Sermons on Unknown Outcomes:

What You Believe, Does It Really Matter

Contributed by Jeff Budzinski on Jul 30, 2010

• I have a question to propose to you this morning. Does what you believe really matter? Does what you believe really make a difference or affect the outcome of your life? • A large percentage of Americans no longer believe in the truth of God’s Word.

Introduction • I have a question to propose to you this morning. Does what you believe really matter? Does what you believe really make a difference or affect the outcome of your life? • A large percentage of Americans no longer believe in the truth of God’s Word. • Many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The God Of Great Turnarounds Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on May 22, 2023

The story of Esther and Mordecai is full of plot twists, unexpected outcomes, and surprise endings, all reminding us that we serve a God of great turnarounds. Do we have “Hamans” in our lives? From the story of Esther and Mordecai we can draw encouragement for our lives today.

Introduction Video Ill.: The Story of Esther - Second Look Films (segment 4) We are continuing our study today based loosely on Max Lucado’s book, You Were Made for This Moment. When we started, we saw that Esther and Mordecai just wanted to blend in — to be cosy in the Persian culture. Don’t ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:17, Jeremiah 12:1, Acts 17:31, Psalm 7:11, Mark 12:29-31, Matthew 5:43-45, Isaiah 58:6-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sermon On The Mount (Part 22) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 24, 2020

Today we finish the series with Jesus talking about those who put his words into practice and those who don't. Those who build their house on the rock and those who build their house on the sand. He describes the outcome of each when storms come.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (part 22) Matthew 7:24-29 1) The house on the rock. Matt. 7:24-25, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29, Psalm 40:1-4, Psalm 62:5-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Powerful Prepositions

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on May 11, 2024

How things start out can often determine if they are victorious in the end. Our final outcomes are judged not in the light of today, but in the light of eternity. Romans 11:36 shows us a three-pronged test to get us started out right and to help us see it through to the end.

According to Merriam-Webster, a preposition at its most basic form shows direction. Romans 11:36 is packed full of three powerful prepositions. Not because the words themselves hold power, but because they are providing direction to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. It says, “For from him ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:36, James 1:17, 2 Peter 1:3

Persistence

Contributed by Steve Ownby on Mar 28, 2010

Elijah was an unknown who was selected by God • Elijah ran from Jezebel • In the cave God spoke to him and told him to perform 3 anointings o Anoint Hazel king of Syria o Anoint Jehu king of Judah o Anoint Elisha to take your place Elisha was an

I. The request for Elisha to stay at Bethel • Bethel – the “House of God” • The place where the initial foundation of truth is poured. • The school of Prophets o The place of Training 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Power Of Positive Thinking

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Sep 12, 2016

Although there are many self-help publications with this title, if an author doesn’t cite God as the source of all positive thought and ability it’s not something I’ll read. The power doesn't come from channeling some unknown energy it comes from God.

THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING INTRODUCTION: Although there are no doubt many self-help publications with this title, this sermon is not based on any of them. If an author writes a publication with a title such as this one and doesn’t cite God as the source of all positive thinking ability ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Rooted Are You In God's Word? Series

Contributed by Alis Cerrahyan on Aug 13, 2019

Unfortunate circumstances cannot and should not define who we are. It's what we choose to do with them that determines the outcome. We either believe in God wholeheartedly or we don't. Even a tiny doubt can taint our faith in his supremacy.

It would be fair to say that the following statement is not even believable: "I've never encountered any hardships; nor have I known anyone with evil intentions!" If we are a part of this world, whether a child, an adolescent, or an adult; we have tasted dysfunctions somewhere along ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:28, Genesis 39:1, Genesis 41:41

Enjoy Your Ice Cream Cone - Ecclesiastes 1:1-3, 2:24-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 11, 2025

No matter how wisely you live, you can’t control outcomes. The world calls it bad luck. Christians call it hard providence. Whatever you call it, this sermon will help you learn how to enjoy whatever moment of God’s perfect plan you are currently in.

Ecclesiastes 1:1 The words of the Preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 "Absolute futility," says the Preacher. "Absolute futility. Everything is futile." 3 What does a man gain for all his efforts that he labors at under the sun? 2:24 There is nothing better for man ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3, Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

The Hour Of The Power Of Darkness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 27, 2013

Life can get dark. And that darkness can create doubt and fear in our lives. What can we do when life gets hard and there doesn't seem to be anyway out of the difficulties we face?

OPEN: One woman told about her favorite spot at the local zoo. It was an exhibit called the House of Night. It was a place where you could see creatures of the night that would crawl and fly about, but because it held creatures of the night… it was nearly totally dark. She said that one very ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:39-54

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Meeting The Demands For God’s Plan(2023)-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Dec 13, 2023

2 of 2. Luke informs his audience of the primary/indispensable/essential elements of God’s plan for man’s salvation. God’s plan for man demands some specifically essential elements. What elements does God’s plan for man, demand? God’s plan for man demands...

MEETING The DEMANDS For GOD’s PLAN-II— —Luke 1:34-38(:26-38) Attention: Just a Little More: A local restaurant was so sure that one of its waiters was the strongest man around, that they offered a $1,000 bet that the waiter could squeeze a lemon so dry, that no one could get another drop out. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:34-38, Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Your God? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 25, 2023

Paul talked a lot about his faith and his Jesus because he knew who his God was. And what Paul did is something you and I can do... if we know God the way he did. What did Paul know about God that we sometimes don't?

A farmer decided he knew as much as any doctor, so he opened doctor’s office in town. He charged $500 a visit, but he promised that if he couldn’t cure you he’d give you $1,000. The town’s regular doctor was offended by that and decided to expose him as a fraud, so He went to the farmer’s office ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Today, If You Hear His Voice . . . Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Feb 1, 2021

The possibility of falling away from Christ is greater than most of us think--no one is entirely immune from this awful outcome. It all begins with how we come to respond to God's voice, when we know He has spoken to us, and even in small things, choose to ignore Him.

One of the great challenges of the pastoral profession is discerning who to help among those who are in evident financial need, and when to help them, and then how much to help them. Despite our best and most sincere efforts, pastors young and old, sometimes fail. I remember well the story of a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-34, 1 John 2:19, 1 Corinthians 5:2, Mark 13:13, Colossians 1:22-23, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Hebrews 3:12-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

Too Good! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 15, 2023

If you want to find real joy in the face of an uncertain future, renounce your own good and wise deeds; stop devising your own schemes. Instead, fear God and please Him through faith in His Son.

On March 19, 2003, the United States and its allies invaded Iraq to destroy Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and remove Saddam Hussein from power. A day later, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld held a news conference, where a reporter asked him “about the apparent failure to follow the war ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:15-29, Hebrews 11:6, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Deuteronomy 28:1, Deuteronomy 28:15, James 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Mystery Revealed

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jul 28, 2021

At the time Adam and Eve were sent out of the garden, a mystery was unleashed. God's words to the serpent, the woman, and the man answered some questions, but raised others that would not be answered for a very long time.

Note: I have developed a set of PowerPoint slides for use with this sermon. If you are interested in the slides I will send them to you by Email. Email your request to me at sam@srmccormick.net and be sure to enter "Easter Slides" in the subject line (otherwise I am likely to overlook ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-19, Ecclesiastes 6:3, 2 Chronicles 9:13-22, Ecclesiastes 5:10-15, Ecclesiastes 2:1-26, Galatians 3:27, Philippians 1:21, Ephesians 3:1-10, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:9-11, Romans 8:1-3, Revelation 1:6, Hebrews 9:11-12, Hebrews 9:2-3, Hebrews 10:19-20, John 14:1-6, Hebrews 2:14-15, Mark 15:37-38, Acts 2:1-41, John 14:7-11, John 13:3-9, Acts 17:22-31, John 16:12-14, Mark 4:10-12, Matthew 1:18-21, Luke 1:26-33, Matthew 13:17, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Ecclesiastes 8:4-9, Ecclesiastes 6:6, Galatians 2:20, Matthew 5:14-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Murder She Wrote Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 14, 2022

We can choose the drama that comes from foolishness, selfishness, and sinfulness – even to the point of murder – or we can choose stability and meaningfulness that comes from wisdom, godliness, and concern for others.

Murder She Wrote (2 Chronicles 21:1-24:27) 1. I have long been a fan of murder mysteries. I enjoy shows like Perry Mason, Poirot, and my favorite is Ellery Queen. 2. Murder She Wrote is another one I enjoy. 3. It always amazed me how Jessica Fletcher, in the first show, was new widow, about 60 ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible