Sermons on Unexpected Heroes:

Mother's Day: Quietly Faithful

Contributed by Larry Brincefield on May 5, 2004

Who’s your hero? Famous athlete? Singer? Movie Star? Maybe you should look closer at your mom...someone who was quietly faithful; day by day, year after year after year.

May 9, 2004 Title: Mother’s Day: Quietly Faithful Text: Proverbs 31:10-31 Introduction: A man couldn’t decide what to get his wife for mother’s Day…she he wrote her this lovely poem: M is for the mink coat you want, dear, O is for the opal ring you crave, T is for the tiny car you’d love to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31, Proverbs 31:10

Denomination: Nazarene

The Courage Of Joseph Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Nov 3, 2008

Today, our Scripture tells of the third major party to the incarnation and his response to it. It is a story of courage that is told every Christmas season. But it is also a story we often miss because this hero of the story is usually in the background.

The Courage of Joseph Matthew 1:18-25 

Every day for the first 10 months after Katrina, I would drive home on I-10 and there was an indelible image which would strike me. On a billboard just before I got off on my exit was the image of a female New Orleans police office submerged in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Methodist

One True Leader Over Life Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jun 10, 2009

What lies within us is more of an ambivalence towards leadership… we actually long for that which can organize life… that which can set forth what is right… and HEROES who reveal something of a better way.

One True Leader Over Life Series: The Liberated Life (Colossians) Brad Bailey – May 3, 2009 (NOTE: The following includes some sections in which a name precedes a section of thought. These were drawn from others and I have included their names to give credit. They were not quoted but rather ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rehoboam Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Feb 19, 2009

Rehoboam was almost a hero. He stood at the threshold of greatness but chose poorly and destroyed everything his father and grandfather had built. Through his example we can perhaps learn to better follow the ways of Jesus.

Heroes Rehoboam 1 Kings 12:1-14 February 15, 2009 In 1997, Reeve Lindbergh, daughter of aviator Charles Lindbergh, was invited to give the annual Lindbergh Address at the Smithsonian Institution’s Air and Space Museum to commemorate the 70th anniversary of her father’s historic solo flight across ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:1-14

Denomination: Church Of God

In The Nick-Of-Time!

Contributed by Johnny Knight on Jan 28, 2010

When I was a kid, my TV hero was Superman. I, and every other kid on the block, zoomed through the neighborhood with a cape (towel) around our shoulders as we fought the bad guys. Superman was so cool!

In the Nick-of-Time! Text: 1 Corinthians 10:13 Timing is God's, not ours. We tend to be impatient because of our view of the tough circumstances with which we are dealing. His view is different and far better. Trust him and His timing for your situation! He is trustworthy! He is not going to fail ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Gideon: The Thresher Gone Thrasher Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 26, 2021

Today’s sermon is about a cowardly hero forced into hiding by organized crime, an angel that is more than an angel, strange fleece ware, a bad dream, being outnumbered 450 to one, and smashed pottery. This is how it happened.

Gideon: The Thresher Gone Thrasher (Judges 6:1-7:25) 1. My sister didn’t do as well on her driver’s-ed test as she’d hoped. It might have had something to do with how she completed this sentence: “When the ______ is dead, the car won’t start.” She wrote: “Driver.” Nathan Hellman, Brooklyn, ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Joseph’s Obedience Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jan 1, 2023

Joseph is the unsung hero of Christ's early life. Through obedience, he impacted Mary, he impacted Jesus, he impacted the other children, and I think he impacted Jesus’ entire ministry.

Sometimes there's words that we just don't like. Sometimes it's because of the way they sound. Some sound weird or sometimes they conjure up something kind of gross. One word that I don't like is the word ‘maggot.’ Really, if you think of maggots, is anything pleasant ever really ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Remembering The Sacrifice

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 24, 2024

As we reflect on the profound significance of this day, may we also find parallels with the ultimate sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and draw inspiration from the values of courage, commitment, and selflessness exemplified by our fallen heroes.

