Sermons on Risks Of Popularity:

Disciples With Discipline Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 9, 2006

Self-denial and spiritual discipline are not popular topics in today’s culture. But a Christianity without a cross is not Christianity at all. This sermon launches a fifty day focus on spiritual disciplines.

Disciples with Discipline (Fifty Days of Consecration #1) 1 Corinthians 9:24-27[1] 3-20-05 Introduction This morning we want to prepare for the Fifty Days of Consecration that begins next Sunday. The fifty days begins on Easter (March 27th) and will conclude on the Day of Pentecost (May 15th). ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Charismatic

A Selfish Prayer That God Granted

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 30, 2002

A comparision of the prayer of Jabez and the model prayer our Lord taught the disciples. This outline views Jabez’s prayer differently than the more popular view currently espoused.

THE MODEL PRAYER OF THE ’ME’ GENERATION: ANOTHER LOOK AT THE PRAYER OF JABEZ "Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ’Oh, that Thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that Thy hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldst keep me from harm, that it may not pain me!’ And God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:8-13, 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

O Glorious Day

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Apr 20, 2011

Using the words of the popular song by Casting Crowns that was re-written from the hymn, "One Day" this sermon explores the reason why Easter Sunday truly is a glorious day.

O, GLORIOUS DAY ALL my sermons use illustrations found at www.sermoncentral.com and ALL scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted) (This sermon was preceded by the song Glorious Day by Casting Crowns with a powerpoint slide show and puppets singing the song) It is such a glorious day, and yet many ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus! Everyone Is Looking For You!

Contributed by Doug Koehler on Feb 6, 2009

Jesus gained popularity as a healer but He wanted to provide more. Even the greatest healing miracle was only a band-aid compared to what Jesus really wanted to offer.

I don’t think that you are going to be surprised that I am now going to mention the Super Bowl this morning and the fact that my Pittsburgh Steelers won! Yes, last Sunday they pulled out a great game and although watching it on television was enjoyable, I would have loved to be there in person. I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Of Tintin And Christmas!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Dec 6, 2012

What has Tintin to do with Christmas....all this and more in the sermon below, which goes on the assumption that readers (atleast most of them) are familiar with the universally popular Tintin comics.

Of Tintin and Christmas!!! I agree it is time Christmas "message" time folks! But firstly how about having a round of Quiz? Which is your favorite Tintin comic? Do I hear the answers...Tintin in Tibet, Crab with the Golden claws etc etc. Some would ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21

Denomination: *other

Here's Your Sign Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Aug 6, 2019

Number 18 in a series on John's Gospel. In this sermon I play off the comedian Bill Engvall's popular skit, and use it to point to Jesus

Here’s Your Sign! (Gospel of John Part 18) Text: John 6:1-15 A few years back, the comedian, Bill Engvall had some success with a style of jokes where the punchline was – “Here’s your sign.” And basically what they were, were jokes in which he described a scene or event that was painfully obvious ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 11, 2024

When life gets complicated, just follow God, believe God, and walk with God in the direction He leads.

Doug Lansky was a travel writer and photographer for many years during which he has collected photos of odd signs from around the world. Here are some samples: Here is a blue sign with white letters. It reads: “Pakistan-Narcotics Control Board Investigating Unit.” Notice what’s in front of the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 13:17-22, Exodus 14:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Peter-A Daring Disciple Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

Peter dared to do what the others never dreamed of doing. Safety first was their motto. But Peter was an impulsive risk taker, and his impulse in this very unusual setting was to step out onto the water.

Back in 1959 Ford Motor Company admitted they made a big mistake in making the Edsel. It cost 250 million to bring it to market, and they lost 200 million during the 2 and 1/2 years they produced it. It was the number one lemon in the history of the U. S. auto industry. But smart owners turned ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-36

Are You Deciving Yourself?

Contributed by Mark Roper on Nov 20, 2007

Deadly risk taking is more common then we realize. We may not purposely stare down the barrel of a shotgun. But many Christians behave in a self-defeating way that is equally careless and risky, and deadly.

Are You Deceiving Yourself? / Part-1 Galatians 6:7 KJV A Example of deadly risk taking In 1982, “ABC Evening News” reported on an unusual work of modern art—a chair affixed to a shotgun. It was to be viewed by sitting in the chair and looking directly into the gun barrel. The gun was loaded and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7

Denomination: Church Of God

A Truck Stop Story

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jan 7, 2008

This sermon explores the Christian walk and how our Christian fulfillment is directly related to the amount of risk we are willing to take for Jesus. Sermon text and communion meditation will be placed at www.sermonlist.com

One evening in a small town in Nebraska, a tired trucker pulled into a truck stop. He parked his 18-wheeler and went into the coffee shop. He ordered a hamburger with all the fixin’s, a pie, and some coffee. Just as the waitress delivered his order, three burly bikers walked into the shop. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-29

Denomination: *other

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

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

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

Declare If You Know Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 24, 2002

The Palm Sunday crowds, like Job’s friends, shouted their slogans too glibly, communicating only popularity and prejudice, substituting religiosity and mere activity for knowing Jesus personally.

Declare if you know. Declare. Interesting word, “Declare”. It suggests that when we communicate, there are a variety of levels at which we can speak. There are different intensities we can use when we want to say something. Some folks merely suggest. They offer timid little ideas ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:1-27

Denomination: Baptist