Sermons on defying norms:

Judges (Barak) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Oct 22, 2014

God uses imperfect people! That's the message of the book of Judges. In the second sermon in this series we see Barak defied the will of God, depended on the word of God, and delighted in the worship of God.

Judges: Ordinary People in the Hands of an Extraordinary God (Barak) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 7/13/2014 Ever heard the expression—He really dropped the ball!? Sure you have. We use it all the time to describe someone who failed to follow through on an assignment ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

God's Holiness Is Perfected In Love

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Aug 26, 2019

Jesus heals the bent over woman on the Sabbath, defying Sabbath laws. He liberates the daughter of Abraham from what has long bound her. Love is the perfection of holiness.

August 25, 2019 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Luke 13:10-17; Psalm 103:1-8 God’s Holiness Is Perfected in Love Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Feet. Her view was always the same. She was bent over. She had been for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17, Psalm 103:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

A Winning Team Series

Contributed by Ron Newton on Sep 13, 2003

God calls us to be a part of His body by equipping and empowering us for service. We are to present ourselves to Him as the norm for being a vital and living part of His team.

Spiritual Gifts Series # 1 Introduction 1. Dramatize a ‘Winning Team’ with a tug of war. a. One team pulling together & the other pulling in different directions and disorganized. b. Have congregation vote on which team they would like to be on. 2. Paul gives us a clear picture of a winning ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-21

Denomination: Holiness

Beware Of Lies And Liers! Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Feb 26, 2021

Lies bring brokenness, truth brings freedom. We now live in a society that has become so desensitized to lying that it has become the norm rather than the exception.

Lies bring brokenness, truth brings freedom. We now live in a society that has become so desensitized to lying that it has become the norm rather than the exception. Satan is a pathological liar, and Jesus described him in John eight as the father of all lies. Friends, when you lie you are not just ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:9, Proverbs 6:16-19

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 1) At Work Today! Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 4, 2024

Many times in the Gospels, Jesus shows up in ways that people did not expect. He often defies expectations, both then and now, and as we look at three powerful moments in Scripture, we will see how Jesus reveals Himself in unexpected ways.

Transformed by Truth: The Unexpected Jesus (sermon 1) At work today! Luke 24:13-35, John 4:4-30, Isaiah 55:8-9 Introduction Have you ever had a moment when something or someone completely surprised you? Maybe you expected one outcome, but what actually happened caught you off guard and left you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35, John 4:4-30, Isaiah 55:8-9, Proverbs 3:5-6, Galatians 3:28, Matthew 28:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Elijah’s Speech To The Undecided Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 5, 2018

IT WAS A DAY to be remembered, when the multitudes of Israel were assembled at the foot of Mount Carmel, and when the lone prophet of the Lord came forward to defy the four hundred and fifty priests of the false god.

3-21-04 Title: Elijah’s Speech to the Undecided Text: "How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; if Baal, then follow him."—1 Kings 18:21. IT WAS A DAY to be remembered, when the multitudes of Israel were assembled at the foot of Mount Carmel, and when the lone ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Defending The Faith Sermon V: Embrace The Distinctiveness Of Christ As King Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on May 6, 2020

In times of upheaval, as the Christian Faith is attacked by unbelievers and scoffers, we Christians must separate ourselves from those that deny and defy the Lord God but we wholeheartedly embrace Christ as King and Lord.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE . . . CHRISTIANS EMBRACE THE DISTINCTIVENESS OF CHRIST AS KING Statistically, what’s true of Christianity worldwide is not true of Christianity in the USA. It is without a doubt true that our nation is like the rest of the world in that all have sinned ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 44:6-11, John 14:5-7

The Church - A Place Of Refuge

Contributed by Stephen Acheson on Mar 27, 2001

We live in a world where physical and emotional abuse is the norm. Where can we go that’s safe? I would propose to you that the church should be just such a place.

INTRODUCTION: ILL. Grocery store - Rachael climbing on cart - fell bruised arm and leg real bad - store personal almost panicked - offered to pay for doctor visit - insurance company offered to give us money to sign a release form saying we wouldn’t sue them - later got pictures developed showing ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:4-5, Numbers 35:11-15

Denomination: Church Of God

Relating To Jesus Outside Religion Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 22, 2008

Helping ourselves and others relate to Jesus not as one who started a new religion… nor who can be known merely through religious tradition… but who defies religious confines… and who seeks relationship.

Intro – One of the more interesting dynamics in my own process of having ‘holy conversation’ is when someone asks what I do. When they discover I’m a pastor… I’ve seen all sorts of things go off. Discomfort with their behavior, discomfort with what they then expect from me, or even just ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Picky Picky Belief Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Apr 14, 2006

The religious leaders were selective about which laws to follow and which ones to ignore or defy. We are too. The point of this is to expose our own double-standards and lead us to show mercy to others.

John 19:31-37 – Picky Picky Belief Tonight, in our last message of The Life of Jesus before Resurrection Day, I’d like to point out an interesting characteristic about the religious leaders that really bears hearing. Just to let you know: likely something I say tonight might make you angry. ...read more

Scripture: John 19:31-37

Denomination: Baptist

Divine Helpers In Times Of Crisis Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 10, 2025

Life is filled with moments of crisis—challenges that seem insurmountable, situations that defy human wisdom, and battles that are beyond our strength. In such times, divine helpers play a crucial role in providing support, guidance, and solutions.

DIVINE HELPERS IN TIMES OF CRISIS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Daniel 2:17-19 "Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:17-19

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Cut Above---Reaching For A Higher Plane

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 10, 2006

We cannot afford to accept status quo as a norm. Those people that say it cannot be done will watch others pass them doing God’s work. Let us find MORE!

A CUT ABOVE --- REACHING FOR A HIGHER PLANE... Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. WHAT IS STATUS QUO? A. Existing state of affairs. Are we happy staying the same old way? B. WHAT IS THE NORM FOR US? AN AUTHORITATIVE STANDARD. A MODEL. Binding guide to control or regulate acceptable ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:4-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Drive Your Mother Crazy

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 3, 2009

Know your own self, do what is right whether you like it or not, and go beyond the norm. It will drive your mother crazy and will call from your Father, "Well done".

Our relationship with our mothers is at once the most wonderful and yet the most difficult of all our relationships. We love them deeply, and we get so upset with them we almost hate them. Few of us are neutral about our mothers; we hold them close and then push them away forcefully. We get ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

#19 Understanding Love: The Role Of A Map

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 13, 2016

This is part #19 understanding love: THE ROLE OF A MAP... LOVE UNDERSTANDS THAT CHAMPIONS ARE MADE FROM SOMETHING DEEP iNSIDE OF THEM, A DESIRE BEYOND ACCEPTING THE NORM, AN UNDYING DREAM, AND A CLEAR VISION.

#19 UNDERSTANDING LOVE: THE ROLE OF A MAP... EVERYTHING BEGINS WITH A PLAN AND PURPOSE... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Discuss how a map or directions can help individuals? TEXT: Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Drop It All!

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 24, 2024

In recent years, one of the biggest dangers to the church is that what was considered normal Christianity is now considered abnormal and what was not even considered Christianity at all is now become the norm and hub of our faith.

Opening illustration: Show video “Leave: Follow.” Introduction: This is dizzying. If we read these verses honestly and thoughtfully, they really do take our breath away. And so I’m left at the end of these five short verses asking myself: “What just happened?” I don’t know about you, but it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational