Sermons on Grand Narrative:

Priority To God's Work

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Sep 22, 2025

After seventy years of exile, God's people returned to Jerusalem with grand plans. Yet sixteen years later, their own comfort overshadowed God's house, teaching us costly lessons about misplaced priorities.

PRIORITY TO GOD'S WORK Primary Text: Haggai 2:10-14; Haggai Chapters 1 and 2 INTRODUCTION: When God's House Lies in Ruins Picture this: You return home after 70 years away. Everything lies in ruins. This was reality for 45,000 Jews who returned from Babylonian captivity in 536 B.C. ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:10-14, Ezra 2:64-65, Ezra 3:11-13, Ezra 4:1-5, Haggai 1:4, Haggai 1:2, Haggai 1:1-11, Hebrews 3:15, 2 Corinthians 6:2, Proverbs 27:1, 1 Kings 7:3, Matthew 6:33, Haggai 1:5-7, Haggai 1:8, Haggai 1:5-11, Haggai 1:6, Haggai 1:9-11, Amos 3:6, Haggai 1:9, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Luke 12:15, Haggai 1:5, Haggai 1:7, Haggai 2:15, Haggai 2:18, Matthew 6:21, Colossians 3:2, Ephesians 5:16, Matthew 6:24, Lamentations 3:40, Revelation 2:5, Haggai 1:13, Haggai 2:10-19, Haggai 2:10-12, 1 Corinthians 5:6, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Matthew 26:41, Haggai 2:13, Haggai 2:14, Titus 3:5, Psalm 24:3-4, 1 Samuel 15:22, Hosea 6:6, Haggai 2:15-19, Haggai 2:19, 1 Corinthians 3:10, Matthew 16:26, John 4:24, Revelation 2:4, Isaiah 58:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

They Didn't Bow, Bind, Nor Burn

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Aug 28, 2003

Many critics attack this chapter because it contains the record of a miracle. Not one line in the narrative is myth or fiction. It is the pure truth because it is divinely inspired. But because many have trouble believing in miracles, they attack this cha

They did not bow, they did nor bend nor burn. CHAPTER 3. Many critics attack this chapter because it contains the record of a miracle. Not one line in the narrative is myth or fiction. It is the pure truth because it is divinely inspired. But because many have trouble believing in miracles, they ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Part Iv – Simeon – The Voice Of Faith Series

Contributed by Eric Peloquin on Dec 15, 2007

This is part four in a series looking at the characters in the Christmas narrative. In this case, Simeon is a man who has been promised by the Lord that he will live to see the Messiah and he eagerly waits for that day, knowing by faith it will come.

The Voices of Christmas Part IV Simeon – the Voice of Faith Over the last few weeks we have looked at some of the people who would unwittingly participate in the great drama that would surround the birth of our Lord. A drama that was written before the foundation of the world LUKE ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Story

Contributed by Greg Nance on Feb 9, 2008

Why is so much of God’s word narrative? Why did God chose story to instruct us and call us to Christ? There is power in a story. God’s story has the power to save us.

As we study through the gospel of Luke, or any of the gospels for that matter, we find God’s word communicating with us on a different level than direct instructions. God has chosen to use a wide range of literary genre as he inspired his Word to us. The gospels are more than historical stories ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Older Brother

Contributed by Matthew Stidham on Apr 25, 2008

Here’s a different look at the parable of the lost son from Luke 15. It’s a narrative sermon that focuses not as much on the lost son, but more on the rest of the story...the older brother’s reaction.

The Older Brother 2/24/2008 AM By Matt Stidham for the Whitewright Church of Christ I’d like to begin by telling you a story this morning. This story is a pretty common family story...while you’re listening to this story, some of you might be able to think of a family you know that could very ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Soul Walking

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Apr 19, 2017

Through the narrative of the Emmaus Walk, Luke summarizes His Gospel - 1. Jesus has Risen from the Dead ( Life is now different) 2. Jesus Is Here In Our Midst (through His Holy Spirit)

Scripture: Luke 24:13-39 Title: Soul Walking Proposition: Through the narrative of the Emmaus Walk, Luke summarizes His Gospel - 1. Jesus has Risen from the Dead ( Life is now different) 2. Jesus Is Here In Our Midst (through His Holy Spirit) INTRO: Grace and peace from God our Father ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35, Psalm 116:1-4, 1 Peter 1:17-23

Denomination: Nazarene

Church Buildings?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Aug 9, 2022

What lessons beside who is my neighbor can be found in the Woman at the Well narrative? Actually, quite a bit. This lesson is that Jesus was not in favor of a centralized building for worship. This restricted the LORD who was spirit and existed everywhere.

