Sermons on Deceptive Appearance:

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Dec 18, 2001

This catchy slogan has appearred on commercial Christmas material for ages. The implications of the statement bothers me. What does it mean? What is it’s implication for us?

The story goes an angel appears at a faculty meeting and tells the dean that in return for his unselfish and exemplary behavior, the Lord will reward him with his choice of infinite wealth, wisdom or beauty. Without hesitating, the dean selects infinite wisdom. "Done!" says the angel, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Who Is Melchizedek? Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Mar 10, 2001

Melchizedek seems like a mysterious figure in Genesis as he makes a brief appearance and then disappears until the New Testament. This sermon looks at the communion of Christ foreshadowed in Genesis.

Who is Melchizedek? Genesis chapter 14 begins by detailing how the five cities of the plains rebelled against the king of Elam. We aren’t given the prior history except that these cities served this king and paid tribute to prevent being destroyed. It was not uncommon in those days for a defeated ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:14-20, Hebrews 7:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

John 12:1-8 (The Erotic & The Domestic)

Contributed by David Smith on Oct 30, 2007

It doesn’t take long at this dinner party before the chaos breaks out, this time through the surprising appearance of Mary, pouring a ludicrously expensive jar of perfume.

We’re turning to John’s Gospel today, which, quite frankly, is a little unnerving for me, as I find John’s Gospel more difficult to deal with than the other three John retells the story of Jesus in such a way that things are rarely as they appear to be. Jesus speaks of being born ’from above’ and ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Looking Into The Tomb Series

Contributed by Charles Scott on Jan 13, 2006

The stone was rolled away from the tomb to allow us to see that the Lord had risen; the empty tomb and the resurrection appearances of Jesus is the reason for the church’s existence.

"Looking Into The Tomb" Matthew 28:1-10 May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be alway acceptable, O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Friends: Where the gospel according to Matthew ends, the Christian faith begins - in the resurrection of our Lord. None of us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

When The Bride Looks Like A Whore

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Aug 18, 2005

How does the Bride of Christ appear to the world today? Has she lost her beauty? The way to attract the world to her today is through glorious living.

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST THEME: THE IMAGE OF THE BRIDE OF CHRIST IS PURE AND BEAUTIFUL. Here comes the bride, here comes the bride, the bride makes her way through the doors into the auditorium. Everyone is excited to see the beautiful bride make her entrance. But wait, what is this, what is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The God Who's Bigger

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 18, 2009

There are at least three times God appears on a mountain. Each time, the message was different... but each time the message was the same. Do you know what that message was?

(Sermon Was From Our Tent Revival) OPEN: A Revival can take place only when people fully understand who God is. A few of years back, someone in Florida launched a billboard campaign, sponsored by an anonymous client, who tried to do just that: help people understand who God was. The campaign ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Everything Is Not As It Seems

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Oct 17, 2006

Much like an optical illusion things are not always as they appear to be. They are supposed to bring happiness, but people go chasing them and are still left wanting, what if there was more...

How many of you know what an optical illusion is? You are looking at a photo or picture, but everything is not as it seems. Let’s take a look at a few examples (power point). Sometimes we cannot rely on our senses and perception. You may have many things going through your head about your life and ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Your People Shall Be Delivered

Contributed by Charles Scott on Nov 20, 2006

Christ appears many times in Old Testament History to deliver his people even as he comes to day to rescue us from the world, the flesh and the devil.

(Proper 28B) Your people shall be delivered Daniel 12:1-4a, (5-13) Mark 13:14-23 The Lord spoke to Daniel in a vision and said, “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Touched By An Angel

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 17, 2015

Angels play a significant role in the N.T., particularly surrounding the events of the birth of Jesus. There were 4 major appearances of angels: with Zachariah, Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds.

TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL Matt. 1-2; Lk. 1-2 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A man built a new home. One day as he was looking at the outside of it, an apparition appeared and was visible for a full minute. One year later, it appeared again at exactly the same time, but his friends thought he was just ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Standing Out In The Kingdom Series

Contributed by Allan Kircher on Jan 21, 2014

There is a word here for us as well! • There will be times when things appear hopeless. • times when/shattered pieces/our dreams will lie around us.

Pastor Allan Kircher Shell Point Baptist Church Jan 5th, 2014 Genesis 37:1-11 Standing out in the kingdom Intro: “There are two great days/person’s life - the day we are born and the day we discover why.” • One is easier than the other. • One is a date in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Looking At Our Mess And Hopelessness, Where Was Jesus? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 24, 2024

The phrase "in the middle" appears early in Genesis, late in John, and late in Revelation. The connection between the three speaks to an amazing title for the cross of Jesus.

“Looking at Our Mess and Hopelessness, Where Was Jesus?” Genesis 2:4-9 - [There is a verse that needs to be quoted in the outline.] SERIES SET-UP: There are significant parallels between the beginning of Genesis and the end of John. - Genesis 1:1; John 1:1. - Romans 8:19-22. - This is not ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-9, John 19:17-18, Revelation 22:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Consistency Of Evil In Arrogant man Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Feb 18, 2024

Arrogant people appear overly confident and seek superiority to cover their shortcomings. They lack empathy, have no genuine interest in others, and often have a dismissive or condescending attitude.

Throughout the Bible, we see examples of People who embody the trait of arrogance, leading them down a path of destruction and harm to others. Unfortunately, these people rarely change their ways, and their arrogance only grows stronger with time. In this article, we will explore the biblical ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:20-23

The Laborers In The Vineyard

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 21, 2021

This parable appears only in the Gospel of Matthew. The Lord Jesus would often take some unusual things and use those things to teach us a spiritual lesson.

In this parable, He used WORK and WAGES to teach us a spiritual lesson. Illus: When it comes to labor and management, I think about the man who applied for a job. It went something like this: • Manager: "I'm sorry I can't hire you, but there isn't enough work to keep you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Divers Lusts

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 23, 2025

The term divers lusts refers to various kinds of evil cravings and desires that war against the soul. These lusts may appear pleasurable and harmless at first, but their end is destruction.

DIVERS LUSTS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Timothy 3:6 (KJV) "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts," Supporting Texts: Titus 3:3, James 1:14-15, Galatians 5:16-17, Romans 13:14, 1 Peter ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Knowing The Times Series

Contributed by William Baeta on Aug 13, 2025

You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (Luke 12:56)

The theme for today’s sermon is “knowing the times”. The first words of the Bible are “In the beginning (time) God created the heavens (space) and the earth” (matter). The relationship between time, energy, space and matter is a fundamental concept in physics to give us an understanding of the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-40, Luke 12:54-59

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed