Sermons on The Stranger:

In Your Face ... Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 30, 2019

Christians have the external world, the internal flesh, and the infernal Devil to deal with every day. If you have been a Christian for any length of time, then the Tempter is no stranger to you.

How do seeds give birth? Seeds. Seeds are baby plants. One of Jesus’ most well-known parables is the parable about the Sower. Jesus describes God as a farmer who liberally sows seeds. He casts seeds where other farmers wouldn’t waste their time and seed … pathways, rocky places, weed patches. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-15, Matthew 13:24-29

Denomination: United Methodist

Faltering Faith #2 Series

Contributed by Mike Hullah on Nov 17, 2018

As Abraham journeyed as a stranger in a foreign land his faith was tested and sometimes faltered. What do we do when our faith falters. It's part of the journey.

AS A STRANGER IN A FOREIGN LAND FALTERING FAITH Genesis 12:6-9 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:6-9, Genesis 12:10-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Hot And Cold Treatment Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 25, 2003

Why do we respect strangers more than we do someone who is tried and true? Let’s Look At Jesus Rejection in Nazareth to Find Some Clues.

The Hot and Cold Treatment (Luke 4:14-30) Question: Why do we respect strangers more than we do someone who is tried and true? I. Let’s Look At Jesus Rejection in Nazareth to Find Some Clues 1. In His own province, but outside of His hometown, Jesus was well received... (1) after the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Chosen Pilgrims Series

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Sep 22, 2004

Peter reminds us that God has chosen us in Christ Jesus to live like pilgrims and strangers in this world. But, do we have a pilgrim’s mindset and lifestyle?

The Chosen Pilgrims 1 Peter 1:1-2; 2:11-12 Verse 1 - “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen…” The letter writer begins by introducing himself. He simply states that he is “Peter, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Longing To See Jesus

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Mar 8, 2014

I believe there is a danger that we become so comfortable in this life that we forget we are but strangers and pilgrims in this world. If you are a Christian, heaven is your future home for all of eternity.

Longing to see Jesus. Matthew 6:18 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 19 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

After Easter: On The Road To Emmaus

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 8, 2021

A pair of discouraged disciples left Jerusalem for their home in Emmaus. While going there, they met a Stranger Who walked with them and gave them something they weren't expecting!

Introduction: On Resurrection Day, the first day of the week, the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Mary Magdalene had seen and spoken with the Lord, and had shared this news with the other believers (John 20). As the day went on, a pair of disciples decided they would go back to their home at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Takes Questions Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 3, 2021

1. I’m a Tenant Acting Like an Owner 2. I’m Passenger Acting Like a Driver 3. I’m Stranger Thinking I’m an Heir

Welcome to a three month long study of one week in the life of Jesus. We’ve given the series a title, The Greatest Week in History. That may seem like hyperbole to you but I ask you to think again. Think of it … Jesus Christ never held a political office, never ruled a nation, and never commanded ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:9-19

Denomination: Baptist

Part 2: Fear Not Series

Contributed by Pastor Randall Timblin on Nov 1, 2019

What are you afraid of? Is it the dark? Is it strangers? How about the fear of heights or closed spaces? Many of us have these fears and have a hard time getting over them.

I guess it wouldn’t help if I told you that they are a mere figment of your imagination? There is a story about a tight-rope walker. He was performing in the local circus in the big-tent. He was more than 50 feet in the air and had no net. As he moved about there were oohs and ahhhs. After his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:6

Denomination: *other

Joshua 9: When Israel Was Fooled Twice! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 21, 2024

The leaders of Israel met some strangers, who had a very sad story to tell them. Little did Joshua and the others know, they were about to be fooled not once, but twice.

Introduction: Israel was on the move! Jericho had fallen to them, Ai was gone, and the peoples of central Canaan were probably wondering who would be next. There was a group of four cities which decided to make peace with Israel—even if they had to use trickery to do it! Text, Joshua 9:1-2, KJV: 1 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Suffering Servant: At Odds With The World Series

Contributed by Andy Payne on Jan 3, 2010

“In a world where success is the measure and justification of all things, the figure of him who was sentenced and crucified remains a stranger.” —Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German theologian, pastor, and martyr (1906–1945)

The Suffering Servant “” Isaiah 52:13-53:9 INTRO: By all accounts Jesus is the complete opposite of what you would expect of a religious or political figure, let alone a military commander or battlefield tactician. In reality he was none of these things. He failed to bring about the military ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Wisdom Of A Widow

Contributed by Paul Tuck on Jan 12, 2002

What would you do if God asked you to give the very last of your possessions to a complete stranger? This episode in the life of Elijah, shows us what real faith is all about.

THE WISDOM OF A WIDOW I Kings 17:8-16 The sun beats down unmercifully upon the tiny town of Zarephath, a remote village well to the north of the land of Palestine. It is there that a fraw widow woman searches for sticks. Why is she searching for sticks? She is searching for sticks because ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16

Denomination: Baptist

I Don't Belong Here

Contributed by Pat Cook on Sep 23, 2003

A social commentary of the Canadian political situation, we are reminded the world hates us, but that’s OK, because we are aliens, strangers and pilgrims. We really don’t belong here.

John 15:18-21 – I Don’t Belong Here Today I’m straying off a schedule a little. I meant to continue working through the book Experiencing God, but due to the political events of the past week, I felt I needed to address them. I have more to say than time to say it in, but I’ll do my best to ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

True Contentment

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 22, 2018

If you want to find true contentment even in your pain, love strangers; love those who suffer; love your spouse; but most of all, love your Savior and Lord, not money.

Philip Yancey, in an article in Christianity Today about prayer, talks about a man who interrupted his busy life to spend a few days in a monastery, looking for spiritual direction and peace. “I hope your stay is a blessed one,” said the monk who showed the visitor to his cell. “If you need ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Welcome!

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jul 9, 2017

In order for the Kingdom of God to grow we need to welcome the stranger, the sojourner into our midst. 'Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.'

WELCOME Matt 10:40 This week my 3year old grandson is going to see the nursery he will be using from September. The idea is to introduce him to something new, something strange so by this initial visit he will get to know what to expect when he goes there in September. Hopefully he will see ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:40

Philip And The Ethiopian Eunuch – Excluded? Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on May 1, 2024

This series is about feeling included. The Ethiopian Eunuch was excluded from the temple for three reasons. He was a stranger. He didn't look like them (black skin). He was a Eunuch.

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40 Since Easter, we have been covering the times Jesus appeared in person to continue to turn the world upside down. To put this passage in context, we need to start with where it is in the account of the early church. It began with everyone hanging out together, all of the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 23:1, Acts 8:26-40, Isaiah 56:3-5, Matthew 19:12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed