Sermons on Unexpected Heroes:

Running The Race

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Mar 1, 2025

The New Testament likens the Christian life to running a race. We look at how it uses the metaphor. It calls us to strive, to improve, and to stay the course.

INTRODUCTION The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews wrote: ‘Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.’ The writer imagined the Christian life as a race – a race that requires endurance. We’re presently in a series in which we’re looking at items in the news. In some of the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Is It Good, Or Is It Bad?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 28, 2001

Here is the promise: "All things, both good & bad things, can work together for good to those who love God..." The question is, "How?"

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK A. Have you ever had anything good happen to you, & then, perhaps years later, as you looked back on the event, realized that what seemed so good at the time had bad results? Or have you ever had anything ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-14, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Bethlehem?

Contributed by Charles Holt on Jun 2, 2001

This is a Christmas theme emphasizing God’s wisdom and purpose in choosing Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus and lessons for us.

Charles W. Holt email: cholt@gt.rr.com WHY BETHLEHEM? Scripture reading: Luke 2:1-7 Of all the cities, towns and villages in Palestine why did the Lord God choose such an unheard-of hamlet as Bethlehem for the birth of the greatest figure ever to enter into human history? If a site selection ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Alpine Christianity

Contributed by Stephen Evoy on Dec 14, 2007

Applies a "mountaineering" metaphor to the Christian journey to illustrate the difference between a burden ("boulder") and a load ("backpack"). First person perspective, honest illustrations from my own experience. Engaging stories, easy applicability,

In 1953, John Hunt organized an assault-style expedition to Mt. Everest. He enlisted an army of Sherpas to serve as porters. The porters established the climbing route, built bridges across the glacier, and stockpiled supplies at strategic locations up the mountain. One of the Sherpas was named ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2-5

Denomination: Free Methodist

Out Of The Ashes Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 25, 2007

Esther, Pt. 1

OUT OF THE ASHES (ESTHER 1) I have little to no interest in crossword puzzles or any other kind of puzzles; it sure is a puzzle why people bother, but it is a sight to see crossword puzzle fans patiently working on the latest puzzle in their newspaper and to see how they cannot get enough of it. ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Triumph On A Donkey

Contributed by Tim Zukas on Mar 20, 2005

Palm Sunday - Triumphal Entry

There was a man and his wife who were driving along on the way to church. They were late, and the man was fussing at his wife for taking too long getting the kids ready. Surely she could be more organized. As you might expect, he was also driving too fast. Sure enough, a police car pulls them over. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jacob: Finding Your Way Back Home

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 4, 2007

Why is it that makes it difficult to find our way back home? Because: 1. The rebellion of the human heart. 2. We don’t know the way. 3. We have to decide what is important.

CNN’s website featured an article about Frank Warren, editor of the book The Secret Lives of Men and Women: A PostSecret Book. After a troubling period in his own life, he handed out 3000 self-addressed stamped postcards to people on the street, asking them to anonymously mail him their secrets. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:1-15, Ephesians 4:32

Denomination: Methodist

Out Of The Ashes Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Oct 21, 2006

Esther, Pt. 1

OUT OF THE ASHES (ESTHER 1) I have little to no interest in crossword puzzles or any other kind of puzzles; it sure is a puzzle why people bother, but it is a sight to see crossword puzzle fans patiently working on the latest puzzle in their newspaper and to see how they cannot get enough of it. ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:1-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Liar Liar

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Aug 2, 2008

A look at the story of Ananias and Sapphira, and their lack of honesty and integrity

Liar Liar Acts 5:1-11 A single man named Jerry had a pet cat that he loved very much. One year, he decided to take a vacation to England, so he left his cat with his brother Dan. As soon as Jerry got to England, he called his brother Dan. “How is my cat?” he asked. “Your cat is dead,” Dan ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Three-Fold Response To Christmas

Contributed by Jaco Bester on Feb 13, 2013

A reflection on Christmas

THE THREE-FOLD RESPONSE TO CHRISTMAS LUKE 2:1-20 Introduction: When Pope Julius I, in the year 353, authorized December 25th to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus; who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today. When Professor Charles Follen, in 1832, lit candles on the first ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The People Of God

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 2, 2013

1. We grow in goodness (vs. 1-3). 2. We have been chosen as children (vs. 2, 9, 10). 3. We should send up spiritual sacrifices (vs. 4-7). 4. We are people of praise (vs. 7-9). 5. We make it by mercy (vs. 10).

The People of God 1 Peter 2:1-10 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Nov. 11, 2012 *Our oldest daughter, Becky, graduated from the New Orleans Seminary in 2005. We tried to go down whenever we could. And one time we went out to eat at the Piccadilly Cafeteria near the school. *As we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Boasting About Tomorrow - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly Series

Contributed by Buffy Cook on Apr 5, 2015

"For Dummies" books are a raging success! Why? Full of practical wisdom and simple "How To's" Wouldn't a "Christianity for Dummies," a book full of practical wisdom & simple How Tos on how to live out our faith, be great? James & this series is JUST THAT

Christianity For Dummies: Boasting About Tomorrow - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly (James 4:13-17) I. Introduction A. After a 6 week long hiatus, we return to our study Christianity For Dummies based on the Book of James. As we've discussed, like the books in the For Dummies series, James is ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Guilt And Grace In The Garden

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 10, 2010

Jesus accepting the Father’s will. (PowerPoint slides available for this talk on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info

Guilt and Grace in the Garden Reading: Luke chapter 22 verses 39-53: Ill: Things I have learnt from gardening: • Nothing ever looks like it does on the seed packet. • Your lawn is always slightly bigger than your desire to mow it. • Whichever garden tool you want is always at the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:39-53

Denomination: Brethren

A Righteous Man's Prayers Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jan 24, 2010

God wants you to become a person of prayer, who sees specific events & specific people specifically changed in answer to your specific prayers. Powerful specific praying brings powerful specific results.

JAMES 5:16b-18. A RIGHTEOUS MAN'S PRAYER [1 Kings 17:1; 18:1, 36-46.] Those of us who pray believe in the power of prayer, but we often do not fully realize what powerful praying can accomplish. But for those who live in obedience to God and experience the working out of God's Will in their ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Navigating Your Gethsemane

Contributed by John Oscar on Apr 7, 2021

Special Easter Message that explores the lessons Jesus taught us when we are going through the worse moments of our lives

Navigating Our Gethsemane Easter Sunday CCCAG April 4th, 2021 Scripture: Luke 22:39-44 Today I was going to finish the Created for Significance series but actually as I was bringing the message last Sunday, I felt that God told me to go in a little bit of a different direction and bring a more ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God