Sermons on Obsessed With Appearance:

15. David’s Anointing - God’s Choice (1 Samuel 16) Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 27, 2025

When God chooses a leader, He looks not at appearances, but at the heart. His plans are always unfolding, even in quiet fields and unlikely places. While men elevate the impressive, God prepares the faithful.

David’s Anointing - God’s Choice June 4, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 16 When God chooses a leader, He looks not at appearances, but at the heart. His plans are always unfolding, even in quiet fields and unlikely places. While men elevate the impressive, God ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

The Ecstasy Before The Agony

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2024

Religious excitement does not necessarily translate into spiritual worship. Rather, the one following Jesus must guard against being turned aside by that which appears good. Remember that good is enemy of the best.

“The large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Qualifying Round - Mark 3:16-19 (Luke 6:12-16) Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 4, 2023

Jesus selected 12 men who, by all appearances, were deeply unqualified. But he was very deliberate about who he selected. Why did he chose the men he choose?

Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve-- designating them apostles-- that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:12-16

David And The Hs Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 10, 2015

The Holy Spirit is active in the care of our souls if we let Him. He wants to comfort us, lead us, guide us, direct us, teach us and empower us. He wants us to be ìChrist likeî and ìdo the work of the Kingdomî in the here and now.

Opening Video Illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6DtRmyx1bA David Platt on the importance of the Holy Spirit Series: Soul Care and the Holy Spirit Thesis: The Holy Spirit is active in the care of our souls if we let Him. He wants to comfort us, lead us, guide us, direct us, teach ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Superficial Reconciliation Vs Genuine Restoration Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 7, 2025

2 Samuel 14 reminds us that peace is not the absence of tension, but the presence of truth and reconciliation.

SUPERFICIAL RECONCILIATION VS GENUINE RESTORATION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Samuel 14:1-33 Supporting Texts: Matthew 5:23-24, Luke 15:17-24, Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 1:18, Colossians 3:13 INTRODUCTION: 2 Samuel 14 reveals a situation where appearance was prioritised over heart ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 14:1-33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Hypocrisy

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 19, 2004

It seems that this passage describes God’s indictment of all hypocrites, regardless of race or religion, culture or creed. Both Jews and Gentiles are included in this discussion, but the Gentile often appears in a better light than the Jew.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Despite the mind-numbing brutality of the Joseph Stalin regime in the Soviet Union, his propaganda machine did its job well. Many Russians hailed him as a hero and a savior, including a young school girl who was chosen on one occasion to greet Stalin. Years later, this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Tell Them!

Contributed by Brian Credille on Mar 4, 2001

The risen Christ appeared to the two Marys and gave them clear direction as to a new meaning and purpose for life. Jesus’ words to them give us new meaning and direction for our lives today as well.

“Tell Them!” Matthew 28:9-20 INTRODUCTION Jesus had been gloriously raised from the dead. The two Marys had been to the tomb and found it empty! As they encountered the risen Christ, a new meaning and purpose for life was revealed. That meaning and purpose is for you and I today: I. WE HAVE A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:9-20

Denomination: Baptist

How Do I Face The Future

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 25, 2005

The future and its possibilities can be scary. Evil appears to be hiding around every corner. Our faith in God, though, gives us hope for the future and enables us to face the future with confidence and power.

Matthew 28:19-20 “How Do I Face the Future?” INTRODUCTION Times have changed. A few years ago, the future, which we faced, was filled with potential and possibilities. Nothing seemed impossible. The stock market was marking double and triple digit gains. The economy was expanding, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Securing The Foundations

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 16, 2010

As the church enters a new era, many things appear to have changed. But the foundation in Christ is secure and is therefore the basis for the future. We must secure our intellectual, spiritual, and relational foundations in order to succeed.

For a number of years the building had stood in the community, serving our children as their elementary school. It had weathered the coming and going of several generations of children. It had withstood not only the storms that beat on it from the outside, but also the onslaughts of thousands of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-23

Denomination: Baptist

Seven Little Bible Words

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 1, 2010

There are seven monosyllabic words which appear oftentimes in the Bible. Though insignificant to many casual readers, they actually convey some if the greatest truths of God. These are BUT, GO, LO, HO, WOE, NO, and SO.

Intro: There are seven monosyllabic words which appear oftentimes in the Bible. Though insignificant to many casual readers, they actually convey some if the greatest truths of God. These are BUT, GO, LO, HO, WOE, NO, and SO. 1. BUT = indicates a contrast or a comparison (used 3,994 times): ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 12:6

Denomination: *other

God Has Purpose For You! Pt. 1

Contributed by Rev. M Edmunds on Oct 18, 2005

God has chosen this generation, though they appear defiant, disinterested, and dysfunctional to be a delivering generation of earthmovers like Othniel and Ehud in the book of Judges that will fulfill God’s purpose and plan to deliver an oppressed people.

Elder M. Edmunds Co-Pastor of United Ordained Church June 2002 This morning, I would like to concentrate on verse thirty-one of our text. For it is the foundation, in which I will elucidate and bring relevance by building from, to encourage our youth today, who are experiencing many ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:30-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Heavenly Visitors Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jul 6, 2011

This is part 32 in our series on the Book of Genesis. In this sermon we discuss chapter 18 when God and the two angels appeared to Abraham and spoke with him concerning God's promise and God's judgment of Sodom.

Heavenly Visitors (Genesis part 32) Text: Genesis 18:1-15 By: Ken McKinley (Read Text) Now if you know your Bibles then you know that in the next chapter is the infamous Sodom and Gomorrah story – where those two wicked cities are destroyed. And Bible scholars like to point out the contrast ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Command To "Cheer Up!"

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 4, 2015

In one of Paul's most discouraged moments, the Lord Jesus appeared to him and told him to cheer up, giving him several reasons why. We too should be buoyed by the same command and encouragements.

THE COMMAND TO CHEER UP Acts 23:6-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Dear Abby: One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister. A member of an official board had watched the pastor search committee reject applicant after applicant for some fault, alleged or otherwise. It was time ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:6-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

From Grief To Joy

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Apr 5, 2015

For the disciples, the death of Jesus appeared to be the death of all their hopes and dreams, but those who lived through both Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday never doubted God again. Easter transformed them and the world.

“From Grief to Joy”, John 16:16-22 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts (Easter Sunday 2015) Tomb, you shall not hold Him longer. Death is strong, but life is stronger Stronger than the dark, the light; Stronger than the wrong, the right; Faith ...read more

Scripture: John 16:16-22

Denomination: Congregational

The Song Of Simeon, At Christmas?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Nov 10, 2014

Even in Advent, the song of Simeon, does not appear as being festive; but it is necessary in the build-up to meet with Jesus; and I will warn you just now, it pushes our faith to the limit; but it does provide relieve.

Welcome Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Today is the first Sunday of Advent and the children this morning will be retiring to the hall to make our Advent wreath and they will bring it into the service after the Intercessions so that the first candle can ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:2-40

Denomination: Episcopal