Sermons on Deceptive Appearance:

Why Can Spiritual Stuff Be So Scary? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 1, 2019

Mary was "greatly troubled" by the appearance of the angel. Many are in a similar spot - "greatly troubled" by all things spiritual. What can help them take a step forward?

“GREATLY TROUBLED”: Spiritual stuff can be scary. - Luke 1:29. - An angel shows up to speak to Mary. On the one hand, the angel is light and not wielding a sword, so there is a sense in which he shouldn’t be scary. But, of course, we don’t see angelic beings very often and I’m sure his presence ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Denomination: Baptist

Oh, That You Would Bless Me!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 20, 2019

It appears that Jabez came from a dysfunctional family, with a mother who tried to lay a guilt-trip upon her son, and a father who is not even mentioned in Israel's genealogy list.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER, RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 ILL. During some of the darkest days of the American Revolution, after the Continental Army had experienced several defeats, a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Ephesians 1:3, Genesis 12:2, Psalm 37:23-25, Genesis 6:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Revival (Section 5) Hindrances To Revivals (From Charles Finney’s Lectures) Series

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Mar 28, 2019

It has always been the case, whenever any of the servants of God do anything in His cause, and there appears to be a probability that they will succeed, that Satan by his agents regularly attempts to divert their minds and nullify their labors.

Revival (Section 5) HINDRANCES TO REVIVALS (From Charles Finney’s Lectures) Nehemiah 6: 3 I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? Nehemiah had journeyed from Babylon to rebuild the temple wall. ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:3, 2 Corinthians 2:15, 2 Timothy 2:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Taking It To The Mat Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 23, 2015

How do we defeat Satan? It appears we do it by (as a Church) beating down the gates of Hell. But how exactly do that, and what is the objective in beating down those gates?

When Joe Louis was in his prime he fought "Two-Ton" Tony Galento. Louis was favored to win because 2 Ton Tony loved to fight… but he hated to train. At the first part of the fight, Galento threw his Sunday punch and sent Louis sprawling to the mat. Louis was more surprised than hurt and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Can We Face The Future When All Seems Lost?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Apr 29, 2019

The disciplines hid in fear after the crucifixion. How could they continue, even survive when all appeared lost. How can we face the world when we are in that same bad place?

This sermon was delivered Gordon McCulloch to the congregation at Holy Trinity in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 28th April 2019; Holy Trinity is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. Acts 5:27-32 Revelation 1:4-8 John 20:19-31 Psalm 118:14-29 “Please ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-29

Denomination: Episcopal

How Can We Face The Future When All Seems Lost?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Apr 30, 2019

The disciplines hid in fear after the crucifixion. How could they continue, even survive when all appeared lost. How can we face the world when we are in that same bad place?

This sermon was delivered Gordon McCulloch to the congregation at Holy Trinity in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 28th April 2019; Holy Trinity is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. Acts 5:27-32 Revelation 1:4-8 John 20:19-31 Psalm 118:14-29 “Please ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Episcopal

How Can We Face The Future When All Seems Lost?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Apr 30, 2019

The disciplines hid in fear after the crucifixion. How could they continue, even survive when all appeared lost. How can we face the world when we are in that same bad place?

This sermon was delivered Gordon McCulloch to the congregation at Holy Trinity in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 28th April 2019; Holy Trinity is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. Acts 5:27-32 Revelation 1:4-8 John 20:19-31 Psalm 118:14-29 “Please ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Episcopal

What Is The Right Question?

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Oct 6, 2021

The rich young ruler ran up to Jesus and asked Him what he had to do to get eternal life. Jesus not only looked at his outward appearance but his inner being.

October 10, 2021 Sermon Title: What is the right question? Scripture Text: Mark 10:17-31 There are many things we can disagree on but drug and alcohol is not normally one of them. Here is just some of the information. Despite the rise in opioid addictions, alcohol abuse is the most ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Loved But Lost Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 28, 2021

This almost perfect moral young man appeared to be as spiritually healthy as one could possibly be, but Jesus saw something in him that called for radical surgery if he was to ever find eternal life.

This is the story of the rich young ruler who, unlike the rich old ruler, Nicodemus, did not come to Jesus by night, but came to Him publicly in the daytime. All three of the synoptic Gospels tell the story, and each add something extra to the total picture. Matthew tells us he was young. Luke ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

The Qualifying Round - Mark 3:16-19 (Luke 6:12-16) Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 4, 2023

Jesus selected 12 men who, by all appearances, were deeply unqualified. But he was very deliberate about who he selected. Why did he chose the men he choose?

Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve-- designating them apostles-- that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:12-16

15. David’s Anointing - God’s Choice (1 Samuel 16) Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 27, 2025

When God chooses a leader, He looks not at appearances, but at the heart. His plans are always unfolding, even in quiet fields and unlikely places. While men elevate the impressive, God prepares the faithful.

David’s Anointing - God’s Choice June 4, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 16 When God chooses a leader, He looks not at appearances, but at the heart. His plans are always unfolding, even in quiet fields and unlikely places. While men elevate the impressive, God ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Go Out In Joy And Peace

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jun 30, 2025

Isaiah 55 is a poem that starts like a commercial. God appears as a street vender in the marketplace near a river, eager to sell his goods, but with a big difference. What He’s offering is free.

Isaiah 55 is a poem that starts like a commercial. God appears as a street vender in the marketplace near a river, eager to sell his goods, but with a big difference. What He’s offering is free. His merchandise--wine and milk--represent life’s blessings. Milk is a symbol of nourishment, wine a ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

The Ecstasy Before The Agony

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2024

Religious excitement does not necessarily translate into spiritual worship. Rather, the one following Jesus must guard against being turned aside by that which appears good. Remember that good is enemy of the best.

“The large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

How Gideon Formed His Attack On The Enemy Camp Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 9, 2019

Gideon’s battle plan appears to have been carefully worked out, but whether it was beholden to his spiritual illumination we cannot say. But what we can say is that his methods were a type of psychological warfare.

Chapter 25 How Gideon Formed His Attack on the Enemy Camp [Judges 7.16-7.20] Scripture 16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. 17 And he said unto them, Look on me, and do ...read more

Scripture: Judges 7:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

How Gideon Formed His Attack On The Enemy Camp Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 10, 2019

Gideon’s battle plan appears to have been carefully worked out, but whether it was beholden to his spiritual illumination we cannot say. But what we can say is that his methods were a type of psychological warfare.

Chapter 25 How Gideon Formed His Attack on the Enemy Camp [Judges 7.16-7.20] Scripture 16 And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers. 17 And he said unto them, Look on me, and do ...read more

Scripture: Judges 7:16

Denomination: Baptist