Sermons on Familiarity:

Faith And The Furnace

Contributed by Guy Glass on Aug 20, 2004

This account, recorded in Daniel, is one of the great Christian “bed time” stories we enjoy telling our kids. This familiarity with the account is both a positive and a negative. Positive in the sense that it is good to get down the biblical stories whi

Faith and The Furnace God’s Protection in times of Difficult Choice Daniel 3 INTRODUCTION: This account, recorded in Daniel, is one of the great Christian “bed time” stories we enjoy telling our kids. This familiarity with the account is both a positive and a negative. Positive in the sense that ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Prodigal Son

Contributed by Rick Kallstrom on Jan 27, 2003

This is a story of a son’s repentance and a father’s great love and forgiveness. I hope that in hearing this familiar scripture that your hearts will, once again, be filled with the type of joy and happiness that only God can provide.

This morning God has laid it on my heart to deliver a message from the gospel according to Luke. This is a parable that you have likely heard many times before, and surely will again. It is a story of a son’s repentance and a father’s great love and forgiveness. I hope that in hearing this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Weighed In The Balances

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 21, 2013

"You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting..." It's such a familiar phrase, even Johnny Cash turned it into a hit, but what does it mean for us as Christians today? In these lesson we'll explore that and much more.

It must have been a sight to behold; a hand that appeared out of nowhere, writing an unknown message, “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin.” The very sight of the hand writing on the wall caused King Belshazzar to be overcome with fright. What was the meaning of the message? That King Belshazzar ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-31

Denomination: *other

What Are You Looking For? A Miracle? Series

Contributed by Jay Winters on Dec 24, 2007

This is the last in a series of Isaiah sermons in Advent all starting with the same question - "What are you looking for?" In this one, we consider the background story of the familiar passage found in Isaiah 7 and the sin of overwhelming "modesty" in bel

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three In One who is Emmanuel. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Lord spoke to Ahaz – “Ask a sign of the Lord your God, let it be as deep as Sheol or as high as the heavens.” It sounds like something that we would ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16

Denomination: Lutheran

The Message Of The Angels

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 15, 2013

We are familiar with the words of the message of the angels to the shepherds read in church services or recited by children in Christmas programs. But how many of us have ever thought about the depth and riches of truth revealed in the angels’ message?

The Message of the Angels Luke 2:8-14 Every Christmas season we hear the familiar words of the message of the angels to the shepherds read in church services or recited by children in Christmas programs. But how many of us have ever thought about the depth and riches of truth revealed in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Call To Faithfulness Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Knowing the end of his life is near, Jesus needs to remake His disciples’ understanding of what their responsibilities are as they await His return. And so Jesus tells them a story that had a familiar ring: The Good Samaritan

The Call to Faithfulness Luke 19:11-27 In Luke 19, it is late winter and Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem for His last Passover and the last week of His earthly life. He has just arrived in Jericho, the lowest city on the face of the earth which is 1000 feet below sea level. That makes Jericho ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Methodist

Paul's Sermon At Athens: Culture And Common Ground

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jun 8, 2021

Paul's sermon before the men of Athens began with a topic familiar to all of them. It was the common bond of religious belief and practice in their respective cultures. Jesus demonstrated it throughout the Gospels. It is a biblical pattern for effective evangelism.

It has been over forty years since I traveled to India on vacation, away from the business of the McDermott Fabrication Yard in Dubai where I worked as an oil rig sandblaster and painter. I moved there in early 1980 to live with my dad and to grow in maturity of character. I learned the value of ...read more

Scripture: John 4:6-26, Acts 17:22-23, Luke 14:23, James 5:20, Jude 1:23, 1 Corinthians 9:19-20, Proverbs 11:30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Cliffs Note Christmas Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Sep 27, 2023

When we think about the Christmas account, people who are familiar with it like us, think about bright stars, angel choirs, filled hotels, stables, sleeping and startled shepherds, and wise men looking into the sky.

When we think about the Christmas account, people who are familiar with it like us, think about bright stars, angel choirs, filled hotels, stables, sleeping and startled shepherds, and wise men looking into the sky. That is how we think about the story. Details. Details. Details. However, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Prayer And Revival

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Oct 29, 2023

This verse is often quoted in connection with various prayer campaigns, like National Day of Prayer and other times when we are called to seasons of prayer. We are familiar with this verse, but now let’s look at the background of this verse.

We know that prayer is the Christians vital breath of life. How is your prayer life? How long has it been since you really dwelt in the presence of God? It can be convicting to come to the realization we have drifted, and our prayer life is not what it once was. What can we do about it? The answer ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons About Jesus From A Priest Named Mel Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Nov 8, 2023

Melchizedek.... Hebrew kids heard about him all the time. His story was familiar but what does this old priest tell us about the greater Priest; Jesus. He's got a lot to say.

The Bible is by far the most unique and amazing books on planet earth. I especially love the Old Testament stories. As a child I remember my mother reading me the Old Testament Bible Stories at night at bedtime. As a boy, I was mesmerized by the stories and still are to this day. My favorite ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Then God Said

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Nov 15, 2023

Did you read something new in Gods Word this past week? Something familiar with new eyes? Did the Holy Spirit convict you to open your bible and allow God’s Word to speak to you?

Today our key passage is found in Romans 4:17. The purpose of the message today is to remind us that God is not shackled by circumstances or natural barriers. Quick back story as you get to Romans 4:17 • Apparently, Paul had finished his work in the east, and planned to visit Rome on his way to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:17

Christ Crucified — The Heart Of Our Worship

Contributed by Ronald Moore on Mar 21, 2025

When St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he was addressing a church in the middle of a bustling, worldly city — a place full of ideas, arguments, opinions, and ambitions. Sound familiar? And yet Paul doesn’t try to impress them.

When St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he was addressing a church in the middle of a bustling, worldly city — a place full of ideas, arguments, opinions, and ambitions. Sound familiar? And yet Paul doesn’t try to impress them. He doesn’t appeal to clever arguments or dazzling oratory. Instead, he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:2

Denomination: Anglican

(Resurrection) Life Is Full Of Surprises

Contributed by Michael Pahls on May 19, 2001

Peter’s explanation of the events leading to the conversion of Cornelius (a Roman soldier and Gentile) bears witness to the surprising and yet familiar ways of God and points us to the new possibilities for surprise that the Resurrection message opens in in our lives.

Fifth Sunday of Easter - Year C May 13, 2001 Acts 11:1-18 1st CENTURY PALESTINE: A WORLD WITHOUT SURPRISES This passage is all about the surprising works of God but to get the surprise you must have the back story. Hang in there, the payoff in this passage for your life is worth the extended ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Core Becoming A Maritha Series

Contributed by Terry Jones on Feb 7, 2009

As Pastor Terry Continues teaching on becoming a CORE believer, he brings balance to a familiar text of two sisters? Was Mary’s approach a better one? And what exactly is a Maritha? Find out what it is and how to become one.

People joke with me about making up new words all the time. Here’s a new one for you, “Maritha” it’s akin to “Marthary” Text: Luke 10:38-42 • How many times have you heard this story before? • How often does the presentation of the story shed some negative light on the older sister ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting Closer To Our Divine Father Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 25, 2006

It would seem natural that we would long to be close to God, our heavenly father…for every child wants to know the security of being close to their parents: …the familiarity of their faces, the security of their strength, the assurance of their words. T

It would seem natural that we would long to be close to God, our heavenly father…for every child wants to know the security of being close to their parents: …the familiarity of their faces, the security of their strength, the assurance of their words. This is a good model for our relationship with ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational