Sermons on Unlikely Heroes:

Examples Set By A Healthy Church

Contributed by Tony Miano on Dec 8, 2000

Our encouragement today should be that almost two thousand years ago another small church, planted in a community probably not too unlike our own, became a model for other new churches throughout the world.

Examples Set By a Healthy Church First Thessalonians 1:5-7 Preached by Pastor Tony Miano Pico Canyon Community Church October 8, 2000 Introduction: Last week we looked at three characteristics or building blocks essential to building a healthy church. We saw through the church in Thessalonica’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7

Denomination: *other

Repent

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Oct 23, 2015

To perish, Nineveh thought best not to, when repentance was the discipline to obedience needed to save their souls through forgiveness, to enter in to the salvation plan of God through Christ Jesus, unlike the Galileans and those sinners at Siloam.

REPENT by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (October 23, 2015) “The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here [“So the people of Nineveh ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Friends

Buried By A Friend Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 16, 2019

Following the crucifixion, the hill of Calvary had grown silent. The sneering crowds had gone, and the soldiers were left to their work. An unlikely candidate showed up to remove Jesus' body and provide for His burial.

Buried by a Friend Mark 15: 42-47 Our text records a somber and uncertain time for Jesus’ followers. He and the other malefactors are now dead. Calvary has become silent as the mocking crowds have dispersed, leaving the soldiers to their work. From a human perspective, all seemed lost as Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

Having Done All, Stand Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Oct 29, 2020

Not unlike other churches within the first century, Thessalonica faced much adversity and opposition. They were relentlessly attacked for their faith in Christ. However, Paul encouraged them to remain steadfast in the faith, standing firmly for the Lord.

Having Done All, Stand 1 Thessalonians 2: 14-16 It has been a few weeks since we began to study this powerful letter to the Thessalonian church. Our last encounter revealed Paul encouraging the church to be an imitator of Christ rather than a pretender of the faith. He exhorted them to a life ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Zombie Salvation Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 22, 2017

If you’re crucified and dead but still walking round in your dead body you’re a zombie. But unlike the various recent versions of the zombie idea the Bible offers an elegant solution to the zombie problem, Jesus.

You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other,since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:7-11

Denomination: *other

Kingdom Preview: The Monumental Transfiguration Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 15, 2014

The Transfiguration was a deep, amazingly meaningful event that tells us more than we can contain. In it, we catch of glimpse of Jesus unlike any other and weave together an entire tapestry of spiritual truths.

Kingdom Preview: The Monumental Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-8) 1. Christianity is not primarily about a philosophy of life, a code of ethics, a religious institution, a series of rituals, or a cultural identification. It is those things, but not primarily. Christianity is centered upon Jesus, not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Running The Race

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 20, 2025

The Christian journey is often described as a race. Unlike earthly competitions where only one person wins, in the race of faith, every believer who runs well and endures to the end will receive the prize of eternal life.

RUNNING THE RACE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Hebrews 12:1-2 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 3:13-14, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Galatians 5:7, Isaiah 40:31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God Of Mercy

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 8, 2025

The mercy of God is one of His most comforting and awe-inspiring attributes. Unlike human mercy, which is often limited or conditional, God's mercy is infinite, unwavering, and deeply rooted in His nature.

GOD OF MERCY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Lamentations 3:22–23 Supporting Texts: Psalm 103:8–13, Ephesians 2:4–5, Romans 9:15–16, Hebrews 4:16, Micah 7:18–19 INTRODUCTION: The mercy of God is one of His most comforting and awe-inspiring attributes. Unlike human mercy, which is often ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Fly High - Acts Part 7 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 20, 2006

God uses ordinary even notorious people to do his work for the Kingdom of God. Paul the religious terrorist meets Grace and changes into the Preacher of grace and mercy.

“Fly High” - Acts part 7 On the lighter side of life: Picture from Jennifer Opening Illustration: Religion has produced more terrorists than non-religion. Just take a look at the Middle East and also at The Crusades. Also take a look at this article RELIGIOUS TERRORISM Tragically, all major ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discovering Your True Strength

Contributed by Rakesh Sharma on Oct 25, 2024

Today, we’ll discover that true strength comes from within, rooted in our faith in God. Through the examples of Moses, David, and Jesus, we’ll learn to overcome doubt and embrace the power He has placed in us.

Opening Bible Verse “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.” – Ephesians ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Speaking Of Gideon Series

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Apr 27, 2008

When you think of a hero, you’re usually inclined to think of strength, great intellect, personal charisma and beauty, or enormous wealth, perhaps a profound drive for justice. Not exactly the case with Gideon.

Speaking of Gideon Judges 6:11-16 When you think of a hero, you’re usually inclined to think of strength, great intellect, personal charisma and beauty, or enormous wealth, perhaps a profound drive for justice. Today we are going to look a biblical hero. But our hero today had none of these. ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-16

Denomination: Congregational

The Rejected Warrior Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 9, 2014

If Jephthah sacrificed his daughter... how did he end up in Hebrews 11 as one of the heroes of the faith? And if he didn't, why doesn't God tell us that?

OPEN: How many of you have ever been rejected? Me too. Rejection can be hard experience for anyone, but it’s surprising to find that people we would consider famous have often been scorned by others. • For example, have you ever heard of Harrison Ford? What movies has he been in? ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Transformers Optimus Prime God Wants You To Be A Transformer

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jul 19, 2017

This message is part of our Super Heroes Series. The sermon shows how the story of the Transformers is taken out of the Bible. Although Optimus Prime is a great leader, he is not on the same level as Jesus Christ.

Super Heroes—Optimus Prime —God Calls You To Be A Transformer 7/16/2017 Isaiah 42:1-9 Ephesians 4:17-32 We are in our series Super Heroes. So far we have looked at a Superman and found his story in the story of Moses. We looked at Wonder Woman and found her story was in the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Against The Currents Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 28, 2016

This is not a PC sermon. There comes a point in the lives of believers when we must speak what God speaks regardless of the consequences. Micaiah did exactly that. He is a hero to us and an example to follow.

1. People Pleasing The following is reported to be a true story regarding Berkley, CA: In 1990, the Berkeley City Council passed a law changing the name of Columbus Day to Native American Day because Columbus wasn't nice to the Indians. Of course, no Native Americans were asked if they wanted the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 18:1-22, 2 Chronicles 18:21-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Samson: The Message To His Parents Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 10, 2020

Samson was one of the heroes of the faith (Hebrews 11:32), born in a time of trouble, and lived through his share of troubles. The best way to begin the story of Samson is to begin with the story of his birth.

Samson. He was one of the heroes of the faith (Hebrews 11:32), but he was a failure in other ways. He was a miracle baby, one of a few born to women who were not able to have children except by God’s direct intervention. Samson had the chance to do so much but he didn’t accomplish as much as he ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32

Denomination: Baptist