Sermons on Unlikely Heroes:

Festival Of Dedication (Hanukah)

Contributed by Richard Jumper on May 1, 2010

A brief description of Hanukah, Judas Maccabeus, the hero, and how this relates to our hero and Lord Jesus.

We all seem to need heroes. It’s true now, and it was just as true in the time of Jesus. The people we meet in our Gospel reading were in the grip of heroic dreams like these. That’s what lies behind the question they ask Jesus. “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are ...read more

Scripture: John 10:22-30

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

Genuine Disciple Series

Contributed by Troy Walliser on Nov 10, 2020

As we SUBMIT to God we can watch Him CHANGE the world around us.

Genuine Disciple Acts 9:36-43 Have you ever had a nickname? When I was growing up I had several nicknames: Child – Troy-Boy, Junior High – Wally; High School - Wal-man. On our mission trip last week Sarah Smith called me Roberto Budweiser, but that's another story. I’m sure at some point in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:36-43

Denomination: Baptist

"I Doubt God Can Use Me" Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Apr 4, 2007

God uses the insecure, the unlikely, and failures.

Weekly World News headlines: • “Batboy sighted in NYC subway.” • “People as small as ants alive.” • “Elvis is alive!” We doubt the truthfulness of those stories (for good reason). But sometimes we doubt things that are true: “God can use me.” We may believe God can use people (example: Billy ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 2:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Pain In Heaven - James 5:10-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 30, 2022

Learning from our heroes

James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See, the farmer waits for the valuable crop of the land, being patient until he receives the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, ...read more

Scripture: James 5:10-11

The Way I View Heroes Has Changed Since The Tragedy

Contributed by William Yates on Sep 22, 2001

My heroes have changed. In the week since the tragedy God has redefined who my heroes are.

"After him Baruch the son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the Angle to the doorway of the house of Eliashib the high priest." -- Nehemiah 3:20 New American Standard In this time of tragedy you are probably wondering why I chose this obscure verse. I guess it’s because a lot has ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:20

The Hero, The Knight And The Good Samaritan: There's One Big Difference

Contributed by Philip Gill on Jul 13, 2007

From time to time we hear of many heroic actions of those who risk themselves to help others. These people are often called ’Good Samaritans’. This sermon explores Jesus’ challenge to act positively in the lives of the despised and rejected.

The hero, the knight, and the Good Samaritan: There’s one big difference. As our Gospel this morning we have heard a story that has seared its characters onto the consciousness of countless generations. Only recently we have had cause to use the term “Good Samaritan” in relation to the events of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Anglican

Finding The Faith Of Our Heroes - Part 3: Noah And The Ark Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 4, 2023

When we have faith... 1. We will listen to God's warnings. 2. We will trust in God's wisdom. 3. We will start working for the Lord. 4. We will help make a difference in our world. 5. We will inherit God's righteousness.

Finding the Faith of Our Heroes Part 3: Noah and the Ark Hebrews 11:1-7; Genesis 3:15; Genesis 6:8; Genesis 6:14-16 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared September 4, 2023) BACKGROUND: *In Hebrews 11, we are studying some of the greatest Old Testament heroes of our faith. But remember that the heart ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-7, Genesis 3:15, Genesis 6:8, Genesis 6:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Finding The Faith Of Our Heroes - Part 4: Abraham And Sarah Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 9, 2023

Why do we need faith in God? 1. Faith motivates us to move for God (vs. 8-9). 2. Faith wins the fight against our fears (vs. 8-9). 3. Faith puts us in touch with God's power (vs. 11-12). 4. Faith makes us willing to wait on the Lord (vs. 9-10, 13-16).

Finding the Faith of Our Heroes Part 4: Abraham and Sarah Hebrews 11:8-16; James 2:23; Genesis 17:4-8; Genesis 17:15-22; Genesis 18:9-15 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared September 9, 2023) MESSAGE: *James Merritt once said, "Everybody has faith in something. An atheist drinks water out of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-16, James 2:23, Genesis 17:4-8, Genesis 17:15-22, Genesis 18:9-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Why Sheep Herders? Series

Contributed by Terry Rolen on Dec 11, 2001

Why would God use such unlikely messengers?

It does seem like there is a socially acceptable level of charity or giving or caring is raised a bit around Christmas time. But even then there is a limit to what people will allow. I mean your suppose to be nice, your suppose to share gifts, your suppose to give a little extra to the church and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Church Of God

"Ehud The Assassin" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 7, 2002

God uses unlikely people for His purpose

“Ehud the Assassin” Judges 3:12-23 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Although we’re not going to study the brief account of the judge Othniel, I’d like to point out one important fact in verse 10: “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him”. The Holy ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:12-23

Denomination: Congregational

Jesus Was The Word And Kept It

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 3, 2011

Unlike the first Adam, who heard God

Monday of 2nd Week in Advent 2011 Verbum Domini As we hear the Word of God through Isaiah today, it’s hard to miss the fact that as soon as the words: “God will come and save you” are uttered, blindness and deafness are cured and the deserts become gardens and holiness fills the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Catholic

"Amazing Grace” Series

Contributed by Ed Taylor on Aug 1, 2008

God is rich in GRACE, giving us what we don’t deserve.

NOTE: There are a lot of people out there working in a lot of ways trying to be right with a lot of gods. • Pilgrimages/Passages, Works/ Weariness, Sacrifices/Sorrows. • In every country, on every day… • Man, trying to work his way into favor with God. Many years ago the Grand Rapids Press covered ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas Preparations

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 20, 2018

At Christmas, our most significant preparations occur in our hearts and souls

Christmas Preparations Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Today is December 16th. There are nine days before Christmas. As a child, that countdown to Christmas fanned such anticipation and excitement! With each passing day, my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Your Place To Give With Open Hands Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Aug 21, 2016

God has a place for the unlikely, places where the Lord will direct us to GIVE. Let’s look quickly at seven unlikely and perhaps unexpected ways we can give: Unlikely places to give because your sins are forgiven.

UNLIKELY - Your Place to Give with Open Hands John 3:7-8 MsgB “So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Just One Of The Good Old Boys

Contributed by Larry Jacobs on Jun 28, 2006

There are many great unsung hero’s of faith in the Bible. Men and women who worked in the shadow of great men of God and made there ministry possible. BARNABAS is truly one of the great unsung heros of faith.

JUST ONE OF THE GOOD OLD BOYS Acts 11:22-26 Act 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. Act 11:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:22-26

Denomination: Baptist