Sermons on unlikely: showing 211-225 of 13,312

God's Anointing Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

God often chooses unlikely people, seeing beyond their outward appearance and focusing on their hearts. He does this to display His power through our lives as we walk in the anointing and gifting of the Holy Spirit.

God tells this prophet, Samuel, to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king. Samuel sees the oldest son, Eliab, and thinks, "This guy looks like king material." But God's like, "Nope, I don't look at the outside; I look at the heart." So, none of Jesse's seven sons present ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Topics: Divine Anointing, Spiritual Empowerment, Holy Spirit, Sacred Oils

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

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

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

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

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

What Faith Can Do Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Apr 13, 2005

Today we are going to study the life of Gideon. And as we study Judges 6-8 we will see how Gideon went from being an unlikely warrior to becoming a mighty soldier in the army of God. (Judges 4)

"WHAT FAITH CAN DO" TEXT: JUDGES CHAPTER 6-8 INTRODUCTION Have you ever watched or something and either thought to yourself or said out loud (as your bottom jaw dropped), "THAT’S AMAZING," Things like: The Blue Angels performing their aviation acrobatics, a gymnast or figure skater ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Start Spreading The News

Contributed by Kelvin Parks on Jan 10, 2007

You see ... the news that I got for you this evening maybe old news for some and new news for others ... but there is one thing certain about this news unlike other news ... this particular news never plays out.

Preached on Wednesday, 10 January 2007 At Greater Faith Church-Baptist Waukegan, Illinois (v.57) And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. (v.58) And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

The Difference (Psalm 1) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Mar 14, 2012

This expository message, adapted from a sermon by Steven Shepherd, underscores the difference between believers and unbelievers as laid out in Psalm 1. Unlike the lost, believers should be Separated from the World, Saturated in the Word, and Situated by t

The Difference: Psalm One Scott Bayles, pastor Adapted from a sermon by Steven Shepherd Blooming Grove Christian Church: 2/19/2012 I came across some jokes this week that I thought I’d share with you. • What’s the difference between a northern fairytale and a southern ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Christian Church

What Will You Sacrifice For The Cause?

Contributed by Michael Wiley on Nov 12, 2008

Across the world, many Christians sacrifice, money, stature, safety, and even their lives for the call of Christ.Here in America, we are unlikely to experience the type and scope of persecution our friends endure. We will not be called upon to give such a

What Will You Sacrifice for the Cause? Michael Wiley November 9, 2008 Matthew 16:24-25 Romans 12:1 Introduction: Begin with the video clip from Ajai Lall – approx 5.5 minutes We were blessed last week by a message from Ajai Lall, Lead Evangelist of Central India Mission. His message and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Only One Way To Survive - The Ultimate Guide To The Perfect Family Series

Contributed by Eduardo Quintana on Mar 10, 2020

We are all messed up, flawed beyond hope and very dysfunctional. And unlike popular sitcoms about dysfunctional families, it really isn't funny! So how can you survive or overcome these flaws?

This may come as a surprise for many, but every man desires to have the perfect family. It's no secret that every woman desires to have the perfect family, but so do men! However, if you haven't noticed yet, there is no perfect family. We are all messed up, flawed beyond hope and very ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Simon Of Cyrene Helps Jesus Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 16, 2022

We don’t know if Simon complained all the way to Golgotha, or recognized Jesus and was glad he had helped, but his name--unlike most of those minor players in the Gospel drama-- has come to us.

Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus (Those of us who have had the privilege and honor of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land always make Jerusalem part of the holy time. There, although the Jewish Temple has been replaced by a grand mosque, we can see the very places we read about in the New Testament, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Mark 8:31-34, Matthew 16:24-26, Romans 16:13, John 12:32-33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

I Shall Never See The Greatest Tree

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 20, 2003

For World Communion Sunday: Jesus’ vision of the Kingdom is large, but the weakness of the church makes it unlikely we shall see it fulfilled. Yet we must affirm the small beginnings that are being made, even by us, for they have potential, when they are

So how do you feel about trees? Did Hurricane Isabel change your feelings about living in a city of trees? When some of them fell on the power lines and cut you off – our house was out for six whole days – how did you feel about trees? I didn’t ask you how you felt about Pepco. That’s another ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

When Darkness Invades Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 19, 2012

Here's the problem with Christmas today: the Christmas we know is so very unlike the first Christmas was experienced by the holy family. The joy of the birth of the Christ child was soon dampened by evil. What we need to remember this Christmas is that we

A Scandalous Love Affair: When Darkness Invades Matthew 2:13-18 Fireman Edward Cushing tells the story of an old frame house burning on the southside of Chicago. He ordered the hoses to start fighting the fire and then dashed inside and pulled three people out. When the blaze was over, the Chief ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18

Denomination: Methodist