Sermons on selection:

What Child Is This?

Contributed by Larry Turner on Dec 11, 2014

In the midst of the turmoil and distress of the birth of Jesus, God chose certain individuals to reveal his plan and his Son. This sermon looks at seven people or groups that were selected and why they were.

There was a man who strolled out of a hardware store with a smile on his face and a brand-new chainsaw in his hands. He was told it could cut down five big oak trees in an hour. Twenty-four hours later, however, his smile was gone. Frustrated, he was back at the store complaining that the saw ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

Envy Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jan 24, 2013

Envy is destructive, & if it is unchecked, it becomes invasive & can even become a dominate emotion. Let's look at this powerful force, this hostile emotion, this destructive enemy through some selected verses in Proverbs

PROVERBS 23: 17-18 ENVY [Genesis 37:1-11; 30:1- ] Envy is universal or possible in any person. Each of us has experienced the desire to have the achievements, excellences, or possessions of another person that we feel are missing in our life. It is destructive, and if it is unchecked, it ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Our Part In The Refining Process

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 11, 2013

This seemingly random selection of exhortations follows on from Hebrews 12:29, and represents our part in the refining process which God is working in our lives (cf. Ephesians 4:1).

OUR PART IN THE REFINING PROCESS. Hebrews 13:1-8; Hebrews 13:15-16. I. PRACTICAL LOVE (Hebrews 13:1-3). 1. “Brotherly love” (Hebrews 13:1). Jesus is ‘not ashamed’ to call us brethren (Hebrews 2:11-12). The readers of Hebrews are viewed as ‘holy brethren’ (Hebrews 3:1). This section begins ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-8, Hebrews 13:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Outline Of Acts 13:1-12

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 26, 2022

Acts 13 is a turning point in the history of the Church. Barnabas and Saul were personally selected by the Holy Spirit for a special mission. They left Antioch, preached through Cyprus, and experienced several things.

Introduction: Acts 13 could serve as a turning point in the Church’s story. The first 12 chapters are primarily concerned with the beginning of the Church and the issues facing the Church near Jerusalem. Now Luke is relating how the Church was going “to the uttermost part of the earth.” 1 Antioch: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Twelve Disciples

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Mar 24, 2024

Jesus chose twelve after the whole night prayer, but how he chose the Judas Iscariot, the traitor. What was wrong in the selection process? Are the permissive will is more powerful than the prayers of a saint?

Theme: Calling of Twelve Disciples Text: Matthew 10:1-4 (Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16, John 1:35-46)   Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever!   Introduction: On the first Sunday, I spoke about the calling of the first disciples based on the monthly theme of call & ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-4

Denomination: Methodist

Character Study Of Matthias Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 25, 2025

Matthias' life teaches us about faithfulness, patience, and divine selection. Though he was not initially among the Twelve, his commitment positioned him for God's appointment.

CHARACTER STUDY OF MATTHIAS – REPLACED JUDAS ISCARIOT AS AN APOSTLE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Acts 1:23-26 "So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, 'Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:23-26, Psalm 109:8, Acts 1:15-22, Luke 6:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Scattering The Seed

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 6, 2007

Why wouldn’t God be more selective in what soil He allows His seed to be planted? And why did Jesus tell only this parable (but not the explanation of the parable) to this crowds?

A man walked into a flower shop and asked for some potted red geraniums. "I’m sorry," said the clerk in flower shop, "we are completely sold out of all of our potted geraniums. But I’d be more than happy to give you a deal on something else. Could you use African violets instead?" ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Expectations – General And Specific – Great And Small Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 16, 2022

Expectations keep us hoping if they are good, and fearful if they are bad. There are many examples in the bible of expectations but I have selected only a few, then we look at Christian expectations. Even cricket is touched on.

