Sermons on Ugliness:

Reflections On Survivor

Contributed by Tony Grant on May 30, 2002

Our personal sins so separate us from God that only grace can restore us.

Reflections of Survivor Rom 3:2b-26 05/26/02 Trinity Sabbath by Tony Grant “Survivor” I am a fan of the CBS program "Survivor." There have been four editions of the program, beginning with Survivor Pulau Tiga, then Survivor Outback, Survivor Africa and now Survivor Marquesas. Survivor Marquesas ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:22-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Confrontation With A Leper Lightens Up Our Lord

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 13, 2003

how Jesus dealings with a leper shows how merciful and glorious he is

2-16-03 Mark 1:40-45 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Lutheran

Sweet Potatoes In My Coffee Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jun 15, 2008

God is our loving Heavenly Father.

“Sweet Potatoes in my Coffee” Luke 13:1-9 Introduction The memory of one particular evening when my wife and I lived in Florida remains fresh in my mind. We were invited by some friends to listen to their children’s contemporary Christian band play some of their new songs at the “Coffee Spot” in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Christian Church

Achan And Ai Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Jan 18, 2011

Sin has consequences that must be dealt with if the community is to survive

By Rev Heather Cetrangolo During the week I represented a man in a family law mediation. He had recently separated from his wife, and we were negotiating for him to have contact with his children. It’s hard to imagine, for those of us who haven’t been through it, what it would be like to be ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

What Do You Preach?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 17, 2022

Folks have different ideas about men and women in the ministry. They are referred to as “People of the Cloth.”

Illus: The phrase, “People of the Cloth”, reminds me of the pastor of a conservative small-town congregation. He received the gift of a white suit from a friend, but he was a bit reluctant to wear it. Since it was so attractive and a perfect fit, he decided to put it on one warm Sunday. As he was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Pleasure Of Perfection Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

Psalm 84 begins with an expression of pleasure in God's dwelling place. "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty." There is a deep longing in this song to experience again the pleasure of being in this lovely environment where the presence of God could be felt.

Christians have always had mixed feelings about pleasure. They know God made us to enjoy many pleasures of life, and yet there are also the forbidden pleasures. These are often just extremes of what is acceptable. Sex is good, but immorality is bad. Food is good, but gluttony is bad. Abundance is ...read more

Moral Issues: Racism Series

Contributed by Rob Harbison on May 10, 2001

God is color blind. Are you?

INTRO: Prejudice. Discrimination. Segregation. Racism. Our society cries out against such offenses—as well it should! Prejudice judges a man’s character by his outward appearance. Discrimination deprives a person of the right to have. Segregation deprives a person of the right to belong. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sleeping With Frogs

Contributed by Kemuel Travis on May 24, 2006

To show that we must not allow sin to fester in our lives, but it must be dealt with quickly and completely when discovered.

INTRODUCTION Exodus 8:1-15 -Children love frogs -Boys torment girls with them -Fairy tales and stories are full of them -But always, they bear a stigma of being ugly, gross, disgusting, something not meant ot be touched or handled -Can you imagine a miraculous infestation of frogs? -Discovering ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:1-15

Denomination: Wesleyan

God Loves All The Little Children Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 12, 2007

Jesus shares several pieces of Good News. One is that God is with us in the midst of tragedies and scarcity. Another piece of Good News is that Happiness can be experienced in the midst of the struggles of life. Luke’s sermon on the plain tells us how.

Luke 6:17-23 “God Loves All the Little Children” INTRODUCTION “Work hard!” “Dream Big!” “The world is your oyster to crack and grab the pearl.” We grow up hearing these phrases and others like them. “America is the land of opportunity,” we are told. “Anyone can become president.” We hear ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Ministers Or Morticians?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Nov 29, 2006

Are we ministers of life unto life experiencing the power of God to win souls and edify the saints? Or are we morticians just dressing the corpse and polishing the casket?

I am off to another funeral in a bit but I was pondering while I was getting ready on a thing that I typically hear at viewings/funerals. "They look so good!" "They look like they should get up and walk out of here." "They look better than when I last saw ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Renewing Your Mind

Contributed by Tim Huie on Apr 23, 2008

There is a battle being fought for a strategic area of your life. The outcome will determine the course of your life! It is the battle for the mind.

1. Illus. of Iwo Jima • On a small island in pacific called Iwo Jima one of the most ferocious battles of WWII was fought. • Taken at great expense in money and lives. • Why? Strategic value was enormous. If they won this island, war would go well. If they lost this island, war would go against ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:22-24

Denomination: Baptist

St Peter And Hans Christian Andersen

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jan 31, 2017

The first letter of Peter takes your breath away as he relates to the wonderful gift God has given us in His Son that we are children of God and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven. Andersen relates how God in Christ gives us a totally new view on life.

St Peter and Hans Christian Andersen 1 Peter 1:3-12 There are few passages in the NT where more of the great fundamental Christian ideas come together than in this passage of St Peter. It begins with a doxology to God--but a doxology with a difference. For a Jew the commonest of all beginnings to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Fear Factor

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Feb 26, 2009

Taking a frank look at the reality of fear and the crippling effect. A workable recipe that if applied will bring success.

Scripture: 1 John 4:1 – ‘18’ – 21 Title: “Fear Factor” Introduction: “Reality Shows” have become an overwhelming success, mainly because so many people can identify with the theme of the programs! • The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is FEAR! • It appears that everybody is afraid of ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

To The Foolish: Beautiful Savior Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 10, 2009

December 1989: We choose not to participate in mission and ministry because we do not want to look foolish. Jesus transforms looking foolish into a redemptive model.

Most of us, especially in our younger years, spend an awful lot of effort in trying not to look foolish. Most of us, particularly when we are young and growing and think our bodies are all out of proportion anyway, will go to great lengths to hide our deficiencies and keep from looking foolish. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Denomination: Baptist

"Waqlking And Swimming"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 7, 2011

A sermon about the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Matthew 14:22-36 “Walking and Swimming” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN eastridgeumc.org This morning we talked about the feeding of the 5,000 which happened right before our Gospel Lesson for this evening. And it is probably safe to say ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-36

Denomination: United Methodist