Sermons on Scandals:

Fourth Sunday Of Advent, A--Four Advent Annunciations

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 8, 2022

To all the Marys everywhere; to all the Josephs everywhere; to all the Pauls everywhere; and to even all the Ahazes everywhere.

There are four annunciations or announcements in our Gospel this Sunday. 1. To all the Marys everwhere— Mary’s Annunciation— reminds me of an advertising slogan for a shoe company that says, “No great story starts, “it was cold, so I stayed in.” In classical Greek and Roman mythology every ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-24

Denomination: Catholic

Lesson 3: God Revealed Through The Pattern Of The Incarnation Series

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Jul 2, 2025

Exploring the Communicable Attributes of God Through the Mystery of Christ’s Descent, Nature, and Redemption

Lesson 3: God Revealed Through the Pattern of the Incarnation Exploring the Communicable Attributes of God Through the Mystery of Christ’s Descent, Nature, and Redemption John 1:1-3,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:4, John 1:1-3, John 1:14, Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Go! And Welcome Everyone: The Gospel Of Radical Hospitality Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 30, 2025

The church is not called to be a museum of the like-minded—it is called to be a home for the broken, a family for the lonely, a refuge for the lost. And if that makes us uncomfortable—that’s the point!

Go! And Welcome Everyone: The Gospel of Radical Hospitality Introduction – A Question That Opens the Door Let me start with a question: Who do you struggle to welcome? Is it the person who doesn’t fit your idea of “respectable”? The one who votes differently? Dresses differently? Worships ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-3, Luke 14:12-24, Luke 19:1-10, Acts 10:1-48, Ephesians 2:11-22, Matthew 25:31-46, 2 Kings 4:8-37, Galatians 3:26-29, Romans 5:10, Revelation 3:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Prophet And The Prostitute Series

Contributed by Matthew Black on Oct 12, 2019

Hosea 1 tells the story of how God told a prophet to marry a prostitute to show Israel her idolatry. In the symbolism of Hosea, God is the Prophet and we are the prostitute. In a very real sense, I am Gomer and so are you! We are unfaithful people who deserve God’s wrath, not his mercy.

OUTLINE 1. GOD’S LOVE IS UNDESERVING (1:1-3a). 2. GOD’S LOVE IS URGENTLY NEEDED (1:3b-9). 3. GOD’S LOVE IS UNRELENTING (1:10-2:1). Do you remember when you were a child? When children are small they run to their mother’s arms. We have little children all around here. Those arms of mama and ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Prophet And The Prostitute Series

Contributed by Matt Black on Oct 18, 2019

Why would God ask a prophet to marry a prostitute? What a shocking love story that ultimately points to the greatest love story in God’s Son laying down his life on the cross for an unworthy and unfaithful bride. In the symbolism of Hosea, God is the Prophet and we are the prostitute. What grace!

OUTLINE 1. GOD’S LOVE IS UNDESERVING (1:1-3a). 2. GOD’S LOVE IS URGENTLY NEEDED (1:3b-9). 3. GOD’S LOVE IS UNRELENTING (1:10-2:1). Do you remember when you were a child? When children are small they run to their mother’s arms. We have little children all around here. Those arms of mama and ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Peter: An Inconsistent Disciple Series

Contributed by Chris Cuthbertson on Mar 25, 2025

Some people are forever identified with a glaring mistake they made, and their many positive contributions are completely forgotten. God evaluates each person’s life in total context.

PETER: AN INCONSISTENT FRIEND Matthew 26:31-35 & 69-75 Series: A Day in the Life of… (Easter Series) Some people are forever identified with a glaring mistake they made, and their many positive contributions are completely forgotten. For example, if I mention the name of Richard Nixon, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:31-35, Matthew 26:69-74

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is The Church Here For

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on Mar 20, 2003

Why we need the Church

Introduction at the start of church: How to Have a Good Day Psalm 34:11-16 How often has someone said to you, "Have a good day"? That’s a nice statement, but what does it mean? When you review the day’s activities before you go to bed, how do you know whether the day was good or bad? When ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Mystery Of Light Part 3

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 27, 2002

Scientists are baffled by the mystery of light they can study it but still don’t understand what light is. God is light according to the Bible and he’s as mysterious as light in the natural sense but like scientist we can study God and understand what l

Mystery of Light part 3 Opening Illustration: Video clip – To reference Bob’s comment last week at the end of the service. Show video clip on the need for son glasses (humorous). Thesis: Scientists are baffled by the mystery of light they can study it but still don’t understand what light is. God ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-12, Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Valentine's Day, The Olympics And Religion

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Feb 7, 2002

About God’s incredible love for us inspite of our sin which gives us security to move into our world to bless others in Christ’s name

Valentine’s Day, The Olympics and Religion Eph.3:14-4:16 a. One thing in common in all three: PRESSURE! In the Olympics – go for the gold! Try telling the Canadian men’s hockey team if they don’t feel it. Tell Elvis Stojko if he does not want to succeed badly and go out in a blaze of glory in ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Who Do You Answer To? Series

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 14, 2004

Accountibility is needed in the church because real change rarely happens alone.

Who Do You Answer to? I Samuel 2:12-29 Introduction: While deer hunting in southern Ohio this past week I had a sad story related to me.I was talking to a youth pastor while we were waiting to start hunting, and he asked if I had huntedwith a man named Billy (not his real name). I told ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:12-29

Denomination: Wesleyan

Elijah's Cloak Gives Believers Hope

Contributed by Joel Pankow on May 21, 2004

Elijah’s ascension, Christ’s ascension, and our hope revolve around the promises of our ascended leaders and the cloaks they give us to have and use.

May 23, 2004 2 Kings 2:7-14 Fifty men of the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:7-14

Denomination: Lutheran

The Divine Conjunction Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Jan 18, 2010

This message is from my expository series through the book of Romans.

“The Divine Conjunction” Romans 3:21-26 October 19, 2008 Ah, the joys of a 13-year-old daughter! She had me at “hello”, on that cold February morning when she awakened her mom 22 days earlier than the doctor said she was supposed to, announcing that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Jesus--Who Was He? Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jan 23, 2010

Mark gives five evidences that Jesus is the Son of God, that Jesus is God in human form.

Scripture Last week I began a ten-week series of messages. It is based on a series that is titled Christianity Explored by Rico Tice and Barry Cooper, out of England. Last week I introduced you to Christianity Explored, and I said that Christianity is not about beautiful buildings or boring ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Limits Of Human Treatments Series

Contributed by Todd Leupold on May 29, 2007

There are severe limits on human treatments to cure what ails the soul! We must turn fully to the Great Physician for what ails ourselves and our church.

PRESCIPTIONS FOR A HEALTHY & HOLY CHURCH: A Study in 1 Corinthians Applied To The Church Today Sunday AM, January 22, 2005 Rev. Todd G. Leupold II. DEALING WITH THE OBVIOUS DISEASES - 1 Corinthians 1:4 - 6:20 CANCER (Divisions in the church) - 1:10 – 4:21 2.Limits of Human Treatments ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Man Is Hard To Find

Contributed by Tommy Davis on Apr 5, 2006

Men’s Day Celebration message presented to a predominately African American congregation.

A Good Man Is Hard to Find Text: Jeremiah 5:1 Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it. My brothers and sisters, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 5:1, Ezekiel 22:30

Denomination: Baptist