Sermons on Obsessed With Appearance:

Where Should We As A Nation Put Our Trust?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 2, 2022

When a man is lost in the desert, he may experience a mirage. That is, he may look out over the sands, and in the distance see what appears to be a lake, shimmering in the sun.

His goal is to get to the lake and obtain water to satisfy his thirst. As he travels toward the “lake”, the lake seems to maintain it’s distance, or at some point just disappears. IT WAS A MIRAGE! Such an experience only brings disappointment and tragedy to the individual who believes the mirage is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Wrestling With God October 2023

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 1, 2023

We might think of It as odd that Jacob was involved in a wrestling match with an unspecified person. ….. Was it an another human, his brother Esau, an angel or even God appearing in the form of this wrestling opponent?

WRESTLING WITH GOD Text: Genesis 32:22-32 Gen 32:22-32 The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. (23) He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. (24) Jacob was left ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: United Methodist

Seeking Approval

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Nov 4, 2015

Have you ever found yourself trying to get people’s approval? I’m sure we have all been in this position but sometimes we can go a little overboard with it-even be obsessed with it. Let’s see why this is a problem and what we can do to overcome it.

SEEKING APPROVAL Have you ever found yourself trying to get people’s approval? I’m sure we have all been in this position but sometimes we can go a little overboard with it-even be obsessed with it. For some of us, we’re not just trying to please one or two people but ...read more

Scripture: John 5:41-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seeking The Face Of Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 18, 2011

Historically, Jesus Christ’s physical appearance remains a mystery. No one knows what he actually looked like. Nowhere in the Gospel accounts is he described, and no likeness of him of any kind in any form can be dated conclusively to the years of His l

In 1857 there was a 46 year old man named Jeremiah Lamphere who lived in New York City. Jeremiah loved the Lord tremendously, but he didn’t feel that he could do much for the Lord until he began to feel a burden for the lost and accepted an invitation from his church to be an inner city ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14-16

Denomination: Christian Church

Making Wise Investments Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jul 27, 2021

Perhaps the greatest challenge the church faces is finding her place in changing world, on that doesn’t appear to be getting better. John gives an imperative for the church, make investment on in God’s promises which are eternal, not in a worldview that is destined to fail.

Our society is infatuated with extremes, there seems to be no common ground for living. I developed a model, Pathway to Recovery, that illustrates this dynamic. While at a bookstore, I observed a group of students. They were polls apart when discussing religious thought. I had made the comment to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Perceive Passion Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 26, 2014

We need to decide what we are going to be passionate about in life. David was passionate for the Lord. The truth is you are passionate about something! The Bible encourages us to be passionate for Jesus like David was!

Theme: True Life Series: Perceive Scripture: Proverbs 29:18 (The Message): 18If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. Definition of Perceive: become aware or conscious of (something); come to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We All Have A Second (Or A Third . . . Or Fourth) Chance

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Apr 30, 2019

Jesus gives us lots of opportunities to join him

John 21:1-19 This story of the final appearance of Jesus to his disciples took place a couple weeks after Easter; the disciples seemed at wit’s end… Jesus has died, they were not really sure about the resurrection (even though they have seen the risen Christ once or twice). But they were still ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Episcopal

The Rapture – Fear Or Encouragement?

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 21, 2025

The rapture should not bring fear but joy and anticipation for believers. If we are living right, we have nothing to fear. Instead, we should encourage one another and look forward to Christ’s return with hope and readiness.

THE RAPTURE – FEAR OR ENCOURAGEMENT? By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Matthew 25:1-13, John 14:1-3 INTRODUCTION: The doctrine of the rapture is a central teaching in Christian eschatology, signifying the moment when Christ will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Suddenly

Contributed by John Mccaherty on Dec 23, 2002

: Picture the amazement of the shepherds as they are out watching their sheep, and then SUDDENLY angels appear. For hundreds of years the prophets had been foretelling the coming of the messiah and not SUDDENLY here are the angels proclaiming the time ha

Suddenly 12/22/02 Rev. John McCaherty 1st Baptist Murphy Text: Luke 2:13-14 Lu:2:13: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Lu:2:14: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Intro: Picture the amazement of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Rock On!

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Aug 12, 2002

In spite of present appearances, the kingdom of God rocks on – forever – toppling the nations and bringing hope to god’s people. Therefore, in spite of current conditions we need to rock on – God is in charge!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Scripture is taken from the New Living Translation. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - On Friday morning terrorists threw grenades into a group of Christian nurses in Pakistan as they emerged from chapel. Three died and 23 were injured. This is just the latest attack by ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:24-49

Denomination: *other

"If The Church Would Just Pray"

Contributed by Bishop William Bryant Wilmore, Jr. on Aug 17, 2003

When Peter was in prison, awaiting what appeared to be a sure execution, the church prayed without ceasing for him and Peter was set free by an angel of the Lord. Powerful things happen the church prays.

In the text, we find something taking place that seems to be missing in many churches today – that is church folk praying for church folk. In this particular case, a church member in trouble. The Apostle Peter is on death roll and all petitions to commute his sentence have been exhausted. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:5, Acts 12:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

From Fear To Joy

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

In this Christmas Day message, we see how the angels appeared to the shepherds, who were afraid when they saw them and teh glory of God. The angels tell them to not be afraid but to joyful.

Introductory Considerations 1. "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." 2. It is with these words that the first newscast was made to the world about the greatest event ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Progressing Through The Storm 

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Have you ever wondered why some people are afraid to progress when conditions appear difficult? Most of us are hesitant to try something new unless we are given guarantees

Illustration:When Pablo Casals reached 95, a young reported threw him a question: "Mr. Casals, you are 95 and the greatest cellist that ever lived. Why do you still practice six hours a day?" And Mr. Casals answered, "Because I think I’m making progress." Your goal is to make progress every day of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:10-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Second Death Series

Contributed by Neil O'donnell on Feb 9, 2001

The dead appear before God, and all who are not written in the Book of Life- that is, who have not during one of history’s eras put their trust in God- are consigned to the lake of fire.

"I cannot preach on hell unless I preach with tears." - D.L. Moody "Then death and hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death" (Rev. 20:14) The thousand-year-reign. This is the only mention in the Bible of a thousand-year period during which Christ rules on ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:1-15

Denomination: Catholic

Chip Off The Old Rock

Contributed by Jason Miller on Jan 25, 2011

People can tell from our appearance, our attitude, and our associations whether or not we have been with Jesus. Can we really be looked at as chips off the old rock?

Chip Off the Old Rock They Had Been with Jesus This Thursday night Dr. David Jeremiah will be in town to give a talk on his new book Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World: What on Earth Should We Do? Part of what he will be talking about is how to live in the times that we’re living in. ...read more

Denomination: Mennonite