Sermons on Deceptive Appearance:

Harassed For Jesus Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on May 20, 2024

A study of the Beatitudes. Jesus begins His sermon on the mount answering the question: "What will it take to make you happy?" His answer, however, is far different from the way most people will answer. In fact, his answers appear to bring sorrow, not happiness.

PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS: HARASSED FOR JESUS ILLUSTRATION: In His book, Lords of the Earth, Don Richardson, author of PEACE CHILD, tells the story of Stanley Dale, a MISSIONARY to the Yali Tribe deep in the Irian Jaya JUNGLE of Indonesia in 1968. The Yali, being HEADHUNTERS and CANNIBALS, were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"precepts From The Empty Tomb."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Apr 1, 2024

This message relates to the story of Jesus's crucifixion. It depicts the disciples, who were heartbroken and hiding in an upper room after Jesus's death, with their hopes shattered. The message conveys the excitement when Jesus appears before them after his resurrection.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Luke 24:49) "] And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." (John 20:19-20) [19] "Then ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-20, John 20:21-23, John 20:21-25, John 20:26-29, Matthew 12:40, 1 Peter 3:19-20, 2 Corinthians 5:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

God See's Different

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 15, 2024

In 1 Samuel 16, the Bible tells us, 'People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.' This simple line is so powerful. It reminds us that what truly matters is not how we look on the outside but what's in our hearts.

Today, I want us to think about the world around us. It's very different from the world we read about in the Bible. In our time, influenced by media and the internet, there's a big focus on looking good and staying healthy. Social media, TV, and other media often set high standards for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Ancient Of Days : Fire Everywhere Series

Contributed by Samuel M on Jan 18, 2024

One of the purest form of God is Ancient of Days where God appears as a consuming fire in all His Glory and Majesty. The throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; and a stream of fire flowed from His presence. There's fire everywhere.

I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:9

"from Doubt To Faith: Embracing The Peace Of Christ"

Contributed by Mark Zorn on Apr 27, 2025

Today’s message comes from the Gospel of John, Chapter 20, verses 19-31. This passage recounts Jesus’ appearance to His disciples after the resurrection and the story of Thomas, often called “Doubting Thomas.” It speaks to the themes of fear, doubt, and the transformative power of faith.

**Introduction** Good morning, beloved! Today’s message comes from the Gospel of John, Chapter 20, verses 19-31. This passage recounts Jesus’ appearance to His disciples after the resurrection and the story of Thomas, often called “Doubting Thomas.” It speaks to the themes of fear, doubt, and the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Truth Matters! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 12, 2023

That's why God... 1. Warns us about antichrist teachers (vs. 18-19, 22-23). 2. Gives us the help of His Holy Spirit (vs. 20, 27). 3. Teaches us about the truth (vs. 21-26). 4. Reminds us how to live a righteous life (vs. 28-29).

The Truth Matters! 1 John 2:18-29 Sermon by Rick Crandall Series: The First Epistle of John (Prepared December 12, 2023) MESSAGE: *Today we live in a post-modern society where many people believe that objective truth doesn’t exist. Matthew Stoll explained that "truth is now considered to be ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

Keepers Of The Flame Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

God’s desire is for us to be joyful always, to pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances. We must avoid every kind of evil and make sure that we allow the Spirit’s flame to burn brightly in our lives as we await His glorious appearing.

Keepers of the Flame A guy from Wisconsin and a man from Illinois are sitting next to each other on a long flight to L.A. The Illini leans over to the Badger and asks if he’d like to play a game to pass the time. The cheesehead just wants to take a nap, so he politely declines. The flatlander ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

Denomination: Baptist

A Perfect Heart

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 25, 2014

Perfection does not mean a sinless, flawless heart. Man judges by outward appearances, by what he sees. But God judges the heart; the unseen motives. David was said to have had a perfect heart toward God "all the days of his life," yet he failed the Lord.

