Sermons on illusion:

"The Good Life"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 21, 2010

I think it’s safe to say that we are all searching for the "good life." Sadly it is very illusive. it may sound a bit too simple, but the answer is love God, other persons and follow Christ.

Acts 9:36-43 “The Good Life” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN Urgently, incessantly Jesus drew people to God. “Seek first the kingdom and righteousness of God,” He said. For this we were made. Nothing else satisfies the longing of our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:36-43

Denomination: United Methodist

Heaven Exists

Contributed by Dennis King on Sep 22, 2021

Yes, heaven exists but the description of the three (or more) levels of heaven are illusive. Also, do we have bodies there? Are we conscious? Do we have tactile feelings similar to what we experience now?

Heaven Exists Before we get into the existence of heaven, let's consider exactly when do we go? As with numerous Biblical topics, many churches, under Christianity's umbrella, have different beliefs on these topics. The following are my thoughts as reinforced by the specified verses from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:43, Genesis 1:14-18, Revelation 22:1-2, Hebrews 12:1-29

Denomination: Baptist

Ain’t Nobody Can Bless You Like Jesus Can!

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Oct 14, 2018

If Jesus has God’s approval so do you because of your association and relationship with His Amazing Son! Abundant life is not Illusive , it’s exclusive and your entitled to it every single moment of your life!

Ain’t Nobody can Bless you like Jesus Can! When you are willing to make Jesus a big part of your life, you can’t help but be Blessed. The longer you serve Him, the more you realize, how true the Word is and how faithful Jesus is to keep the Word and His Fathers Promises! Perspective is a funny ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:8-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is One Hope Series

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Apr 12, 2023

Hope is something as important to us as water is to a fish. But with our current social and economic concerns, hope often seems illusive. Our political and legal systems are allowing outrageous things to go on. Just look at the news of this past week.

Alba 4-9-2023 THERE IS ONE HOPE Ephesians 4:4 This morning's message is entitled “There Is One Hope” from Ephesians chapter four, verse four. Hope is something as important to us as water is to a fish. But with our current social and economic concerns, hope often seems illusive. Our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4, 1 Peter 1:3, Luke 24:3-9, Luke 24:19-21, Romans 5:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Can Define God Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2004

Third in a series on popular illusions. We try to limit God by turning to religion instead of relationship. The issue is in our own integrity. The world understands the power of God better than we do! The loss of our idols is fatal, but in Christ ther

She was obviously tired of discussing the issue. The wrangling had gone on long enough. Neither side was about to give in to the other. It was time for somebody to settle this matter. So she drew herself up to her full five feet two; she threw her shoulders back; and with that certain toss of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

I Can Change People Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2004

Third in a series on popular illusions. We think we can change others, but shaming them will not work. Nor will forcing them. Only a spiritual-relationship crisis will do so. Help them see how sin injures Christ and they will change.

There have always been folks who have thought they could change the world, people who were unwilling to leave things as they are, who want to make a difference, who want to get things done. They want to change the world. The trouble is, they usually run up against harsh human reality. Eighty or so ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

No Better Than We Are Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 13, 2003

It is a dangerous illusion to excuse our selves by claiming that we are no worse than anyone else. We find faults in people who look too perfect or who don’t give us what we want when we want it. But help comes from Jesus, who IS better than we are.

When you get caught in some sort of blunder, how do you get out of it? How do you take care of your guilt when you are weighed in the balances and found wanting? Let’s say, just for the sake of argument, that you’ve shaded the truth. I will not suggest that you have lied; you have shaded the ...read more

Scripture: Job 22:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Prevailing Against All Odds

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Sep 9, 2013

The Church has to Prevail! It should not strike us as a surprise. The adversary will throw all kind of stuff against the church

TITLE: A CHURCH PREVAILING AGAINST ALL ODDS SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 16:18 / ROMANS 8:39 We are honored to be here for this day of celebration with the 1st Baptist Church of Purcell. Although this is not my first time here, it is has been about 10 years that I was here while serving as the Pastor ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Science Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 2, 2003

A metaphysical worldview that is neither Christian nor scientific

Christian Science, a contradiction in terms...Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts When I was about to fly from Germany to Saugus to be interviewed by the Pulpit Committee, my supervisory Chaplain from V Corps HQ in Heidelberg told me to be sure to see the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7

Denomination: Congregational

Preparing To Hear God's Voice Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Sep 3, 2007

This 6 part series called Faith Basics will look at the fundamentals of Christain life. Part 1 will focus on how to create conditions where God can speak to us and how to prepare to hear God’s voice.

Preparing to Hear God’s Voice Faith Basics, part 1 Wildwind Community Church David K. Flowers August 29, 2007 1 Sam. 3:1-10 My favorite back to basics story is about the Green Bay Packers, perhaps you’ve heard it. Green Bay had been a losing team for nearly ten years. Morale was sagging. Vince ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Denomination: Free Methodist

Truth-Telling

Contributed by David Flowers on Feb 19, 2008

In this stand-alone message to end 2007, Dave makes the point that we never find God until we face the truth, and we only find God to the degree that we face the truth.

Truth-Telling Wildwind Community Church David K. Flowers December 30, 2007 What is truth?  Dallas Willard is one of my favorite thinkers and writers, and I like how he defines truth.  He says truth is what you run into when you make a foolish decision.  Think about that.  Some people, as soon as ...read more

Scripture: John 3:19-21

Denomination: Free Methodist

It's Not What It Looks Like

Contributed by Charles Jones on Oct 21, 2008

Satan deals in FEAR, which someone has said was an acronym for: False Evidence Appearing Real!

IT’S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE! Satan is the master illusionist! Before David Copperfield, before David Blaine, before Criss Angel, there was Lucifer! Illusionists major in the art of optical illusion. They divert your attention away from what’s really happening, getting you distracted, so they ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:31-34

Denomination: Pentecostal

It's Not What It Looks Like

Contributed by William Ellis on Nov 24, 2006

We should not be moved by what we see or what we feel, but rather by the God who we know, love, and serve!

INTRO: 1. Satan is the master illusionist! · Before David Copperfield, before David Blaine, before Criss Angel, there was Lucifer! · Illusionists major in the art of optical illusion. · They divert your attention away from what’s really happening, getting you distracted, so ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:31-34, Genesis 37:31

Denomination: Church Of God

“spectators Or Combatants?” Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 20, 2011

Man's religion is at war with God's revelation.

Introduction “The tale is told of a soldier during the Civil War who simply could not make up his mind which side of the conflict he supported. Thus, he dressed in a blue coat and gray pants, and walked down the center of the battlefield confident of his approval by both sides…and was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-39

Denomination: Christian Church

The Temptation To Misuse Sexuality Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Aug 20, 2001

There are a number of distortions about sexuality that affect how we behave. What does the Bible teach us about our sexuality.

Last week we talked about the lure of money and we saw how money is such a great temptation for us because of the way the love of money is promoted by our culture. Well, if that’s the case, then perhaps even more so is the temptation to misuse our sexuality. Sex is power in today’s world. Sex is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, Matthew 5:27-30

Denomination: Anglican