Sermons on realism: showing 1-15 of 176

Realistically Optimistic

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 30, 2019

According to Statista, a leading survey company, in 2013, 50% of adult Americans considered themselves optimistic. As we get ready to step into the new year, let's see if we can do something to shift our thinking to being realistically optimistic more often.

REALISTICALLY OPTIMISTIC According to Statista, a leading survey company, in 2013, 50% of adult Americans considered themselves optimistic. Only 4% identified as pessimists and 43% said they were somewhere in between. 3% declined to identify as anything. I'm interested to know how often those ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-18, Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8, Jeremiah 29:4-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preaching From Philippians #9

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 28, 2021

When you consider that Paul is in jail, this verse takes on new meaning.

Notice, he says, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…” • We can understand someone who is not in jail writing to someone in jail trying to get them to do this. • It is unusual for a fellow who is in jail to be encouraging to those who are free to do this. This passage of scripture is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Price Of A Secure Peace

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 20, 2009

Peace is secured if a nation will repent, think realistically, and work to produce righteousness. The support of Christian missions is a step for peace.

In a few days the leaders of two great nations will sit down for a summit conference, designed to promote the cause of peace. One of those nations is passing through unprecedented trials. A year ago who would have predicted that the Soviet Union would look shaky and might even break apart? Six ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 8:4-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Divine Condescension Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 19, 2011

Those who know God's word--like Mary--also know fully the significance of every creature.

Monday of the 34th Week in Course 21 November 2011 Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Verbum Domini Those who know God’s word also know fully the significance of each creature. For if all things “hold together” in the one who is “before all things” (cf. Col 1:17), ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:1-4

Denomination: Catholic

Thy Kingdom Come

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 11, 2011

Responding to unfairness and disrespect with grace and generosity imitates God’s own treatment of us, and requires three preconditions: realism, humility, and trust.

I had a difficult decision to make this week. I had to choose between continuing my series on the Sermon on the Mount, or take a break to preach on Palm Sunday. But the more I looked at the passage for this week, and meditated on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem that long-ago Sunday afternoon, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Yet In All These Things

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Sep 29, 2012

If I were to choose a Scripture to sum up the believer’s life, it would be this one. It combines an intense realism with an amazing assertion of victorious optimism.

Yet In All These Things Romans 8:35-37NKJ 5-year-old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn’t want to go in alone: “It’s dark in there and I’m scared.” She asked ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:35-37

Denomination: Church Of God

How Shall We Live

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Apr 15, 2024

how do we deal with Doubting Thomas, a disciple and a man whose insistence on tangible proof serves as a beacon of realism amidst the fervent belief of his peers.

How Shall We Live SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B ”When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: United Methodist

If God Is With Us? Why All This Trouble?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 21, 2015

This is a lesson about attitudes to problems using Gideon and several illustrations. Consider the renewal of our minds... Your focus? Your perspective, pessimism, optimism, and realism. Caterpillars crawl in mud before they fly with the wind.

IF THE LORD IS WITH US, WHY ARE WE HAVING ALL THIS TROUBLE? THE CHALLENGE: GOD'S PERSPECTIVE & CHANGE! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I have a bucket, and I asked someone to bring me a bucket of water. They can not see that I have cut the bottom of the bucket out. Always they gladly ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

That's Why We Are Not Discouraged

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 29, 2020

Stress and Disappointment come into every life. Christians are provided a powerful response to such stressors, and this powerful response is revealed in Paul's review of his own life.

“We have this treasure in clay jars to show that its extraordinary power comes from God and not from us. In every way we’re troubled but not crushed, frustrated but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. We are always carrying around the death of Jesus in our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Costly Meal

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jul 22, 2009

Jesus, the bread of life!

A Costly Meal, John 6:1-15, 35 Introduction A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I’ve gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15

Denomination: Christian Church

Sunday Night: Infallible

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Mar 30, 2017

Our Lord is INFALLIBLE!

Sunday Night: Infallible Place: BLCC Date: 3/5/17 Text: Psalm 119.86; John 8.26 CT: Our Lord is INFALLIBLE! FAS: The Washington Post calls it "the most shocking moment in Oscars history." One TV critic called it "an Oscar moment that will live forever in clip-reel infamy."??Jim Dennison was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:86, John 8:26

Denomination: Christian Church

The Uncertainty Principle Series

Contributed by Mark Batterson on Oct 18, 2005

Faith is expecting the unexpected.

The Physics of Faith: The Uncertainty Principle 03.11.05 Pastor Mark Batterson This evotional begins a new series titled The Physics of Faith. Over the next four weeks we’re going to explore four dimensions of faith: expecting the unexpected, seeing the invisible, believing the impossible, and ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Joy Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

The Scriptures do emphasize the glorious worship we will offer to God in eternity because of the great joy that will be ours, and the everlasting gratitude we will have for the Lamb of God, who died for us.

Two friends were walking along a country road and precisely at the same moment that one saw a lovely wild flower the other spotted a poisonous snake. When the one had killed the snake and the other had put the flower in his button hole, they walked on in silence for a while, and then the one with ...read more

A Practical Faith For Real Life Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 6, 2002

Jesus was out to prepare His disciples for their greatest trial, His crucifixion. But He was also giving us direction to prepare for the realities of life.

A Practical Faith for Real Life (Matt. 26:31-35, John 13:33-38, Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22:31-38) 1. Students at Bible College/seminaries…lose track of the real world…There used to be an old saying, "It takes 10 years to get over seminary…" 2. In our church, we try to encourage an "honest ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:35-38, Matthew 26:31-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Effective Leadership Requires The Right Attitude Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Mar 16, 2005

A look at the necessary building blocks for effective leadership.

An optimist has been defined as a person who, falling from the top of a forty-story building, says on the way down, “All right so far!” You do not need to ignore or overlook the facts to be able to look upon the bright side of life. Realism is necessary. But for the Christian, God must figure in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