Church Buildings? John 4:7-42 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz New American Standard 1995 John 4:7 There *came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus *said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His adisciples had gone away into bthe city to buy food. 9 Therefore the aSamaritan woman *said to Him, “How is ...read more

Scripture: John 4:7-42

Denomination: United Methodist

Restoring God's Masterpiece Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 25, 2023

Sin marred and disfigured God's masterpiece. But the Bible is one long narrative of how God sought to restore that which was damaged. Has God completely restored His masterpiece now... or is that yet to happen?

OPEN: One of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings was called “The Last Supper.” It was painted on the wall of the Sistine Chapel, and Da Vinci was sure that the unique painting style he used would create a masterpiece that would last forever. It didn’t quite work out that way. The painting ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Royal Wedding

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Apr 30, 2011

It is estimated that over 2 billion (yes, billion!) tuned in to watch the wedding ceremony of William and Kate in England today (4/29/11). Adjectives like ‘tremendous, beautiful, spectacular’ do not capture the grand scope of pomp and circumstance displa

It is estimated that over 2 billion (yes, billion!) tuned in to watch the wedding ceremony of William and Kate in England today (4/29/11). Adjectives like ‘tremendous, beautiful, spectacular’ do not capture the grand scope of pomp and circumstance displayed in the chapel, the palace, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33

Denomination: Baptist

It’s Mother’s Day!!!

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on May 8, 2025

Today we are celebrating Mother’s Day. This is a very special day in this nation for some very special mothers. I would like to give honor where honor is due and that’s to all the Godly Mothers and Grand Mothers that are here today.

Today we honor our mothers in two ways: (1) SOME ARE HERE TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF THEIR MOTHER who has gone to be with the Lord. Some of you are wearing a white rose or carnation to show that she has gone to be with the Lord. (2) SOME ARE BLESSED HERE TO HONOR YOUR MOTHER WHO ARE STILL AMONG ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-29

Denomination: Baptist

Finishing Well

Contributed by Dana Visneskie on Nov 22, 2004

This was a Narrative sermon where I acted out as a citizen from the Kingdom of Judah. I give life lessons from two kings who were Amaziah and his son Uzziah, from the perspective of a citizen in that time.

Title: Finishing Well! Text: II Chron 25-26 Pray!!! (Playing the role of citizen under Uzziah’s leadership) Introduction: It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament, and I had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. I felt I was in pretty good shape. As I ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Part Ii - The Magi – The Voice Of Expectancy Series

Contributed by Eric Peloquin on Dec 15, 2007

This is part two in a series looking at the some of the characters in the Christmas narrative and what we can learn from them. In this message the Magi, these gentiles from the east speak to us of the expectancy we should have in our relationship with the

The Voices of Christmas Part II – The Magi – the Voice of Expectancy Sermon – Sunday, December 3rd 2006 The Magi are an interesting group. There is much we do not know about them, like how many of them came to worship Jesus. The Magi were a priestly class of astronomers from ancient Babylon. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Disillusioned Prophet Questions Jesus:matthew 11: 2-11/ Isaiah 35

Contributed by Wendy Gravolin on Dec 16, 2013

This is a sermon in a narrative storytelling style looking at John the Baptist's question to Jesus "Are you the one or are we to look for another? Dealing with the issue of our disillusionment when the way God works shocks or disappoints our expectations.

A disillusioned prophet questions Jesus On Friday night Steve and I attended a performance of Handel's Messiah at the Costa Hall. It was obvious that this was a well and truly practiced and polished performance. Each of the participants had obviously spent hours both alone and together preparing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Anglican

Three-Fold Woe Announced Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 22, 2017

Here we have one of the pauses in the narrative which the Revelation uses so effectively. Three fearful woes are to come upon the earth when the remaining three angels sound the last blasts on the trumpets; but for the moment there is a pause . . .

By: Tom Lowe Date: 4-27-2016 Series: Verse By Verse Through Revelation Title: Three-Fold Woe Announced (8:13) ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 8:13

Denomination: Baptist

"4 Elements Of The Birth Of Jesus We Can Believe"

Contributed by Brad King on Dec 1, 2020

A challenge with basing our lives upon philosophical naturalism is that the birth narrative is full of God's supernatural mighty work. So we have a decision to make. Is the birth of Jesus to be viewed only as any other?

Matthew 1:18-25 offers four elements about the birth of Jesus we can believe. 1. We can believe the birth of Jesus involves supernatural origins. 1:18 2. We can believe the birth of Jesus involves supernatural interventions. 1:19-20 3. We can believe the birth of Jesus involves supernatural ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist