Sermons on Deceptive Appearance:

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 26, 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

A Spirit Of Humility 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: SPIRIT OF HUMILITY A. Ecclesiastes 2:1 (READ). (Good News Translation: “I decided to enjoy myself and find out what HAPPINESS is…”) 1. What will it take to make you happy? a. That’s the question Psychology Today asked 52,000 Americans. COMMENT: And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Broken Heart 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: A BROKEN HEART A. Many people believe that HAPPINESS is produced by EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES or SITUATIONS. 1. The world buys into the “WHEN AND THEN” philosophy: “When I get this...” or “When that changes...” or “When this happens” “. . . THEN I'll be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Restrained Power 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: RESTRAINED POWER A. Walk up to a group of BOYS playing basketball or baseball and ask what quality each of them would like to possess, and you’ll get answers like: “To run fast.” “To jump high.” “To be strong.” 1. Not a single one of them would answer, “I’d like ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Insatiable Craving 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: INSATIABLE CRAVING ILLUSTRATION: Can you believe that next year will mark 20-years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans? We all saw the news stories—the DESTRUCTION, the DEATH TOLL, the HUMAN AGONY and MISERY. Hurricane Katrina is the COSTLIEST natural ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Showing Mercy 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: SHOWING MERCY A. Mercy is a quality that is so needed today. COMMENT: We live in a WORLD where it’s so easy to become CALLUSED and INDIFFERENT. We are bombarded daily with news of TRAGEDIES, VIOLENCE, and SUFFERING PEOPLE. Living SANELY in such a WORLD often necessitates ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Real 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: BE REAL A. What is the REAL YOU, like? 1. I believe there are times when we HIDE behind MASKS and FACADES and not allow our “TRUE- SELVES” to come out. ILLUSTRATION: When Karen Morse of Henniker, New Hampshire was about to GRADUATE from high school, she revealed a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Becoming Peacemakers 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: BECOMING PEACEMAKERS A. Today we are studying the seventh Beatitude in our series, BECOMING PEACEMAKERS. ILLUSTRATION: There was a man being held by BANK ROBBERS who, as he was HIKING deep into the woods, stumbled onto an OLD CABIN and found the MONEY they had STOLEN ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

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

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

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