Sermons on Mystery:

How Can I Know God's Will?

Contributed by Robbie Parsons on Mar 17, 2004

One of the great mysteries of Christianity involves knowing God’s will for a person. Often we resort to fleeces, fasting, flipping, feelings or floundering to coax God into telling us His will. Use this GUIDE to know God’s will for your life...

In his letter to the Ephesian church, Paul exhorted them to “redeem the time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” It seems that one of the great mysteries of the Christian walk involves discovering God’s will for a person. That ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:16-17, Romans 12:2

Denomination: United Methodist

Why Did Jesus Die? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Mar 24, 2004

Since we need to talk about the Passion film with our friends, we have to be prepared to answer their questions. It’s a mystery to non-believers: Why did Christ have to suffer so? Why did He have to die?

Sarcastic reviews. Late night jokes. Hateful criticism. Promises to ban him from work in Hollywood. Mel Gibson has faced all that and more over the last year. All because of the making of The Passion of the Christ. Why all the controversy? The brutality? R-rated slasher movies come out ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Psalm 22:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

Melchizedek Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 18, 2005

Melchizedek is one of the most mysterious people in the Old Testament, but he holds the key why Jesus is a better high priest than one born of Aaron. Also learn how Jesus knows all of your needs before you do.

Once someone’s mind is made up it is very difficult sometimes to change it. Back in the 15th century the world’s leaders and scientists were convinced that earth was flat because, after all, when you look out towards the horizon it looks flat. People were executed for doubting this principal. It ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

"The Rest Of The Story" Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Mar 13, 2008

This is a Palm Sunday-Passion Sunday message. I begin with why people like to read novels... mystery, suspense, anger murder & personal sacrifice. The Bible contains the greatest story every told... the messages quickly covers the life of Jesus and why

In Jesus Holy Name March 16, 2008 Palm Sunday Redeemer “The Rest of the Story” Many people enjoy reading novels. They have their preference: mystery, historical, romance, science fiction. Others enjoy certain authors and their style: John Grisham: A Time to Kill; The Pelican Brief; the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:26-49

Denomination: Lutheran

What Is The Trinity? Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jan 16, 2013

the mystery of the Trinity, God being three persons in one, has been difficult for Christians to explain since the beginning. Last week we talked about some religions and offshoots of Christianity who have denied the Trinitarian nature of God because it

How many of you have read the Shack? I recently read it and the newest book that author came out with, and both books have interesting imaginings about the Trinity. In both books the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit are people with various characteristics, male and female. In the Shack, the Father ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6-10

The Fourth Word From The Cross: "Eloi, Eloi, Lema Sabachthani?" Series

Contributed by Ravin Caldera on Apr 18, 2017

This is a reflection on the forth word from the cross, which is a very difficult passage for exposition. These words give a deep expression of faith ("my God, my God"), universal cry for justice ("why") and, words of deep mystery ("have forsaken me").

And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). As Mark stated, about Jewish ninth hour or in our time three o'clock there was darkness over the whole land—out of darkness and despair ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"In A Manner Of Speaking": 'the Prodigal Son' [part Six]

Contributed by Reverend Cooper Mcwhirter on Oct 1, 2016

Did Jesus resort to using allegory as a clever ruse so as to keep things hidden? On the contrary! Jesus resorted to using parables so that the listener could better understand “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” [Matthew 13:11].

Sermon Preached at Grace Community Church (EPC) Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ Sunday, September 6, 2015 by the Reverend Cooper McWhirter In a Manner of Speaking: “The Prodigal Son” Luke 15:11-32 [NET] The scriptures tell us that on one occasion ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Biblical Fasting

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 24, 2017

Fasting has been misused by mystics and sometimes remained a mystery to many committed Christians. Although opinions are mixed on the issue, I believe we can carve out a Biblical position that, while perhaps incomplete, will lay a good foundation.

