Sermons on Extra Ordinary:

The Calling Of The Twelve Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on May 10, 2017

Jesus called twelve men to serve as disciples. These men came from different backgrounds, varied occupations, and unique personalities. Jesus used ordinary men in extraordinary ways. That should challenge and encourage every believer.

The Calling of the Twelve Mark 3: 13-21 Surely you would agree that our study thus far has revealed a very busy, and often difficult time for Jesus. His ministry had gained momentum and immense popularity among the common people. Everywhere Jesus went, He was met with large crowds of people, all ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon Asks For Signs Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 20, 2018

Gideon doubted God’s promise. Did God really want him to lead God’s army? What did he know about warfare? After all he was only an ordinary farmer.

Chapter 18.2.d: Gideon Asks for Signs Judges 6:37-40 Scripture 37 Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. 38 And it was so: for ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:37-40

Denomination: Baptist

Giving Thanks As We Grow Olddr Sermon I: Jesus Gave Thanks Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Sep 27, 2019

By giving thanks, Jesus made a custom that seemed so ordinary sacred . . . by lifting the level of its meaning beyond the material to the spiritual. Our Lord was aware, as we should be, of Who our Provider is.

JESUS GAVE THANKS – John 6:1-15 Somewhere I read about a woman who boarded a bus and could not find a seat? Every seat was taken. She was tired and carried several packages. Noticing her plight, a gentleman stood up and ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15

You Have The Honor Of Communing With The Architect Of Reality

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 26, 2021

It's quite astonishing to me that I have the ability to commune regularly with the architect of time, space, matter, energy, and consciousness. Dare I treat it as ordinary? Dare I allow it to become mundane?

It's quite astonishing to me that I have the ability to commune regularly with the architect of time, space, matter, energy, and consciousness. Dare I treat it as ordinary? Dare I allow it to become mundane? Though I am only human, I can perceive at least some of this wonder. Can't I? ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Mystery Of (Un)answered Prayer

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 23, 2021

Two stories from Mark 7 illustrate the mystery of answered prayer: God adapts his glorious plan to the requests of ordinary people, even when granting the requests is greater than people can imagine.

THE MYSTERY OF (UN)ANSWERED PRAYER—Mark 7:24-37 Many people have had the experience of praying—passionately, even desperately—and not receiving the answer they were seeking. That can be confusing, even troubling, and we naturally ask, “Why?” Was God not listening? Is he not able to do what we ask? ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37, Matthew 15:21-28, Isaiah 35:5-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

All We Need Is Love. Oh, Really?

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Jul 29, 2008

Did you ever heard or thought that doctrines are not so important? All we need is Jesus… We don’t need that extra stuff. As Christians, how many doctrines we got so far? Muslims got 5. 1.Allah Akbar – Allah is one. 2.Mohamed is his prophet

Did you ever heard or thought that doctrines are not so important? All we need is Jesus… We don’t need that extra stuff. As Christians, how many doctrines we got so far? Muslims got 5. 1. Allah Akbar – Allah is one. 2. Mohamed is his prophet. 3. Give to the poor. 4. Fast at the end of Ramadan. ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

From Chinese Whispers To A Whisper That A Different Way Might Be Possible

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Sep 14, 2024

From the fire that burnt down Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to riots that spread across the Uk in the summer of 2024 as a result of a false rumour to the cruel words that echo around inside us and cause so much damage - and then a different way forwards.....

This sermon was preached on 15th Septemeber 2024 - first in the morning at St Barnabas Church Northolt and then in the evening at All saints Church High Wycombe at their "Led by the Spirit" service. It is on the James 3 reading taken from the lectionary for 24th sunday in ordinary time ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12, Luke 1:27, Acts 2:41-47, Romans 12:7, Mark 8:27-38, Isaiah 50:4-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Spirit Empowered Goodness, Knowledge And Competence

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 1, 2003

Through the grace given by the Holy Spirit, ordinary people become extraordinarily equipped. Through the empowering of the Spirit, the word of God equips us to enrich, edify and equip people to serve the Lord with effectiveness according to the gifts give

Romans 15:14-16 What are the reasons certain believers lack goodness, knowledge, and competence to serve? Illustration: The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa -- the city of his birth -- but only on condition that the instrument never be played upon. It was ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Knee Deep In Sheep

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 10, 2005

For Advent III, preached at First Baptist of Gaithersburg, MD. "We may be knee deep in sheep, but let this keep you as you sleep, it is joy we reap". God in Christ transforms the ordinariness of everyday, humdrum life.

We may be knee deep in sheep, but let this keep you as you sleep – it is joy we shall reap. Did you get all that? Too many rhyming words? Ah, but every one of them is important. Listen again: we may be knee deep in sheep, but let this keep you as you sleep – it is joy we shall reap. Now you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Simon's Wonderful Scary Walk Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Jun 20, 2005

3rd of 7 about Simon’s transformation into Peter. From ordinary to extraordinary. How Simon the fisherman became Peter the rock. It began with amazement and then became obedience - which is just the beginning of faity. Only the beginning.

We’ve been talking about Simon’s transformation into Peter. From ordinary to extraordinary. How Simon the fisherman became Peter the rock. It began with amazement and then became obedience - which is just the beginning of faity. Only the beginning. Many people misunderstood what faith is. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:25-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Deep Wells And Missing Water Pots

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Apr 23, 2007

Jesus knows how to get our attention through ordinary things in order to make spiritual truths come alive to us. Jesus is willing to cross all barriers in order to help us to come to spiritual understanding.

April, 2007 Deep Wells and Missing Water Pots John 4:1-15 INTRODUCTION: The woman at the well was a little sarcastic with Jesus. You might say she seemed like a person with a “chip on her shoulder.” Why would He even speak to her let alone ask her for a drink? She was a despised Samaritan, a ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-15

Denomination: Methodist

The Apprentice #1: Andrew Series

Contributed by Gregg Svalstad on Nov 3, 2004

This is the first in a series of sermons on the disciples using Donald Trump’s "Apprentice" series in contrast to Jesus’ approach of selection. This message focuses on Andrew and that God chooses very ordinary people like us. (Drama also available)

Last season’s new TV reality show “The Apprentice” centering around Donald Trump was a big hit. The 58 year old Trump commands an empire of over 100 companies, billions of dollars, and some of the most illustrious buildings in the world. The newest addition to the Trump kingdom is a massive ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah - Character Development Series

Contributed by Mike Hullah on Oct 23, 2007

For a believer to have authority they need to be people of character. Elijah was an ordinary man like us fashioned into an extraordinary man by God. This sermon covers the basis of Elijah’s contrasting character in the days he lived an example to us.

THE ELIJAH CHURCH CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 1 Kings 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” James 5:17-18 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Easter Story

Contributed by Scott Nichols on Jul 18, 2014

The original ending of Mark's Gospel a first glance seems to inspire little hope; but a closer look reveals how the Risen Lord meets us in the ordinary circumstances of life and invites us to finish the story of His resurrection.

The little boy was not exactly happy about going to church on Easter Sunday morning. His new shoes were to tight, his tie pinched his neck and the weather outside was just too beautiful to be cooped up inside...so as he sulked in the pew his parents heard him mutter to no one in particular. "I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

City Of Man - City Of God

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Aug 1, 2009

Ordinary Proper 13 - Just as Augustine writes about the perils of the journey on the way to the City of God - the Israelites also took their eyes off the prize. But God accompanied them and fed them - just as He does for us.

Augustine of Hippo – or simply, St. Augustine – is one of the great thinkers with which the Church has been blessed. His influence on Christian thought has been profound. Since Martin Luther was first an Augustinian monk – St. Augustine’s influence even touches us today as 21st century ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:2-15

Denomination: Lutheran