Sermons on Obsessed With Appearance:

Sermon On The Fruits & Delights Of Summer

Contributed by William Meakin on May 26, 2024

As the welcome signs of spring transmogrify into summer, the flowers alter their appearance into a new delight.

Henry Theodore Tuckerman, an American writer and essayist once remarked: “To analyze the charms of flowers is like dissecting music; it is one of those things which it is far better to enjoy, than to attempt to fully understand.” Song of Solomon 2:12 reminds us: “The flowers appear on the earth, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 74:17, Genesis 8:22, Amos 8:1, Galatians 5:22-23

Jesus--Crazy Or Victorious?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 18, 2023

It appears here that the relatives of Jesus want to have Him committed to a mental ward.

Saturday of the 2nd week in Course 2023 Today’s Gospel is one of the shortest readings in the Lectionary. If you don’t pay attention, it’s over before you can grasp it. Why? Mark’s community of Rome was under almost constant persecution. So he took mostly Matthew’s Gospel and abridged it, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:2-14, Mark 3:20-21

Denomination: Catholic

Sermon On Differences

Contributed by William Meakin on Jul 4, 2025

Differences are defined as the quality or state of being dissimilar in appearance, nature, form, or character.

Virginia Satir, an American author once remarked: “Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible - the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.” 2 Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:28, 1 Peter 3:8, Luke 21:1-4, Acts 17:11

God Does Not Reward Treachery Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 5, 2025

Treachery may appear as a shortcut to favour or advancement in the eyes of men, but it is despised by God.

GOD DOES NOT REWARD TREACHERY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Samuel 4:1-12 Supporting Texts: Proverbs 20:22, Romans 12:19, Psalm 101:7, Matthew 5:8, Galatians 6:7 INTRODUCTION: Treachery may appear as a shortcut to favour or advancement in the eyes of men, but it is despised by God. In 2 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 4:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Relationship Recovery Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Sep 7, 2019

Whenever we talk about recovery, we are never talking about one person - but a system of persons. Our addictions, obsessions and persistent sins have taken a toll on everyone around us.

RELATIONSHIP RECOVERY Genesis 2:4-25 Introduction September is Recovery Month and we have a few goals in this emphasis. -We seek to find hope in the Gospel for dealing with all of our obsessions, addictions, and the sinful weights that are holding us down from following God wholeheartedly. - ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Nine Marks Of Worldiness - I John 2:15,16

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 31, 2002

Nine Marks of Worldliness - I John 2:15,16 (Preoccupations that are wrong, pride, pleasures, possession focused, popularity, power obsession, position oriented, people pleasing, and privileges seen as self-centered rights)

Nine Marks of Worldliness - I John 2:15,16 (Preoccupations that are wrong, pride, pleasures, possessions, popularity, power obsession, position oriented, people pleasing, and privilege for selfish reasons) Illustration: That evening, the assassin John Wilks Booth stopped in a saloon near the Ford ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can Loving God And Our Neighbours Be Made Easier?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Nov 12, 2017

We are all obsessed by receiving love, it is natural, yet God wants us to radiate love, his love; but to radiate love we need to receive it. How and why should we do this?

This sermon was delivered to Holy Trinity in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 29th October 2017 (a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries). Leviticus 19.1-2, 15-18 Psalms 1 1 Thessalonians 2.1-8 Matthew 22.34-46 Psalm 19:14: Let the words of my mouth, and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46, Matthew 5:44-45, John 13:34-35

Denomination: Episcopal

God Sees The Heart

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 18, 2023

When we make choices, we tend to go for the eye-candy factor and make choices based on appearances. God always looks at what is inside the person’s heart, where we look at their appearance.

GOD SEES THE HEART (Lent, March 19, 2023) Text: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 1 Samuel 16:1-13  The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

A Simple Prayer For Complicated Times

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Dec 3, 2020

In a culture that wants to hear and tell lies and are obsessed with who has what and how much they have, this prayer is a breath of fresh air. Our culture is very self-centered but Agur's prayer is God-centered.

Lessons From The Prayer of Agur Proverbs 30:7-9 Introduction: In recent years a lot of public attention has been focused on prayer. Our courts have banned prayer from public schools, public functions, and public display. And as we've seen in protest, regardless of opposition, it hasn't ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 30:7-9, Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Methodist

Short Arms And Deep Pockets Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 5, 2017

A study of the Gospel of John 6: 22 - 40

THE FIELD IS THE WORLD Matthew 13:24-30; Matthew 13:36-43 The interpretation of the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30) should not be a matter of contention, as Jesus Himself gives the interpretation (Matthew 13:36-43). One modern preacher applies this passage to the heart of ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-40

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

When The Lord Comes Down Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 1, 2025

When the Lord comes down, things cannot remain the same. His descent signifies divine interest, intervention, and empowerment.

WHEN THE LORD COMES DOWN By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Exodus 3:7-8 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 64:1-3, Psalm 18:6-17, John 1:14, Luke 7:12-15, Acts 10:38 INTRODUCTION: There are moments in history and in our lives when God does not just speak from heaven—He comes down. When the Lord comes ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:7-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lessons From Paul

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 10, 2014

It was because Paul had such an obsession with Jesus that the message of Jesus Christ went forth through him to evangelize the world. Paul was a powerful preacher and he has many lessons to teach us through what he wrote.

4-6-04 Title: Lessons from Paul Text: “Declared to be the Son of God with power ...by the resurrection from the dead.” (Romans 1:3-4). Bible Reading: Romans 1:1–4, 4:24–25, and 8:11 Introduction: The subject of today’s lesson is one of the most well-known people ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

At Home With God-Heaven-Revelation 21 Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Nov 30, 2013

Heaven need not be an obsession, yet our relationship with God should be. It is this relationship which drives everything good in our lives. It is motivation for love for each other, gives us strength for today, and fills with hope for an eternity with Gd

• The Bible is NOT obsessed with heaven. When Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of God, in general, He is not talking about a future housing for God and His people-He is talking about a way of living here and now. The greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven must be the servant of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:10-27

Denomination: *other

Numbered, Weighed, And Given Away Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 27, 2002

Sermon for Deacon Ordination service; we obsess on things that do not matter and ignore things that do make a difference. Our sin is using holy things for our own pleasure, compounded with a failure to read the signs of the times.

We give too much of ourselves to things that do not last. We give too little of ourselves to things that will endure. It is easy to obsess on things that don’t matter. It is tempting to ignore things that really count. If something does not change that pattern, at the end of the day, we are ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Real With Your Enemies Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 5, 2003

Hostility comes from the obsessed, self-absorbed heart, and often offers permission for random acts of violence. Jesus got real with His enemies by naming their madness but trusting His own defense to God.

Stress strengthens. That is a physical fact. It is also a spiritual truth. Stress strengthens us. When we face opposition, we grow. When we deal with differences, we become stronger than we were. Strange as it may seem, and unpleasant though it may feel, give thanks when you ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:43-50

Denomination: Baptist