Sermons on Unexpected Return:

34. The Death Of Ishbosheth Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 17, 2025

Second Samuel chapter 4 is a sobering warning to anyone tempted to “help God along.” It shows us what happens when fear replaces faith, when ambition overrides conscience, and when people wrap sinful actions in religious language and expect God’s blessing in return.

The Death of Ishbosheth December 17, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 2 Samuel 4 When God’s Will Is Used as an Excuse for Sin One of the most dangerous phrases a Christian can utter is this: “God understands why I had to do it this way.” Those words have justified betrayal, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 4:1-12

Denomination: Brethren

A New Home: Luke 8:26-39

Contributed by Christopher Metze on Sep 16, 2025

God calls us not to flee the people and places that have seen our worst, but to return and bear witness to His transforming power—so that those who once knew our “demons” can see the change for themselves and, through our testimony, become part of a community renewed by God.

Jesus and the disciples are rowing their boat toward the shore—toward a region called the Gerasenes. It’s Gentile territory—so it’s a place they’ve likely never been before and one they may already feel uneasy about. To the Jews, Gentile lands were unclean and unholy—filled with pagan practices ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Be Ready, Jesus Is Coming Again!

Contributed by Joel Santos on Nov 20, 2005

The Bible tells us that the coming of Christ is imminent, which means that it could happen at any moment. So Paul teaches Christian to be ready and must expect at any moment that Jesus will soon return to the earth.

BE READY, JESUS IS COMING AGAIN! Acts 1:9-11 “They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:9-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sow What!

Contributed by Joe Jones on Jan 13, 2002

We use this text to describe the process of sowing and reaping, investing and return on investment, deposits and withdrawals. And in addition to that it contains some great insight to how to get the most out of life; not just here but in the hereafter as

Picture in your mind if you would this image…Jesus, crowded by many seeking his wisdom, stepping into a boat and sitting down to teach while the many stood on the bank in anticipation. Why didn’t he just have the disciples push the crowd back, why the boat? Was Jesus claustrophobic? Did he need ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Holy Spirit Can Lead You As He Led David

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

As the Lord’s return draws near, godlessness is increasing. Standards that have stood for decades are falling all around us. David has good news for you. There is hope! There is a positive way to look at life.

Let the Holy Spirit Lead You as He Led David Illustration: As the Lord’s return draws near, godlessness is increasing. Standards that have stood for decades are falling all around us. Crime, lawlessness, and disrespect all seem to be growing. If that’s the way you’ve been looking at things ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:10-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Standing Firm In Trials Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

Persecution is promised to believers; therefore we should not be surprised when we encounter trials of various kinds. In the midst of difficulties, we must continue to increase in love for people as we anticipate the return of Christ.

Standing Firm in Trials Here are a few breaking prayer needs that have been compiled by a ministry called “Open Doors.” (Taken from the Pastor’s Guide for the “International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church,” www.opendoorsusa.org). Vietnamese authorities recently arrested a pastor and held ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

This Is A Bible

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Feb 28, 2002

Vince Lombardi rallied the spirits of his waning football team by demanding that these professional NFL superstars return to the basics. "THIS IS A FOOTBALL" he told them. This sermon is a call back to the fundamentals "THIS IS A BIBLE"

I. CAN GOD BE KNOWN? HOW? A. PROBLEM OF KNOWING GOD 1. OUR SINFULNESS -- ISAIAH 1:1-4 2. OUR LIMITATIONS -- HOSEA 4:1-2 & 6 B. GOD’S AWESOME MYSTERIOUSNESS 1. GOD IS INFINITE, MAN IS FINITE (ISAIAH 55:8-9) 2. GOD IS ETERNAL, MAN IS TEMPORAL 3. GOD CANNOT BE KNOWN THROUGH ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:19-28

Denomination: Church Of God

Preparing For Tomorrow…today

Contributed by Jonathan Busch on Nov 23, 2002

As Christians we find ourselves in the position of waiting for the return of our Lord. How do we maintain an attitude of expectancy while in this position of waiting. The parable of the ten virgins teaches us a few things.

