Sermons on Outwardness:

What Can't A Christian Do

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 14, 2014

An analysis of the problem

A. AN ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM 1. It’s becoming acceptable to call some Christians legalists, because the critic disagrees with their issues of separation from the world. 2. It becomes easy to do some questionable practices because they are seen on television, movies, or seen in the lives ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

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

Religion Without Relationship Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 29, 2025

Without God’s Word, people create their own religion.

RELIGION WITHOUT RELATIONSHIP By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Judges 17 Key Verse: Judges 17:5–6 –“And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Where Do You Place Your Trust?

Contributed by Michael Luke on Nov 3, 2001

Our trust cannot rest in our heritage, our knowledge of the Bible, or outward symbols of faith but must rest in Jesus Christ.

TEXT: ROMANS 2:12-29 TITLE: “WHERE HAVE YOU PLACED YOUR TRUST?” INTRODUCTION: A. What if I asked you to go flying with me? You would probably ask me if I was a pilot. I say, “Sure.” You ask, “Where did you learn to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:12-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pentecost Waters

Contributed by Jay Winters on Jun 5, 2006

A Pentecost sermon on the outward sign we are given today - not tongues of fire, but baptism. Focus on the transformative effects and the death/life dichotomy.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit – the Holy Three in One who provides us with the rivers of Living water through the Spirit. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, A Blessed Pentecost Sunday to all of you here in Chiefland. This Sunday, the Sunday where we celebrate ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Directing My Prayer

Contributed by Timothy Finch on Mar 14, 2006

Using the Lord’s Prayer as our model, a look at the upward, outward, downward, and inward direction of our prayer life.

Directing My Prayer Matthew 6:9-14 9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "’Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

"Watch Them Dawgs" Series

Contributed by Ken Harris on Jan 29, 2006

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to WATCH-OUT and AVOID churches and religious leaders who are only concern about their outward appearance.

1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) 29 January 2006 U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris CP Walker Multicultural Gospel Service Taegu, South Korea BIG IDEA: Churches and religious leaders who are only concern about how believers “outwardly look” should be avoided. REFERENCES: 1 Sam 13:14 – KJV (But now thy ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Complacent Life Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 10, 2008

Do not place your security in the outward forms of church life and neglect your walk with the Lord. Cultivate an authentic relationship with Christ.

The message to the church in Sardis was distinct from those we have seen earlier. • No words of commendation. Just a blunt statement: “you are dead”. • Jesus says He saw their deeds. There were activities going on in the church. • Jesus says “you have a reputation of being alive” – they were ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Tug Of War In The Church

Contributed by Jose Gomez Sr. on Feb 21, 2007

The word encourages us to not only think about ourselves but to consider others in our dicisions. Not only be inward but also outward focused.

Is there a tug of war in the church? Rev. Jose Gomez Sr. Play Audio *Phillipians 2:1-4 "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sheep Or Goats

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Nov 22, 2014

We judge people by their outward appearance. God judges us by what we have done for "the least of these.l"

Sheep or Goat – Matthew 25:31-46 Intro: Raise your hand if you would: Like to loose 20 pounds. Like to be taller? Like to be seen as a prize Persian when you are really an old alley cat. Perhaps you know someone who thinks they are a prize poodle when they are really just a mangy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Clothes For The Wedding

Contributed by Lisa Skogsrud on Jun 16, 2019

More important than our outward wedding finery, the spiritual clothes we receive from God equip us for marriage.

Sermon for the Wedding of BQ and MM, June 8, 2019 It's not very often in the course of pre-marriage preparation that a pastor gets consulted as to what the bride should wear. But I was! It was quite an honor. And I have to say, M, that you made the right choices. You look lovely in your ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17, John 2:1-11

The Not So Prodigal Son

Contributed by David Roth on Mar 19, 2016

Lent 4 (c) God's grace delivers us not only from the outwards sins of immorality, but from the inward sins of the heart.

Luke 15:11-32 “The Not so Prodigal Son” J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “The Not so Prodigal Son” Today we hear Jesus telling a parable. He is at a big banquet at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Lutheran

Give And Take

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 26, 2023

Givers trust in God, rather than in themselves; they are focused outward. Takers have not learned to trust in God and focus on their own needs.

Anybody remember the televangelist scandals of the 80’s? Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Oral Roberts and his highly publicized plea for - what was it, $8 million? - to keep God from striking him dead. Remember the uproar in all the secular news media and the shame felt by so many evangelicals at being ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Parable Of The Mustard Seed Series

Contributed by Dr. Tom Badia on Feb 15, 2024

This parable, like all parables, has one dominate lesson in it. The lesson is: “The Outward Growth of the Kingdom of God

05. The Parable Of The Mustard Seed Matt. 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19 INTRODUCTION From the first two parables that Jesus taught and then explained, it is easy to conclude that the disciples may have been discouraged by what they heard... • In “The Parable Of The Sower”, only one ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-32

Whitewashed Tomb Christians Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 10, 2025

This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, exposing the hypocrisy that plagues many who claim to follow God.

In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus unleashes a scathing critique on the Pharisees, calling them "whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness." This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-28, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3