Sermons on External:

Trials And Temptations

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

God tested the Israelites in the desert to know what was in their hearts, and tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice Isaac. God allows external hardships or difficult situations produce good qualities in us.

Opening illustration: Illustrate the difference between Temptation and Trial. Introduction: In the New Testament, the same Greek word (peirazo) is used for trial, test, and temptation. The basic meaning of peirazo is to test something to determine its response, value, or character. When peirazo is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Growing In Grace

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Jun 29, 2024

There are so many ways that we can try to strengthen ourselves. The writer of Hebrews charges us to allow our hearts to be strengthened by grace. Growing in grace is learning to turn to the Lord in trying times over any other external source of strength.

Growing in Grace Hebrews 13:9 says, “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.” (NKJV) Growing in grace is about allowing our hearts to be ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:9, Ephesians 2:9, Hebrews 10:22, Hebrews 4:16, 1 Peter 5:10, John 16:33, Isaiah 36:6  (view more)  (view less)

Threats From Without - Dangers From Within Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 18, 2005

Do you fear external forces will harm you? You are not alone, but you also don’t need to fear in Jesus. But - perhaps you are not aware of an internal danger that the enemy seeks to use against you.

What do you fear? One website lists the top ten fears among humans: 1-Fear of spiders, 2-Fear of people, 3-Fear of flying, 4-Fear of open spaces, 5-Claustrophobia, 6-Fear of vomiting, 7-Fear of heights, 8-Fear of cancer, 9-Fear of thunder & lightning, 10-Fear of death. The top five fears that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-17

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Dunamis Power

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Nov 3, 2012

The power of the Holy Spirit is dynamite power. This is not an external possession that may be bought or sold but a living and abiding presence within every Spirit-filled believer. There is no reason for Holy Spirit-filled dunamis empowered children o

DUNAMIS POWER Jesus told His disciples they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. - Acts 1:8 What kind ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Acts 1:8-15

Denomination: Charismatic

Give Us A King Series

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Sep 5, 2016

When it comes to the principle of choices, men are always impressed by what they see, but not God. He looks at the heart. The people of Israel selected a king based on the externals - but God was looking at the heart when he selected David.

Series: David - A Man After God’s Own Heart (An Intro: Give Us A King – The People’s Choice V/S God’s Choice) 1. 1 Samuel 16:1-14 16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-14

Denomination: Charismatic

Circumcision Of The Heart

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jul 26, 2021

It is not that belonging to the visible community of God’s people is unimportant. It is. But salvation is not won by any external associations. When we depend on such things, we become less than what God wants us to be.

Alba 7-25-2021 CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART Romans 2:25-29 There is that old saying, “Do as I say, not as I do.” That doesn’t really work does it? Lately we have had some politicians live by that motto. They gave various restrictions for their communities, but didn't live by them, themselves. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:25-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Virtuous Woman

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 7, 2025

Proverbs 31 offers a timeless portrait of the virtuous woman, a model of wisdom, strength, and grace. This woman is not defined by external beauty or worldly achievements, but by her fear of the Lord and her unwavering commitment to her family and community.

THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Proverbs 31:10 (KJV) "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." Supporting Texts: 1 Peter 3:3-4, Titus 2:3-5, Ephesians 5:33, Proverbs 12:4, Matthew 6:33 INTRODUCTION: Proverbs 31 offers a timeless portrait ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10, 1 Peter 3:3-4, Titus 2:3-5, Ephesians 5:33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When God Is Your Glory Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 20, 2008

What a glorious God of splendor we serve! The city which God establishes will not be darkened by human failure or natural inadequacy. The presence of God in Zion will create external & internal light. God’s splendor will be seen & experienced.

