Sermons on Smoky Mirror:

Wisdom For Facing Trials Series

Contributed by David Welch on Apr 11, 2018

3rd in a sermon series on James dealing with wisdom for facing trials.

“Wisdom for Facing Trials” Review This is the third episode in our journey through James. James wrote this letter of instruction to those he warmly called his dear brothers. He wrote this letter to validate genuine faith. How does real faith in Jesus behave when encountering life in a broken world? ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-8

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Sin: The Struggle, The Revelation

Contributed by Lee Hammond Houston Jr. on Jan 31, 2021

Romans 3:23, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Even the Apostle Paul was one of the “all have sinned.” Only Christ was without sin. Paul sometimes disappointed people, sometimes made mistakes, and sometimes just plain messed up.

Sin: the Struggle, the Revelation Our scripture today is Romans 7:14-8:4. I am breaking it in half, for in the first half Paul writes like a frustrated man, but in the second half Paul reveals a wonderful revelation. Listen to how disturbed Paul is in this first half, Romans 7:14-24. "14 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:35-39

Denomination: United Methodist

The Anatomy Of Unbelief SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Oct 25, 2023

Unbelief has a progression that leads to limiting Jesus.

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. We are gathered here today, not by chance or coincidence, but by divine appointment. We are here because God, in His infinite wisdom and boundless love, has called us together to share in the fellowship of His Word. Today, we are going to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6

Topics: Reject Unbelief

Christ At The Center

Contributed by Patty Groot on Jul 31, 2025

In a world full of shifting values and unstable truths, we need an anchor. Colossians 1 gives us one: Jesus Christ is not just part of the story; He is the Author of the story. This early confession of faith shows us the truth about Jesus.

Paul doesn’t begin this passage with practical advice or even spiritual encouragement. He starts with awe—with a hymn, a bold declaration of who Jesus is. Before we get to what we should do, Paul reminds us of who Christ is. This passage, Colossians 1:15–20, is considered one of the earliest ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-28

Scheming Without A Schematic Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 17, 2025

When human design collapses, God’s blueprint restores; the Divine Draftsman rebuilds lives and cultures through grace, purpose, and renewed imagination.

(Finding the Blueprint Again) --- 1. The Great Design Problem We live in a world obsessed with building things—apps, ideologies, identities, futures. Every headline feels like a pitch deck: Here’s how to fix the world. Our confidence is architectural; we assume that with enough data, diversity, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1, Genesis 11:1-9, Colossians 1:16-17, Ephesians 2:10, Proverbs 3:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Why Are We Here?

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 23, 2000

The church exists to evangelize.

Why Are We Here? Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Why are you here today? There could be as many answers to that question as there are people present. Some would say, "I'm ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Baptist

Your Attitude Will Determine Your Altitude

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Jul 9, 2002

Everyone needs an attitude adjustment now and then. Here’s some ways to get your attitude aligned!

YOUR ATTITUDE WILL DETERMINE YOUR ALTITUDE (PHIL. 4:4-8) What is attitude? Attitude is the EYE of your soul! Your attitude determines how you view life. If your attitude is negative, you will see life positively. If your attitude is positive, you will see life positively. If you have a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-8, Philippians 4:4, Philippians 4:8, Philippians 2:5

Denomination: Church Of God

Freedom In Christ

Contributed by Mark Engler on Jul 7, 2004

"Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Cor. 3:17b. As we have freedom in our country through the men’s sacrifices, we have freedom in Christ because of His sacrifice.

Sermon by: Mark Engler, Mt. Vernon Christian Church Mt. Vernon, Missouri “Freedom in Christ” Intro: “History of Independence Day” Most of us in America learn the basic history of the events surrounding the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Turning The Other Cheek - By Michael Prabaharan Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Mar 14, 2005

The Sermon on the Mount is an invitation – to taste and see this God, to join his club and deepen his kind of life skills.

Turning the Other Cheek I’ve been trying to figure out a realistic application for turning the other cheek ever since as a young person a mentor of mine once pointed out to that to teach his son this attitude was a license to getting him bullied at school. No way am I going to encourage my son ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-48

Denomination: Anglican

I Want To Be Loved And Accepted

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 4, 2004

What to do when you don’t fit in and it hurts

THE WINDOW Bible Teaching Ministry of CEDAR LODGE BAPTIST CHURCH Thomasville, NC ---------------------------------------- 1Corinthians 13 Jan 19, 1992 ---------------------------------------- It was once said of a particular statesman that, "...the tragedy of his life is that he never ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Denomination: United Methodist

"I Want To See Jesus!"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 28, 2004

Have we dined with Jesus?

Luke 18:9-14 “I want to see Jesus!” By: Rev. Kenneth Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA www.parkview-umc.org Zacchaeus was a chief among tax collectors, and I’m sure his parents never would have dreamed that he would turn out the way he did. You know ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: United Methodist

God Loves You

Contributed by Benny Anthony on May 8, 2007

This is a Chrysalis Clergy Talk. The Scripture references are varied throughout the talk.

In Max Lucado’s book No Wonder They Call Him Savior, he tells this story. Longing to leave her poor Brazilian neighborhood, Christina wanted to see the world. Discontent at home only on a pallet on the floor, a washbasin, and a wood burning stove, she dreamed of a better life in the city. One ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Enduring The Race

Contributed by Stephen Carroll on Feb 22, 2006

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews compares our faith walk to a race that is to be run with perseverance. This not one of those races you may have run at an elementary school field day, You know the ones where everyone got a medal even if they ran th

Enduring for the Gold Hebrews 12: 1-3 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Effective Word Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Sep 22, 2006

The word of God is always effective and accomplishes its stated purpose.

The Effective Word Text: 2 Tim. 3:16-17 Introduction 1. Read 2 Tim. 3:16-17 2. Illustration: The Department of Social Services in Greenville County, South Carolina sent the following letter to a deceased individual. "Your food stamps will be stopped effective March, 1992, because we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Methodist

Christian Basics P1 Series

Contributed by Bruce Landry on May 25, 2005

We need to know what the basis of our walk in Jesus Christ is. Let’s examine over the next few weeks what our basics should be.

Christian Basics 1 The basic law (v.8). Love forbids adultery (v.9). Love forbids killing (v.9). In Discipleship Journal, Carole Mayhall tells of a woman who went to a diet center to lose weight. The director took her to a full-length mirror. On it he outlined a figure and told her, "This is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-9

Denomination: Baptist