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Play the video “Memorial Day Thanks.” INTRODUCTION: As we gather today on this Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who have selflessly sacrificed their lives in service to our country. It is a day of solemn remembrance, a time to pay tribute ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16, Galatians 5:13-14, John 3:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Is God Amidst The Confusion

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 1, 2008

This is a powerful message of Hope following the tragic, unexpected death of a 16 year old girl named Amanda. Her death sent the entire community into shock. There was almost 600 people present and many students. The message was very well received.

WHERE IS GOD AMIDST THE CONFUSION? • Rev. Dave Smith (M.Div.) The Bible tells us … apart from Jesus Christ … - the wisest man who ever lived on planet earth … was King Solomon Solomon wrote: KEY " There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Labor Pain Transmittigator

Contributed by Brian Buriff on Jan 17, 2011

A Sermon That Will Bring Laughter One Minute and Conviction The Next. From Genesis 3:7 - Adam & Eve's got more than they bargained for - the unexpected new awareness of their own nakedness and labor pain. This sermon audience is hooked with a humorous i

I. INTRODUCTION A. In The Garden, Adam & Eve Lived In Simple Dependence Upon God 1. God was their supplier, protector, and . . . their definer of good & evil 2. Why wasn’t that enough – God is our definer of good & evil – why shouldn’t that be enough a. no – people ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:7

Denomination: Church Of God

Character Study Of Mary Magdalene Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 25, 2025

Mary Magdalene’s story is a powerful testimony of redemption, devotion, and faith. She reminds us that Jesus transforms lives, that true love for Christ endures hardship, and that God uses the most unexpected people to proclaim His greatest messages.

CHARACTER STUDY OF MARY MAGDALENE – WITNESSED JESUS’ RESURRECTION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: John 20:1-18 "Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb." – John 20:1 Supporting Texts: Luke 8:2-3, Mark ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18, Luke 8:2-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Most Miss! Series

Contributed by Apostle Dr. Belinda V. Broadnax on Oct 24, 2024

This sermon explores the subtle ways God speaks and how we often miss His voice because we are not paying attention. It challenges believers to be spiritually alert, recognizing that God’s voice is often found in unexpected places and circumstances.

Have you ever felt like you missed something important? Maybe it was an opportunity, a moment, or a conversation that could have changed everything. Spiritually speaking, many of us have missed something just as important: the voice of God. He speaks, He guides, but often His voice is missed ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:10

Denomination: Other

Jehovah Jireh - A Name Of Faith And Thanksgiving

Contributed by Don Aldrich Tamayo on Nov 15, 2024

thanksgiving is the natural response to God’s provision. When we see how He meets our needs, even in unexpected ways, our hearts should overflow with gratitude. This is the essence of Thanksgiving: recognizing God as the source of every blessing.

Jehovah Jireh – A Name of Faith and Thanksgiving Intro story: A hunter was deep in the woods, tracking a bear. He had his rifle ready and was determined to bring the bear home. Suddenly, the tables turned—the bear spotted him, let out a mighty roar, and started charging at him! Panicked, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:6, 1 Kings 17:3-4, Matthew 6:11, Psalm 46:10

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Go! And Embrace The New Thing! - Isaiah 43:18-19 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 4, 2025

Life is filled with transitions—some welcomed, some unexpected. We can become so fixated on past experiences, whether victories or failures, that we struggle to move forward. But God calls us to embrace the new thing He is doing.

Go! And Embrace the New Thing! - Isaiah 43:18-19 Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT)"But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19, Philippians 3:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Jeremiah 29:11, Exodus 14:21-22, John 4:13-14, Psalm 23:4, Proverbs 3:5-6, Joshua 3:15-17, Hebrews 11:1, Matthew 14:29, Isaiah 41:10, John 14:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Being A Barnabas In A World Where Everyone Wants To Be Paul Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Sep 12, 2023

It can be overwhelming to think about the changes that need to be made as we look ahead to a post-covid world. Be a hero maker, be a Barnabas in a world where everyone wants to be Paul. I encouraged you to use your influence, skills, and gifts to encourage others and let them have center stage.

Sermon – Being a Barnabas in a World Where Everyone Wants to be Paul Scripture - Acts 11:20-24 “However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:20-24, Acts 4:36, Acts 13:1

Denomination: Methodist