Sermons on Irony:

What They Saw That Day

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Nov 10, 2005

It’s easy to miss him, but we need to see Jesus SO: I want people to envision what it would have been like to see Jesus, and understand that while Jesus’ is not a plastic polyanna, he is hope and glory.

Title: What They Saw That Day Text: Luke 2:25 – 35 FCF: It’s easy to miss him, but we need to see Jesus SO: I want people to envision what it would have been like to see Jesus, and understand that while Jesus’ is not a plastic polyanna, he is hope and glory. Outline: I. What Everybody Else Saw (A ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35

Denomination: Baptist

Transformation: Possible--The Transformation Of Zacchaeus Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Apr 26, 2016

This sermon reflects on the transformation of Zacchaeus from taker to giver, from greedy to generosity and seeks to discover how we might apply that same transformation to our lives.

Okay. We can’t read Zacchaeus without doing some short jokes, right? Why do short people get mad so easily? Because they have short tempers! Unfortunately, I crashed into the back of a car at the lights today. A really short guy got out of the car and said, “I’m not ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 19:1-10, Luke 19:1

Denomination: Methodist

Simeon: A Lesson In Waiting & Obedience

Contributed by Tj Long Jr on Jan 1, 2024

Simeon and Anna are faithfully waiting but without the obedience of Joseph and Mary, the promises of God would've been delayed. We must be diligent as disciple-makers because to bring people the good news, to bring Jesus to them.

Christmas is over and now we have 358 days until Christmas 2024. If I was a child I’d be a little depressed about having to wait so long Christmas to come back around again. As I was growing up there were many things I felt like I waited on; a girl to like me, for me to be taller, for me to get my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:20-44

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

Holding On When You Should Be Letting Go

Contributed by Paul Decker on Dec 10, 2006

We must put an end to self-sovereignty.

HOLDING ON WHEN YOU SHOULD BE LETTING GO: A COMMUNITY OF FEAR Matthew 2.16-18 S: Community C: A Fearful Community Th: Advent Pr: WE MUST PUT AN END TO SELF-SOVEREIGNTY. TS: We will find in our study of Matthew 2 an example of a man who would not let go of his self-importance. Type: Inductive ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Before Pilate -- Again! Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 30, 2016

The injustice of Jesus' death sentence in Luke 23:13-25 shows us how Jesus was convicted, despite his innocence.

Scripture Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested by the religious authorities in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. He was taken to the high priest’s house where Peter denied knowing him three times before the rooster crowed. Then Jesus was subjected to a religious trial ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:13-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jacob Marries Leah And Rachel Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 22, 2017

Jacob marrying Leah and Rachel in Genesis 29:1-30 teaches us that God uses even human deception to fulfill his promise that Jacob's descendants shall be as numerous as the dust of the earth.

Scripture We are currently in a series of sermons on "Isaac's Descendants." After twenty years of barrenness, God gave Isaac and Rebekah twin sons, whom they named Esau and Jacob. As a young man, Esau despised his birthright and sold it to his twin brother, Jacob. Much later, Jacob deceived his ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:1-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Study The Bible Like A Pro - Class #8d - Methods Of Bible Study Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Sep 13, 2022

A Continuation of Class 8c

6. Teachings of Jesus These are direct statements of truth from Jesus concerning the nature and character of God the kingdom of God/Heaven, what God expects of us, principles of righteous living, and the ways in which Jesus fulfils the Old Testament prophecies. They are not exhaustive ‘DOs and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sanctity Of Human Life

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Mar 20, 2006

The value of one life to God.

The Value of One Life Intro: 1857 U.S. Supreme Court made a decision that today looks pretty ridiculous. 7 of 9 Justices decided that a black slave named Dred Scott was nothing more than the property of his owner – thus he had no rights as a citizen and no protection under the law. Justice Taney ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Nativity: Light Over Darkness Series

Contributed by John Phillip R. Pesebre on Dec 3, 2012

The birth of Jesus of Nazareth is the good news that the promised Messiah has arrived.

Introduction Our gospel writer Luke is a very educated man. He was not just an ordinary doctor, "At the top was the equivalent of a surgeon general of the empire. He was by law a noble, a dux (duke) or a vicarius (vicar) of the emperor. He held the title of comes archiatorum, “count of the chief ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Ruth: A Model Of Mercy

Contributed by Linda Oaks Garrett on Jan 2, 2008

The sermon explores the way Ruth’s suffering and ultimate triumph serve as a model for people who grieve during Advent.

Ruth: A Model of Mercy The Christmas season is often an emotional one. Frequently we feel stress over finding time and money to purchase presents and getting them wrapped, or we anticipate the joy of anticipating time with family. Many people experience different and more difficult emotions at ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The War For Our Soul! Series

Contributed by Bill Lyle on Apr 5, 2007

A study in 1st Peter

1 Peter 2:11-12 Suffering from Happiness: The war for our Soul! Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Christian Compassion Risks Others' Criticism

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 10, 2009

To be an effective and compassionate church, we must risk the criticism of those who would like us to do church within our old confines. But not to take risks may cause our best to leave us. This is a time to work for peace, family life, community.

“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun; and makes gaps even two can pass abreast.” "Something there is that doesn’t love a wall …” So speaks the poet Robert Frost, reflecting on the ravages of a New ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Away In A Manger Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Dec 26, 2017

The message of the manger. What is the significance of the manager for us today.

No Christmas song is more loved than this tender children’s carol. For some time “Away in the Manger” was titled “Luther’s Cradle Hymn.” It was thought to have been written by Martin Luther for his own children and then passed on by German mothers. Modern research discounts this claim, however. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

What Did Jesus Do About Conflict In His Team? Series

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Feb 8, 2009

Jesus dealt with conflict head on, yet always without sin. He did not avoid conflict. Once he dealt with it in his team, he pointed them back to His mission and their mission. He does that with us also.

What did Jesus do about conflict in His team? In their book called ’A bucket of surprises’ J. John and Mark Stibbe refer to a friend (a church leader) who said this: ’Whenever the conflict gets too much in my church I go and visit the local kennels. There’s a whole group there that’s always ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Anglican

Palm Sunday

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Mar 18, 2019

It’s not easy to pair a celebratory parade with a trial and execution.

It’s not easy to pair a celebratory parade with a trial and execution. So, two thoughts on Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. Untie the colt and bring it here. As Rev. Dr. Jennifer A. Little noted, we can enter into this story in so many places. How about identifying with those sent by Jesus to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40

Denomination: Catholic