Sermons on obscurity:

The Turning Point

Contributed by David King on Apr 17, 2008

The best has not been told about your story. There is a new beginning for you in and through Christ this year. Your destiny is not in the hands of your oppressors. God will take you from obscurity to prominence because of His mercies. It is well.

THE TURNING POINT “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Life That Matters Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 4, 2010

If we want to live a life that matters, we must sacrifice, suffer, submit and serve. We don’t like those words, because they seem to be steps down to obscurity, but in Christ’s Kingdom they are steps to true greatness.

The movie, Pearl Harbor, tells the story of two friends, Rafe and Danny, who survive the attack on Pearl Harbor and enter World War II as fighter pilots. In training before the war, Rafe McCawley is one of America’s top fighter pilots. When America initially holds back from entering the war, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Advent 2 2016 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Dec 9, 2016

The Incarnation took immense planning; a righteous virgin and a carpenter from an obscure town, a pagan emperor taking a census, a journey, a manger, the family lineage. All of these had to be in place and timed perfectly. We serve a great God! PTL!!

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-7 Please find this passage in your Bibles. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” – sing the first verse A Cappella as the folks find the Scripture reading for the day. We love that little Christmas song, don’t we? Let’s go ahead and read from the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Nazarene

Let Us Go To Bethlehem And Find The Faith Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Mark Roper on Dec 17, 2008

Today our Christmas traditions have evolved from the different ways Christmas is celebrated around the world. Immigrants have brought their customs with them, and as a result we have a great diversity of customs, traditions, and fantasy’s that obscures t

Let Us Go to Bethlehem and Find the Faith of Christmas Luke 2:15-20 It is hard to imagine not celebrating Christmas, yet during the infancy of America Christmas was banned and for a time, and even illegal. How did we get to where we are now? Christmas evolved out of the old Roman festival of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-15

Denomination: Church Of God

Anxious To Matter Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 13, 2013

If you want to live a life that matters, sacrifice, suffer, submit and serve. These are 4 words we don't like very much, because they seem like steps down to obscurity, but in God's Kingdom they are steps up to true greatness.

The movie, Pearl Harbor, tells the story of two friends, Rafe and Danny, who survive the attack on Pearl Harbor and enter World War II as fighter pilots. In training before the war, Rafe McCawley is one of America's top fighter pilots. When America initially holds back from entering the war, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Clean Living Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Oct 3, 2018

The sermon tackles obscure commandments, with practical implications: 1) All of life matters to God, 2) All of life can be made clean by God, and 3) We can be clean now. Practical applications to live a clean and holy life.

CLEAN LIVING—sel. From Leviticus 11-15 (Preacher: Begin with “Things Moms would probably not say...” on YouTube or Powerpoint… End the list with… “Let me smell that shirt. Yeah, that’s good for another week.” And, “Don’t bother cleaning your room. It makes the rest of the house ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 11:1-47

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Can I Live With My Handicap?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 8, 2010

Does God care when we are unable to compete as others compete? Does it matter to Him when we are handicapped? A study of the life of an obscure man provides hope and instruction for each of us to look to God even when we are handicapped.

“David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’ Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’ And he said, ‘I am your servant.’ And the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Bezalel (Bezz - A – Lel) And Oholiab (O- Holy- E- Ab)! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 9, 2014

The ultimate judge of a person’s character is their ability to exceed expectations with little recognition from others or when praise is not given. The Bible is filled with unsung heroes of the faith whose names may be obscure to us but to God they are His heroes of the faith.

Series: Unsung Heroes Thesis: The ultimate judge of a person’s character is their ability to exceed expectations with little recognition from others or when praise is not given. The Bible is filled with unsung heroes of the faith whose names may be obscure to us but to God they are His ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Priscila And Aquila Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 13, 2014

The ultimate judge of a person’s character is their ability to exceed expectations with little recognition from others or when praise is not given. The Bible is filled with unsung heroes of the faith whose names may be obscure to us but to God they are His heroes of the faith.

Transition video: Serving in prison ministry Theme: Unsung heroes Scripture: Proverbs 27:2 “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.” Sermon 2: Priscilla and Aquila Thesis for Series: The ultimate judge of a person’s character is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

David Gathers A Band Of Outcasts In The Cave Stronghold Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Feb 27, 2023

Two houses are being built, one is solid, the other is brittle, and caving in on itself. These are the two paths, one of David, the man of God, and Saul, the man in rebellion.

Two roads are beginning to form, two roads in two starkly different directions. We’ve both been on these roads. Maybe not to this extreme, but we have. We’ve seen where God’s path leads, to hope, to challenges, to victory, and yes, the valley of the shadow of death too, dark times, but, we’ve also ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Backside Of The Desert

Contributed by Michael Jakes on Jun 15, 2014

Sometimes the Lord needs to remove us from what we know and expect in order to prepare us for a greater work. This is where the 'backside of the desert' comes in-that strategic and sometimes obscure place where the Lord places us in order to prune us.

'The Backside of the Desert' Exodus 3:1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. I. Moses Story Moses went from humble beginnings to privilege, prestige and ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

From Shame To Fame

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 7, 2025

God specializes in turning situations around, lifting the downtrodden, and transforming stories of disgrace into testimonies of His grace and favour.

FROM SHAME TO FAME By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Scripture References: Isaiah 61:7, 1 Samuel 2:8, Psalm 113:7-8, Ruth 4:13-17 INTRODUCTION The journey from shame to fame is a powerful narrative that is evident throughout the Bible. God specializes in turning situations around, lifting the downtrodden, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:7, 1 Samuel 2:8, Psalm 113:7-8, Ruth 4:13-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"my Vineyard Is Not For Sale."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jul 23, 2022

“This message came to my heart concerning the complacency in the Church and how many people allow even the slightest problems to obscure their view of Heaven. Instead, we must see our issues through God's eyes and appreciate our walk with Him."

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (1 Kings 21:2) "Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1, Colossians 1:27, John 2:1-11, Luke 19:13, Joel 2:13, Psalm 19:14, Matthew 4:8-10, 1 Kings 21:1-15, 1 Kings 21:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Return Of The King

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 7, 2022

Palm Sunday represents the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem as King of Israel. Although all his life He had been poor and obscure, at last His identity as the Son of David was recognized, nationally. Every knee shall bow & every tongue confess the King!

THE RETURN OF THE KING Luke 19:12-15,27 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: UNLOADING THE WORD 1. Pastor Ken Sumrall tells a story from his days of pasturing in Mississippi years ago. He was out visiting a farmer who was an ex-member of his church. 2. As they looked out over the farmer’s acres and acres of ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9, Luke 19:12-27

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Part 11 - Matthew 8:19-20 - Does That Mean I Can’t Own My Own Home, Lord? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Mar 3, 2010

A man comes and wants to follow Jesus, and Jesus gives Him an obscure answer about birds nests and foxes dens and about having no place to sleep! What is He saying? IF I AM TO BE A DISCIPLE (A CHRIST FOLLOWER) I CAN NEVER OWN MY OWN HOME?

Part 11 - Matthew 8:19-20 - DOES THAT MEAN I CAN’T OWN MY OWN HOME, LORD? Here we go again! Jesus doing something totally unexpected! A man comes and wants to follow Him like the other disciples are following Jesus, and He gives him an obscure answer about birds nests and foxes dens and about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational