Sermons on Unlikely:

A Light In The Darkness

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Mar 29, 2019

The beautiful truth of Christ's mission is that God was not just content to contain darkness or to hold it at bay for a while. Instead, he pierced the heart of it and conquered it on our behalf.

INTRODUCTION The passage just read is probably one of my favorite Christmas passages from one of my favorite books of the Bible. In fact, it is one of the reasons Isaiah has sometimes been called the “fifth gospel”, because between this, 7:14, 11:1-9, and chapter 53, we have an almost complete ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: Nazarene

Thieves And Robbers In The Temple Series

Contributed by Delwyn Campbell on Mar 30, 2019

One of the most beautiful stories of the Scriptures is that of the prodigal son, the younger son who left home, got into deep difficulty, wasted his life in riotous living, and ended up in the pigpen.

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Prodigal Son One of the most beautiful stories of the Scriptures is that of the prodigal son, the younger son who left home, got into deep difficulty, wasted his life in riotous living, and ended up in the pigpen. Dr. J. Vernon McGee once asked, “Do you know ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Luke 19:8-10, Romans 6:23, Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Lutheran

What Is Our Purpose. Series

Contributed by Louis Mare on Jan 6, 2023

Like God called John to a specific purpose—before birth and before he could qualify himself for the task—He calls us to spread His story of salvation to the world—even when we don’t feel capable of doing the job.

You know, I do think we all have a purpose on this earth. The reason we have skills and talents, and passions are so that we can serve the greater community, earn a living, and also live life. I have seen in my own life that sometimes we hit this mid-life crisis scenario where we question our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:15-17, 1 Peter 3:15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Nahum: Fall Of Assyria Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Jan 12, 2023

Nahum was a patriotic saint who had a deep hatred for the Assyrian nation. He speaks nothing about the internal conditions of Judah and Jerusalem; he leaves that to his contemporaries Jeremiah, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah.

ILLUSTRATION: A few weeks ago my family and I WATCHED the latest Rocky Balboa movie, “CREED.” It was surprisingly a good movie, especially since this is the sixth SEQUEL and seventh MOVIE made in the Rocky series. Sequels, of course, are a continuation of a STORY. Hollywood has learned the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Imprinted (Fifth Sunday After The Epiphany February 5 2023)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Feb 4, 2023

Paul’s purpose was not to make an impression by his human ability and attainment but to let the Holy Spirit make an impression on them through his preaching.

IMPRINTED Text: 1 Corinthians 2:1 – 11 1 Corinthians 2:1-11  When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom.  (2)  For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Joseph's Jesus Story

Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 16, 2022

The birth of Jesus Christ is multi-layered and filled with mystery. The details are scandalous and messy. The focus of Matthew’s account is on Joseph’s Jesus story.

Joseph’s Jesus Story Matthew 1:18-25 Introduction What is your picture of the perfect Christmas? Beautiful decorations, lovely family, delicious food, well-selected gifts, and children that know how to behave! How many of us really have a Christmas like that? In reality, Christmas - is not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Power Up Kingdom Living Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Feb 10, 2023

In Matthew Jesus frames up the Jesus Life by speaking about the Kingdom of God. Not a physical kingdom with walls, a castle, and a throne. It is a spiritual Kingdom. Jesus is our King.

Power Up Kingdom Living   Matthew 13:31-51 Introduction Power Up - it’s what we need to do when our spiritual batteries get low. We need to connect to the power source, overcome temptation, use the power of influence, exercise the spiritual disciplines, and escape judgmentalism in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon # 24 - God Hears Our Cry Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Feb 23, 2023

Whom do we go to in times of trouble? Can we call on God and will He hear us? Here are some great examples from the bible that are shared in this sermon.

We read in Mark 10:51, Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man answered, "Master, I want to see!" (CEV) Mark 10 records an encounter between Jesus and a blind man named Bartimaeus, and the above verse is part of that conversation that Jesus had with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:51, Psalm 118:8, Genesis 3:9, Mark 9:22-23, Mark 10:52, Mark 10:46-47, Mark 10:48-49, John 8:36  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

The Misunderstood Messiah Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 18, 2023

Jesus is the misunderstood Messiah- how did that happen? (Title, outline and material adapted from Ray Pritchard at: https://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/the-misunderstood-messiah/)

HoHum: Sir, have you ever been here before? For 38 years Teddy Kollek served as the mayor of Jerusalem. Enormously popular in his day, he often met with Christian leaders to discuss issues of mutual interest, especially those pertaining to Israel’s security and the chances of peace in the Middle ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-3, John 6:26, John 6:66-68, John 1:11, Romans 10:1, Matthew 13:55, 2 Corinthians 5:16, Isaiah 49:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Guests Who Came To Dinner (October 15, 2017).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 14, 2020

This parable is about both God’s grace and the gratitude of those that God invites to His table.

THE GUESTS WHO CAME TO DINNER Text: Matthew 22:1 -14 Tell me if this sounds familiar? It dinner time, the meal is ready but everybody is distracted. Dad is watching a ball game and cheering loud. The daughter has on her head phones which is attached to her device, (iphone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: United Methodist

Credentials Of A Committed Christian

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 22, 2020

3 credentials of a committed Christian (Adapted from Bob Russell's book on 2 Corinthians called "Take Comfort")

HoHum: A young Christian enlisted in the Army just after graduation from high school. His friends from church were concerned about his faithfulness to the Lord amidst all the military pressures. When the young soldier came home on leave from boot camp, his friends asked him, “Did the others ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Father Abraham

Contributed by Kimberly Belken on Aug 23, 2020

The faith of Abraham made him righteous. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, our faith makes us righteous and leads us to trust in God and God's promises. We never know what these promises will mean for us, but we can know that God works them together for our good.

Father Abraham had many sons And many sons had Father Abraham I am one of them And so are you So, let’s all praise the Lord I know our Sunday School kids know that song and perhaps some of you do as well. In fact, it is probably the most well-known song and story about the great patriarch Abraham ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6, Luke 3:8, Romans 4:13-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Revelation 2

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 25, 2020

Let’s move into an exciting lesson about the churches that we attend, mirrored in seven ancient churches.

Let’s move into an exciting lesson about the churches that we attend, mirrored in seven ancient churches. Ephesus Revelation 2:1-3 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Home Built By God Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Aug 26, 2020

One could imagine the book of Ruth ending with - "They lived happily ever after." However, this account is not a children's story of fairy tale. In fact, it is part of the scarlet thread that runs through the Old Testament, leading to the birth of our Savior.

A Home Built by God Ruth 4: 13-22 I think you would all agree that it has been a pleasant and encouraging journey through the book of Ruth. We are all familiar with the fairy tales of our youth. Most of them begin with “Once upon a time” and end with “Happily ever-after.” The book of Ruth ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:13-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Forgiveness Of Joseph

Contributed by Kimberly Belken on Aug 30, 2020

Though Joseph's brothers intended to harm him, God intended to work through their actions for good. Ultimately this truth allowed Joseph to forgive his brothers. Forgiveness may sometimes be a decision we have to make but we can do so trusting that God will work good through it.

Like last week, we have skipped ahead a few generations in Genesis to get to today’s reading. So to quickly summarize, Abraham, whose deep desire for a son we heard about in last week’s reading, fathered a son by the name of Isaac. Isaac was the father of two children, Esau and Jacob. Jacob or ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:3-8, Genesis 37:12-22, Genesis 37:26-34, Genesis 50:15-21, Romans 8:28, Luke 6:35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran