Sermons on Suspicious Nature:

How To Be A Happy Christian

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jun 2, 2009

God’s people ought to be the happiest people on earth. Most chase an elusive butterfly of perceived happiness. Here are three keys to being truly happy.

HOW TO BE A HAPPY CHRISTIAN PSALM 40:16 I. Be in the Center of God’s Will A. Proverbs 13:15 “... the way of the unfaithful is hard.” B. Psalm 1:1-2 (NKJV) “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:16

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does Jesus Seem So Distant? Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 4, 2008

Sometimes finding God can be so difficult, and He seems so far away, but in reality, He’s around us all the time. There are some things however that can seem confusing at times

Opener Activity: Clap This game is a variation of the old faithful "Hot/Cold" game. One person is chosen to be "it" and asked to leave the room so they can’t hear or see what is going on in the room. Take about 1 minute and pick an action as a group for "it" to do when he/she returns. (A Jumping ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When The Bible Is Hard To Understand Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on May 5, 2006

3rd of 5 in the series "A Light Unto My Path: Growing Through God’s Word." Title is self explanitory.

Military Doublespeak: A rotating wing aircraft suffered a hard landing due to the stress failure of a helical hexiform rotating compression device (A helicopter crashed because a bolt broke). Huh? Sometimes things are hard to understand. Sometimes important things are hard to understand—like ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Where Joy And Sorrow Meet

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jun 10, 2021

Joy and sorrow meet at the feet of Jesus. Let us bow before Him today.

Where Joy and Sorrow Meet Introduction Longfellow: Ah, how good it feels! The hand of an old friend. We rejoice in the faces of old friends we see today, and we are grateful to meet new friends as well. We are sorrowful at the faces who are no longer here, many now with the Lord. Our experience ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 51:11, Psalm 51:2-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Come Rest A While

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Feb 3, 2018

we need to take time in our schedules for what is really important

Mark 6:30-34 In today's Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples to do something unusual. And, I believe, he often tells us to do the same thing. What he said was: The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-34, Mark 6:7-12

Denomination: Episcopal

Incredible And Imperceptible Growth Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on May 16, 2011

God's work is sometimes slow and almost imperceptible. What is His work in your life like?

Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. ðáñáêáëέù – to call alongside; to beg persistently So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-26

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection C.5 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Israel Is An Important Indicator

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 23, 2020

When Jesus refers to a fig tree in Matthew 24, he is thinking of Israel. Israel is relevant to 'End Times'.

Today, we’re on to our last Reflection on Matthew 24! This Reflection contains some relatively complex arguments. I just can’t make it shorter. Sorry. If you’re in the mood for something stretching, read on! As Jesus starts to wind up his answer to his disciples’ question, he says this: 32 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:32-34

Denomination: Baptist

Pure Living (Numbers 5)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 6, 2024

Does pure living still apply? Let's look at Numbers 5.

Are quarantine, honesty and resolving accusations important for community well-being? Is living right important for Christians? Let’s look at Numbers 5. Was quarantine a concern in the camp in the wilderness? The Lord said to Moses, “Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone who ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Raising Of Jairus’ Daughter Series

Contributed by David Moore on Jul 22, 2010

To show how the Lord met the needs of a child and her parents.

The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter Text: Mark 5:21-43 Introduction: This section of Mark’s Gospel is filled with impossible cases. It has been called the Home Of The Hopeless. There are four impossible, hopeless situations recounted in Mark 4:35-5:43. There is the Troubled Sea, the Tormented Sinner, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Baptist

He Sure Doesn't Look Like Much

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Jan 10, 2004

Baptism of Our Lord: Many people missed the Messiah because ’He sure didn’t look like much.’ But veiled in flesh and blood, fulfilling all righteousness, was God Himself.

Just a few weeks ago we celebrated the birth of the Savior. God – the eternal, the almighty Logos – the second Person of the Trinity – became flesh and blood, like we are. There He lay, in a manger in a stable. And He needed tending to. Mother needed to feed Him and change his diapers and comfort ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-22

Denomination: Lutheran

A Forcing Of Sides Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 17, 2003

Pilate did with Christ what millions do today: he was not against Him, but wanted to avoid the issue. When the pressure came, he had a choice. It is only under pressure that our true convictions surface.

Note: this is a bulletin insert I put in our bulletins to supplement the sermon; it contains much helpful information, so I have included it here before the sermon. Ed Pilate: A Friend to Caesar or Not? The year was 33 AD. Jesus had been arrested and illegally tried. From a human perspective, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:3-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Mushrooms Or Maple Trees: Sermon #6 Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Aug 6, 2007

Jesus’ Church is to be a place where all humankind is received and welcomed with grace.

Mushrooms or Maple Trees: Spiritual Growth as God Intended Sermon #6 Sermon Objective: Jesus’ Church is to be a place where all humankind is received and welcomed with grace. PRE-SERVICE INTRODUCTION We are in a sermon series called Mushrooms and Maple Trees. Mushrooms sprout up overnight and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:33-50

Denomination: Nazarene

Be Careful Where And How You Shine Your Light

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Jan 22, 2006

We are called to be "the light of the world". This message encourages us to do two things: let our light shine BEFORE others and not AT them and to let our light shine without being showy.

BE CAREFUL WHERE AND HOW YOU SHINE YOUR LIGHT Matthew 5: 13-16 1. (Appear wearing a mask) Good morning. I am Amasone Kilei from the Pacific island of Tuvalu. Your pastor invited me to come speak today. You have nice church. 2. Well that disguise and mask obviously did not fool anyone as to my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: United Methodist

The Book Of Zechariah Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Dec 10, 2009

Zechariah was anointed by God’s Spirit, who took him to heights of messianic revelation rarely equaled. He not only reveals a God who is able to protect His people, but a God who has given us what we need to know His Messiah & His plan for the future.

ZECHARIAH 1:1 THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH [Jeremiah 25: 1- 13/ 52: 3-16 / Isaiah 45:1-8] I. INTRODUCTION Life on planet earth is fragile. We live every day under the threat of catastrophic environmental disasters and weapons of mass destruction. Surprisingly, a study of a book as ancient as the ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Gifts Of Recognition

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Dec 21, 2007

The wise men came to Jesus bearing gifts. The gifts recognize who Jesus was. They recognized him as divine, king, with their gifts. How do you recognize Jesus with what you give to Him and others?

ntro: The background of this story would make any modern day soap opera, or prime time drama writer drool. The wise men meet with a self-absorbed, psychopath by the name of Herod the Great. He was a level headed, friend of the Romans who brought stability to the economy of Judea and built for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11

Denomination: Baptist