Sermons on Substitutes:

The Purpose Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 17, 2008

The Holy Spirit is such a powerful force that He changes us. But how does He do that, and how do we avoid being distracted by substitutes?

OPEN: During the Middle ages, in Florence Italy, there was a wealthy citizen by the name of Lorenzo de’Medici. He was a patron of the arts and very proud of the grand plays and pageants he staged for the citizens of the area. Among his productions were several amazingly realistic religious pageants ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Insane Courage Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 3, 2014

If you want that "insane courage" which will change your life and your world, bow before Christ as your Sovereign and believe in Him as your Substitute.

The 2011 film We Bought a Zoo was based on the true story of a British man named Benjamin Mee. In 2006 Mee and his family purchased and moved into a 30-acre zoo. In his book with the same title, Mee says that his new “neighbors” included “five Siberian tigers, three African lions, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-47

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Rejecting The Son...receiving The Sacrifice On Good Friday

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Apr 3, 2015

Jesus sacrificed himself as a voluntary substitution for our sins. This Good Friday message uses the parable from Matthew 21 as a demonstration of the world around us.

Jeffrey Ebert shared this story about an incident in his childhood. He wrote: When I was five years old, before factory-installed seat belts and automobile air bags, my family was driving home at night on a two-lane country road. I was sitting on my mother’s lap when another car, driven by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:38-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Christ’s Suffering, Our Salvation: A Love That Redeems 1 Peter 3:18 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 14, 2024

1 Peter 3:18 is a verse packed with truth about Christ’s purpose and mission, and serves as both a beacon of hope and a reminder of the depth of God’s love.

Christ’s Suffering, Our Salvation: A Love That Redeems 1 Peter 3:18 Introduction Today, we’re diving into a profound and powerful verse that brings us right to the heart of the gospel message—1 Peter 3:18. This verse, packed with truth about Christ’s purpose and mission, serves as both a beacon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 10:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 8:11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Fountains Free Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 2, 2014

Shepherds live(d) a harsh life in the Negev. Water was key to the survival of the flock. Living water was key.

1. Superman Vs. Batman There was an interesting article in Time magazine some time ago. It was about Superman -- and it seems this superhero has fallen on hard times lately. Even though, as a cartoon character he is the icon of DC comics he trails behind Batman in popularity. At DC Comics, Jim Lee, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:4-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Walk With Your Substitue Series

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Apr 13, 2003

Like Barabbas we are worhty of God’s death sentence; but we, the rebels, are released, and Jesus is suffers our hell on the cross in our place as our Substitute.

Walk with our Substitute Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God through which the Holy Spirit touches our hearts is record in Mark 15: Now, at every festival Pilate used to free a prisoner whom the people asked for. There was a man by the name of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:6-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Christ-Our Passover Lamb

Contributed by Evie Megginson on May 3, 2004

CHRIST-OUR PASSOVER LAMB IS A SUBSTITUTE SACRIFICE,A SINLESS SACRIFICE,A SLAIN SACRIFICE,A SPRNIKLED SACRIFICE,A SACRED SACRIFICE, AND A SUFFICIENT SACRIFICE.

CHRIST-OUR PASSOVER LAMB EXODUS 12:1-13, I CORINTHIANS 5:7 After spending 30 years in Burma, Missionary Judson returned to America. In his first address, he didn’t talk about the graves of his wife and 4 children in Burma. He didn’t talk about his imprisonment while he was there. He didn’t talk ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-13, 1 Corinthians 5:7

Denomination: Baptist

One Dark Blot

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 24, 2009

Many of us are given to obsessive behavior. Healing comes when we name it for what it is and accept a healthy substitute. A relationship with Christ will erase destructive obsessive behavior.

Success in life is about one-half drive and one-half perspective. To get anywhere, to accomplish anything, you have to mix both drive and perspective. You have to blend both drive and push, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the ability to back off and look at your drivenness. Most of the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 5, 2025

Obedience is the foundation of spiritual authority and divine favour. God does not accept substitutes for obedience—sacrifice, talent, position, or charisma cannot replace a heart yielded to Him.

OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 15:1-23 Supporting Texts: Deuteronomy 28:1-2, Proverbs 21:3, John 14:15, Isaiah 1:19-20, Hebrews 10:5-9 INTRODUCTION: God places a high premium on obedience. In His kingdom, obedience is not optional—it is the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

By His Stripes-4

Contributed by Byron Sherman on May 21, 2019

4 of ? The prophet Isaiah declared a future time when God’s Servant would provide the remedy for sin. Jesus is God’s remedy for sin. By His stripes I receive the Servant's...

BY HIS STRIPES-IV—Isaiah 52:13—53:1-12 OR: God’s Remedy For Sin Attention: To Brendan Johnston, it was a simple choice. The 18-year-old senior wrestler from The Classical Academy in Colorado had never competed against a girl, & faced with the option to do so & potentially move one round ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Death In Adam Series

Contributed by Stephen Smith on May 6, 2019

A message dealing with Original sin and explaining why we are all condemned by Adams transgression.

Eternal Security Death in Adam Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. In this message we're going to ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Don't Settle For Facts, Discover The Truth - Mark 4:35-40; Numbers 26-14:1

Contributed by Tunde Alli on Feb 16, 2012

Most Christians have substituted God's truth for facts. They believe facts rather than the truth of the word of God. Facts never set anyone free, truth does.

John 8:32 'Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free'. In the first story (Mark 4:35-40), Jesus was sleeping while his disciples were worried about a raging storm; the second (Numbers 13:26-14:1) reveals the nation of Israel (save Joshua and Caleb) weeping upon discovering the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-40

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Antichrist Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 12, 2013

The Antichrist does not appear as a man in a red suit and a pitchfork. Antichrist does not mean "against Christ" but rather "substitute christ". The false apes the real and tries to replace it.

The Antichrist 1 John 2:18-21 Introduction Last week, we talked about our affections. The source of our being is not to be grounded in this world, but in God. All the things of this world are perishing, and if our hopes and desires were built on them, then our hopes would be perishing as well. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Declare If You Know Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 24, 2002

The Palm Sunday crowds, like Job’s friends, shouted their slogans too glibly, communicating only popularity and prejudice, substituting religiosity and mere activity for knowing Jesus personally.

Declare if you know. Declare. Interesting word, “Declare”. It suggests that when we communicate, there are a variety of levels at which we can speak. There are different intensities we can use when we want to say something. Some folks merely suggest. They offer timid little ideas ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Choose This Day Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 13, 2016

We cannot be neutral. When God calls us, He demands strict and exclusive loyalty. We're to renounce all God-substitutes. We have a choice to make.

Knowing he is near the end of his life, Joshua assembles the elders to give one last charge to Israel. It is a solemn moment, and the climax of the book. Joshua's last words are rooted in history, and in the wondrous works of God the children of Israel witnessed themselves. Joshua reminds his ...read more

Denomination: Congregational