Sermons on Outward Appearances:

Godliness Is A Deep Internal Transformation Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 15, 2025

True godliness is a deep internal transformation that aligns our thoughts, words, and deeds with the character of God.

Godliness is often misunderstood as merely being polite, having a good attitude, or being diplomatic. However, true godliness goes far beyond these superficial qualities. It is a deep internal transformation that aligns one's thoughts, words, and deeds with the character of God. This ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:11

Words Of Life

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 13, 2021

Jesus spoke words that are still spirit and life. How can mere words be spirit and life? What does that mean? Let’s discuss why Jesus’ words are described as spirit and life in John 6:56-69.

Prelude Jesus spoke words that are still spirit and life. Purpose: How can mere words be spirit and life? What does that mean? Plan: Let’s discuss why Jesus’ words are described as spirit and life in John 6:56-69. Eat My Flesh John 6:56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, ...read more

Scripture: John 6:56-69

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Controlled By Christ Series

Contributed by Matthew Oliver on Oct 20, 2012

2 Corinthians 5:9 to 6:2. St Paul, rather than boasting about his special place as an apostle instead submits himself entirely to the control of Christ. What does that mean to us?

Pray. We’re continuing our series walking through St Paul’s second letter to the Christians at Corinth. In today’s selection we are hearing Paul recite the history of our salvation, and indeed the redemption of the totality of the creation, along with our very high calling in ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

God Chose David (1 Samuel 16)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 11, 2025

Why does God choose one and not another? Let's look in 1 Samuel 16.

Did God choose the least likely son of Jesse according to human reasoning? Are those God chooses often deemed unlikely by the world? Do we judge by outward appearance, or the heart? Let’s look at 1 Samuel 16. How did God assign Samuel to anoint a replacement for Saul? Does wisdom often mean ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Heart God Seeks Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 4, 2023

May we strive to cultivate hearts that align with the desires of our Heavenly Father, for it is in the condition of our hearts that God truly seeks to dwell.

"The Heart God Seeks" Introduction: Greet the congregation warmly and read the key verse: 1 Samuel 16:7b (NLT) - "The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Begin by acknowledging the human tendency ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7, Acts 13:22

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Defiled Religion, Defiled Hearts"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Aug 25, 2008

God is concerned with true worship from the heart, not outward observances.

“The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, 2 and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. 3 (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Orthodox

Studies In Ephesians: Strengthened By The Spirit Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Oct 18, 2011

Bible study throughout the book of Ephesians.

Note: This is a study through the book of Ephesians as done in 1995. One of the main sources I used at the time was Beacon Bible Commentary vol. 9. Title: Strengthened by the Spirit Theme: To show the purpose of being strengthened by the Spirit Text: Ephesians 3:14-21 Ephesians 3:14. For ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Church Of God

Visionary View: Gaining God's Perspective Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 2, 2023

The importance of having a visionary view in a person's life.

"Visionary View: Gaining God's Perspective" Introduction: The importance of having a visionary view in a person's life. Emphasize that this perspective helps us align their goals and actions with God's will. Proverbs 29:18 "When people do not accept divine guidance, they ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18, Matthew 14:28-31, Jeremiah 29:11, Hebrews 12:2, 1 Samuel 16:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

We Are All Brothers And Sisters

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Jan 30, 2018

we are all children of the one Creator, regardless of faith traditions

All human beings are 99% alike. If we looked at the book of our life, every page would be the same except for two: those on eye and skin color. Science have shown us repeatedly that we are all alike except for 1% - whether we were born in Canada, China or the U.S.; what is our eye and hair color; ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal

I Feel Completely Inadequate

Contributed by David Radcliff on Mar 12, 2016

Have you ever heard the old saying, “If you fail to plan, then you may as well plan to fail.”

I FEEL COMPLETELY INADEQUATE Luke 14:28-33 Have you ever heard the old saying, “If you fail to plan, then you may as well plan to fail.” This is a hard saying of Christ that makes it sound impossible to be able to one of his disciples. We should always have a plan of action no matter ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:28-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Supreme Value Of Godly Character. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 2, 2024

In a world that often prioritizes success, achievement, and talent, it's easy to forget what truly matters to God.

In a world that often prioritizes success, achievement, and talent, it's easy to forget what truly matters to God. While gifts, talents, and worldly accomplishments have their place, Godly character is far more important to God. We'll explore what the Bible says about the supremacy of godly ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:5, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 18:4, Romans 12:2, Revelation 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Clean Hands – Clean Heart

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Jun 12, 2012

We must have clean hands and pure hearts to come before God.

Clean Hands – Clean Heart June 28, 2009 Evening Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: We must have clean hands and pure hearts to come before God. Focus Passage: Psalm 24:1-6 Supplemental Passage: Jas 4:8b “Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

He Is The One

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Apr 23, 2015

Two things we need most are found in Jesus: real security and deep satisfaction.

King Saul was a major disappointment. As you know, he was the first king of Israel, and he was everything you would want a king to be. When we first meet him in the pages of Scripture, we are told that he was “a handsome young man.” In fact, “there was not a man among the people ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Favoritism Forbidden PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 14, 2023

Showing favoritism goes against God's command to love our neighbors as ourselves, and we should strive to treat everyone equally, as God does.

Good morning, church family! Today we are diving headfirst into the book of James. We're going to discuss a topic that we all wrestle with from time to time. That's right, we're talking about favoritism, and how it goes against the Golden Rule and God's judgement. It's a tough subject, but as Billy ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Topics: Treat Others, Golden Rule

The War Against Sin

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 14, 2014

'Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin' (Hebrews 12:4).

THE WAR AGAINST SIN. Matthew 15:10-20. The scribes and Pharisees brought an accusation to Jesus concerning His disciples (Matthew 15:2). Jesus exposed their hypocrisy with a counter-question (Matthew 15:3), a counter-argument (Matthew 15:4-6), and a counter accusation (Matthew 15:7-9). This ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20, Hebrews 12:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational