Sermons on Outward Appearances:

Halloween's History And The Bible

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Oct 27, 2020

What is the origin of Halloween? Is it ok to have festivals celebrating the harvest ? Are pumpkins okay? Can anything bad happen to us if we celebrate these things? What does the Bible say about Halloween?

What is the origin of Halloween? Is it ok to have festivals celebrating the harvest ? Are pumpkins okay? Can anything bad happen to us if we celebrate these things? What does the Bible say about Halloween? Let’s talk about that. A man was going to Halloween party one night dressed in a devil’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 5:11, Romans 12:2, James 4:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Happiest Of Endings Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 4, 2023

Mark concludes his Gospel in chapter 16 with the angel's announcement at the empty tomb, and then the appearances to Mary, the two disciples, and then the eleven apostles. Finally, he declares Jesus return to heaven and His work in and through the apostles as they carried out His mission.

Introduction A. In an old poem called “The Widow in the Bye Street,” John Masefield depicts a scene of heartbreaking agony. 1. He depicts a young man about to be executed by hanging for crimes he had committed. 2. In the crowd witnessing this fatal event was his mother. 3. As the trap door ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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: Baptist

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

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

The God Who Makes Nobodies Somebodies Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 20, 2025

God delights in lifting the lowly, rewriting destinies, and transforming ordinary lives into extraordinary testimonies.

THE GOD WHO MAKES NOBODIES SOMEBODIES By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 16:11-13 Key Verse: “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.” (Psalm 113:7-8) Supporting Texts: 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:11-13

Denomination: Assembly 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

"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

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

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Realize That Things Are Not As Bad As They Seem Or As Successful As They Might Appear

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom and the adaptability to see our situations more from God’s evaluative perspective. Paul wrote, "I know how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every si

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Realize That Things Are Not as Bad as They Seem or as Successful as They Might Appear (Phil. 4:8-13) Illustration:Faith understands that God intervenes in the natural course of events; on the other hand, if the natural course of events should happen to answer ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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