone to Christ requires patience, love, and prayer. How we approach them with the gospel can either encourage them or turn them off completely. We have to give God and His Spirit the chance to work in people.

“Conversion In His Time” by Joe Mack Cherry I. Preface – Bringing Others to Christ A. We are all called to bring others to Christ! 1. We are commanded to teach and admonish others. a. Mk 16:15 – “preach the gospel to all creatures.” b. Mat 28:19-20 – “go ye into world and make disciples of all ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:15, Mark 16:15, James 3:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Easter Changes Everything

Contributed by James Wallace on Apr 30, 2023

Has Easter Changed everything in your life? Has it changed anything. Chances are that if that's your answer you need to hear this message, Because, Easter, that is the Resurrection of Jesus Chirst ought to have changed everything for you.

The Resurrection Changes Everything! Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023 John 20:1-18 Some of you are here this morning because you received one of or several of our Resurrection Sunday Mailers. The last of them declared, “Easter Changed Everything!” And so I have taken that as our theme for this ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25-26, 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Denomination: Bible Church

The Great Adventure: "Step Up To The Plate!" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jul 17, 2006

Moses is given a second chance ‘at bat’ to do a great thing for God, reluctantly steps up to the plate and hits a homer for God! Aim: To challenge Christians to step up to what God is calling them to in the church, in their families and as disciples of C

Last month my son’s ball team went to a Star’s baseball game for “Bat Night.” I tell you, there’s nothing quite like twelve six year-olds running around a ball park swinging their brand new wooden bats! Life can be exciting sometimes… • But that’s okay… the Christian life is supposed to be ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Peace & Fire

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Aug 15, 2010

In Luke 12 Jesus asks His disciples if they think He came to bring peace on earth and then - without giving them a chance to respond - He makes; what to me seems like a shocking statement, “No, I tell you, but division.”

Dakota Community Church Revised Common Lectionary August 15, 2010 Peace & Fire Quick background notes: A.) This month’s book of the month is “Why Johnny Can’t Preach” by T. David Gordon Excerpt: “I’ve really desired something fairly simple for my family: to be able to talk intelligently about ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Mennonite

Keeping On Keeping On

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 3, 2009

For the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor: in times of turmoil, God is still present, using war to wake up His people. Our temptation is to turn to idolatrous weapons, but He is giving us a chance to use compassion to win hearts and minds.

You will need some background and interpretation in order for you to appreciate the Scripture I’m working from today. Let me first set the stage of history, and then, as we read through, I’ll try to show you the shape of what is being said. The time in which this reading from the 41st chapter of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:1-13

Denomination: Baptist