Sermons on Unexpected Heroes:

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

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

Nobodies

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Jan 18, 2005

Generally speaking, God has chosen His servants from those the world calls "foolish". It seems that he often takes those whom the world considers "nobodies" and works in their lives in such a manner as to produce heroes of faith.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: The saintly Scottish pastor Robert Murry McCheyne one day gave a gospel tract to a woman, and she was greatly offended. “You must not know who I am!” she said in an offended manner. “Madam,” McCheyne replied, “there is coming a day of judgment, and on that day it will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

Don't Be Surprised

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 23, 2016

There are plenty of things in life that can surprise us, like a sudden noise or an unexpected event. Well, there are some things that happen to us as a Christian that can surprise us but they shouldn’t. Let’s take a look at what some of these are.

DON’T BE SURPRISED INTRODUCTION: There are plenty of things in life that can surprise us, like a sudden noise or an unexpected event. Well, there are some things that happen to us as a Christian that can surprise us but they shouldn’t. Let’s take a look at what some of these are. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Coping With Rejection

Contributed by Greg Johnson on Jul 23, 2006

Many of us today are dealing with rejection. Many will have to deal with rejection in the future. What hurts the most is when unjust rejection comes from unexpected sources. As with all things, we must turn to God’s Word for guidance in coping with rej

Coping with Rejection By Greg Johnson http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org I remember as a kid when we would play basketball, football or baseball in the neighborhood, we would start by choosing two captains. The captains would then take turns choosing the players they wanted until all the players ...read more

Scripture: John 1:11-12, John 4:5-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eternal Truth From Esther’s Trouble Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 23, 2012

1. A lesson from the urgent pardon (vs. 1-3). 2. A lesson from the unexpected plan (vs. 3-8). 3. A lesson from the uncontrolled pride (vs. 9-13). 4. A lesson from the ungodly plot (vs. 14).

For Such a Time as This Part 5: Eternal Truth from Esther’s Trouble Esther 5:1-14 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - June 17, 2012 *Four weeks ago, we began to look at this story that took place almost 500 years before Jesus was born. The Jews had begun to go home after 70 ...read more

Scripture: Esther 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracle Of Our Met Need - John 6

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Nov 6, 2011

Sometimes we can be surprised by needs. Often our needs hit our lives with such fury that it leaves us breathless or fearful. Unexpected bills come , poor health strikes without warning. Crises often arrive unannounced and unplanned. It might be helpful

The miracle of our met need - John 6 John 6:5-23 After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2 A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-5

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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

A Loving Father Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jun 8, 2021

Father's Day: The father should be the hero of this parable. He had been watching and waiting with love and patience. Like the father who was looking for his son to return, the Lord is waiting for us to come home to Him.

Luke chapter fifteen contains three parables. The third parable, which we are going to look at this morning, is sometimes called, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” Commentator William Barclay says, “For centuries the third parable has been called ‘The Parable of the Prodigal Son.’ It would be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist