Sermons on Obsessed With Appearance:

"precepts From The Empty Tomb."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Apr 1, 2024

This message relates to the story of Jesus's crucifixion. It depicts the disciples, who were heartbroken and hiding in an upper room after Jesus's death, with their hopes shattered. The message conveys the excitement when Jesus appears before them after his resurrection.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Luke 24:49) "] And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." (John 20:19-20) [19] "Then ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-20, John 20:21-23, John 20:21-25, John 20:26-29, Matthew 12:40, 1 Peter 3:19-20, 2 Corinthians 5:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Light In Earthen Vessels

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 29, 2022

God saw a lowly farmer like Gideon as a mighty warrior. When God looks at each of us, He sees a mighty warrior too. However, that warrior doesn’t appear unless we put our trust in the Lord and rely entirely on Him in faith.

Our text today will come from the New International Version. In our message we’re going to view a story about an ordinary man who had an intense struggle with trusting God, and this man’s name was Gideon. We will learn how when Gideon finally trusted the Lord, that he understood what it meant to ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-40, Judges 7:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

John 20:24-31 Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Jun 4, 2019

I just can't believe it! Ever said that? That was a common response by those to whom Jesus appeared after his resurrection and it's still a rather common response by many today. Don't be surprised! Be ready!

“I can’t believe it!” Something extraordinary, something unusual, something unexpected happens and we exclaim, “I can’t believe it!” “I can’t believe its snowing…again!” “I can’t believe they actually won the game!” “I can’t believe I passed the test.” “I can’t believe I got the job!” “I ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Death Of David Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Sep 6, 2018

The name David appears for the first time in Ruth 4:22. The name continues on to the end of the book of Revelation. Man after God’s own heart( 1 Sam. 13:14). Youngest of 8 sons(16:10-11). His death is another landmark.

Death of David Text: 2 Kings 1-2 Introduction: David was a man after God’s Own heart, but had numerous problems and difficulties in life. Though his fall made a vital change in the fortune of his life career, in spite of that, he had to face all jealousy, hatred, enmity of relatives, friends and ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

There’s Hope For The Dried Up

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Sep 27, 2012

God was and is still in control. He can and will give life to that which appears to have shriveled up and died. Ezekiel’s vision has applications for our lives today. As in Ezekiel’s day, God is still in the business of giving hope to the dried up.

There’s Hope for the Dried Up Ezekiel 37:1-14 The children of Israel had begun to lose their hope. The nation had dried up politically, spiritually, and morally. Many had gone into captivity. Despair and pessimism were rampant. Gloom and doom filled the air. They had become a dried up exiled ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

"from Doubt To Faith: Embracing The Peace Of Christ"

Contributed by Mark Zorn on Apr 26, 2025

Today’s message comes from the Gospel of John, Chapter 20, verses 19-31. This passage recounts Jesus’ appearance to His disciples after the resurrection and the story of Thomas, often called “Doubting Thomas.” It speaks to the themes of fear, doubt, and the transformative power of faith.

**Introduction** Good morning, beloved! Today’s message comes from the Gospel of John, Chapter 20, verses 19-31. This passage recounts Jesus’ appearance to His disciples after the resurrection and the story of Thomas, often called “Doubting Thomas.” It speaks to the themes of fear, doubt, and the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Haman’s Sinister Scheme Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 7, 2021

The plot continues to thicken for Mordecai and Esther. Just when it appeared the Jews would enjoy a season of peace and prosperity, Haman devised a plan to destroy the them throughout the kingdom. Regardless of Haman's intentions, God remained sovereign and would preserve His people.

