Sermons on Unpopular Preaching:

Jesus' Best Joke? Series

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 2, 2010

Luke chapter 18: "Jesus told them another joke", we are told, "and He told this one to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and looked down on others." Did you hear the one about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector who wandered into the

Now I know I’m being a little free with my translation here. I know most translations say that Jesus told them a 'parable' rather than a 'joke', but I'm not the first person to suggest that 'joke' is actually a very good translation. # Did you here the one about the frog and the scorpion who were ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Storms & Questions Series

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 6, 2009

That day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let’s cross to the other side." So they left the crowd and took him along in the boat just as he was. Other boats were with him. A violent windstorm came up, and the waves began breaking into the boat, so

I’m conscious this morning that we’ve had another baptism, which is wonderful, but I do get the feeling sometimes that when parents bring a child to baptism they are sort of quietly hoping that the experience might have a soothing effect on the child. After all, isn’t that part of what good ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Dealing With Doctrinal Deviation

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 29, 2010

God charges the church with the responsibility to avoid those who cause division and create obstacles. It is the responsibility of the entire assembly, and not that of the elders alone.

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve.” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Failure Of The Resurrection! Series

Contributed by David Smith on Oct 10, 2010

There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the

I don't know how many of you were at this year's annual 'Smith Lecture', but it was a good night - highly stimulating and intellectually challenging - and afterwards Ange and I got into a discussion over dinner where she made the comment that the older she got the more impressed she was at how ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Just Do It! Series

Contributed by David Smith on Oct 10, 2010

..."Will any one of you who has a servant ploughing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'? Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat an

I have not always been an Anglican! In my late teens - in the days following my rather dramatic conversion experience - I found myself gravitating naturally towards the more charismatic end of the church. Maybe it was because it was more youthful and energetic. Maybe it was because I felt at home ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

A Great Sunday Service

Contributed by John Perry on Aug 21, 2011

Monday morning is often a time when pastors do an autopsy of the weekend's sermon/s. Sometimes as we talk with other pastors on the phone the question is asked - how's your services? But what is it that constitutes a great Sunday service?

Bunbury Sun am 21/08/2011 “A Great Sunday service” Intro: What are the components of a great Sunday service? Pastors have a bit of a tradition of the Monday morning autopsy. How was Sunday services? Great ….. I preached on …… 2 saved, everyone came to church! Let ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 10:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Am Obligated

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 8, 2013

We are obligated in many ways in this life as Christians. 1- We are obligated to men 2- We are obligated to preaching 3- We are obligated to faith

INTRO.- ILL.- One day, when one of his secretaries suggested dropping work for a diversion which he knew would appeal to President Woodrow Wilson, he replied, “My boss won’t let me do it.” “Your boss?” questioned the friend, wondering who could be the boss of the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:14-17, Romans 1:16-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Progress Of The Church Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Oct 12, 2020

Luke introduces this section by spelling out that signs and wonders had been performed by the Apostles, which were the orders of the day for Apostles ministry. Peter had become an icon of healing.

Acts 5:12-26 Progress of the Church 5:12-16 Apostles Perform Miracles 5:17-19 Apostles Persecuted for Gospel 5:20-26 Apostles Preach the Word Acts 5:12-16 Apostles Perform Miracles St Luke introduces this section ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-26

Denomination: Methodist

The People And The Book

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 1, 2020

‘The People and the Book’ – Nehemiah chapter 8 verses 1-11 – sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Visually: He made sure people could see him (vs 5). (2). Audibly: He made sure people could hear him (vs 5). (3). Respectfully: He made sure people were tuned in (vs 5b & 6). (4). Patiently: He made sure people were (vs 5b). (5). Clarity: He made sure people could ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-18

Denomination: Brethren

Martyr Stephen Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Nov 10, 2020

Stephen had tried to convince Sanhedrin about their graceless character and arrogant behavior. He cites examples from history as well as their ancestors' conduct towards prophets and godly but died as Martyr.

Acts 7:51-60 Revelation through Death of Deacon Stephen 7:51-53 Confrontational Preaching of Stephen 7:54, 57-58 Conditions of the Ungodly 7:55-56, 59-60 Confident of Stephen Acts 7: 51-53 Confrontational Preaching Stephen had tried to convince them about ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:51-60

Denomination: Methodist

Colossians 1:21-23 Inductive Sermon Outline Ideas Series

Contributed by John Allen on Nov 18, 2020

Inductive sermon outline ideas for Colossians 1:21-23.

The following notes reflect ideas based on the homiletics in "Preach with No Pants" (https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/preach-with-no-pants-john-allen-sermon-on-inductive-250167). It proposes an inductive-deductive five-point outline: Trip, Tension, Twist, Truth, Triumph. In ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:21-23

An Illustration Of Worship Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 29, 2019

Nehemiah called all the people to come together before the Lord for a time of celebration and dedication. This was also a time of worship, as the people called for Ezra to bring the Word of God and read it in their midst. Their worship was centered in the Word.

An Illustration of Worship Nehemiah 8: 1-6; 9:3 This was a very special time for the people of God. The Babylonian captivity was over and the Jews had returned to Jerusalem. God had blessed them abundantly as they rebuilt the city. To celebrate all that God had done, Nehemiah called all the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-6, Nehemiah 9:3

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing Your Heart For Jesus Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 17, 2020

What does true repentance look like? This message is based on John's ministry against a backdrop of political turmoil and religious oppression.

Introduction We’ve spent the last few months leading up to Christmas and the birth of Christ talking about how the world was being prepared by God religiously and geopolitically for the arrival of Christ. We saw prophetic fulfillment and covenantal fulfillment through the coming of Jesus Christ, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:4, Luke 15:7, John 1:12, Matthew 3:5, John 1:1, John 18:24-28, John 11:50, Matthew 14:1-13, Luke 1:75, Matthew 3:6, Luke 3:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

The Ministry Of John The Baptist Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 24, 2020

What does a successful ministry look like. How should we gauge the success of a preacher or a church. By worldly standards, John's ministry was a failure. By Jesus' standards John the Baptist was the greatest of all prophets.

Grace Community Church Winchester, VA www.gracecommunity.com Watch this message on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/eu6yP42Qz2o Introduction Have you ever asked yourself how you identify the mark of a great pastor or preacher? What are the hallmarks of a great ministry? By worldly standards, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-20

Denomination: Brethren

The Main Purpose Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Feb 6, 2021

While Jesus healed the sick and delivered the demon-possessed at every opportunity, that was not his main purpose. His main purpose was to preach.

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:29-39 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational