Sermons on Outward Appearance:

Resurrection Appearance: John Believes (Lesson 1)

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 4, 2003

Series: Resurrection Appearance

INTRODUCTION: JOHN 20:1-10 What a resurrection appearance of Jesus is not? Not just His Spirit. "Handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have" (Luke 24:39). Not just a vision. (Daytime). "Behold My hands and My feet . . . handle Me" (Luke 24:39). Not just a ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Palm Sunday: Appearances Can Be Different To Reality

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Apr 3, 2020

On Palm Sunday, things were not as they appeared

Things aren’t what they appear to be. And in life, some things are also not what they seem. For example, we can make assumptions about things and systems and people, and maybe we steer clear of something because it seems like something we don’t like. Maybe we look at a food or a venue or a type of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-14

The Abraham Factor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 13, 2008

God did more than start a "religion" with Abraham. He started a "relationship" - a relationship that models what God desires to do in our lives.

OPEN: A third grader once wrote a homework assignment where he was supposed to "Explain God." "One of God’s main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn’t make grown-ups, just babies. I think because ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

When Women Quit Looking In The Mirror

Contributed by John Gaston on May 8, 2019

Some women gave up their mirrors so the bronze Laver could be built. What remarkable women, what a remarkable sacrifice, what a remarkable change of heart; abandoning the outward image of Eve to develop the inner image of Jesus.

WHEN WOMEN QUIT LOOKING IN THE MIRROR Ex. 38:8 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THEY CAUGHT A MERMAID 1. Three guys were out fishing one day when, out of the blue, they caught a mermaid who said she’d grant each of them a wish if they’d set her free. 2. “Okay,” said the first guy, “double my IQ.” The ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 38:8, 1 Peter 3:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Heart Of The Matter Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 17, 2005

Learn from the mistakes of the Pharisees: (1) Don’t be too caught up by the outward, it’s the heart that counts; (2) Don’t be too caught up by what man thinks; it’s what God thinks that counts.

We are all creatures of habit. We do many things over and over again. • There is nothing wrong with that. There will surely be routines in life. • But the danger comes when we get so accustomed to them, that we no longer understand the reason why we are doing them. • If fact, we may have lost its ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-9, Romans 2:17-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Create In Me A Clean Heart

Contributed by Mark Baker on Apr 27, 2007

The born again man, or spirit man is spotless in the eyes of God, but our outward man has to be renewed, and reprogrammed to think and act like the Word of God says to think and act.God looks at our heart and sees things that no one else sees...

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. How does God do this? Is it automatic? The born again man, or spirit man is spotless in the eyes of God, but our outward man has to be renewed, and reprogrammed to think and act like the Word of God says ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A No Good Lying Fig Tree

Contributed by Ron Theis on Jul 1, 2010

A Warning to all those who APPEAR to be fruitful, but are not.

A No Good Lying Fig Tree Matthew 21:17-20 INTRO A. No one likes A Liar! 1. There was a world renowned theologian and philosopher several years ago who used a story to illustrate this point. 2. It was a story about a monkey and a coon dog. 3. This world famous theologian’s name was Jerry ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

God Is No Respecter Of Persons

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 6, 2025

God’s justice is impartial, and He does not judge based on external appearances, wealth, status, or influence. The Scriptures emphasise that righteousness is rewarded, while wickedness invites judgment, regardless of a person’s position.

GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Romans 2:11 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 3:10-11, Acts 10:34-35 INTRODUCTION: God’s justice is impartial, and He does not judge based on external appearances, wealth, status, or influence. The Scriptures emphasise that righteousness is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:11, Isaiah 3:10-11, Acts 10:34-35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover - Year B - Proper 18

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Sep 1, 2021

How do we react to others - are we quick to judge on appearance, and can we learn to be hearers and doers of the word?

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, the congregation had just settled into their service and had begun to sing the first hymn, when their attention was disturbed by a young man who was aimlessly wandering down the aisle. He was unkempt, ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-17, Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Anglican

Saul: The King Who Fell From Grace Series

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Mar 5, 2009

Lent Mid-week 2: Message based on (but not adapted from) Concordia Publishing House mid-week lenten series. Saul was chosen to be the Leader of God’s people. By choosing to disobey God, he lost God’s blessing and his position as king. Our King of kings

Do you remember the last time that you decided to make a big change in your life? I’m not talking about doing something that is a part of daily life and living – like really wanting to go watch a movie or having an ice cream cone – I’m talking about something really huge – something that would ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:10-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Modesty Series

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Nov 12, 2012

The need for modesty

1 Timothy 2b: Modesty 10/12/08 Turn with me this morning to the second chapter in the book of 1 Timothy. Timothy is towards the end of the New Testament, in the second half of the Bible. We saw that this is a letter from the Apostle Paul to Timothy, his young protegé. Paul left Timothy at Ephesus ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:10-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Believe In Christ's Resurrection

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 11, 2019

The tomb is empty

1. The tomb was empty. “They (the women) found the stone rolled away . . . and found not the body of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Luke 24:2-3). The angel said, “He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him” (Mark 16:6). a. The enemy tried to secure it. “Pilate said . . . make it as secure as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:2-3, Matthew 27:65-66, John 20:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

An Unexpected Sunday Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Apr 1, 2018

After Friday nobody expected what would happen on Sunday

Nobody had expected this. It was only two days ago that the people of Jerusalem had watched as Jesus had been crucified as a heretic and a traitor to Rome. For three years Jesus had travelled throughout Israel. Preaching, teaching, healing the sick and feeding the hungry. He had quieted ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Seeing Is Believing (Part One)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Apr 20, 2020

This is part one of a two part series on the resurrection appearances to Mary and the disciples.

SEEING IS BELIEVING (part one) JOHN 20:1-18 In September, 1938, a man who lived on Long Island ordered an expensive barometer. When it arrived he was extremely disappointed to find that the dial was stuck; it pointed to “Hurricane.” This can't be right; hurricanes don't happen around here. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18, Psalm 34:18, Galatians 3:26-27, Mark 16:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