Sermons on Overwhelming Odds:

Positively Not A Hireling

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Nov 26, 2014

We are all commanded to learn to obey everything Jesus taught so that we can do our part in the ministry of reconciliation. We cannot do this if we feed our spirit distorted scripture and the wisdom of man.

Positively Not a Hireling Illustration Right after a young man graduated, with high honors, from a prestigious Bible College he was hired by a rather large church. His father, the pastor of a small rural church, was bursting with pride at his son’s accomplishment. “Son,” he said, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Christian Church

The Heroine Of God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 30, 2014

Deborah was one of the great "she-roes" of God. What was it about her that made her a heroine in the book of Judges and what is it about her faith that got God's attention?

Someone once said that “It is important for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" - Maya Angelou To that person's mind the term “she-roes” was a unique and eye-catching way to talk about heroines. And I like that word. In the Bible there are many heroes, but ...read more

Scripture: Judges 4:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Following Jesus

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Sep 23, 2014

Following Jesus transforms lives. If that is not happening, then people are not following Jesus.

In the day when most traveled by train, there was a physically disabled boy who ran a small newsstand in a railroad station. Each day he sold candy, gum, and newspapers to people who passed through the station. One day two men rushed through the crowded station to catch a train that was to leave ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Glory Of Living Dirt

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Aug 26, 2021

We are God's dirt - what does that mean? Genesis 2:7 reveals to us some amazing things...

Scripture: Genesis 2:7; Psalm 8 Theme: Humankind Title: The Glory of Living Dirt INTRO: Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I want to talk to you today about humans. In other words I want to talk to you today about you, me and everyone else that has lived, is alive ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7, Psalm 139:13-15, Isaiah 64:8, John 12:1-8

Denomination: Nazarene

The Standard Of Love Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Nov 10, 2022

The manner in which David deals with Mephibosheth shows us the standard of love long before Jesus preached it.

THE VERY RELATABLE LIFE OF KING DAVID THE STANDARD OF LOVE 2 SAMUEL 9:1-12, 16:1-4, 19:24-30 #kingdavid INTRODUCTION Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:12 in a passage where He prophesies about the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (verses 1-28) and in a passage where He later talks about His Second ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-12, 2 Samuel 16:1-4, 2 Samuel 19:24-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Tested Faith Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Dec 5, 2022

Faith produces worth & approval in those who undergo severe afflictions, adversity & trials. Faithfulness in suffering produces character & virtue, & ultimately it produces a better resurrection

HEBREWS 11:35-40 A TESTED FAITH [LEAVING A LEGACY SERIES] [Romans 8:35-38] Many have been the triumphs faith has obtained against incredible odds and many have been the times when the faithful suffered because they chose to remain faithful. This section deals with many unknown men and women who ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:35-40

Denomination: Baptist

Fight For Your Dream Series

Contributed by Mark Batterson on Oct 17, 2016

Chase the Lion is a 3 part series from Mark Batterson, pastor at National Community Church in Washington, D.C. The sermon is based off of the book, Chase the Lion. You can download a sermon kit at ChaseTheLion.com/churches

Around the turn of the 20th century, psychologist Alfred Adler proposed the counterintuitive theory of compensation. Adler believed that what we think of as disadvantages often prove to be advantages because they force us to cultivate compensatory attitudes and abilities that probably would have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:9-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Days Of Elijah Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Jan 9, 2024

Elijah is credited with 10 miracles happening during his ministry, some of which we will talk about here. Yet Elijah has no book in the Bible named after him. Elijah was human with emotions, disappointments, fears, and doubts. ‌

Dr. Bradford Reaves CrossWay Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD www.mycrossway.org Introduction In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. 30 And Ahab the son of Omri ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:21

Denomination: Brethren

You, The Gospel & Jewish People Ii Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jul 18, 2022

The Jews are definitely hardened to the Gospel, even yet today. How should we relate to them in light of their general rejection and hostility to the Gospel? Have they been rejected by God forever?

When I first became convinced that Jewish outreach was to be a priority, I made a point of meeting some Jewish people at a Christians United for Israel dinner here in Israel. I met a relatively young Jewish medical doctor there and then a week or so later, boldly called him up at his practice to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:11-36, Genesis 12:3

Denomination: Bible Church

The Search For Meaning Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 23, 2023

In your pursuit of meaning in life, look beyond your own hands; look beyond your own head; and look beyond your own heart. Look beyond the sun to the Lord, who died for you and rose again.

Since its founding in 1995, people have used eBay to sell billions of items. They include some odd products and occasionally something priceless. For example… In 1954, the great physicist Albert Einstein penned a personal letter to philosopher Erik Gutkind in which he defended his views on ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, Ecclesiastes 2:1-17, John 10:10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Backstabbers

Contributed by Scott Maze on Aug 12, 2025

Jesus didn’t treat Judas any differently than He did the other Twelve. Shakespeare cannot have Jesus say, “Et tu, Judas,” because Jesus knew what was coming. And even though Jesus knew what was coming, He didn’t treat Judas any differently than He did any other disciple over those three years.

Find John 13 with me, if you will. Many of you recognize the phrase “Et Tu, Brute?” immediately. It’s Latin for “You too, Brutus?” It’s a quote from Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, where the Roman dictator speaks to his friend Marcus Junius Brutus. Caesar recognizes Brutus as one of his ...read more

Scripture: John 13:21-38

Denomination: Baptist

Ruth Series: A Statement Of Blessing Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Nov 5, 2025

Naomi's use of the “unfailing lovingkindness” term is a declaration that YHWH God has not abandoned His covenant love with Naomi and Ruth in that He orchestrated Boaz’s entrance into their lives.

BOOK OF RUTH: A STATEMENT OF BLESSING RUTH 2:1-23 #bookofruth #Goddidit INTRODUCTION… BOOK FACTS AND REMINDER OF HOMEWORK FROM LAST WEEK Welcome to week 2 of 4 as we work our way through the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament. Ruth is the 8th book overall in the Bible and is a historical narrative ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living Into God’s 'a' PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 4, 2025

God’s presence gives us courage and strength to face new challenges, assuring us that we are never alone as we step forward in faith.

Some of us walked in today with a smile for others and a storm inside. You’ve been staring at a calendar date that scares you. There’s a chair at the table that sits empty. There’s a decision lurking in your inbox with your name on it. Life does that. It brings us to riverbanks we’ve never crossed, ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Topics: Surrender, Trust, Faithfulness

Unexpected Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on May 5, 2025

Jesus faced some things that we may see as unexpected as he dined with a Pharisee and welcomed a motley group of followers.

There are a variety of ways in which we set expectations. Sometimes cultural norms - like a handshake or a hug - set certain expectations. Sometimes we have expectations based on tradition - for example how to set a table or what you do on holidays. You may have performance expectations set by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

De-Pendence Day

Contributed by James Bryant on Jul 2, 2002

Should we look at the 4th of July as being truly Independent? Here’s another look...

(Please note that the references used below are not all "word-for-word" quotes from the afore mentioned names. In one reference, (Thomas Jefferson) it is merely a culmination of words that he was implying.) "DEPEND-ENCE DAY" Psalms 33:12-22 (12) Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:12-22

Denomination: Baptist