11-18-04 A Perfect Heart It is possible to walk before the Lord with a perfect heart! God said to Abraham, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect" (Genesis 17:1). God also said to the children of Israel, "Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 18:13). David ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Saved From Hell

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 6, 2009

Many pastors do not want to preach on HELL fearing they’ll not appear relevant. It’s pressure from the culture to not speak anything negative. Apparently we have begun to deny hell. There’s an assumption that everybody’s going to make it to heaven somehow

Opening illustration: Video of ‘HELL’ from center of the earth. Introduction: Many pastors do shy away from the topic of everlasting damnation. "It’s out of fear they’ll not appear relevant. It’s pressure from the culture to not speak anything negative. I believe we’ve begun to deny hell. There’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Father’s Day Let Us Be Transformed (Message With Humor)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jun 18, 2010

Someone noticed that the word "father" appears in the dictionary just before the word "fatigued" and just after the word "fathead." So, to all us fatigued, fathead fathers, Happy Father's Day! Updated June 2020.

Let us Pray.... O' Gracious Father - bless now the words of my lips and the meditations of our hearts. Breathe your Spirit into us and grant that we may hear and in hearing be led in the way ...... you want us to go. We ask this in the name of your son Jesus the Christ. Amen. Someone ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-14, Ephesians 6:1-10, Luke 15:11-32, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:14, Ephesians 6:1-4, Luke 6:36, Matthew 6:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Character Of Faith Series

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Sep 5, 2011

What is it that you really deserve today? Is it mercy we deserve because we've shown mercy to others. Or are we judges with evil thoughts who discriminate against others. Are we ones who judge by the outward appearances...or do we reflect the glory..the

THE CHARACTER OF FAITH JAMES 2:1 13 A Chinese man and a Jewish man were eating lunch together. Suddenly, without warning the Jew gets up, walks over to the Chinese fellow and smashes him in the mouth, sending him sprawling. The Chinese man picks himself up, rubs his jaw and asks, "What in the ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Candlemas, The Story Of Simeon, How Can We Prepare For Death?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Feb 3, 2014

Candle-mas, the story of Simeon is a simple story, but if you look closely, there is a lot about the way we should be living our lives … as either Jesus will appear one day on earth, or we will die and meet him in heaven; either way, we want to be ready.

Word Count: 2579 This sermon was delivered to the congregation in St Oswald’s in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 2nd February 2014: by Gordon McCulloch (A Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries). Summary: "Candle-mas", the story of Simeon is a simple story, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Denomination: Episcopal

Character Amnesia (Loss)

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 19, 2011

Some people appear to have “character amnesia” of a different sort. When faced with a dilemma, they seem to “forget” the right thing to do and instead choose the easy way out. Character is who we are; it’s not something we “forget.” Those who have a loss

Opening illustration: It seems that young people in China are beginning to forget how to write the characters that comprise the beautiful calligraphy of their traditional language. Some are calling the phenomenon “character amnesia.” Heavy usage of computers and smart phones often means that ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Importance Of Teaching Bible Prophecy

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 13, 2022

The events that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are coming to pass more rapidly each day. Bible Prophecy needs to be taught in the churches, for our "Blessed Hope" is about to appear (Luke 21:28: Titus 2:11-15).

The events currently happening between Russia and Ukraine demonstrate the obvious instability of worldwide leadership, the continuous slide into debauchery, perversion, along with increasing hatred, blind rage, and violence against one another and God. Some people are even promoting the insane ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:15, Matthew 24:29-31, John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:8, Isaiah 66:24, 1 Peter 1:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 17:17, Revelation 19:11-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Go Thy Way: When Jesus Healed A Blind Man Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 10, 2020

The blind have never had it easy in this world. This story features Jesus healing a man from blindness, and also telling him, "go thy way". This is the last time the phrase "go thy way" appears in Mark's gospel.

Background: Jesus, in this passage, is only a few days away from Calvary, where He would die for the sins of the world. He had already explained this to the disciples, a short time before this (Mark 10: 43-44). Now the group is heading through Jericho, where He performed a miracle for a man who was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Baptist