EXPECTATIONS – GENERAL AND SPECIFIC – GREAT AND SMALL I wonder how many are familiar with the novel “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens. Pip the orphan boy relates his story that is based around what expectations wait for him, surprises, incorrect assumptions, tragedy and a lot more. Well as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:8-16, Genesis 48:11, 1 Kings 2:15-16, Job 30:26-29, Isaiah 5:2-4, Matthew 11:2-3, Luke 21:25-28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Sermons From Strange Preachers

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Jul 19, 2003

Throughout the years, God has used unique ways to teach His people some very important truths. This outline selects four "strange preachers" whose messages we would be wise to heed.

GREAT SERMONS FROM STRANGE PREACHERS "And the Lord said to Cain, ’Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ’I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’ And the Lord said, ’What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground." Genesis 4:9-10. Throughout the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:9-10, Luke 22:34

Denomination: Baptist

Why The Holy Spirit Does Not Give Into Our Whims, But Helps To Bring Out Go

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 17, 2006

The Holy Spirit listens to our cries, but selectively responds to the prayers that are in conformity with the will of God for our lives. The Spirit acts as our advocate to the Father, but acts only according to the will of God. The Spirit has a way of fi

Why The Holy Spirit Does Not Give Into Our Whims, but Helps to Bring Out God’s Best in Us and Teaches Us to Love What is Difficult by Paul Fritz Romans 8:26-8:28 Why The Holy Spirit Does Not Give Into Our Whims, but Helps to Bring Out God’s Best in Us and Teaches Us to Love What is Difficult - ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Picky Picky Belief Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Apr 14, 2006

The religious leaders were selective about which laws to follow and which ones to ignore or defy. We are too. The point of this is to expose our own double-standards and lead us to show mercy to others.

John 19:31-37 – Picky Picky Belief Tonight, in our last message of The Life of Jesus before Resurrection Day, I’d like to point out an interesting characteristic about the religious leaders that really bears hearing. Just to let you know: likely something I say tonight might make you angry. ...read more

Scripture: John 19:31-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Apprentice #2: Philip Series

Contributed by Gregg Svalstad on Nov 3, 2004

This is the second in a series of sermons on the disciples using Donald Trump’s "Apprentice" series in contrast to Jesus’ approach of selection. This message focuses on Philip and that God chooses practical minded people.(Drama also available)

Last week we began this brief series “I’ve entitled” The Apprentice: The Type of Person God Chooses. “The Apprentice” is of course the TV reality show centered around Donald Trump in which 18 candidates arrive on scene for a 15 week job interview. They are put through all kinds of challenges, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-50

Denomination: Baptist

Filling The Void-1 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 16, 2010

Peter initiated the selection process by which an apostle would be chosen to remove the void in their ranks created by Judas Iscariot. A void in leadership/the ranks must be removed. A void in leadership must be removed as....

D—SETTING the STAGE for the SPIRIT FILLING THE VOID-I—Acts 1:15-26 Peter initiated the selection process by which an apostle would be chosen to remove the void in their ranks created by Judas Iscariot. A void in leadership/the ranks must be removed. A void in leadership/the ranks ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:15-26

Denomination: Baptist

Filling The Void-2 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 16, 2010

Peter initiated the selection process by which an apostle would be chosen to remove the void in their ranks created by Judas Iscariot. A void in leadership/the ranks must be removed. A void in leadership must be removed as....

D—Setting the Stage for the Spirit FILLING THE VOID-II—Acts 1:15-26 Peter initiated the selection process by which an apostle would be chosen to remove the void in their ranks created by Judas Iscariot. A void in leadership/the ranks must be removed. A void in leadership/the ranks creates a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:15-26

Denomination: Baptist

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 11, 2021

We look at the fall of King Saul. We see how he rationalized his sins by selective obedience, shifting blame, and subterfuge. Then we study the true nature of obedience and end with an enlightening story.

TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE 1 Sam. 15:1-30 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: KNOWING IS NOT DOING 1. United Press International (UPI) reported that termites had eaten through a large stack of documents entitled, “Control of Termites” in the mail room of the University of California at Berkley. 2. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God