Preparing for Tomorrow…Today Text: Matthew 25:1-13 Intro: The title of my message tonight is “Preparing for Tommorow…Today” Now now matter what the title sounds like this is not an will planning clinic…and then again maybe it is! Illus: The story is told of a man who dreamt one night that an ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Day Of The Lord

Contributed by Carl Allen on Sep 14, 2009

Jesus Christ both unites and divides. Those who have trusted in Him as Savior are united in Christ. When Jesus returns in the air, we shall be caught up together, never to be separated again.

The Day of the Lord 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Introduction As we continue our study of the letters to the church at Thessalonica, we come to Chapter five of 1 Thessalonians. Here we find Paul, writing the Thessalonicians about The Day of the Lord. Jesus Christ both unites and divides. Those who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Don’t Miss The Bus (Living Between The First Advent And The Second Advent)

Contributed by Reg Watson on Dec 29, 2009

We live in between the first advent (Jesus’ birth) and the second advent (Jesus’ second coming). During this in between time we have the opportunity to make our hearts and lives ready for Jesus’ return.

Don’t Miss the Bus 2 Peter 3:3-4 & 8-15a December 27, 2009 When I lived in Kansas City attending seminary, I worked as a school bus driver. Now I’ve got to tell you, if the Discovery channel wanted to do a real Reality Show, the producers should have ridden around on my bus with me. Some of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:3-15

Denomination: Holiness

Love And Respect In Marriage Out Of Reverence For Christ Series

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Apr 30, 2011

Jesus loves his church sacrificially & unconditionally. Men are to reflect that in their love for their wives, even if that love is not returned. Wives are to submit out of reverence for Christ. The 2011 Royal wedding provided some timely illustrations.

A man and a woman, who have never met before, find themselves assigned to the same sleeping room on a transcontinental train. Though initially embarrassed and uneasy over sharing a room, the two are very tired and fall asleep quickly – he in the upper bunk and she in the lower. However, at 2.00 ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33

Denomination: Anglican

The Wise And The Foolish:

Contributed by William D. Brown on Apr 14, 2008

Jesus described the next end time event in the program for Israel following His return to earth, also referred to as the Second Advent, namely, judgment on living Israel in order to separate the saved from the unsaved.

The Wise & the Foolish: Today I want to talk for a little while to do with this parable in Matt. 25: its important for us to understand who Jesus is talking about. The Parable of the Ten Virgins explains the place of Israel’s true converts of the Tribulation Period. Chapters 24-25 are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Why So Long, Lord?

Contributed by William Mouser on Dec 13, 2005

In the Advent message from 2 Peter 3, the Apostle Peter tells us why the Lord has tarried for so long in returning from heaven: in order that we may come to repentence and not perish.

Psalm 85, Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a,18, Mark 1:1-8 Why So Long, O Lord? In the Psalms appointed for the Sunday of Advent this year, there is theme that runs through them all, a note of sadness, mourning, and more than either of these, a plaintive note of anxiety concerning whether or not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:8-18

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

How To Make Enthusiastic Servants

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Oct 9, 2011

Three simple steps to win the lost to Christ and create revival in the church. The Apostle Paul’s determination to bring enthusiasm to the people of Corinth. A call to return to the things that first made us the people of God.

"How to Make Enthusiastic Servants" So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT) Intro: It feels great to be enthusiastic. The one thing that makes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Divine Direction

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 27, 2014

1) The Escape to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15), another to 2) The Slaughter at Ramah (Matthew 2:16–18), and the other to 3) The Return to Nazareth (Matthew 2:19–23).

When President Anwar Sadat flew from Egypt to Israel on November 19, 1977, he shocked the whole world. His journey was unprecedented in modern times. It was unheard of that an Egyptian leader should leap the barriers of prejudice to personally petition Israel for peace. We moderns have forgotten, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Other