Sermons on Shrewdness:

Discerning True Wisdom (I) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 17, 2009

Sermon explores question: How can we discern godly wisdom & distinguish it from the counterfeit?

Discerning True Wisdom (I) James 3:13-18 7-13-08 Intro As background for our message this morning, I want to begin by reading a crucial bit of advice. What is the most important thing in life? What are you pursuing in life? I have known some people who spend most of their time and energy in ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18

Denomination: Charismatic

The Unexpected Messiah

Contributed by William Mouser on Jan 10, 2006

Everyone was hoping for, even expecting, the Messiah in Jesus’ day. But, he disappointed everyone, thought Messiah would come as a conqueror. Isaiah’s first Servant Song shows their expectations to have been badly misinformed.

Psalm 89:1-16, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-38, Mark 1:7-11 The Unexpected Messiah In the May 29, 2005 edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a story ran concerning a courthouse puzzle. The story in that paper begins like this: “In the Milwaukee County Courthouse, where plaintiffs, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Lord's Servant

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jun 17, 2010

Redemption was born in suffering, so is our peace.

The Lord’s Servant, Isaiah 52:13-53:6 Introduction “After a mission service, the preacher of the evening was hurrying away to a late train. He had just three minutes to catch it when he saw a man running after him. “Oh, sir,” he said breathlessly as he came up, “can ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Heading Toward Christmas - Thinking About Giving Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 13, 2009

Two basic thoughts about giving. 1- Giving to God 2- Giving to man

INTRO.- ILL.- The story is told of a very wealthy man who, on the occasion of his daughter’s marriage, sent a check for $5,000 to the bridegroom as a wedding present. He sent it by the hand of the bride’s sister and when she returned, the man eagerly asked: “What did your new brother-in-law say ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:8-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jun 4, 2015

Jesus' healing of ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19 shows us two signs of saving faith.

Scripture Roy Larson thought the most difficult part of his day would be maneuvering the unfamiliar stick shift on a “loaner” electric wheelchair as he ventured into downtown Glen Ellyn, Illinois, for a haircut. But his day was about to become much more difficult. As he was crossing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Invitation Of Parables Sermon Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Sermon on the parable of the Sower

The Invitation of Parables Sermon Matthew 4:1-11 Prior to our Scripture passage today, Jesus had begun his ministry teaching to small crowds. But when he began to heal people, the crowds began to swell and follow him from all over the land including “Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from beyond the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

The Spirit Of Comfort Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Apr 22, 2015

Comfort, Grief, Peace, Struggles

HOLY ISN’T HIS FIRST NAME – The Spirit of Comfort John 14:15-31 (p. 752) April 26, 2015 Introduction: In 1845 Capt. John Franklin set out with 2 ships and 138 of England’s finest sailors to chart a northwest passage around the Canadian Arctic to the Pacific ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Becoming A Heavenly Rebel

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Oct 26, 2016

We are called to be Heavenly Rebels! We are to rise up against the established institutions of secularism and to rebel against the "god of this age" (2 Cor. 4:4) and take a bold stand for Christ. Here are 3 scriptural ways how to be a heavenly rebel.

Becoming A Heavenly Rebel Introduction:  The word "Rebel" is defined as  "to rise in opposition or armed resistance to an established government or ruler." The ultimate rebellion is to rise up against the ultimate authority, which is God.  And those who do, will pay the ultimate price, which is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Strong In The Lord & In His Mighty Power Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Dec 15, 2016

Never give up in the fight against sin and evil. But always remember the power of God and the armour with which he’s equipped us. And pray on every occasion that you’ll be able to stand firm.

Do you remember when we looked at Paul’s prayer in Eph 3 that I commented how difficult it is to achieve the sort of unity that God wants from his church? In fact I pointed out that that’s why Paul prays the way he does: because only by God’s power can this miracle come about. Paul knows that apart ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-24

Denomination: Anglican

Breaking Bad: Circumstances Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Sep 3, 2015

Esther's story reveals the powerful presence of God in the midst of every circumstance.

What is a good story without good characters? The AMC series Breaking Bad has a cast of characters that the writers develop incredibly well. We’ve met the main character Walter White—chemistry teacher turned drug king-pin. There is Walt’s wife, Skylar, who never really quite ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:10-14

Denomination: Methodist

Faith In Action

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 30, 2013

Some Christians have a similar problem—spiritual gambling. It’s a way of living that involves taking chances by seeing how far we can stretch God’s patience. There’s not one chance in five that God won’t keep His word. There’s not even one chance in a tho

Opening illustration: The problem of compulsive gambling may seem foreign to most of us. Yet experts believe that millions of Americans are psychologically addicted to gambling. It gives them the excitement of hope and risk, but it usually ends in defeat. It is indeed a temporary pleasure. For ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:23-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Its A Set-Up

Contributed by Charles Maceo Holsey on Aug 14, 2012

This sermon deals with how the world attempts to set-up Christians and how the resurrection of Jesus liberates after being set-up by the world.

2 Chronicles 18:1 - 3 (NRSV) 1Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor; and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab. 2After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered an abundance of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 18:1-29

Denomination: Methodist

Choosing The Wisdom Of God Series

Contributed by Daniel J. Little on Dec 1, 2011

We have lots of data stored up in our souls, but who know how to arrange it so it works as God intended—to form in us an accurate picture of God, life and all creations.

Review: Last Sunday I spent some time talking about Rubik’s Cube—the 3-D puzzle made up of 26 little cube-like parts faced off with a total of six colors. The puzzle is solved when each face of the cube is showing a solid color. That sounds easy until you try it. The reason ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27

Denomination: *other

The Discipleship Test

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Apr 22, 2014

Following Jesus is the absolutely most important priority in the life of a Christian. What do you think Jesus would say about how well you’re following Him?

The Discipleship Test Jan. 29, 2014 Luke 9.51-62 Luke 9:51-62 (NASB) 51 When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; 52 and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. 53 But they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Baptist

Endure

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Dec 21, 2015

We can neither escape experiencing the evils of this world nor can we avoid God’s testing the quality of our devotion by letting us experience reality. It is important, however, that we do not let the hard times damage our faith and service to Christ.

Endurance Illustration: The Battered Bastards of Bastogne Most people recognize endurance to be our not quitting an endeavor; especially when we are experiencing an unpleasant, difficult, or dangerous situation. A perfect illustration of endurance was demonstrated by the 101st airborne division, in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Christian Church