Sermons on Overwhelming Odds:

Gideon: The Thresher Gone Thrasher Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 26, 2021

Today’s sermon is about a cowardly hero forced into hiding by organized crime, an angel that is more than an angel, strange fleece ware, a bad dream, being outnumbered 450 to one, and smashed pottery. This is how it happened.

Gideon: The Thresher Gone Thrasher (Judges 6:1-7:25) 1. My sister didn’t do as well on her driver’s-ed test as she’d hoped. It might have had something to do with how she completed this sentence: “When the ______ is dead, the car won’t start.” She wrote: “Driver.” Nathan Hellman, Brooklyn, ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Did You Go, Why Did You Die?

Contributed by Eric Darr on Apr 11, 2005

It is curiously odd that people who are filled with horrified indignation whenever a cat kills a sparrow can hear the story of the killing of God told Sunday after Sunday and not experience any shock at all.

“Why did you go, Why did you die?” • Prayer The mother of a nine-year-old boy named Mark received a phone call in the middle of the afternoon. It was the teacher from her son’s school. "Mrs. Smith, something unusual happened today in your son’s third grade class. Your son did something that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-32

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Closer Look Series

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Nov 27, 2004

The birth of John the Baptist puts a different spin on the birth of Jesus. We get to see the birth and life of Jesus through the eyes of relatives who were going through the same odd happenings

Falling in love with Jesus Luke 1:68-80 A closer look Based on the book with the same name by Rubel Shelly Part II-B ILL: History tells us that early in the nineteenth century the whole world was watching with bated breath the campaigns of Napoleon. There was talk everywhere of marches, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:68-80

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas: Nothing's Impossible With God!

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Dec 16, 2006

Elizabeth was pregnant against all ’odds’. Mary was to become pregnant even though she was a virgin! What seems ’impossible’ in your life right now? What is God saying to your situation?

“Nothing is impossible with God” (1:37). What is going on in your life right now which seems impossible to solve? What has happened, or what is happening at the moment which you think might be beyond or outside of God’s care and control? Is it one of these: Is it your children; a family member; a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Anglican

Not Everything Is As It Seems

Contributed by Aaron Holbrough on Jul 13, 2011

Jesus meets a sick man, and Jesus question to him seems odd - "do you want to get better?" But sometimes what we want and what we need are two different things.

Not everything is as it Seems. John 5:1-15 Jesus is heading up to Jerusalem for a Feast of the Jews (doesn’t say which one) On his way he passed by pool that in Aramaic is called Bethesda archeology has uncovered these pools and they had colonnades or covered parts and the invalid and ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Mennonite

Loyal Friends Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Nov 4, 2021

This book seems like an odd fit. There are no epic miracles or battles. It’s a love story for sure, but I think it’s also a book about loyalty and God’s redemption.

Ruth Chapter One – Loyal Friends November 7, 2021 This book seems like an odd fit. There are no epic miracles or battles. It’s a love story for sure, but I think it’s also a book about loyalty and God’s redemption. We open the story with a moving conversation between an elderly widow and her ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:13-18, Psalm 68:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jacob Wrestles With God, A Salvation Story. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jun 6, 2024

Jacob had been at odds with pretty much everyone his entire life, He wrestles with God and surrenders. There is a new beginning. Why do we wrestle with God and not just surrender to him?

Read Genesis 32:22-32 Who here likes a bit of alone time, the family have gone off on a trip and here’s an opportunity, there’s that novel that you would like to finish reading, that project that you’ve been wanting to finish or in my case get started, the hobby that it would be good to lose ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32, Ephesians 2:4-6, Genesis 32:1-32, Jeremiah 29:11-14

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Secrets Of A Beautiful Face

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 19, 2000

The beauty of a nation, like that of a human face, is not cosmetic, but comes out of generosity, self-control, sacrificial love, and a vision that accords with God

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth … Beauty. When I was a boy, my parents decided to take a trip to Niagara Falls. They wanted my brother and me to be exposed to one of the world’s great ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 48:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Hammer And The Donkey

Contributed by David Limiero on May 1, 2001

A narrative message for Palm Sunday contrasting the arrival of "The Hammer" (Judas Maccabeus) with that of Jesus.

FIRST MOVEMENT: The Hammer They called him “the Hammer.” He probably got the name from his style of warfare. He attacked hard and fast, guerrilla-warfare style. The Hammer was a seasoned warrior. And, because of his success against overwhelming odds, he was a hero to his fellow Israelis. Israel ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44, Psalm 118:25-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Secret To Success Series

Contributed by Wayne Dishman on Apr 15, 2008

God calls us to victorious living.

What is success? What does it look like? Most people have a mental image of success that looks something like this: The wealth of Bill Gates, the physique of Arnold Schwarzenegger (or Cindy Crawford), the intelligence of Albert Einstein, the athletic ability of Michael Jordan, the business prowess ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Basic Steps In Following Jesus

Contributed by Gerald Steffy on Sep 16, 2009

“A true disciple of Christ will make a total commitment to Christ and live up to that commitment.”

BASIC STEPS IN FOLLOWING JESUS Luke 5:1-11 Proposition: “A true disciple of Christ will make a total commitment to Christ and live up to that commitment.” Objective: My purpose is to challenge each child of God to take the basis steps helpful in making a full commitment to Jesus Christ. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

When You Take A Stand For Your Convictions Series

Contributed by Alan Tison on Dec 6, 2006

Having the courage to stand for your convictions can be difficult, especially in a foreign land, yet 3 young men mentioned in Daniel 3 were able to stand when everyone else was willing to bow

Introduction: Life is a series of choices. Constantly we are making choices about what to do from one minute to the next. You made the choice to come to service this morning; you choose what you are wearing. In a few moments you will make a choice regarding the restaurant for lunch. The new work ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In Whom Do You Trust? Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Dec 12, 2007

Ahaz changed history by the decision to trust in himself instead of God; his decision ended in disaster for his nation. What would happen if we decided to put our full trust in God?

IN WHOM DO YOU TRUST? “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21). There is a very ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-25

Denomination: Mennonite

Mt. Hebron Series

Contributed by Travis Markes on Aug 30, 2011

Events in the Bible that took place on a mountain

Mountain Moving Faith: “Mt. Hebron” Joshua 14 Throughout history some words have inspired the human soul, raising it to new heights of honor and greatness. Perhaps you can still quote the words of Thomas Jefferson that you learned in grade school, “We hold these truths to be ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiveness Makes Me Shudder . . . Then I Smile

Contributed by Jason Patrick on Nov 24, 2001

Christians need to realize that they are forgiven to an extent beyond what they can imagine, a realization that is a bit frightening but which also overwhelms us once again with grace.

Forgiveness Makes Me Shudder . . . Then I Smile / Luke 23:33-43 Proper 29, Year C; Downsville Baptist Church; 25 November 2001 November 25th 2001, the last day of the church year. Next Sunday we begin a new year. Once again we begin anticipating the reception of God’s promise of Immanuel, that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-43

Denomination: Baptist