Sermons on Substitutes:

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

Real Belief In The Real Jesus Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 8, 2003

Faith in Christ is the key to eternal life. But the Jesus we put our faith in must be the Christ revealed in scripture not some substitute Jesus we have fabricated in our own minds.

Real Belief in the Real Jesus John 1:1-3 and 20:30-31 2-9-03 John 1:1-5 1:1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and ...read more

Scripture: John 20:30-31, John 1:1-3

Denomination: Charismatic

The Object Of My Affection Series

Contributed by Dan Jackson on Jul 9, 2005

We substitute many things for the worship of the one true God. Idols never satisfy, but we still craft with our hands things that we hope will satisfy the longing of our hearts.

“THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION” (Exodus 20:4-6) You hear a word like the second commandment, and think “C’mon preacher, this is twentieth century America. We don’t have totem poles and fetishes here. Be relevant.” Did you see the comedy film, Cool Runnings? It’s about the first Jamaican bobsled team ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-6

Ishmael And Isaac: From Mistake To Mission

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 20, 2009

We live with dreams deferred, and act hastily, out of impatience. Either we then go into denial or we try to make do with a substitute. But Christ makes all dreams ever new.

The playwright Lorraine Hansberry asks it: "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up, like a raisin in the sun?" A dream deferred. A dream deferred is something you’ve put heart and soul into, for a long time, but it’s delayed. It hasn’t come. It’s incomplete. What happens to a dream ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

I Can't Get No Satisfaction Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Aug 11, 2016

This sermon begins the series in which we want to encounter and honor God in our lives and church. The only real satisfaction we have in life is God. Everything else is a poor substitute.

1. If She Doesn't Hurry... When J. K. Rowling was having trouble finishing her fifth Harry Potter book, her fans grew impatient. One was quoted as saying, "If she doesn't hurry, we're going to move on to caring about something else." That reflects our age. Our attention spans are short, and we want ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Taking The Lowest Place

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 24, 2014

We take the lowest place to imitate the Trinity

The term “Trinity” does not appear even once in the Sacred Scriptures. Theophilus of Antioch used it to describe God about 150 years after Christ’s death and resurrection, so it may have come into usage some time before that. What it means is that God exists as one God, one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:4-11

Denomination: Catholic

By His Stripes-8

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jun 26, 2019

8 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-VIII—Isaiah 52:13—53:12 OR: God’s Remedy For Sin Attention: Candle Help: Mrs. Donovan—a Catholic—was walking down O'Connell Street in Dublin when she meets up with Father Flaherty. The Father said, "Top o' the mornin' to ye! Aren't ye Mrs. Donovan & ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:6

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus The Lamb Of God Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Nov 10, 2025

Jesus Christ is the ultimate, sinless sacrifice whose death brings redemption, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God.

JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: John 1:29 Key Verse: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” – John 1:29 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 53:5; Hebrews 9:26-28; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Romans 3:23-25; 1 John 2:2 INTRODUCTION: Sin separates humanity from God ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Welcome To The Wedding Feast Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 23, 2009

John observes the most elegant and exciting wedding banquet he’s ever seen... and then he bows down to the angel who’s guiding him. Why would he do that?

OPEN: Weddings are times of excitement and great celebration, and different cultures have different ways of celebrating their marriages. • In Bulgaria – the bride tosses a dish filled with wheat, coins and a raw egg over her head. If the dish breaks it signifies good luck to come. • African ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:5-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Have The Obedience Of A 12-Year-Old ! Series

Contributed by Peter Schmidt on Jan 8, 2004

We study the only biblical story about Jesus as a youth. He is already going about his work as our obedient substitute. Mirror Christ by being obedient to the Lord and his representatives.

The First Sunday after Christmas Luke 2:41-52 During the first decade of life, children tend to view their parents as the greatest people in the world. This is the time of life when kids argue among each other, “My dad is stronger than your dad! My mom is prettier than your mom! My parents are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Lutheran

The Convicting Ministry Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jan 11, 2010

Jesus assures His followers that He would not leave them alone, but would send His substitute, the third member of the God-head. The Holy Spirit came to empower the church for life and witness

JOHN 16:7-11 THE [CONVICTING] MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT [1 John 4: 1-6] There was much disappointment among the Apostles when Jesus disclosed that He must return to the Father. Jesus’ great work of redemption required His death so that through His resurrection from the dead death ...read more

Scripture: John 16:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

Arrival Of Enemy Upon The Body

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jan 24, 2016

To show that the body of unbelievers here are for only decoration on earth with no purpose, and can easily be possessed by the enemy who is looking for rest and substitutes a human body for their rest instead of GOD's Presence because they are no longer a

I. EXORDIUM: Do you agree with unbelievers? No. I cannot be yoked together with unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 (Amplified Bible) Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:25

Denomination: Pentecostal