Sermons on Popular Piety:

Our Source Of Success Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on May 3, 2012

It is not by our abilities, wealth, popularity, etc. that we become successful in the eyes of God. We succeed whenever we rely on His Spirit to teach us and direct our steps.

1. THE IMPORTANCE OF FOCUS When the Alaskan Pipeline was being built, there were many Texans who went to Alaska and found work on the pipeline. The Texans could only work a few hours in the frigid weather, yet the Eskimos, the native Alaskans, could work indefinitely in the cold. They decided to ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It Really Is A Wonderful Life Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Jan 18, 2007

1 of 4 of a Christmas series based on popular movies of the season. This message is based on Isaiah 9:6. Powerpoint Graphics available. Email me and I’ll send them.

Classic Christmas It Really is a Wonderful Life December 3, 2006 Everyone has seen Jimmy Stewart in “It’s a wonderful life”. I think that this movie is probably one of the most loved Christmas movies of all time. The one line that stands out more than any other is when “Clarence (the angel) ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Gentleness

Contributed by David Scudder on Dec 13, 2010

A popular bumper sticker says, “Don't Get Mad--Get Even." We need a strong dose of biblical truth to cure these attitudes. The biblical solution is gentleness.

A popular bumper sticker says, "Don=t Get MadCGet Even.@ People demand what they perceive to be their rights, no matter how the demand harms others. Some go to court to squeeze every last cent out of those who hurt them. More and more violent crimes are committed each year. We need a strong dose ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Seeks You, Not Ya'll Series

Contributed by Sean Lester on Feb 17, 2021

Popular ministry diminishes the freedom a minister has to reach an individual seeking God’s love and mercy. Instead, ministry seeks to save an individual rather than gather a crowd.

!st Week of Lent 2021 RCL Year B Text: Mark 1:40-45 Introduction: This is a story about how Jesus was inconvenienced by someone who had been healed by a life crippling disease. A leper dropped to his knees in front of Jesus and begged to be healed. Jesus felt warmly toward the man and with a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Pentecostal

Greatness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 14, 2021

What is true greatness? Is it wealth, fame or power? How does Jesus define greatness? Let’s reject popular ideas and discover the truth in Mark 10:32-45.

Prelude What is true greatness? Is it wealth, fame or power? Purpose: How does Jesus define greatness? Plan: Let’s reject popular ideas and discover the truth in Mark 10:32-45. Background (vs. 32-34) Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Baptist

Easter Hymn - Thine Be The Glory

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Apr 24, 2017

One of the most popular Easter Hymns ever written based on the gospel accounts and so brings out the real meaning of Christ's glorious resurrection - a joy to sing and full of meaning.

Thine be the glory Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son is one of the best Easter hymns that we have and I have some very happy memories of singing it. I remember singing it at All Saints church Rhiwbina one Easter when we had a set of drums accompanying the organ and it was fantastic! The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:55, Romans 8:37-39

Christmas Eve - What Do You Want For Christmas? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 23, 2024

Using the popular song by Mariah Carey "All I Want For Christmas Is You" this Christmas Eve devotion focuses the fact that all God wanted for Christmas... is you.

OPEN: There was a preacher who said that (when he was young) he was an only child - for the first few Christmases. As a result, he got the impression that Christmas was all about HIM, and he said “That was the essence of real joy. I thought Christmas was all about me, and all I wanted for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Book Of Mark #57

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 30, 2022

In 1858, the Illinois legislature, using an obscure statute, sent Stephen A. Douglas to the U.S. Senate instead of Abraham Lincoln, although Lincoln had won the popular vote.

When a sympathetic friend asked Lincoln how he felt, he said he felt, “Like the boy who stubbed his toe: I am too big to cry and too badly hurt to laugh.” (Source unknown) All of us know that feeling. Life is filled with disappointments. Most of us will do anything to keep from having ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Gratitude's Nemesis: The Grumble Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores how grumbling and complaining can undermine God's grace and poison the heart, using examples from the Bible and popular culture to illustrate the importance of focusing on gratitude and grace.

There is a movie series from the 1990s that is about two men. I am going to give you a few descriptive words, and I want to see if you can name these movies: complaining, negativity, intolerance, uncompromising, griping, fussing, grumpiness. What movie series has characters known for these ...read more

Topics: Gratitude, Complaining, Grace Of God

Sermon Series: Gratitude

The Mass Deception Of "Left Behind"

Contributed by Richard David on Jan 3, 2001

An exposition of the dangers of this new theology of a pre-trib rapture. A response to the growing popularity of the "Left Behind" series, even among secular audiences and the danger of deception that its widespread acceptance holds.

As a young Christian, I was raised on “dispensationalism”, a term which comes from the Bible referring to God’s timing and how He works in different ways at different times. We had it all figured out, just like the Jews of Jesus’ day. (But wait, they missed it! Are we?) According to what is known ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 9:25-27, Luke 21:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Standing Firm On What Is Right Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jun 28, 2005

Make up your mind to stand firm on what is right and resist the pressures to be popular or to conform. Pray and draw strength from God to resist pressure to compromise God’s truth.

(Taken some pointers from David Hoke’s sermon “Herod’s Folly”) We face pressures in life – different pressures, different degrees, at different stages of life. • From school projects, workload, meeting datelines, and others. • You faith in God – no matter how strong it is – will not take away the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sung To By Mary Series

Contributed by Andrew Clarke on Dec 15, 2005

Everyone is drawn to the picture of the mother Mary with the baby Jesus. What is Jesus’ own response to the popular celebration of this scene? (Text: Luke 1:46-47 with Luke 11:27-28)

Series: "O Come! Let Us Adore Him!" (who was) Part 3: "Sung to By Mary" Text: Luke 1:46-47 with Luke 11:27-28 Introduction We come today to our third message in our Christmas sermon series for this year – a series entitled: O Come! Let Us Adore Him! Last week we were in Matthew’s Gospel and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-56

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grace Is Not Earned

Contributed by Allan Quak on Jan 8, 2010

Popular culture says that good things come to those who deserve it. Jesus makes it clear that His grace works in the lives of those who don’t deserve it.

On the 10th of March in 2003 the then Australian Prime minister, John Howard, was visiting the New Zealand parliament in Auckland. The issue being discussed was the region’s response to the actions of Saddam Hussein. Outside parliament around 600 anti-war protesters whistled, thumped drums and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Extreme Home Makeover: Family Edition

Contributed by C Jordan on Mar 9, 2008

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, is the popular reality home improvement show where families in need have their homes renovated. We are going to look at God’s design for a successful family.

EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER: FAMILY EDITION JOKE: A small boy was sent to bed by his father. Five minutes later: "Da-ad." "What?" "I’m thirsty. Can you bring drink of water?" "No. You had your chance. Lights out." Five minutes later: "Da-aaaad." "WHAT?" "I’m THIRSTY. Can I have a drink of water?" ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1

Denomination: *other

Table Talk Series

Contributed by Charles Scott on Jan 16, 2006

Holy Communion may be understood as communication of Christ to the Christian; thus table talk may be a more comprehensible way of expressing that Christ meets us at Eucharist than the popular understanding of transubstantiation.

2nd after Epiphany B Table Talk Psalm 139__1-17 Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-17

Denomination: Anglican