Sermons on unsettling:

The First Sunday Of Advent, Year C: Not Very Christmasy.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 12, 2024

The Church tells the Christmas Story backwards: the focus is to prepare for the coming of the Lord: at the end of the world, and when Christ comes for us at the end of our individual worlds, at death.

Our Gospel from St. Luke today is a little unsettling. Not very Christmasy. Unseasonal thoughts about the end of the world. Yet, the word Advent from the Latin, adventus, means “coming.” The Church tells the Christmas Story backwards: the focus is to prepare for the coming of the Lord: at the end ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:36

Denomination: Catholic

The Double Minded Christian

Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on Jul 12, 2022

A double minded Christian is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world. They live more by sight and less by faith. They are neither hot or cold, just lukewarm.

TEXT: James 1:5-8 (NLT) "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-8, 1 Kings 18:21-24, Luke 16:13-15, Ephesians 4:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

"The One Stairway To Heaven"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 16, 2002

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the only Lord.

Genesis 28:10-19 “The One Stairway to Heaven” By: Rev. Kenneth E. Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA “There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold and she’s buying a stairway to heaven. When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed, with a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-19

Denomination: United Methodist

Bona Fide- A Study Of James- Part 3- "The Jake Spoon Syndrome" Series

Contributed by Randy Edwards on Jan 23, 2017

Part 3 in our James series

Bona Fide A study of James Genuine Christian Living Part 3 “The Jake Spoon Syndrome” James 1:5-8 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Let Satan Stop You Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Oct 30, 2007

Paul identifies three ways Satan tried to stop Paul from returnign to the Thessalonias. Satan will try and stop us too. This message looks at how he will try and what we can do about it.

DON’T LET SATAN STOP YOU 1 THESS 2:17-3:7 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:7 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did, again and again--but ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Trusting God In Tough Times

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Jan 24, 2025

Life is full of changes—seasons of joy, challenges, and uncertainty—all under God's control.

Scripture Reference: Daniel 2:21 (AMP) "It is He who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and greater knowledge to those who have understanding." Introduction • Open with reflection on how life is full of changes—seasons ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:21, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Psalm 31:15, Isaiah 43:19, Psalm 75:6-7, Daniel 4:17, Revelation 11:15, Proverbs 9:10, James 1:5, Colossians 1:9-10, Psalm 103:19, Romans 12:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Not Forgotten!

Contributed by Mark Opperman on May 29, 2013

Paul writes to encourage the believers that Christ had not returned yet. They had not been left behind because if the Day of the Lord had begun, certain things would have happened already.

Not Forgotten! 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Lord Waits To Show His Mercy And Grace

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jul 13, 2014

To show that GOD is the One waiting for us, when we pray, because He longed to be gracious and merciful to us even before the foundation of the world.

I. EXORDIUM: Is GOD Merciful and Kind to you? Who's waiting for GOD's blessings, you or GOD? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD is the One waiting for us, when we pray, because He longed to be gracious and merciful to us even before the foundation of the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Truth For A Troubled Soul Part 1 Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 10, 2018

Message 34 in our journey through John's Gospel. This Message is the first of three offering hope for a troubled soul from John 14.

Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “Truth for a Troubled Soul” II. The Private teaching and ministry of Jesus 13-17 A. Forgive one another with a servant’s humility. B. Love one another with God’s supernatural love. INTRODUCTION In John 13:33 Jesus informed the disciples that he would be ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

When The Body Moves The Funerals Over

Contributed by Bob Hager on Mar 30, 2002

The resurrection is a past event with continuing effects on the present and future.

A letter came from Health and Human Services to a resident of Greenville County, South Carolina: "Your food stamps will be stopped, effective March 1992, because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you. You may reapply if your circumstances change." In a business meeting we were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

Verdict Of Faith

Contributed by Stephen Funderburk on Sep 29, 2005

what is your faith level

Intro: everyone of us will at times have our faith tested. In James 1:2-8 we are told that faith will be put on trial. The biggest question in any trial is, “ what’s the verdict.” We are given some of the litmus test of faith in these verses. The Verdict On Faith James 1:2-8 v.2—the first ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Significance Of Questions

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Jun 18, 2009

Lookign at questions in the context of Job 38, and Jesus stilling the storm in Mark 4

One of the most unhelpful ideas about Christianity, indeed about faith in general, is that doubt is the opposite of faith. It is not. Certainty is the opposite of faith. Doubt is an intrinsic part of faith, for by definition faith is about making a commitment and a decision about matters that ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Will The Son Of Man Find Faith Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 11, 2007

On this Intrernational Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, when Jesus comes, will He find faith on the earth?

When the Son of Man Comes, Will He Find Faith on the Earth? Luke 18:8 Rev. Brian Bill 11/11/07 Today is Veteran’s Day. Could I ask those of you who have served our country to please stand? Some of you have a son or daughter or spouse or parent in the service right now. Could you please stand ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

En Route To A Better Country

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 24, 2009

For Remembrance Sunday, celebrating the lives of those who had passed away during the previous year: We resist change because we fear failure and we fear temporariness. But faith launches us and God equips us to new things.

Why do some of us embrace change and others of us resist change? Why do some people look for new things to do, search for new things to learn? But others of us resist until our dying breath doing anything but what we’ve always done? Why is that? Why do we approach to life so very differently? ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-16

Denomination: Baptist

Standing Firm Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jun 4, 2012

The sermon covers one of the most difficult chapters in the New Testament. Even though it is difficult to understand, there are some very important lessons we can learn from it about standing firm.

Introduction: A. Rumors are an interesting phenomenon – once they get started, they can have a life of their own. 1. It has been said, “Some people will believe anything if it’s whispered to them.” 2. We hear about Elvis sightings around the world, alligators in NYC ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