Sermons on Deceptive Appearance:

The Command To "Cheer Up!"

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 4, 2015

In one of Paul's most discouraged moments, the Lord Jesus appeared to him and told him to cheer up, giving him several reasons why. We too should be buoyed by the same command and encouragements.

THE COMMAND TO CHEER UP Acts 23:6-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Dear Abby: One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister. A member of an official board had watched the pastor search committee reject applicant after applicant for some fault, alleged or otherwise. It was time ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:6-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

From Grief To Joy

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Apr 5, 2015

For the disciples, the death of Jesus appeared to be the death of all their hopes and dreams, but those who lived through both Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday never doubted God again. Easter transformed them and the world.

“From Grief to Joy”, John 16:16-22 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts (Easter Sunday 2015) Tomb, you shall not hold Him longer. Death is strong, but life is stronger Stronger than the dark, the light; Stronger than the wrong, the right; Faith ...read more

Scripture: John 16:16-22

Denomination: Congregational

Two Lessons We Must Learn Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 30, 2012

Some in the Church were complaining. The text makes it appear that their complaining was like the “buzzing of bees.” The topic was the welfare of the widows in the congregation. In that day the only help that widows received came from the Church.

Two Lessons We Must Learn Acts 6:1-15, 7:54-60 Introduction Our study of the book of Acts makes it clear that the Church has displayed its ability to handle the opposition of an unfriendly world. For example, last week we read that the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Paul Charged By The Jews Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 4, 2017

The appearance of Paul before Gallio is important in two respects. First, it established a precedent for the manner in which the Roman leaders should consider charges against Christians brought before them. Second, the mention of Gallio..

April 26, 2015 By: Tom Lowe Lesson: Paul Charged by the Jews (12-17) ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Second Trumpet: Third Of Sea Creatures And Ships Destroyed Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 19, 2017

When the second trumpet sounded, what appeared to be a great mountain, burning with fire, was cast into the sea so that a third of it became blood, and a third of the creatures in the sea were killed, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

By: Tom Lowe Date: 3-9-2016 Title: Second Trumpet: Third of Sea Creatures and Ships Destroyed Revelation 8:8-9 (KJV) 8 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Life Of Abraham, Part 8: Thirteen Years Later Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 11, 2014

It had been thirteen years since the birth of Ishmael. God makes a sudden appearance with a startling announcement. We will also be introduced to a new covenant of circumcision which is a conditional covenant unlike that of Genesis 15

The Life of Abraham, Part 8: Thirteen Years Later Genesis 17:1-27 Introduction In the last lesson, it finally looked from Abram’s point of view that God had satisfied Abram’s long awaited promise of a son named Ishmael. At the age of eighty-six, Abram was a dad in his own right. Hagar had acted ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-27, Genesis 17:1-7, Genesis 17:15-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Two Witnesses, Part 1

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Mar 13, 2014

Each item in Revelation has a specific meaning as they depict real locations and times that are verifiable with Scripture. In this study we have the introduction of two witnesses who appear during the Tribulation to preach the Gospel to the world.

The Two Witnesses, Part 1 Revelation, Part 13, Revelation 11:1-3 Introduction - John receives specific orders that he must continue spreading the Gospel! -- Even though he is being shown a glimpse of the end of time as we know it -- He is still being told by God that spreading the Word ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 11:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Failure Not Final Sermon Vi: Why Would Anyone Go From Persecutor To Persecuted Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Mar 11, 2020

Since many folks in our culture appear to be consumed by hatred - much of it aimed at, but some of it by, Christians - we would be wise to review our Lord's confrontation with and transformation of Paul.

WHY WOULD ANYONE CHOOSE TO GO FROM PERSECUTOR TO PERSECUTED? You knew that any focus on the theme Failure Is Not Final with the Father had to get around to the persecutor who became the persecuted. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:9-20

Never Surrender Your Authenticity

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Apr 6, 2020

Jesus says let "yes" be yes and "no" be no. Righteousness must exceed the Pharisees. They surrendered their authenticity to appear more religious. This sermon is an encouragement to live in the opposite manner.

Never Surrender Your Authenticity Counterfeiters make over a billion dollars a year, making fake designer clothes and handbags. That billion is from the United States, not the rest of the world. These are not cheap knock offs from street vendors; they are well-made fakes. There's an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Episcopal

Two Confessions

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 14, 2020

What do Christians confess? Two things! Let’s find out what they are in the context of what Jesus said when He appeared after His resurrection in John 20:19-31.

What do Christians confess? Two things! Let’s find out what they are in the context of what Jesus said when He appeared after His resurrection in John 20:19-31. John 20:19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is The Lord God Of Elijah? (1 Of 2)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 5, 2022

As I read through this passage, it appears that Elijah is testing Elisha. Look at verse 2. He said to Elisha, “...Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth-el...”

But notice Elisha’s response in that same verse, “...As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee...”Then look at verse 4. Elijah seems to test Elisha again. He said, “...tarry here...for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho...” Again, same verse, Elisha responds, “...As ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Star & The Wise Men

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 12, 2020

Not only did shepherds see a light on the night Jesus was born, but God made a star appear to men far away so people everywhere would know that His Son had been born.

THE STAR & THE WISE MEN Matt. 2:1-12 INTRODUCTION VIDEO: A. HUMOR 1. I came across a collection of letters that children wrote to Santa Claus. Some of them were pretty good. One said, "Dear Santa, you did not bring me anything good last year. You did not bring me anything good the year ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

People Of The First Christmas-Mary Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 19, 2020

Mary was a young Jewish virgin who received the surprise of her life one day! The angel Gabriel appeared to her and explained that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Messiah! What happened then?

Introduction: the first Christmas was important to many people, three in particular. Besides Baby Jesus Himself, there were Mary, His mother after the flesh; and Joseph, chosen by God to be the foster father of the Son of God (what a challenge!). This message focuses on Mary first, because there is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:39-56, Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Road To Emmaus

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on May 2, 2020

Why did Luke chose this post resurrection appearance to record. After all St Paul tells us that at least 514 men saw the resurrected Christ and this doesn't count the women

The road to Emmaus Story: The legendary British journalist and media personality Malcolm Muggeridge was a Marxist before he found Christ. During the Cold War he travelled to Russia to write a story about the Communist party and the decline of religion in that atheistic regime. After conducting ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Anglican

To Follow Or Not To Follow

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jun 1, 2021

Who do you follower? Two followers of Jesus could be discussing an issue that appears to be allowed in the Bible? An even larger question is what do you do when two pathways are before you??

The LORD gave us His Word as a guide for us to have a spotless life. There are so many rules and regulations that it is virtually impossible to live on Earth and not break a code here and there. The LORD established forgiveness into His system because He was aware that this would indeed happen. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:14-21

Denomination: United Methodist