Sermons on Reality:

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 24, 2021

As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Let’s look at Jesus’ countercultural instructions in Mark 8:31-38.

Prelude As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians? Purpose Let’s see the value of taking up our cross and denying ourselves. Plan Let’s look at Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life? Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Feb 28, 2020

This month we are going to look at a series of questions that are asked in the texts as we make our way to the cross. In each of these questions is an element of faith - and a reality-check about our individual faith that should cause us to question, think, and decide.

The “I” Test: What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life? Mark 10:17-27 Introduction This month we are going to look at a series of questions that are asked in the texts as we make our way to the cross. In each of these questions is an element of faith - and a reality-check about our individual faith ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rebekah – Woman Of Faith

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 14, 2021

Rebekah was a woman who walked with God and her life was guided by the Holy Spirit. This story mirrors the reality of the Holy Spirit being dispatched to go and find a chaste Bride and bring her to Christ. In a way, it’s a love story!

REBEKAH – WOMAN OF FAITH GEN. 24 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: GENDER CONFUSION, THE TEXAS WAY 1. Outside the ladies and men’s rooms of a Texas steak house, I found a confused and anxious young woman who sighed with relief when she saw me. 2. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said. “I was afraid ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-58

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How Shall We Live With The Blues

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Apr 15, 2024

Psalm 4 confronts the reality of existential weariness and challenges within the church and leadership, urging a return to the Blues sensibility that acknowledges suffering and seeks faith, peace, and hope in God's promises amid life's storms.

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B How Shall We Live With The Blues Easter is such a joyous, colorful, and vibrant celebration! Now in Eastertide, this second Sunday after Easter this third Sunday of Eastertide, Christ is still risen! The Creation is still waking up! This Sunday provides us with ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Back In The Fold Series

Contributed by Kevin Broyhill on Oct 2, 2024

Christians can find themselves drifting farther from the Lord. Psalm 23 gives us a vivid image of this reality. But here’s the good news: no matter how far we stray, our Shepherd is always there to restore us.

Back In The Fold! Psalm 23:3a Introduction: Illust: Two students working for the summer got a job with the Public Works Department. They were given the job of painting the center lines of a rural road. The supervisor told them that they were on probation and that they must stay above the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:3

Denomination: Baptist

Uncovering The Unseen Realm: Our Role As Believers Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on May 9, 2025

We accept the existence of things we cannot see, like gravity, wind, or radio waves. In the same way, there is a spiritual reality just as real, Yet most Christians say that Satan is just a metaphor of evil; the same with the demonic realm.

Uncovering the Unseen Realm: Our Role as Believers January 5, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Ephesians 6:10-17 2 Kings 6:15-17 Introduction: The Reality Beyond the Veil Good morning, church. Today, we step into a realm that few talk about but all of us are affected by—the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:15-17

Denomination: Brethren

Emperor's New Clothes

Contributed by Gary Regazzoli on May 2, 2003

The Emperor in this story made the mistake of appearing before his people thinking he was covered when in reality he was naked. We can’t make the same mistake in appearing before God without the clothes provided for us by Jesus Christ

Emperor¡¦s New Clothes How many of you kids know the story, ¡§The Emperor’s New Clothes¡¨ by Hans Christian Andersen „X What¡¦s the story about? „X The Emperor in the story was a vain man whose main focus in life was to dress in these elegant clothes and show them off to his people. „X Two ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:6-21

Denomination: Christian Church

Stairway To Heaven Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 4, 2001

The beatitudes can be understood sequentially .. as stairsteps to "perfection" (Matt. 5:48). The first four lift us to fellowship with God; the other four bring us back down to the reality of ministry with needy people. This sermon was delivered using a ladder as a "prop".

When Stanley Kubrick made the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey”, he guessed that by this time we would be flitting back and forth in outer space, visiting other planets and seeing things never before seen by human beings. The movie suggested that those who would be alive in the year 2001 would go on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Why Tragedy Occurs

Contributed by Steve Hereford on Nov 3, 2001

On September 11, 2001 America as we knew it changed. With the attacks of terrorists on New York and Washington, what was only seen on television had now become reality for all American’s. Join Pastor Steve as he examines the reasons for tragedy.

INTRODUCTION On September 11, 2001, America awoke to the shocking site of two planes crashing into the World Trade Center. Also in a matter of minutes another plane crashed into the Pentagon and a third which seems to have been meant for the White House. In the wake of all of this terror, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Has Proven His Love

Contributed by Ray Searan on Apr 15, 2007

"The love of God is one of the great realities of the universe, a pillar upon which the hope of the world rests." (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 81). The Scripture teaches us that love is not merely of God, but tha

Text: John 3:16 (NASB); John 14:6-7 (NASB) Introduction: "The love of God is one of the great realities of the universe, a pillar upon which the hope of the world rests." (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 81). The Scripture teaches us that love is not merely ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Firstfruits

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on May 1, 2007

In our text Paul calls the resurrection a "firstfruits" event. What does he mean? Consider these two opposite (but connected) realities, the fallenness of man and the firstfruits of God; the first is our condition – the second, God’s response to our nee

If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26

Denomination: United Methodist

"Joseph's Journey Of Redemption"

Contributed by Ryan Sato on Jun 28, 2005

Today’s sermon marks our final segment of the journey with Joseph. In Chapter 45, the redemption theme “comes together” and Joseph embraces the reality of what it looked like for redemption to happen in his own life and the lives of his family members.

Opener: When I was in Nova Scotia this past week, I was talking with one of the Youth Directors and he is in the midst of teaching an Adult Sunday School where he is doing an overview of the Bible in a Year….they read a big chunk of the text (ie: this week they’re reading Psalm 1 – 30) and then ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

I Am Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Aug 30, 2007

Who I am is who God says I am! HERE ARE THE NT VERSES THAT SAY WHO I AM in my new identity in Jesus Christ. These are present realities. Look for the "I have been", "I will be" sections also.

WHO I AM IS WHO GOD SAYS, I AM! And God says I am… Matthew: ...the salt of the earth ...the light of the world. Luke: ...worth more than many sparrows. John: ...a child of God ...born of God ...born from above ...part of the true vine, chosen by Christ to bear fruit ...Christ’s friend. Acts: ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

When Worry Overwhelms Us Series

Contributed by Alan Tison on Jul 9, 2007

Worry has become a national obsession in our world today.Unfortunately, believers are not exempt from worry. We try to hide our worry calling it Christian Concern. In reality, worry is the secret sin for believers. Not only is needless worry a sin, it is

Introduction: (Video Clip – Wounded in Iraq) Worry has become a national obsession in our world today. You do not have to have a loved one overseas in combat to worry. We are a nation of worriers and we worry about everything… Parents worry about their children Adult children worry about their ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Avoiding Catastrophe

Contributed by Brad Froese on Oct 6, 2004

One day, mankind will face the stark reality of eternity. Today, every man and woman is faced with the decision of a lifetime: choose life by the blood of Jesus Christ, or let the pride, the sin, and all the mistakes, which stand between us and God separ

(Making the big decisions too late.) Open: The story of loosing my brother Kenny. My desperate hope that he’s in Heaven with the Lord, but I’m just not sure if that’s true or not. I stood there in my room alone after he died, weeping to God, wishing I could say a final goodbye, tell him how much ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God