Sermons on cleverness: showing 16-30 of 2,622

Render To Caesar What Is Caesar's

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 18, 2014

Seemingly a Catch 22 position, yet Jesus wonderfully side steps the controversary. By using the Gk word "apodote" Jesus challenges us even today: "The coin bore Caesar's image: give it back to him. You bear God's image: so give yourself back to Him."

Sermon: Render to Caesar what is Caesars’s Story: A man came to an Anglican Church and asked to see the Vicar. “Vicar,” he said, “My dog died and I would like a Christian burial for him.” The Vicar said, “I’m sorry to hear about your dog, but we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22

Denomination: Anglican

God’s Favor Series

Contributed by Jon Miller on Mar 3, 2011

This message is part of a series through the book of Ruth. It shows how the events that happened in Ruth’s life were a part of God’s favor and not just happen chance.

Gods Favor Ruth 2:1-19 Review- Naomi and Ruth have returned to Bethlehem. Naomi has grown bitter about the events that have happened in her life. She has lost her husband and her two sons, suffered through a famine. Last week we looked at how she blamed God for her situation. She said “The ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-19

Washed Clean

Contributed by Simon Rundell on Jul 11, 2001

Children’s Assemby / Sermon using a really clever piece of magic/basic science to illustrate the dirtiness of sin and the washing clean of Christ

Washed Clean based on an idea by Daniel Henderson Tools: 2 Clear Glass Bowls 1 small bottle of Iodine 1 bottle of Film Fixer 1 Purificator or Handkerchief Preparation: Fill the two bowls with approximately 1 litre of water, in one bowl have approximately 150-200mls of fixer in the bottom [adding ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Judas Iscariot

Contributed by David King on May 31, 2004

He was clever, manipulative, maybe even ingenius, but he was wrong and it cost him so much, think of how he miscalulated the situation.

TEXT Act 1:25 INTRO: Can you really calculate the odds? Can you really know what is in your future? Can a person really implement their plans to the fullest when they don’t know the future? I submit to you that Judas was a man who thought he had life under control and he had his future going ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Helpful And Harmful Hypocrisy

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

Man is the most clever creature when it comes to figuring out how to get his own way. Hypocrisy, or pretending something that isn't so, is one of his best methods.

Every able bodied man in Russia must serve in the army, but Abe managed to remain quietly on his farm year after year. One day his neighbor asked him, "Abe, how does a strong young man like you manage to get by without being drafted for the Red Army?" "That is what I am asking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Handling Money

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 7, 2014

The first commandment of the world is “self-preservation”. A shady business deal is winked at, questionable practices tolerated, and a clever crook is highly praised by the world. The law is on the side of the crook and the criminal many times.

12-20-04 Title: Handling Money Text: “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Luke 16:13) Bible Reading: Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Shrewd As Serpents Series

Contributed by Boomer Phillips on Mar 28, 2022

“Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves” (Mt. 10:16). This verse is not advocating hypocrisy. We are not to employ the methods of the ungodly, but we should posses a similar creative capacity. We need to be clever in our dealings.

In Matthew 10:16, Jesus advised us to “be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” Was Jesus telling believers to be two-faced hypocrites? Was He saying we need to be unjust in our daily activities and dealings, and then turn right around and act like model Christians on Sunday? No. Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

False Teachers

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Aug 22, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: Have you seen a false teacher? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: IV. TEXT: 2 Peter 2:3-4 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God co

I. EXORDIUM: Have you seen a false teacher? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: IV. TEXT: 2 Peter 2:3-4 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:3-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

"What You Talkin' About, Jesus?"

Contributed by Paul Ray on Aug 10, 2009

Throughout the Gospel of John you will find Jesus using simple, yet clever, analogies about wind, water, bread, wine, doors, shepherds, light, – etc. Each instance was a teaching moment - created by misunderstandings among His audience.

August 2, 2009 “What You Talkin’ About, Jesus?” John 4:7-15 / John 3:1-9 A few years ago there was a situation comedy, Diff’rent Strokes, where two cute young black boys were living, as adopted brothers, in an upperclass white family, and invariably there would come a time in each ...read more

Scripture: John 4:7-15

Denomination: Congregational

"In A Manner Of Speaking": 'the Prodigal Son' [part Six]

Contributed by Reverend Cooper Mcwhirter on Oct 1, 2016

Did Jesus resort to using allegory as a clever ruse so as to keep things hidden? On the contrary! Jesus resorted to using parables so that the listener could better understand “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” [Matthew 13:11].

Sermon Preached at Grace Community Church (EPC) Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ Sunday, September 6, 2015 by the Reverend Cooper McWhirter In a Manner of Speaking: “The Prodigal Son” Luke 15:11-32 [NET] The scriptures tell us that on one occasion ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Believers Have All The Elements Of Success If We Will Only Use Them 

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Too few people realize that God has given us everything we need for successful living in Christ Jesus. Most people assume that success is found through special connections, special methods or clever skills. Success is a favorable or satisfactory outcome o

1. Too few people realize that God has given us everything we need for successful living in Christ Jesus. Most people assume that success is found through special connections, special methods or clever skills. Success is a favorable or satisfactory outcome or result it is the fulfillment of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Long Road Rome Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 7, 2021

Paul used personal ingenuity and shrewd strategy to accomplish God’s ultimate will. We, too, can better serve God if we embrace the unlikely combination of being innocent but yet shrewd.

The Long Road Rome (Acts 23:1-35) 1. Over the next few chapters, we are going to meet some interesting characters. 2. Today, we will be introduced to Felix (show photo 1). 3. In a few weeks, we will meet Festus (show photo 2). 4. Last of all, we will meet Agrippa (show photo 3). 5. Paul was in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:1-25, Luke 16:1-13, Matthew 10:16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How God Works Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Feb 21, 2023

God doesn't work through the best and the brightest. He doesn't work through human wisdom or ability. instead, he works through a surprisingly unqualified group of people--people like you and me.

If you're like me, a lot of you guys still have some playground memories from when you were on recess in elementary school. Do you remember how you would choose up teams for pick up baseball or basketball games. Generally, two of the "cooler dudes" on the playground would somehow ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-31, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Bible Church

Let's Make A Deal

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

Parable of the dishonest manager: The Kingdom of God works on different principles than we’re used to. Efficiency, practicality, and self-interest are not the core values of the Kingdom. God expects a lot more for us (and from us) than we expect him to.

There was a rich man. This man was so rich that he didn’t make his own bed. He had a personal maid who did that. He didn’t make his own dinner. He had a personal chef who did that. He didn’t drive his own car. He had a chauffeur who did that. He didn’t balance his own checkbook. He had a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Woman Of Tyre A Mother’s Faithand Dog Food Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

Jesus never complimented anyone in a higher way than her, and yet she was a nobody. She was not the wife of a great man, or the mother of outstanding children. We don't even know her name. Her only claim to fame was her faith, for it was great, and it was motivated by her love as a mother.

Lucy Webb Hayes was one of the greatest mothers to ever live in the White House. She was the wife of the 19th President of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes, who was elected in 1877. She was the first college educated first lady of the United States, but more important, she brought to the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-30