Sermons on Ordinary Heroes:

One True Leader Over Life Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jun 10, 2009

What lies within us is more of an ambivalence towards leadership… we actually long for that which can organize life… that which can set forth what is right… and HEROES who reveal something of a better way.

One True Leader Over Life Series: The Liberated Life (Colossians) Brad Bailey – May 3, 2009 (NOTE: The following includes some sections in which a name precedes a section of thought. These were drawn from others and I have included their names to give credit. They were not quoted but rather ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gideon: The Thresher Gone Thrasher Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 26, 2021

Today’s sermon is about a cowardly hero forced into hiding by organized crime, an angel that is more than an angel, strange fleece ware, a bad dream, being outnumbered 450 to one, and smashed pottery. This is how it happened.

Gideon: The Thresher Gone Thrasher (Judges 6:1-7:25) 1. My sister didn’t do as well on her driver’s-ed test as she’d hoped. It might have had something to do with how she completed this sentence: “When the ______ is dead, the car won’t start.” She wrote: “Driver.” Nathan Hellman, Brooklyn, ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Joseph’s Obedience Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jan 1, 2023

Joseph is the unsung hero of Christ's early life. Through obedience, he impacted Mary, he impacted Jesus, he impacted the other children, and I think he impacted Jesus’ entire ministry.

Sometimes there's words that we just don't like. Sometimes it's because of the way they sound. Some sound weird or sometimes they conjure up something kind of gross. One word that I don't like is the word ‘maggot.’ Really, if you think of maggots, is anything pleasant ever really ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Remembering The Sacrifice

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 24, 2024

As we reflect on the profound significance of this day, may we also find parallels with the ultimate sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and draw inspiration from the values of courage, commitment, and selflessness exemplified by our fallen heroes.

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Play the video “Memorial Day Thanks.” INTRODUCTION: As we gather today on this Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who have selflessly sacrificed their lives in service to our country. It is a day of solemn remembrance, a time to pay tribute ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16, Galatians 5:13-14, John 3:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gone Fishin'

Contributed by John Nadasi on Jan 29, 2003

This is a fun sermon to preach! God’s call extends from the ordinary (apostles) to the extraordinary (Jonah). Many times God calls us through the subtlety of invitation as in this text. We are invited to go and do likewise.

Mark 1: 14-20 January 26, 2000 Paonia United Methodist Church How many of you watch the news? Have you seen the case being brought against McDonalds That eating their food makes you fat? Duh! Of course it does… that’s what makes it taste good. Thankfully, that case was dismissed this ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Methodist

"Oratio, Meditatio, Tentatio"

Contributed by Bruce Hindenburg on Aug 23, 2002

This is a sermon summarizing the stories learned by the children during Vacation Bible School, looked at through the "tests" that each individual endured. How, through the power given by God, ordinary people accomplished extraordinary things. Stories in

August 18, 2002 VBS Wrap-Up Sermon Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Late Friday night, I was in this room recording the opening for this morning’s radio broadcast. We had just completed this years VBS and I think I can speak for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:4-51, Acts 9:10-17

Denomination: Lutheran

What's Written On Your Heart?

Contributed by Beth Garrod-Logsdon on Oct 23, 2007

29th Sunday, Ordinary Time Year C More important than GOd’s words on monuments, t-shirts or bumper stickers is God’s word embodied in our thougths, words and actions.

What’s Written on Your Heart? Jeremiah 31:23-34; Luke 18:1-8; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 The date was August 28, 2003, and the following is a portion of the article that appeared originally in the New York Times and then in other papers around the country. The author – reporting from Montgomery, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:23-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Miracle Of The Manger - John 1

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Dec 31, 2011

Consider for a moment this miracle of the manger and the astonishing claims made regarding this child. Into the humblest of circumstances Jesus is born. His mother is an ordinary, young girl named Mary. His birthplace is a stable, a barn in a small, obscu

Christmas Sermon- The Miracle of the Manger - John 1 Scriptures: John 1:1-5, 9-14 Introduction John's Gospel describes for us in beautiful and poetic imagery this miracle of the manger. (Read John 1:1-5, 9-14) I. Astonishing claims Could He be who He claims to be? Consider for a moment this ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God Loves Families!

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Oct 1, 2009

Ordinary Proper 22: Our individualistic orientation as a culture has brought many ills upon us. Among those is the deterioration of the family. This message looks at Jesus’ teaching on the intention of God for men and women and children.

Leonard Sweet, professor of theology at Drew University was the keynote speaker at a theological convocation that I attended last fall. Part of Dr. Sweet’s message focused on the rampant individualism that has become so much a part of our culture. Here is a paraphrase of part of what he said: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:2-16

Denomination: Lutheran

With Whom Are We At War?

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Sep 26, 2009

Ordinary Proper 21: Divisions among Christians are not new. Unfortunately, they are all too common - even among the same church members. But we are called to be one because of the price paid to make us one - the Cross!

At one time, we had a large aquarium. It was fun to keep it up and to learn about the different sorts of tropical fish that we kept. One of my very favorite fish was the Betta Splendens. Sometimes they are called bettas or they are called Siamese Fighting Fish. There is a picture of a betta on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-41

Denomination: Lutheran

The Calling Of The Twelve Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on May 10, 2017

Jesus called twelve men to serve as disciples. These men came from different backgrounds, varied occupations, and unique personalities. Jesus used ordinary men in extraordinary ways. That should challenge and encourage every believer.

The Calling of the Twelve Mark 3: 13-21 Surely you would agree that our study thus far has revealed a very busy, and often difficult time for Jesus. His ministry had gained momentum and immense popularity among the common people. Everywhere Jesus went, He was met with large crowds of people, all ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon Asks For Signs Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 20, 2018

Gideon doubted God’s promise. Did God really want him to lead God’s army? What did he know about warfare? After all he was only an ordinary farmer.

Chapter 18.2.d: Gideon Asks for Signs Judges 6:37-40 Scripture 37 Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. 38 And it was so: for ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:37-40

Denomination: Baptist

Giving Thanks As We Grow Olddr Sermon I: Jesus Gave Thanks Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Sep 27, 2019

By giving thanks, Jesus made a custom that seemed so ordinary sacred . . . by lifting the level of its meaning beyond the material to the spiritual. Our Lord was aware, as we should be, of Who our Provider is.

JESUS GAVE THANKS – John 6:1-15 Somewhere I read about a woman who boarded a bus and could not find a seat? Every seat was taken. She was tired and carried several packages. Noticing her plight, a gentleman stood up and ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15

You Have The Honor Of Communing With The Architect Of Reality

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 26, 2021

It's quite astonishing to me that I have the ability to commune regularly with the architect of time, space, matter, energy, and consciousness. Dare I treat it as ordinary? Dare I allow it to become mundane?

It's quite astonishing to me that I have the ability to commune regularly with the architect of time, space, matter, energy, and consciousness. Dare I treat it as ordinary? Dare I allow it to become mundane? Though I am only human, I can perceive at least some of this wonder. Can't I? ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Mystery Of (Un)answered Prayer

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 23, 2021

Two stories from Mark 7 illustrate the mystery of answered prayer: God adapts his glorious plan to the requests of ordinary people, even when granting the requests is greater than people can imagine.

THE MYSTERY OF (UN)ANSWERED PRAYER—Mark 7:24-37 Many people have had the experience of praying—passionately, even desperately—and not receiving the answer they were seeking. That can be confusing, even troubling, and we naturally ask, “Why?” Was God not listening? Is he not able to do what we ask? ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37, Matthew 15:21-28, Isaiah 35:5-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed