Sermons on Outward Appearance:

Leaving Prejudice

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 29, 2008

The book of James is referred to Jesus’ writings from Matthew 5-7 Jesus teaching the Beautitudes. This is a teaching verse upon verse in the book of James

Start by reading this story: On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur there was once a crude little lifesaving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

When God Comes Near Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 6, 2007

People reach out in crisis. Those who reach out to God find that He comes near. God’s nearness has its effects upon the saved & the sinner alike.

ISAIAH 33: 13-17 A FUTURE FOR THE FAITHFUL God here promises to come near and deliver His people from the destruction of their enemies. This great deliverance is not enacted from afar but by Him coming near in authority and power and making Himself known. This presence ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 33:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Beauty In A Ugly Church

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Sep 11, 2007

There is some many problems in the church. You can become discouraged. But if you look into the church, you will see more beauty than ever.

THE BEAUTY IN A UGLY CHURCH TEXT: EPH. 5:26-27 THEME: THERE IS BEAUTY IN AN IMPERFECT CHURCH Sometimes you can see too much of a church. My friend always warned me of this. In ministry you will see the cuts and the blemishes on the church. You will see too much of the people. This was ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Surviving Life’s Storms

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 17, 2010

Calamities prompt us to ask, "Why?" There are no pat answers. Yet there are answers for how we can survive these sudden storms. It’s important that we anchor our attitudes in Scripture.

Opening illustration: It seemed like a regular day at the beach. When the blasts of billions of tons of water wrecked the coasts of more than a dozen Asian nations on Dec. 26, 2004, most of the people on the beaches were totally unaware of the looming danger. In its wake the massive tsunami claimed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Strongman - Pt. 1 - Fatal Flaws Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Apr 5, 2013

Comic book character? Super human? Incredibly strong. Incredibly flawed. The Strongman teaches us strong lessons.

The Strongman Pt. 1- Fatal Flaws I. Introduction He has captured the imagination of Hollywood and Christians alike. He comes off like a comic book hero and a superhuman. A real life Hercules whose strength is legendary. He was otherworldly strong and ironically real world weak. His story ...read more

Scripture: Judges 13:24-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

(The Just Shall Live By Faith)

Contributed by Derrick White Sr on Nov 30, 2017

HABAKKUK BASIC MESSAGE TO GOD IS (HOW LONG) EVEN IN THE DAY AND TIME WE ARE LIVING IN SOMETIMES WE AS CHRISTIANS CATCH THE HOW LONG SYNDROME

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH (HABAKKUK 2:1-4) VERSE 1- I WILL STAND UPON MY WATCH, AND SET ME UPON THE TOWER, AND WILL WATCH TO SEE WHAT HE WILL SAY UNTO ME, AND WHAT I SHALL ANSWER WHEN I AM ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Will You Be Ready?

Contributed by Scott Nichols on Jan 18, 2019

What if in the next moment - even as my words fall upon your ears - Christ returned with the shout of the archangel and the trumpet blast? "Faithful and true would He find us here, if He should come today?" Would you be ready?

The hymn we have just sung asks a pointed question. A question that I fear too often we dismiss in our daily lives. With all the concerns of living in the present moment - with all of the accompanying joys or frustrations - we fail to give much thought to the final moment. That moment when time, as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Bless The Lord Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 25, 2019

We often think of God blessing us, but what about us blessing God? David gives us some good reasons to bless God. Check out these thoughts from our Family Minister, Scott Jewell.

Read Psalm 103:1-5 Brother Roger, a reformed minister, moved to Taizé, France in 1940 to re-establish a form of monastic communal living that had been a tradition in that area back in medieval times. The community became known as a place for the down and out. In the 60s, young adults began ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church Is Born Series

Contributed by Jeff Kautz on Dec 28, 2018

The First church is born

The Church Is Born Acts 2:1-13 Lessons From The Early Church Everything in Chapter one is preparation to the great outburst of the Spirit we are going to see in chapter 2 The second chapter of Acts marks a turning point in the history of God’s kingdom and a new phase of God’s redemptive plan ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Prince Who Brings Peace

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 12, 2019

Jesus came to bring us a peace which can supercede all of this world's persecutions and troubles. It's a peace in 3 directions: peace with God, peace with each other, and peace with ourselves. Jesus bought this peace by His work on the Cross. He is our peace!

THE PRINCE WHO BRINGS PEACE Isa. 9:6; Lk. 2:13-14 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Nancy Dugan was nearly four as Christmas drew near. Her parents and four older siblings had all tried to prepare Nancy for Christmas by talking with her about the real meaning of Christmas and why their family celebrated ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:13-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Confronting The Skeptics Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jul 4, 2018

Having dealt with many questions, and silencing His accusers, Jesus did not remain silent. He seized the opportunity to ask some questions regarding their view of Him.

Confronting the Skeptics Mark 12: 35-40 Our text today immediately follows the question Jesus was asked by one of the scribes regarding the Greatest Commandment. Having pleased this particular scribe with His answer, the remainder of those present were reluctant to challenge Jesus any further. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-40

Denomination: Baptist

Of Thermometer And Thermostat

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on May 28, 2018

With temperatures varying depending upon the weather outside, two like-sounding instruments come to our mind instinctively-thermometer and thermostat. Yours Truly in the midst of "sweltering Indian summer" has woven some spiritual truths around these two.

Of Thermometer and Thermostat Believers’ In every sweltering summer the temperatures soar. With mercury on the rise, oh how our tongues crave for that cool “elixir of life” (read pot or fridge water)! By the same token in chilly winter, the warm clothing shunned in summer now appears ...read more

Denomination: *other

The Seven Bowl Judgments Of God Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Nov 12, 2023

The wrath of God against the rebellion of the Earth's population is now seen in its entirety. God has called for 7 bowl judgements to be poured onto the Earth to signify the culmination of His anger and intolerance of sin and wickedness.

Alpha and Omega, Part 44, Revelation Part 21 The Seven Bowl Judgments of God Revelation 16:1-21 Introduction - Been studying Revelation together, to understand God’s plan for creation -- REM: Redemption of sin is granted through Jesus; and yes, we have a choice - Last time we explored God’s ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 16:1-21, Matthew 25:13, Matthew 24:29, Joel 2:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fulfilling God’s Unique Purpose For Our Lives Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Oct 17, 2024

Success is about faithfulness, service, and fulfilling the unique purpose God has for each of us.

Fulfilling God’s Unique Purpose for Our Lives Intro: Success is about faithfulness, service, and fulfilling the unique purpose God has for each of us. Scripture: Isaiah 53:4, Isaiah 53:10-11, Hebrews 4:14-16, Mark 10:35-45. Reflection Success is a word that evokes varied responses, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4, Isaiah 53:10-11, Hebrews 4:14-16, Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Other

King Jeroboam Ii Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Nov 2, 2024

I would like to highlight three things from these six verses: Jeroboam II was a magnificent but unspiritual King, Israel was an unsatisfied nation, and Yahweh was all sufficient God. What is your identity.

Text: 2 Kings 14:23-29 Theme: Jeroboam II Greetings: The Lord is good and His love endures forever. Introduction: Observation of the Text: Jeroboam II son of Jehoash, reigned forty-one years, did evil, did not turn away from sins of Jeroboam I, caused Israel to commit, restored the boundaries ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 14:23-29

Denomination: Methodist