Sermons on Obsessed With Appearance:

When C Is Not Average PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 30, 2025

God sees and values our hearts over outward appearances, choosing and loving the overlooked and ordinary to accomplish extraordinary purposes through His grace.

Maybe you walked in today carrying the sting of being overlooked. You’ve watched others get the nod, the promotion, the platform, while you’ve kept the sheep, cleaned the messes, showed up in quiet faithfulness where no one was clapping. If that’s you, take heart. Our God loves to surprise us. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Topics: God's Choice, Divine Selection

Sheba's Rebellion Against King David Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Oct 3, 2023

Mephibosheth comes to David having not washed his clothes, or shaved or cared for his appearance, basically to show David that he was waiting for his return.

At the end of 2nd Samuel chapter 19 we see Mephibosheth rejoining King David after he had fled Jerusalem. We also see Barzillai, a rich guy who was supporting David in Mahanaim, come to David, and David invites him to Jerusalem, but Barzillai prefers to return to his own home, because he’s in his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 20:1-5, 2 Samuel 19:40-43

Denomination: Salvation Army

Jesus Makes Breakfast

Contributed by Alan Butterfield on May 1, 2002

Significance of Jesus’ third post resurrection appearance to the Disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias (John 21). Comparing with Calling of Disciples in Luke 5:1-11

Background We have Experienced Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus. we are now within the 40-day period where the resurrected Jesus appeared, talked, ate and prepared people, in particular the Disciples, for ministry. Scripture verse an appendix to John’s gospel. see John 20:30-31 "Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Ambassadors Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Paul George on Jan 12, 2004

In verse 10 Jesus said the blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. It appears in this verse His remarks are directed to both the disciples and the multitude.

In verse 10 Jesus said the blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. It appears in this verse His remarks are directed to both the disciples and the multitude. In verse 11 it seems Jesus’ remarks are to His disciples. Persecution is the usual experience of the followers of Jesus, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Holiness

Fish Or Cut Bait

Contributed by Ray Scott on May 12, 2003

When Jesus appeared to the 7 Disciples after His resurrection at the Sea of Galilee, He wanted them to be busy while they waited for His coming.

“Fish Or Cut Bait” TEXT: John 21:1-14 INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series on the Post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus. This is the 3rd appearance that Jesus makes to His 11 Disciples after His resurrection (21:14) … not counting the appearance to the 2 on the Road to Emmaus (not 2 of the ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Getting In The Fight

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2005

How are we to win the fight we face? This message looks at the 8 places in the NT that the Greek word “agonizomai” (translated "fight" in this verse) appears.

A FUNDAMENTAL SPIRITUAL TRUTH: “Life is war.” - 1 Timothy 6:12 - "Fight the good fight of faith". - the verb “fight” is the Greek word “agonizomai”. - only appears 8 times in the NT. - where else does that Greek word appear and what do those passages teach us about the battle before ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

What About Peter? Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Jun 9, 2006

This is a controversial but hopefully delicate sermon about Jesus’ appearance to Peter, and about how some things just aren’t our business to know.

1 Corinthians 15:1-8 – What About Peter? Tonight we are going to start off by reading our scripture, a very early creed of the church. It was like an Apostle’s Creed, a few brief but clear lines of doctrine about what the early believers actually believed. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 15:1-8. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Wise Men Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Dec 15, 2022

This story only appears in Matthew’s gospel. The Magi were leaders and priests who were fascinated by science and astrology. They were educated and wealthy.

The Wise Men December 18, 2022 Matthew 2:1-12 NIV After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12, Isaiah 60:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Will Clothe You

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Mar 10, 2003

This sermon discuses how we put on the righteousness of Christ, changing our standing and appearance before God, through the sacrafice made by Christ on the cross.

I Will Clothe You John 19:23 - 24, 1 Pet 5:5, Psa 109:18, John 5:19, 30, 1 Pet 2:24, Gal 3:13, 26-27, March 3, 2003 I. I am going to steal a story from Max Lucado and it is one that I have never experienced. But it is important to understanding what I am going to be talking about ...read more

Scripture: John 19:23-24, Galatians 3:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Personalities In The Parade

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Oct 13, 2002

There are three distinct personalities that particpated in the Parade to Calvary on the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This message examines the importance of obedience, even in what appears to be an insignifcant detail.

“The Personalities of the Parade” Mark 11:1-10 • Larry L. Thompson (2002) “. . . Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” “As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, [2] saying to them, "Go to the village ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Mary Mother Of Jesus: Good Times And Noodle Salad Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 27, 2006

By all outward appearances Mary looks cursed rather than blessed by God. Our outward circumstances do not necessarily mean God is not with us.

Why Does God Do This To Me? Have you ever felt this? I’m not sure there is anyone who hasn’t felt this way. Life is going just fine. Good friends. Stable Finishing Grad School, The Future is Bright. Whatever will happen next – it will be great. Look what happened to Katie and I…. Out of grad ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

New Covenant

Contributed by Charles Scott on Oct 17, 2006

In the New Covenant, God the Son continues to live and appears forever as our priestly intercessor, mediating the love of God to us through the Holy Spirit.

COVENANT Hebrews 8__1-10 Hebrews 8:1-10 The Hebrew word berith is translated covenant in the English Bible. Berith appears 227 times in the Old Testament and means confederacy, league, or covenant. (1) A particularly graphic use of the term in Genesis chapter 15 shows clearly all the elements ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

Being All Things To All Men (1 Corinthians 9:16-23)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 15, 2007

St Paul speaks about being ’All things to All men’, and at first glance it might just appear that he was undergoing an identity crisis ...

"To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Where Your Treasure Lies

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Aug 14, 2025

But Jesus, with divine wisdom, sees beyond the surface conflict to the heart issue that threatens both brothers: greed. In response, He tells one of His most sobering parables, a story that cuts through our material obsessions and calls us to examine where we place our trust and hope.

The scene opens with a dispute over inheritance - a matter as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago. But Jesus, with divine wisdom, sees beyond the surface conflict to the heart issue that threatens both brothers: greed. In response, He tells one of His most sobering parables, a story ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Methodist

When Sin Entered In-3

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jan 10, 2011

3 of 7. Genesis chapter 3 precisely documented the original appearance of sin. What is significant about sin’s entrance? Sin entered in with....

WHEN SIN ENTERED IN-III—Genesis 3:1-24 Attention: “Sin is any personal lack of conformity to the moral character of God, or the law of God. Then sin is a disposition of the heart, it is a bent.”....“It is...any violation of the character or law of God, the moral character or the law of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Baptist