Sermons on Parlor Tricks:

Tempted To Be In The Spotlight

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Oct 25, 2004

This sermon discusses the need for Jesus to be the center of our lives, and how we should deal with tempatations.

Tempted to be in the Spotlight Heb 2:17-18, Mat 4:1-3, 4 , 5-6, 7, 8-9, 10, 1 Cor 10:13, Mat 4:11, Jam 4:7, Heb 2:18 August 9, 2004 I. In plays the leading actors are always at center stage and supporting actors are usually to the side. A. The best way for a supporting actor to get in ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7

Denomination: Baptist

Fooling The Magician

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 30, 2000

We fool the magician (Satan, the master illusionist) by refusing to believe the illusion, pulling back the curtain and trusting the unseen reality.

Some of you may have seen David Copperfield perform his magic. His act includes a lot of glitzy conjuration, including: levitating himself, being sawn in two, and making things appear and disappear. Using illusion, he has carried the art to the extreme. He has “walked through” the Great Wall of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-28

Denomination: Methodist

The Sign Of Jonah

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Nov 10, 2005

Jesus is less about observation than participation

Sign of Jonah Sermon: “So you want to see a miracle?” Text: Luke 11:29 - 32 Secondary: Jonah 3:4 - 5, 3:9 - 4:2 FCF: In regards to repentance, one must look beyond the distractions of observation into order to experience the joys of participation. SO: I want the congregation to participate in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:29-32

Denomination: Baptist

How Do We Know The Bible Is True? Series

Contributed by Doug Henry on Dec 28, 2006

A basic argument to prove the validity of the Bible as the Word of God.

Great Mysteries of the Faith: How do we know the Bible is true? Psalm 12:6 I love how the Lord works. As some of you may know, this last week was Camp Meeting for the Church of God in Western Pennsylvania. Since I hold my credentials through the Church of God, Camp Meeting is a staple of my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 12:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Illusion Of Control Series

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Oct 15, 2006

FCF: God is in control. If things seem out of control, maybe it is because somebody else thinks they’re able to take God’s place.

We’re going to begin looking at Daniel 2 for the next three weeks, because it does a wonderful job of teaching us something so fundamental: How to talk to God. As Christians, each and every one of us is blessed with direct line to God himself. It’s almost magical to think about that fact. But I ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Deep Wells And Missing Water Pots

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Apr 23, 2007

Jesus knows how to get our attention through ordinary things in order to make spiritual truths come alive to us. Jesus is willing to cross all barriers in order to help us to come to spiritual understanding.

April, 2007 Deep Wells and Missing Water Pots John 4:1-15 INTRODUCTION: The woman at the well was a little sarcastic with Jesus. You might say she seemed like a person with a “chip on her shoulder.” Why would He even speak to her let alone ask her for a drink? She was a despised Samaritan, a ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-15

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus And The Post-Resurrection Fish-Fry

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Apr 26, 2009

Jesus appeared on the beach as an intervention to keep the disciples from missing out on Pentecost and going off-the-track of ministering to the entire world.

This is going to seem like a strange question, but how many of you have heard of “The Amazing Randi?” He was a stage magician, “mentalist,” and escape artist (in the tradition of Houdini). He once escaped from a block of ice and once escaped from a straitjacket while hanging upside-down over ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-23

Denomination: *other

I Want To Be A Gangsta For Jesus

Contributed by Samuel Stephens on Mar 21, 2009

I am willing to risk my life for Christ! I want to be a Christian! I have made up my Mind! I know why I am a Christian!

“Why I decided to be a Gangsta for Jesus!” It is important to know why you belong to any group or club or association. If you really understand why you are a member, then you can serve better, you can fully enjoy the benefits of your membership, and you will be excited about getting others to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Does Not Ask For Much--Does He? Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Jun 27, 2009

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians serves as a terrific model for praying for each other (and our churches, in general).

Just for fun, let’s start with a trick question today. How many letters to the Ephesians are there in the New Testament? Well, I said it was a trick question. There are at least two. There is one that we’ll be looking at this morning and there is one in Revelation 2. You see, Ephesus was an ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: *other

He That Winneth Souls Is Wise No. 6

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 31, 2022

There is a story told of a football game between two teams, the small animals and the big animals.

In the first half, the big animals were winning. The score was 70 to nothing when half-time came. When the second half began, the big animals got in their huddle and planned their strategy. They decided to send the elephant down the left side with the ball. They threw him the ball and he ran hard ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Simplicity Versus Complexity

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

We need to see that the primary problem of the Pharisees was that they were too religious. Some people go bad because of their vices, and others because of their virtues.

Human nature loves to magnify the minute and give significance to the insignificant by the simple method of stretching the truth. An army cook, for example, feed a mob of men with scrambled eggs, and then he sat down and wrote to his girl friend: "Dearest, for two hours shells have been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

The Danger Of Tunnel Vision #1 Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 3, 2004

We need to recognize the satanic tactic of tunnel vision within the church. We cannot allow our vision to be constricted. See the BIG PICTURE!

THE DANGER OF TUNNEL VISION #1 By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is part 1 of a 2 part series, if you need part two email me. TEXT: Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision the people perish... Ruth 1:20 Naomi says to her friends: Don’t call me Naomi any more, call me MARA: for ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18, Ruth 1:20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Prize Prisoner

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Apr 12, 2004

Easter sermon which contains a parable telling the story of the resurrection from the perspective of the devil.

It was the pinnacle of his existence. The Prince was more than elated, almost giddy, as he personally led the new prisoner into the dungeon of death. This is what he had been working for all these years -- years and years of opposition by the King -- years and years without any respect for his ...read more

Denomination: *other

The Real Life

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Jan 8, 2009

Real life is a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Text: “For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD” (Proverbs 8:35). How would you explain life? Would you say that life is the time between your birth and your death? Would you say life is just your physical existence? You might quote Genesis 2:7 which says, “And the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Christian Church

Ruining The Garden

Contributed by David Dewitt on Oct 3, 2005

The Garden of Eden was ruined by the power of sin.

Ruining the Garden Genesis 2:15-3:13 October 2, 2005 Evening Service When I was young my family would plant an annual garden. We started on Labor Day and cared for it all summer long. One of the jobs that was essential to having a good garden was weeding. I thought that pulling weeds was kind of a ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God