Sermons on Defying Norms:

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

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

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

Stopping The Hurt Through Forgiveness

Contributed by David Scudder on Dec 15, 2008

We live in a world that is hurting deeply. Relationships go sour, anger becomes the norm, and many live in a constant state of frustration. How can we live in a broken world and still have peace?

Purpose: To show why forgiving others is important. Aim: I want the listener to know how to forgive others and then do it. INTRODUCTION: We live in a world that is hurting deeply. Relationships go sour, anger becomes the norm, and many live in a constant state of frustration. Jesus, on the other ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Of Signs And Wonders Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 10, 2025

The God we serve is not a God of emptiness or silence—He is the God of signs and wonders. From the beginning of Scripture to the end, we see that God consistently reveals Himself through supernatural acts that defy human explanation.

GOD OF SIGNS AND WONDERS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 8:18 Supporting Texts: Mark 16:17-18, Acts 2:22, Exodus 7:3, John 4:48 INTRODUCTION: The God we serve is not a God of emptiness or silence—He is the God of signs and wonders. From the beginning of Scripture to the end, we see ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 8:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Power Of Doubt

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Jan 30, 2010

My life will on occasion have an orbit like Mercury that for a time simply defies my best efforts to explain it. Nonetheless as surely as there is order in the universe, there is a heavenly reason for my circumstances utterly consistent with God's Word an

Matthew 28:16&17 The power of doubt Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. In Albert Einstein's early days, physicists had scratched their heads for some 50 years over the unexplainable ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bringing America Back To God

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 17, 2009

The parallels of America and Israel are staggering - both denied the Lord, defied the law, and defiled the land. Is God about to judge us like He did them? Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Bringing America Back to God Judges 1-2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BringingAmericaBack.html This book records the history of the nation of Israel for 305 years after the death of Joshua. Israel declined, backslid, and got away from God. And in this new study we will see many frightening ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Triumph Of Faith Over Reason

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 17, 2003

Human sensibility and common sense will only take a person so far. The best logic will not help a person get into heaven. Abraham is an outstanding example of man whose faith defied all human reasoning through many crises.

Why Abraham’s Faith Was Superior to Human Reasoning (Rom. 4:10-12) Illustration:The more we know of God, the more unreservedly we will trust him; the greater our progress in theology, the simpler and more childlike will be our faith. J. G. Machen. 1. Why do you suppose that Abraham’s faith ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let Mercy Prevail

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 15, 2025

Mercy is the voice of God that speaks when every other voice has gone silent. It breaks protocols, defies logic, and releases divine help to those who need it most—even when they don’t deserve it.

LET MERCY PREVAIL By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: John 5:1–9 Supporting Texts: Matthew 9:36; Luke 7:11–15; Mark 1:40–42; Romans 9:15–16; Hebrews 4:16 INTRODUCTION: There are moments in life when our efforts, prayers, and even faith seem insufficient. At such times, what sustains and lifts us ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Kingdom Way – Grace Over Fairness. Matthew 20 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Aug 9, 2025

MATTHEW 20: GRACE, GREATNESS and THE GOD WHO SEES. GOD’s kingdom operates on grace, not human merit. GOD’s grace defies human fairness, greatness is measured by servanthood, and spiritual sight is found in recognizing JESUS.

2025.08.10. Sermon Notes. THE KINGDOM WAY – GRACE OVER FAIRNESS. Matthew 20. GRACE, GREATNESS and THE GOD WHO SEES. William Akehurst, HSWC SCRIPTURES: Matthew 20:1-34, Romans 9:15-16, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Revelation 22:17, Matthew 7:21-23, John 15:16, James 4:6, Ephesians 4:1 BIG ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-34, Romans 9:15-16, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Revelation 22:17, Matthew 7:21-23, John 15:16, James 4:6, Ephesians 4:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Approaches To The Preacher/Religion

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 10, 2008

Let us study two approachers to the man of God and true religion. SAUL:Denial, deceit, situation ethics, lying can be a norm? DAVID: The heart of GOD, accept the message and repent. Psalms 51 is a masterpiece of repentance.

TWO APPROACHES TO RELIGION AND THE PREACHER... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I did this in one lesson, but you have to move very quickly. It would be easy to do as two parts. We seem to love and call for victory by doing the quick and easy in our society. This attitude spills ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Intimate Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 28, 2023

As we continue to reflect on what it means to be a biblical community, we've seen so far that we are united and the there are norms of that community. In this sermon, we'll reflect on the intimacy or nearness that we experience as a church.

? Possible Intro: ? The pandemic and our nation’s value of rugged individualism have wreaked havoc in our lives - more than we realize. ?I was listening to a podcast this week that contained a conversation between Russel Moore and Sam Alberry. Both are believers and apologists. Both attend ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3, Romans 5:5

Denomination: Baptist

Unlocking The Mystery Of Honor (Inspired By A Blog From Rabbi Curt Landry)

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on May 20, 2015

Honor can be mystery, shrouded in questions, defying a definite definition . . .HOW DO YOU DEFINE “HONOR”? 1 Tonight, honor will mean that you have a good name, outward respect of others, and that you walk in integrity.

Unlocking the Mystery of Honor (Inspired by a Blog from Rabbi Curt Landry) 4.29.2015 CFBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A Honor can be mystery, shrouded in questions, defying a definite definition . . .HOW DO YOU DEFINE “HONOR”? 1 Tonight, honor will ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: Baptist

Apostasy Of The Christian Heart

Contributed by Stan Lobin on Oct 26, 2022

An examination of the Jesus parable of the prayers of the Pharisee and the tax collector and Christians who respond look and react to our others harshly with gossip and other negative that defy God's commandment to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Apostasy of the Christian Heart When we become Christians, the Bible tells us that we receive Christ into our hearts. I believe that means that a Christian should possess a Christ-like heart; a heart that desires to please God and a desire to be obedient to God’s commandments and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18, Luke 18:9-14, Jeremiah 14:7, 1 John 4:20

O, Barren Bring Forth Life!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 18, 2006

If you know your Bible, several barren women brought forth life that helped change their world and the church. We can not accept the norm of being barren in the church, let us bring forth new life. THERE IS HOPE!

O, BARREN BRING FORTH LIFE! WHEN THE BARREN GIVES LIFE By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com If you do this lesson as one sermon you have to move very quickly, from point to point, or do as a two part. Introduction: There are degrees of fruit bearing. (John 15) 1. No fruit 2. Fruit ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God