Sermons on Smoky Mirror:

Why Good Intentions Aren't Enough Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Sep 13, 2022

If I want to be more like Jesus good intentions are not enough

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Baptist

God's Enduring Gift Of Love

Contributed by Arthur Mavrode on Sep 18, 2009

This is a sermon given at a memorial service for a Christian man.

God’s Enduring Gift of Love 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 (New Living Translation) 1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Doers Of The Word

Contributed by C Jordan on Jun 13, 2014

There are three things that James teaches us in this passage: He wants us to know that God is good, to take out the garbage, and not just hear the Word: do the Word.

JOURNEY THROUGH JAMES #3: BE DOERS OF THE WORD INTRO TO JAMES: “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.” (James 1:1, NKJV). • Review first week: James = the half-brother of Jesus and a leader in the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-25

Denomination: *other

Do Not Dwell On The Past; Look To The Future

Contributed by Ryan Ferwerda on Apr 25, 2019

When we focus too much on what happened in the past it becomes hard for us to see what God is doing in the present and is leading us in the future.

When I was in the parish, preaching every Sunday, there was usually one of my parishioners that would always come up to me after service and express how that day’s particular sermon seemed like I was speaking directly to them; that the sermon on that given day was addressing something specific ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Sermon On The Golden Rule

Contributed by William Meakin on Jul 2, 2023

The Golden Rule, is a principle of ethics, directly relating to a specific path in Christianity.

Fred Rogers, an American television host and author once remarked: “Imagine what our real neighbors would be like if each of us offered, as a matter of course, just one kind word to another person. There have been so many stories about the lack of courtesy, the impatience of today's world, road ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:14, Proverbs 16:24, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Job 4:4

Letters Of Recommendation

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Sep 13, 2025

Paul reminds the Corinthians that true Christian leadership isn't about  credentials but pointing people to Christ. Our transformed lives are the Holy Spirit’s “letters of recommendation,” of God's truth.  

Letters of Recommendation GOOD MORNING. This morning, we’re looking at our Epistle lesson, and letters of recommendation if you saw that. You might have needed one for a job, a college application, to rent an apartment. I’ve written lots. But what is your ultimate letter of recommendation? We can ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:1-7, 2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Denomination: Anglican

When You Can’t Draw Near - Mark 7:1-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 23, 2023

Legalism is an insidious problem because it allows your heart to drift far from God while making you think you’re doing great spiritually.

Mark 7:1 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and 2 saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13, Matthew 15:1-9

Genesis; Answering The Skeptic Series

Contributed by James Lee on Nov 14, 2014

Looking at Genesis 1: 3-8 Learner handouts available.

[Gen 1:3-8 NIV] - 3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day. 6 And God ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:3-8

Denomination: Baptist

Our Bible

Contributed by Grant Adams on Sep 26, 2019

The Bible was written by men divinely inspired; it has truth for its matter without error; it is and shall remain to the end of the age the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man

Our Bible 2 Timothy 3:16-17 The Bible was written by men divinely inspired; it has truth for its matter without error; it is and shall remain to the end of the age the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; and, it is the true center of Christian union and the supreme ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Perfection Is Not…

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Feb 21, 2023

Perfection is not…

Perfection is not… Scripture: Leviticus 19:1-2, Leviticus 19:17-18, 1 Corinthians 3:16-23, Matthew 5:38-48. Reflection Dear sisters and brothers, Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect! I was amazed at the last line in today’s gospel reading taken from the gospel of Saint ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:1-2, Leviticus 19:17-18, 1 Corinthians 3:16-23, Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Other

How To Cork A Good Whine

Contributed by Alan Braun on Mar 22, 2002

How to deal with the whiner and complainers of life

Intro: Eph 4:29-32 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Strength For The New Year

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 28, 2009

A message on finding strength during times of personal and national crisis and challenge. Given the last Sunday in 2009.

Finding Strength for the New Year Where do you find strength in times of personal and national challenges? Where do you find strength when a member of your family has a pre-mature death? How do you make it through hurtful experiences that are not justified? Last November I attended a church ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:1-5

Denomination: Free Methodist

Promises, Promises Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 16, 2008

God never changes and God keeps His promises. We come to faith through the promise as people of old came to faith through the promise --- and the promise is Jesus Christ.

While I was waiting for my coffee I struck up a conversation with a college age woman about Christianity. It turns out that she had grown up in the church and had some great memories of the church…but as she grew older she had lost interest in church. She cited various issues in the church that she ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:15-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lost And Found

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 14, 2009

Many today carelessly go around unaware of the imminent danger of dying unsaved and spending an eternity in Hell. They’re not seeking deliverance as they’re unaware they’re lost. Before one can be delivered they first must see they are lost.

Lost and Found Matthew 18:10-14 Introduction: The famous “Johnstown Flood” of May 31, 1889 was likely the single most newsworthy item in American history between the assassination of Lincoln and World War I. At 3:10 p.m. on May 31, 1889, following a full-day of unprecedented heavy rains, a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

Awakening - Easter Sunday

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 9, 2012

Jesus rose triumphant over the grave so that we could live fully awake and in response, He asks us to awaken to Him, His Kingdom, His power, His purpose, His will.

Awakening April 8, 2012 Easter Sunday For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Cor 13:12, NRSV) Yesterday I went for a brief walk, having been sick these past few days I was feeling ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:12

Denomination: Baptist