Sermons on Unwelcomed Guest:

Unexpected Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on May 5, 2025

Jesus faced some things that we may see as unexpected as he dined with a Pharisee and welcomed a motley group of followers.

There are a variety of ways in which we set expectations. Sometimes cultural norms - like a handshake or a hug - set certain expectations. Sometimes we have expectations based on tradition - for example how to set a table or what you do on holidays. You may have performance expectations set by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who Needs Forgiveness?

Contributed by Susan Blader on Aug 25, 2008

Sometimes the people we think need forgiveness are the ones who already have it.

Tradition tells us that Abraham Lincoln once went to a slave auction. While he was there, he noticed a black woman who was about to be auctioned off, and entered the bidding. The bidding went back and forth until eventually Lincoln won, paid the price, and purchased her. When they brought ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

A Homeless God

Contributed by Reggie Corfield on Dec 20, 2023

Christmas is about God's greatest gift to us and the miracle of salvation. It is also about coming together as a family and making room for one another in our hearts. The question is, "have we left our Savior out in the cold?"

Our gospel reading for today tells us of how Angel Gabriel came to Mary saying she would bear a son. He was to be called Jesus and as the Son of the most High God, he would reign as King of Kings forever. He came to live among us and in us but in many ways we have rejected him and made him a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Matthew 8:20

Denomination: Anglican

A Church Anyone Can Come To

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 6, 2006

A sermon on how to be a church where anyone can come to. Points are based on the episode of the woman caught in adultery. (Title came from Barry McMurtrie; Outline came from Greg Nettle)

Sermon for 11/5/2006 John 8:1-11 A Church Anyone Can Come To Introduction: To paraphrase from his book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis says, If anyone thinks that Christians regard sexual sin as the supreme evil, he is quite wrong. The sins of the flesh are bad, but they are the least bad of all ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

For A Little Guy, He Turned Out To Be A Pretty Big Man

Contributed by David Nolte on May 13, 2021

People won't always like us and they shut us out, but Jesus will not reject us.

There are people in this world who just never fit in, who never find a place, who never get invited. Charlie brown for instance. Here’s a typical scene from his life: Charlie Brown is walking along when he approaches two girls. One of them says, “Well, what are you doing here?” Then both girls ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Halloween: Strangers & Pilgrims In This World

Contributed by Bobby Bodenhamer on Oct 30, 2010

In this sermon I draw upon the history of Halloween as being influenced by the doctrine of death and resurrection. I have included a full article about Halloween (Halloween: A Christian Perspective) that I found in The Wall Street Journal.

Strangers & Pilgrims in this World 1 Peter 1:1-9 v. 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, v. 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: *other

His Purpose – Why Did Jesus Come?

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Mar 23, 2015

Jesus gave witness to God's love through His actions.

SERMON BRIEF Date Written: March 13, 2015 Date Preached: March 15, 2015 Church: OPBC (AM) Sunday FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS Title: His Purpose – Why did Jesus Come ? Text: Luke 19:1-10 (NLT) ETS: Jesus gives witness to God’s love thru His actions! ESS: We must ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

"My" Pew Or God's Pew?

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Mar 9, 2018

how do we welcome strangers in our midst

I wish I could say this is a made-up story, but unfortunately it is not. We recently had a couple visit Saint John’s while looking for a new church home. They were warmly greeted by the ushers and told to sit anywhere they wished. So, they picked a pew about midway up the aisle. The people around ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal

The Good Example Of A Bad Man

Contributed by Monty Newton on Oct 26, 2007

Spiritual humility is pleasing to God.

Title: The Good Example of a Bad Man Text: Luke 18:9-14 Thesis: Spiritual humility is pleasing to God. Introduction Do you remember the old Mac Davis tune? OOOH… it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way. I can’t wait to look in the mirror cause I get better looking each day. To ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Journey From Nazareth To Bethlehem Series

Contributed by Darren Mccormick on Dec 18, 2013

This sermon looks at the journey Joseph and Mary took to Bethlehem and draws some life lessons from it.

AM sermon preached at Central Christian Church December 23, 2012 Take the Christmas Journey: meet God at every turn sermon series The Journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem Luke 2:1-7 We’ve been looking at journeys made that first Christmas in our current sermon series and today we’re ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas Through The Eyes Of The World

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 14, 2003

How the world sees Christmas is far from what God was actually doing.

Christmas through the Eyes of the World John 1:1-14 A friend of ours who is a young pastor’s wife and has three children. They went to the Christmas parade and as the floats went by her daughter kept hollering to the people in the parade, “Happy Halloween!” Another young mom wrote on ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14, John 1:1-18

Denomination: Methodist

Living In Light Of Christ Second Coming

Contributed by David Taylor on Feb 27, 2014

Being an Authentic Follower of Jesus: Living in Light of Christ Second Coming

Being an Authentic Follower of Jesus: Living in Light of Christ Second Coming Luke 12:35-48 If we are required to wait, then you and I had better learn how to do it right and do it well. 1. Keep Alert: Jesus is Coming again (vs. 35-40) In Jesus’ day, a rich man with a large household had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In Light Of Christ Second Coming Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Feb 20, 2014

Being an Authentic Follower of Jesus: Living in Light of Christ Second Coming

Being an Authentic Follower of Jesus: Living in Light of Christ Second Coming Luke 12:35-48 If we are required to wait, then you and I had better learn how to do it right and do it well. 1. Keep Alert: Jesus is Coming again (vs. 35-40) In Jesus’ day, a rich man with a large household had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Dividing Peace

Contributed by James May on Dec 17, 2003

The Prince of Peace was born in Bethlehem but his birth didn’t bring the peace this world longs for. Instead, he brought a sword. The peace that Jesus offers is a peace with God.

A DIVIDING PEACE Luke 2:13-14, "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." One of the best things about Christmas has always been that people were kinder and more generous ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:13-14, Matthew 10:34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Approachable Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Nov 29, 2007

Some people are turned off from church but the Church Jesus instituted is attractive and approachable.

THE CHURCH JESUS BUILDS Part 5-Approachable Hebrews 12:14-29 Sunday, March 18, 2007 Pastor Brian Matherlee Introduction Read Scripture • Comment on history of Hebrews 12 (from Exodus 19) • Highlight the heart of God in being approachable o Adam & Eve in the garden & God was broken hearted when ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-29

Denomination: Wesleyan