Biblical Fasting (Matthew 9: 14-15) 1. This is perhaps the most awful pun you will hear. 2. Mahatma Gandhi went around barefoot quite often, and eventually his soles turned very tough and thick. Of course he also was a devout Hindu. Later in life he also fasted a lot, becoming thin and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Unrequited Love Of God

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Apr 1, 2019

The passionate love of God is the blazing fire at the heart of all creation. God thinks about you every moment of every day. His love will never vary or change. That God would love even the vilest of sinners is the greatest mystery of eternity.

God has commanded that every human being love Him with EVERYTHING in them (Deut 6:5). The GREAT commandment supersedes all others. Sadly, in the lives of too many Christians, God’s love is unrequited. There are some Christians who are not comfortable with the way God truly feels about them, so ...read more

Scripture: James 2:26, Hebrews 12:2, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:22, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, James 2:17, Habakkuk 2:4, Luke 11:11-13, Genesis 2:18, 1 John 4:7-10, Acts 17:28, Deuteronomy 6:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas News: The Angels Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Dec 8, 2014

We need to be seized once more by heavenly realities – just as Zechariah was. We need to experience something like a shock to our smug certainties that whittle God down to a manageable size and leave us underwhelmed by the mysteries of eternity.

Angels have fallen on hard times these days. Hardly anyone thinks about them anymore…except at Christmas, of course. But even at that, people don’t much believe in them. Although…I knew a woman – a member of this church at one time: She told me that she had actually seen an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Does It Mean To Be Commissioned?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Feb 6, 2023

Isaiah’s perspective on God in the initial four verses gives us a feeling of God’s significance, power, and mystery. Isaiah's case of perceiving his sin before God urges us to admit our own wrongdoings.

Isaiah 6:1-13 The image of absolution that Isaiah gives advises us that we are pardoned as well. At the point when we perceive how incredible God is, how guilty we are, and the degree of His absolution, we get the strength to accomplish His work. How does our idea of the significance of God match ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Double Exposure

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 8, 2023

The photographic process is mysterious; a piece of film is exposed to light and images are left. Our lives are like that film. We present what we want others to see, but God sees beneath it. A 2nd exposure will happen - now or later!

DOUBLE EXPOSURE Eph. 5:8-16 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Squeaky clean 1. One young woman decided to try clean her purse by throwing it into the washing machine—with the rest of the laundry. Her younger brother was startled, and asked, “Why are you washing your purse?” 2. Their father, who ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Testing At Cana: Do You Measure Up?

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 3, 2023

Cana was mysteriously chosen to be the site of Jesus' first two miracles in Galilee. Cana means "a rod for measuring." At Cana a desperate man met Jesus. His perspective was changed and his gold-like faith emerged.

THE TESTING AT CANA: DO YOU MEASURE UP? John 4:39-54 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. There was a man in prison for robbery of a bank. He’d never told the police where he’d hidden the money. 2. His old father wrote him a letter, “Son, I wish you were here. I’d like to have a garden this year, but ...read more

Scripture: John 4:39-54

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Christmas Is Not Your Birthday”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Dec 22, 2021

Mike Slaughter challenges our comfortable traditions his book: Christmas Is Not Your Birthday. Quotes from Linus. Incarnation,.. how divinity interacted with human DNA, that’s the mystery the Virgin Birth. Quote from Christianity Today 1996

In Jesus Holy Name December 24, 2021 Text: Matthew 1:20b-21 Christmas Eve - Redeemer “Christmas Is Not Your Birthday” It’s Christmas Eve. Excitement & anticipation are in the air. Christmas trees light up our homes with bright lights and shiny ornaments. Colorful ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:20, Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

The Word Of Life Celebrated Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 1, 2021

John says, “We write this to make our joy complete. He presents Jesus as the source of the completed life. John says, “and the life was manifested.” Jesus is not a mysterious entity that is evasive, he is real, and Christians find their joy through him.

Reality shows continue to draw people’s attention. . . In an article, 10 Reality Shows That Aren't Real At All (And 10 That Totally Are), Chris Littlechild, talks about how they claim to be real; however, “the producers are just looking to stir up drama with fake moments. These shows are ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational