Sermons on Smoky Mirror:

God, Why Don't You Do Something

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Apr 20, 2014

The question was asked by Christ on the cross and we often ask it as we look at the Easter Story, God Why Don' t you do something. The reality is that he was doing something

Matthew 27:46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” How many times have we asked ourselves the same question that Jesus asked as he hung dying on the cross? ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Man Who Went To Hell Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 11, 2011

Does Hell exist? And, if so, why did the Rich man end up there? What had he done that was so terrible that he deserved that type of punishment?

POEM: An old man sat by an open fire and dreamed the years away, While, outside in the battle of life, many perished in the toils of day. He never did any good, nor did he ever do any wrong. He just sat by the open fire and dreamed the whole day long. Now he’s left a vacant chair and they say ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Deadliest Fire In History Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 13, 2019

No one seems to be excited about the topic of Hell. Even God's not keen on it. But it's crucial to our message of hope for the lost. What is it about Hell we need to know and that we need to tell others?

Does anyone know what the worst fire in American History was? Most people would say it was the great Chicago Fire in 1871. That fire started on Sunday, October 8 and ended on Tuesday, October 10, 1871, killing up to 300 people and destroyed a little over 3 square miles of Chicago, leaving over ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Satan's Strategies

Contributed by David Schroeder on Feb 10, 2020

God’s enemy is a strategist, a schemer. That is why the Apostle Paul admonished his congregation at Ephesus to, Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes...

Satan’s Strategies God’s enemy is a strategist, a schemer. That is why the Apostle Paul admonished his congregation at Ephesus to, Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11). The Greek word for schemes is methodeia. So, it behooves ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11

What Are You Working For? Series

Contributed by Peter Kelly on Aug 25, 2021

Series #10. How one views their work for the Kingdom is the topic of this sermon.

Have you ever thought about your priorities, if they are what they should be? I have heard a good way of prioritizing what they should be is to remember the acronym J-O-Y (Jesus, Others, Yourself) Let me give you an example of a good and a bad set of priorities. Jimmy Johnson divorced his wife of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:9-15

Acts Of The Apostles # 29 Of 39

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 14, 2022

In chapter 19 we read where Paul's ministry reached its climax in Ephesus.

God worked in a marvelous way! New converts actually forsook their former practice of black magic, and in a public burning, they destroyed over $10,000.00 worth of occult scrolls and magic charms, thus openly proclaiming their faith in the Lord Jesus. Illus: Wilmington states, "It is often ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:1-38

Denomination: Baptist

13. Courage In The Gap - Jonathan's Bold Faith Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 27, 2025

There are moments in life—and in faith—when staying still becomes the greater risk—when the safety of inaction leads to spiritual stagnation, missed opportunity, or even disobedience

Courage in the Gap – Jonathan’s Bold Faith May 21, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 14 There are moments in life—and in faith—when staying still becomes the greater risk—when the safety of inaction leads to spiritual stagnation, missed opportunity, or even ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Visionary View: Do People See 'the Image Of God' In You? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 18, 2023

Explore the concept of a "visionary view" through the lens of reflecting the image of God in our lives. Do people see the image of God in you?

Visionary View: Do People See 'The Image of God' in You?" Introduction: Explore the concept of a "visionary view" through the lens of reflecting the image of God in our lives. Do people see the image of God in you? Let's dive into this topic using verses from the New ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27, Romans 3:23, Colossians 3:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Take It With You

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Sep 16, 2009

We exalt "going to church" as the main thing, when the main thing is taking the message from the church home with you into your everyday life.

Take It With You 9/6/09 Psalm 15:1-5 James 1:19-27 Have you ever gone to Walmart with their circular baggage area, left the store and left one of your bags there in the store. What do you do when you recognize it’s missing? Or have you been to a store and left something on the counter ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When "If” Met "So”

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 4, 2025

From the serpent’s "if" that birthed doubt to the Savior’s "so" that proved love, redemption silences every question with grace.

I. YOU STILL CALL MY NAME — THE CRISIS OF CONFESSION WITHOUT CHARACTER There are small words that change destinies—and none smaller than if. Two letters that separate ruin from renewal, noise from nearness. When Solomon dedicated the temple, the glory of God fell like fire. The priests couldn’t ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-5, 2 Chronicles 7:14, James 4:6, Psalm 27:8, John 15:7, Acts 3:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Walk

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 16, 2004

This is about keeping our walk fresh.

Turn with me to James chapter 1. Read James 1:17-27. James was a most practical writer, and here we see his practicality shine through. We see some the basic ideas of the walk. The Christian life has often been called a walk. You can tell a lot about a person by their walk. Someone who is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Denomination: Wesleyan

Practical Christianity Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Oct 11, 2022

The book of James is written by Jesus’ brother. James speaks to the practical side of Christianity. Christianity is doctrine, but it is more than doctrine. His point was to influence believers to a practical Christianity. It is written to Hebrew Christians.

A man leaves his business in the hands of someone to look after things while he is gone. When he returns, he asked the one he left in charge, did you get my letters and read my instructions? Yes, he replied I received them, and I read them. How could it be that this man received the letters and ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Baptist

Reflections - What God Sees

Contributed by Edward Hardee on May 16, 2017

A Mother's Day message about how God sees us.

Title: What God Sees Spoken on Mother's Day by my wife Carol Hardee Have you ever looked in the mirror, saw a blemish and tried to cover it up? Foundation, concealer, powder – ok no one can see it. Or cooked a meal and maybe got the meat a little too tough, so you added gravy hoping no one ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 62:4, Isaiah 61:1-10

Denomination: Church Of God

Healing Grace Series

Contributed by Ron Murphy on Sep 3, 2007

We often live with a distorted view of who we are, even after coming to Christ. But who does God say we are?

Introduction I. Did you ever notice those words that are written on the outside mirror of your car? A. On many of those mirrors are the words to the effect, “Objects may be closer than they appear.” B. What those words are saying is that 1. “This mirror gives a distorted view of reality” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 147:3

Denomination: Methodist

The Reflective Christian

Contributed by Jess Bousa on Dec 13, 2005

Life can be narrowed down to two outcomes, either you will live life as a reflection of God or a shadow of this world, when people see you what do they see?

It is strange how life works out sometimes. Sometimes people, who show the greatest potential, fizzle out and nothing ever really comes of them. And other times people who never really seem to have it all together, end up beating the odds, and actually make something of themselves. For instance, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-25

Denomination: Pentecostal