ISAIAH 60:19-22 WHEN GOD IS YOUR GLORY [Revelation 21:23-24; 22:5] What a glorious God of splendor we serve! The city which God establishes will not be darkened by human failure or natural inadequacy. The presence of God in Zion will ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

Picture Of Abuse

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Oct 9, 2012

Satan continues, once again, resorting to external methods to stop the church’s growth. The experience of Peter and John gives a clear picture of persecution. Wherever and whenever these things take place among believers, there will be persecution of on

The early church was doing well. However, last time (Acts 5:1-11) we saw the introduction and the punishment of hypocrisy as it entered the church for the first time. We saw that it was Satan’s way of trying to stop the growth of the church. Well Satan continues in tonight’s passage ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-25

Denomination: Baptist

Where Are The Nine? Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 26, 2012

Those lives that day sought & received external physical change for that was all they were after. Being satisfied they went on their way. Those that did missed out on the greatest blessing Jesus offers to the one who returns to Him.

LUKE 17: 11-19 WHERE ARE THE NINE? [2 Kings 5:10-15 / Psalm 103] Some people are too quickly satisfied with Jesus’ blessings, others are never satisfied with Jesus’ blessings. These extreme types remind me of two stories. A food editor of the local newspaper received a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19, Luke 15:11-19, Luke 17:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On Accountability & Responsibility

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 28, 2023

One of the many definitions of accountability includes owning up to the positive and negative consequences of our individual choices in life and the subsequent behavioral trait that undoubtedly follows, rather than attributing the cause to external factors or somebody else.

Christopher Norio Avery, an American public policy scholar and writer once remarked: “Taking responsibility – practicing 100 percent responsibility every day – is about seeing ourselves not as right or wrong, but as an agent, chooser, problem solver, and learner in the complex interrelationships of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:13, Jeremiah 17:10, Colossians 3:23, 1 Corinthians 3:8

Abandon Yourself Entirely To God: Examining The Concept Of Surrendering To God's Will Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Feb 24, 2024

It’s not enough to simply call Jesus Lord, we really have to abandon ourselves to Him, deny ourselves, deny our old pattern of life, and embrace the new pattern of carrying our cross with Jesus. Otherwise there’s no hope. We have to give it all over!

Abandon yourself to God. What does it mean exactly? When we become a follower of Jesus, we are renouncing, or throwing off our old ways of life. And we’re choosing a new way of life. A life which is now fundamentally under the command and control of God Almighty. We abandon ourselves to God. We ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 46:10, 1 Peter 5:5-7, Luke 9:23-24, Matthew 7:1, Isaiah 49:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

God's Humble Servants Honored Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 2, 2009

God has had enough of people who do not listen to His word & despise those who do. God will one day judge those who are depending on externals to establish their relationship with Him, who delight in their way instead of the Lord’s way.

ISAIAH 66: 1-6 GOD’S HUMBLE SERVANTS HONORED As the climax to the book, this chapter describes the Lord fulfilling some of the promises He has made. The Lord had promise to distinguish between His true people and those who honor Him with their lips but whose hearts are far from Him (especially ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 66:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

As Long As I Am In This Tabernacle

Contributed by Herman E. Wesley Iii on Sep 12, 2010

When the Apostle Peter penned his first letter, his aim was to comfort and encourage believers in the midst of suffering and persecution---Something that was happening externally. Three years later, in this letter containing his last words, he writes to

Evangelist Herman E. Wesley III AS LONG AS I AM IN THIS TABERNACLE II Peter 1:12-15 Prepared for Delivery at Southwestern Christian College Annual Southwestern Lectureship / Graham-Kennedy-Farmer Auditorium Tuesday, November 24, 1998 • 7:45 p.m. / Keynote Address THE TEXT "Wherefore I will not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:12-13

Dying To Self

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Jan 25, 2008

Growing in intimacy with God is more than external works of prayer or love, it is dying to our agendas, fleshly desires and ego’s. Today we will look at how dying to oneself opens the door to a new life of intimacy with God.

“Dying To Self” Romans 6:4 01/27/2008 by Dcn. Chris Nerreau READ PASSAGE “Dying To Self” INTRODUCTION: May the words of my lips and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in thy sight, giving praise, glory and honor to Your name our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen! Have you ever asked ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:4, Romans 6:4-6

Denomination: Orthodox