Sermons on Deceptive Appearance:

Receive Grace To Possess Christ Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Feb 26, 2002

Proclaiming Christ without possessing Christ is nothing more than putting on appearances.

Receive Grace: To Possess Christ Ephesians 3:14-21 Pastor Jim Luthy Every October a scramble takes place in our country to come up with a good costume. Over the years I’ve seen people dressed up like famous men and women such as Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and even Doc Holliday. Presidents are ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21, John 20:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holiness Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 12, 2003

Holiness is the gift of an identity, appearing to be too good to be true, but received by accepting forgiveness.

Today’s message is framed by incidents provided by two church members. I will not be naming the players, but they have given me both the beginning and the ending of this message on holiness. The beginning: a few days ago one of you told me that you came to worship each Sunday so that you could ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Unlimited Possibilities Of Your Life Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 19, 2011

God sees beyond your circumstances and appearances to the unlimited possibilities of your life.

“Xtreme Faith: The Unlimited Possibilities of Your Life” Gen. 12:1-5; 13:14-18; 2:1-5 A simple sheepherder, named Abram, becomes the father of many nations. A youngest son, named Joseph, despised by jealous brothers, becomes second in command of a great nation and protects God’s line of salvation. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Illusion That Jesus Failed! Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Apr 14, 2017

The death of Jesus gave the illusion that Jesus failed. Things are not always the way they appear!

INTRODUCTION • VIDEO CLIP • SLIDE #1 • If all one knew about the life of Jesus was what we saw in the video clip, one could easily conclude that Jesus failed miserably. • Here was a man who made bold claims about being the Son of God, about being the Messiah, as well as stating that when you looked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Transformation Series

Contributed by Graeme Saunders on Oct 26, 2013

changing the focus from outward appearance to inward, allowing God to transform us.

1. Taking off the mask John 4:13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:21-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

On The Shores Of Galilee

Contributed by Peter Johnstone on May 27, 2011

A Post Resurrection appearance of Jesus that mirrors the gospel and invites us to follow him

The 21st chapter of John’s Gospel is one of the strangest and most mysterious chapters in the gospel. It is such that, if this chapter didn’t exist at the end of John’s Gospel (and you only had chapters 1 to 20) there is no way under heaven that you guess that it existed! You ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

"Keep Awake"

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Nov 28, 2017

Before the day of The Lord appears there will be many disturbances so keep awake, be ready.

“Keep Awake” 1. The text comes from a response after the disciples Peter, James, John, and Andrew After learning that the temple will be destroyed, they ask, "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?" (vv. 2-4). The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Methodist

Brothers Together

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 25, 2020

Shades of opinion in the Christian church. We shall all appear before Christ.

BROTHERS TOGETHER. Romans 14:1-12. This passage has much to say about receiving one another in the Lord. Paul defines “the weak in the faith” (Romans 14:1) as those who have scruples about what they eat (Romans 14:2). Do not “despise” them, warns Paul; but he also warns the weak not to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon On The Fruits & Delights Of Summer

Contributed by William Meakin on May 26, 2024

As the welcome signs of spring transmogrify into summer, the flowers alter their appearance into a new delight.

Henry Theodore Tuckerman, an American writer and essayist once remarked: “To analyze the charms of flowers is like dissecting music; it is one of those things which it is far better to enjoy, than to attempt to fully understand.” Song of Solomon 2:12 reminds us: “The flowers appear on the earth, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 74:17, Genesis 8:22, Amos 8:1, Galatians 5:22-23

Sermon On Differences

Contributed by William Meakin on Jul 4, 2025

Differences are defined as the quality or state of being dissimilar in appearance, nature, form, or character.

Virginia Satir, an American author once remarked: “Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible - the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.” 2 Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:28, 1 Peter 3:8, Luke 21:1-4, Acts 17:11

God Does Not Reward Treachery Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 5, 2025

Treachery may appear as a shortcut to favour or advancement in the eyes of men, but it is despised by God.

GOD DOES NOT REWARD TREACHERY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Samuel 4:1-12 Supporting Texts: Proverbs 20:22, Romans 12:19, Psalm 101:7, Matthew 5:8, Galatians 6:7 INTRODUCTION: Treachery may appear as a shortcut to favour or advancement in the eyes of men, but it is despised by God. In 2 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 4:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus--Crazy Or Victorious?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 18, 2023

It appears here that the relatives of Jesus want to have Him committed to a mental ward.

Saturday of the 2nd week in Course 2023 Today’s Gospel is one of the shortest readings in the Lectionary. If you don’t pay attention, it’s over before you can grasp it. Why? Mark’s community of Rome was under almost constant persecution. So he took mostly Matthew’s Gospel and abridged it, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:2-14, Mark 3:20-21

Denomination: Catholic

The Scale Of The Almighty

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Apr 9, 2009

“You may decide to call yourself a pastor or an apostle or an evangelist, but in the book of God, which is the only book that matters, He writes that you are a messenger.” It is not what you call yourself that matters; it is what God calls you.

THE SCALE OF THE ALMIGHTY Dr. D. K. Olukoya It is one thing to call yourself something; it is another thing for God to call you something. One of our elders in the Lord said, “You may decide to call yourself a pastor or an apostle or an evangelist, but in the book of God, which is the only book ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Destroy The Devil's Work

Contributed by Nettie J Pennington on May 24, 2025

"The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work" (1 Jn. 3:8).

Prayer: Father God, Lord Jesus, hallowed is your holy name. Lord, we humble ourselves before your mighty throne with a grateful heart and joyful spirit. Thank you for forgiving our sins and encouraging us to forgive others. Gracious God, today, we remember and pray for the souls of the brave men ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:8-9, Romans 12:9, Galatians 5:16-17

Denomination: Other

What’s For Dinner? Part 2 Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 11, 2010

A study of Ezekiel chapter 3 verses 5 through 15

Ezekiel 3: 5 – 15 ‘What’s for dinner?’ Part 2 “5 For you are not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, but to the house of Israel, 6 not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, they would ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 3:5-15

Denomination: Calvary Chapel