Haman’s Sinister Scheme Esther 3: 8-15 While Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews within Persia may have rejoiced in Esther being crowned as queen, they would soon find themselves dealing with an executive order from Ahasuerus that would strike fear in their hearts. The hatred Haman had for Mordecai had ...read more

Scripture: Esther 3:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

Saved From Hell

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 6, 2009

Many pastors do not want to preach on HELL fearing they’ll not appear relevant. It’s pressure from the culture to not speak anything negative. Apparently we have begun to deny hell. There’s an assumption that everybody’s going to make it to heaven somehow

Opening illustration: Video of ‘HELL’ from center of the earth. Introduction: Many pastors do shy away from the topic of everlasting damnation. "It’s out of fear they’ll not appear relevant. It’s pressure from the culture to not speak anything negative. I believe we’ve begun to deny hell. There’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keepers Of The Flame Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

God’s desire is for us to be joyful always, to pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances. We must avoid every kind of evil and make sure that we allow the Spirit’s flame to burn brightly in our lives as we await His glorious appearing.

Keepers of the Flame A guy from Wisconsin and a man from Illinois are sitting next to each other on a long flight to L.A. The Illini leans over to the Badger and asks if he’d like to play a game to pass the time. The cheesehead just wants to take a nap, so he politely declines. The flatlander ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

Denomination: Baptist

A Perfect Heart

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 25, 2014

Perfection does not mean a sinless, flawless heart. Man judges by outward appearances, by what he sees. But God judges the heart; the unseen motives. David was said to have had a perfect heart toward God "all the days of his life," yet he failed the Lord.

11-18-04 A Perfect Heart It is possible to walk before the Lord with a perfect heart! God said to Abraham, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect" (Genesis 17:1). God also said to the children of Israel, "Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 18:13). David ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Character Of Faith Series

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Sep 5, 2011

What is it that you really deserve today? Is it mercy we deserve because we've shown mercy to others. Or are we judges with evil thoughts who discriminate against others. Are we ones who judge by the outward appearances...or do we reflect the glory..the

THE CHARACTER OF FAITH JAMES 2:1 13 A Chinese man and a Jewish man were eating lunch together. Suddenly, without warning the Jew gets up, walks over to the Chinese fellow and smashes him in the mouth, sending him sprawling. The Chinese man picks himself up, rubs his jaw and asks, "What in the ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Character Amnesia (Loss)

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 19, 2011

Some people appear to have “character amnesia” of a different sort. When faced with a dilemma, they seem to “forget” the right thing to do and instead choose the easy way out. Character is who we are; it’s not something we “forget.” Those who have a loss

Opening illustration: It seems that young people in China are beginning to forget how to write the characters that comprise the beautiful calligraphy of their traditional language. Some are calling the phenomenon “character amnesia.” Heavy usage of computers and smart phones often means that ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Father’s Day Let Us Be Transformed (Message With Humor)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jun 18, 2010

Someone noticed that the word "father" appears in the dictionary just before the word "fatigued" and just after the word "fathead." So, to all us fatigued, fathead fathers, Happy Father's Day! Updated June 2020.

Let us Pray.... O' Gracious Father - bless now the words of my lips and the meditations of our hearts. Breathe your Spirit into us and grant that we may hear and in hearing be led in the way ...... you want us to go. We ask this in the name of your son Jesus the Christ. Amen. Someone ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-14, Ephesians 6:1-10, Luke 15:11-32, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:14, Ephesians 6:1-4, Luke 6:36, Matthew 6:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Hope Reigns Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 10, 2016

Despite the wickedness of our rulers hope reigns. God wants us to trust Him enough that we look to Him for direction in choosing our leaders. He also want us to trust Him when those leaders don't appear to do His will.

Intro: Something has been weighing heavily on me as November quickly approaches like a growing storm. It is often said that this is the most important election of our nation’s history. What we have to do is look at the elections that are upcoming with a fresh and new set of eyes. The ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:2

Denomination: Baptist

Signs Of Life

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 15, 2014

Easter sermon. 5 basic signs of life that helped His followers see that Jesus, their hope and source of life, was no longer dead. 1. The Rock that Rolled. 2. Empty Tomb. 3. Empty Burial Clothes. 4. Two Angels. 5. Physical Appearance of Jesus to Mary

Signs of Life John 20:1-18 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God