Sermons on familiarity:

Where Does God Fit In? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 12, 2020

We're all familiar with the story of Mary and Joseph and the baby in the manger... but where does God fit into the story?

A Sunday School teacher had her students put a manger scene in a corner of her classroom. It was the Christmas season, and her pupils were excited as they set up the model barn and covered the floor with real straw and then arranged the clay figures of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Wise Men, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-45

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

He Came To Seek & Save The Lost Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Apr 14, 2005

In these very familiar stories we will be reminded of some incredible truths about who we are to God. (I Am Jesus 7)

He Came To Seek & Save The Lost I Am Jesus – part 7 1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4So he ran ahead ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32, Luke 15:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let Go And Grow

Contributed by Mike Hays on Feb 13, 2001

God is calling us to let go of all that is familiar and comfortable so that we can grow and mature in our walk with the Lord.

"Let Go and Grow!" Hebrews 6:1-3 Simeon woke up early and while it was still dark. He made his way to his favorite place of prayer and knelt before the King of Glory to give thanks for a new day. Simeon prayed for the peace of YHWH to surround Jerusalem and for the LORD to send His Messiah to His ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Keeping It Fresh Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Mar 15, 2006

Can the awesome presence of Jesus become too familiar? Looking to Jesus and carrying our own agenda produces problems with vision.

Read or quote Mark 8. We are half way through Mark’s gospel today. What does Mark do for you and I as readers? Just think of the way we get to be in on all this action in Jesus’ life and ministry. We are allowed to overhear Jesus’ public and private conversations and observe the reactions of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:1-56

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Is The Great Planner

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on Jan 1, 2006

God is not only a Healer, Savior, King, Creator, Protector, Comforter, and other positions we are familiar with Him but He is also a Planner!

Jeremiah 29:11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future and a hope. The verse shows that God is not only a Healer, Savior, King, Creator, Protector, Comforter, and other positions we are familiar with Him but He is ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Baptist

Hall Of Fame # 11 - The Nethinims Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Feb 14, 2008

"Nethinims" is a strange word. It is not a word we are familiar with today. But it is part of God’s inspired word so it deserves our attention.

INTRODUCTION Who were the Nethinims? They were servants of the Levites. Their work was humble but important. There are some great truths to be learned from the Nethinims. They were: 1. LIBERATED Ezra 7:24 "Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 2:43-54

Unhappy Endings

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jul 19, 2008

To bring new life to a familiar text I used several alternate endings and discussed how they would have changed the story

Unhappy Endings Luke 15:11-23 It is often hard to preach on familiar passages. Hard to make it fresh. Today’s passage is one of the most familiar of all. But we will give it a twist We are going to look at it from a different angle. (((READ story from bible))) Now we are going to play, What ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

Hometown - Pt. 1 - Cry . . . Baby! Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Apr 28, 2016

Hometown. Comfortable confines. Known streets. Familiar sights. Our people. Our mission field? Our challenge? Our assignment?

Hometown 
Pt. 1 - Cry . . . Baby! Introduction: 
Apathy. The word is defined as and literally means "without feeling". Little or no concern. From the Greek it perhaps carries the most revealing and what should be the most frightening definition for us today . . . Without passion! How ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-44

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hometown - Pt. 1 - Cry . . . Baby! Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Apr 28, 2016

Hometown. Comfortable confines. Known streets. Familiar sights. Our people. Our mission field? Our challenge? Our assignment?

Hometown 
Pt. 1 - Cry . . . Baby! Introduction: 
Apathy. The word is defined as and literally means "without feeling". Little or no concern. From the Greek it perhaps carries the most revealing and what should be the most frightening definition for us today . . . Without passion! How ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-44

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hometown - Pt. 2 - Loopholes! Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Apr 28, 2016

Hometown. Comfortable confines. Known streets. Familiar sights. Our people. Our mission field? Our challenge? Our assignment?

Hometown 
Pt. 2 - Loopholes Introduction
 Apathy. The word is defined as and literally means "without feeling". Little or no concern. From the Greek it perhaps carries the most revealing and what should be the most frightening definition for us today . . . Without passion! We have been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hometown - Pt. 3 - Playin' Keep Away Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on May 19, 2016

Hometown. Comfortable confines. Known streets. Familiar sights. Our people. Our mission field? Our challenge? Our assignment?

Hometown Pt. 3 - Playing Keep Away Introduction Apathy. It is the target of our attack. It is the epidemic of our day. We are swamped with the "I don't cares!" We don't want to be bothered or interrupted with concern. We walk through life avoiding involvement by using every excuse/loophole we can ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-48

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus Comes To Us

Contributed by Kimberly Belken on Aug 9, 2020

In the familiar story of Jesus walking on the water, we find good news in the fact that it is Jesus who is the key actor and Lord of all.

Psychologists tell us that when we are presented with an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening, we tend to behave in one of two ways—fight or flight. That means that we either tend to gird our loins (to use a Biblical phrase), stare down, and attack that which is scaring us OR we run ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Lutheran

The Song Of The Angels Series

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Dec 11, 2005

Hearing this very familiar Christmas story from a new perspective. What happens now after we’ve heard the angels sing?

THE SONGS OF CHRISTMAS: The Song of the Angels Luke 2: 8-20 1. Christmas is certainly the season for concerts and musicals! Here is just a very small sample of Christmas events taking place right now in the Seattle area: • The customary Nutcracker ballet. • A Christmas Carol at the ACT Theatre. A ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: United Methodist

John The Forerunner Of Jesus

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 5, 2009

There are gems in all familiar stories, and this too is one. We too like John are called to proclaim the graciousness of God - the Good News of the Kingdom

Luke 3:1-6: The Coming of the Lord’s forerunner THE TIN – Riches untold Story: In the late nineteenth Century in South Africa, an old man was digging for gold in a river bed. He had been at it for many years. Every now and then he found a little bit of gold, not enough to make him rich – but ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Anglican

The Greatest Story Ever Written

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Oct 14, 2008

Charles Dickens described the parable of the prodigal son as "the greatest story ever written". This sermon takes a fresh look at this familiar story.

1. THE SON’S REQUEST "Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me" (v.11) This was a shameful request. He was asking for his inheritance. Only the oldest son had the right to make this request. In effect, he was saying “I wish you were dead”. In Middle Eastern culture, such a son would ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24