Sermons on paradox:

Peace Shall Reign

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 19, 2018

In the face of danger, Isaiah proclaims that there will come a time when peace will reign and swords shall be beaten into plowshares

INTRODUCTION Life is lived in paradox. When writing about Christian liberty, Martin Luther identified a striking paradox. He wrote, “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all.” We daily live in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 36:1-20, Isaiah 37:1-7, Isaiah 2:1-4

Denomination: Lutheran

Dying, We Live Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 4, 2009

The principle of self-sacrifice is foundational to the doctrine of the Christian life. So, in our lesson today I want to examine four aspects of the principle of self-sacrifice.

Scripture For the past few weeks we have been studying Romans 12:1-2. In Romans 12 the Apostle Paul begins applying the doctrine that he has been teaching for the previous 11 chapters. Now, it is not that he has made no application in the previous 11 chapters; he has. However, as he begins chapter ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Introduction - Calvinism Vs Arminianism Series

Contributed by Stephen Smith on Dec 5, 2019

This message introduces both the history and teachings of Calvinism and Arminianism. Followed by an explanation of exegesis and eisegesis - two opposing ways to study the scriptures!. Which method must we always use?

Predestination vs Freewill Pt 1: Calvinism vs Arminianism It's been a long-standing debate! The controversy rages over just what is meant in Scripture by the oft-repeated statement ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:17, Deuteronomy 30:19, Psalm 90:2, Isaiah 46:10, Isaiah 55:1, Isaiah 55:8-9, Micah 5:2, John 3:16, John 5:39-40, John 6:37, John 6:44, John 6:65, Acts 13:48, Romans 2:11, Romans 3:24, Romans 8:29-30, Romans 10:13, Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:11, 2 Timothy 2:10, 1 Peter 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

God's Peace Surpasses Human Understanding

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Aug 30, 2007

Pentecost 6(A) - God’s peace surpasses human understanding because God’s peace can cause conflict. God’s peace also desires dedication.

GOD’S PEACE SURPASSES HUMAN UNDERSTANDING (Outline) July 8, 2007 - PENTECOST 6 - Matthew 10:34-42 * * * * * * * * * INTRO: Almost everyone on earth desires peace. This peace can be quite local. Families desire peace on one’s household. A nation may ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-42

Denomination: Lutheran

Identity Crisis

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 23, 2003

The modern Christian in America has an identity crisis in their faith. They don¡¦t know who they are in Christ. The solution to this problem is the Christian needs to attain a Christian Biblical Worldview and then live by it.

Identity Crisis Thesis: The modern Christian in America has an identity crisis in their faith. They don¡¦t know who they are in Christ. The solution to this problem is the Christian needs to attain a Christian Biblical Worldview and then live by it. Texts: 2 Timothy 3:1-9: 1But mark this: There ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:3-9, John 13:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Imagine A Perfect Universe: Genesis, Revelation, And The Cross Of Jesus Christ

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 1, 2021

I imagine in the perfect state the world existed in Genesis 2 reality made a great deal of sense. Everything was good and right. I imagine the universe itself, the alignment of the stars and galaxies was much different.

I imagine in the perfect state the world existed in Genesis 2 reality made a great deal of sense. Everything was good and right. I imagine the universe itself, the alignment of the stars and galaxies was much different. Even to the point where it would be hardly imaginable. In the current state ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60, Isaiah 14:12-15, Matthew 23:12, Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Salvation Army

Burden Bearing Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 23, 2021

Paul is primarily concerned with believers, and the bearing of one another's burdens within the community of faith. The total context, however, is much broader.

In South Dakota a man by the name of August had a clothing store he was going to close up. His was not one of those perpetual year around closing sales. He was actually intending to go out of business by July. So he hung a sign in his window which read, The First Of July Is The Last Of August. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Persecution-The Way To Happiness Series

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Aug 20, 2003

Introduction: We are made to love and to be loved. We like to be liked. Friendship is the atmosphere in which we breathe most freely. To be ridiculed as a child is a heart breaking experience, but the pain is not lessened as one becomes an adult.

Persecution-The Way to Happiness Text: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, per­secute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Of Nail Biting, Hair Pulling, And Chin Touching

Contributed by Stewart Holloway on Nov 14, 2006

This sermon deals with the problems of stress and provides a TRANQUILIZER for dealing with it.

Nail biting, hair pulling, chin touching. . . . The other night Rebecca and I watched the television show Everybody Loves Raymond. In that episode, Raymond’s brother Robert was discovered to have an irritating habit. Before Robert put food into his mouth, he touched it to his chin. His in-laws ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Baptist

Obedience PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 20, 2024

This sermon explores the Christian call to obedience and submission, understanding bondage and freedom from a heavenly perspective, guided by Ephesians 6:1-9.

Welcome, beloved, to this sanctuary where we gather in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us come together, not as strangers or acquaintances, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, bound by the love of our Father in heaven. We gather here, not to merely listen but to seek, to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-9

Topics: Obedience

Serve PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 2, 2024

This sermon emphasizes the Christian call to service, sacrifice, and selflessness, challenging worldly views of power and greatness through the example of Jesus.

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, we gather here today under the banner of our Savior, bound by His love and guided by His Word. We are not here by accident, but by divine appointment. It is not by chance that we have come together, but by the providence of our Heavenly Father who, in His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Topics: First And Last

From Complaint To Confidence

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Jul 15, 2009

God wants us to be honest and real in our communication with Him. When we are, He can then lead us to the point of confidence in Him.

Communication between people takes place at three levels: the frivolous level, the factual level, and the feeling level. Frivolous communication takes place on the surface with the use of innocuous questions and casual clichés. How are you doing? Looks like it going to rain today. What do you do ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

But Lord!

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Jan 3, 2011

Psalm 13 helps us to learn how to communicate with God on the deepest level. God is big enough to handle our tough questions. And He loves it when we talk to Him honestly.

Communication between people takes place at three levels: the frivolous level, the factual level, and the feeling level. Frivolous communication takes place on the surface with the use of innocuous questions and casual clichés. How are you doing? Looks like it going to rain today? What do you do ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

To Hell And Back

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 6, 2021

When Jesus cries out, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me!" He admits he has been forsaken by the one Person we expected to be his supporter to the end. But God cast his vote with the rest and says, guilty.

One of the greatest paradoxes of history is the story of the young English sailor by the name of Noble. His job was to deliver a large cannon from Portsmouth, England to Boston in the Colonies in the mid 1700's. After two days on the ship HMS INTREPID, they encountered heavy weather. Ensign ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

It's Not All Sunshine And Rainbows PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Understand the cost of following Christ, the importance of prioritizing God's concerns over human ones, and the assurance of Christ's promises.

Good morning, family! Today we're diving into some of the meatier stuff in the Gospel of Matthew. We'll be looking at a passage that is as challenging as it is comforting, as it speaks to the cost of following Christ, Peter's unwillingness to suffer, and the trust we can have in Christ's promises. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Topics: Tough Choices