Sermons on counterintuitive: showing 61-75 of 350

Matthew 6:19-24 Where Do You Hold Your Treasure?

Contributed by Carl Willis on Apr 22, 2024

What unhealthy and unholy meanings have you assigned to money? When used properly, money is a powerful tool for the Kingdom of God.

Go ahead and turn to Matthew chapter 6, starting at verse 19. We're just going to be looking at five verses today, and we'll slowly walk our way through these. It says, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"what Doesn't Kill Us ..." Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 29, 2019

James calls God’s training regimen “various [kinds of] trials” (James 1:2). As he prepares his friends for the inevitable test, he outlines for them ... and for us … the following five strategies to employ when times of testing challenge us.

A very popular show in the sixties and seventies was a little half-hour police drama called … [do the theme music] … “Dragnet.” Remember that show? It starred Jack Webb as “Joe Friday” … a detective with the Los Angels Police Department. Joe Friday was a no-nonsense cop. His famous line was … ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: United Methodist

Heal The Wound, Leave The Scar

Contributed by Shawn Andrews on Mar 14, 2019

Big Idea: Forgiveness is healing the wound, even if it leaves a scar. Forgiving others means choosing not to be imprisoned by the actions of our offender. Jesus will heal our wound, but the scar remains to remind us of God’s work of grace in our lives.

INTRO: STORY: Last year, you all know I had shoulder surgery. I didn’t want to have surgery. I avoided it as long as possible. But eventually, my shoulder hurt all the time. It became debilitating. It was only when I became aware of what my wound was keeping me from, was I willing to do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5, Isaiah 58:9-10

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

God's Endgame Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 17, 2021

Every single person and every single race are “heirs together,” “members together,” and we are “sharers together.” We are together, together, together! The Bible says this is a secret that is now being shared.

Avengers Endgame Movie The biggest opening weekend box office hit was Avengers: Endgame. The movie grossed over $350 million on April 26, 2019. Avengers: Endgame went on to make over $1 billion in just 5 days! Now, why was this movie so popular? One reason: did you know that 60% of people between ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-10, Ephesians 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Paul, The Emotional Case Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 10, 2012

Neither Paul nor we are meant to be Mr. Spock from Star Trek; Paul was comfortable with emotion, but -- even when he was emotionally intense -- he kept his eyes on Jesus and sought to follow God’s will, not his own.

Paul, the Emotional Case (2 Corinthians 7:2-16) 1. I love this old Jewish joke: During a service at an old synagogue in Eastern Europe, when the Shema prayer was said, half the congregants stood up and half remained sitting. The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Three To Get Ready…" Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 15, 2008

Disgust can become a powerful motive.

"Three to Get Ready…" (Genesis 27:41- 28:9) 1. There are many stories of people who have given up on the church and on God is utter disgust. 2. Dan Waite tells this story of a man who almost did: Once upon a time, a young minister tried to quit the ministry in absolute disgust. He was tired of ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Time To Lament Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 2, 2016

When the bottom drops out, we need to lament before God.

A Time to Lament (Psalm 79) 1. My high school assignment 
was to ask a veteran about World War II. Since my father had served 
in the Philippines during the war, 
I chose him. After a few basic questions, I very gingerly asked, “Did you ever kill anyone?” Dad got ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 79:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Is Sinful?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Aug 29, 2023

A question that I get from time to time: How do you determine what is sinful? Jesus' answer is it is sinful if it violates either of the Two Great Commandments

What is Sinful? John 15:18-16:4a Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Can You Have Too Much Of A Good Thing?

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Sep 5, 2023

A sermon for the Sundays following Pentecost, Year A, Lectionary 22

September 3, 2023 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Matthew 16:21-28 Can You Have Too Much of a Good Thing? Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Adding salt to a baking recipe enhances the final flavor in complex ways. When ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Mercy, Forgiveness, And A Stolen Coat

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 21, 2022

A sermon for the 7th Sunday of Epiphany, Year C

February 27, 2022 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Luke 9:28-36; Genesis 45:3-11, 15 Mercy, Forgiveness, and a Stolen Coat Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. The words of our Lord: “And from anyone who takes away your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36, Genesis 45:3-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Self Less PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

The importance of humbling ourselves, submitting our egos and pride to God, and embracing the freedom that comes from seeing ourselves in the proper biblical light.

Hey there, Church! Today we're going to jump right into a deep topic that impacts every single one of us - our view of ourselves. Now, let's not kid ourselves, it's a tough one. We're all guilty of letting our egos run the show from time to time, aren't we? But you see, Scripture has a whole lot to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:15, John 3:30

Topics: Thinking Of Self, Thinking Less Of Self

Judgment On Arrogance & Oppression PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

The main point of this sermon is to emphasize the importance of humility, justice, and seeking God's deliverance in the face of arrogance, oppression, and the consequences of such actions.

Good morning, church family! Today, we are going to dive into the book of Isaiah, where God speaks to us about His judgment on arrogance and oppression, the consequences of such attitudes and actions, and the hope He offers for deliverance from them. As we begin, let's remember the wise words of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:8-17

Topics: Arrogance, Oppression

Shaken, Not Stirred PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Even in our personal storms, God is present with us, and through humility and being open to being shaken, we can experience profound growth and transformation.

Good morning, family! Today, we’re going to be looking into a passage in the First Book of Kings. In this passage, we see the prophet Elijah experiencing God's presence in a powerful and transformative way. He's not in a comfortable place, but in the midst of a storm - both literally and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11

Topics: God's Shaking

The Gift PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 3, 2023

To explore the gifts of testing, patience, and joy and how they serve to mature us and deepen our relationship with Christ.

Good morning, church family. You know, as Christians, we often hear about the gifts of the Spirit, but how often do we consider the gifts of testing, patience, and joy? In a world where instant gratification is the norm, these gifts may seem like anything but. However, as we delve into James ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-16

Topics: Tests, Challenges

The Anatomy Of A Storm PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 12, 2023

Explores God's power and justice in life's storms, emphasizing that these trials serve to refine us and draw us closer to Him.

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a joy to gather together, even if it is in spirit and not in person, as we open God's word and seek His wisdom. Each time we come before the Lord, we come with open hearts and minds, ready to receive His divine instruction. Today, we turn our ...read more

Scripture: Nahum 1:2-7

Topics: God's Use Of Storms