Sermons on Accepting Difference:

Working Through Conflict

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 9, 2014

Trying to answer the question, “Does a person have to accept the whole law before he can be saved?

JUL 21 2013 PM Working through Conflict Acts 15:5-22 Last Sunday we found ourselves in the middle of the Great Jerusalem Council. We saw that part one of the meetings was Paul and Barnabas reporting all the good things God had done on the first mission trip. The second meeting involved trying ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:5-22

Denomination: Baptist

Easter For Us: A Unity Not Of Our Making

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Our Lord chose as disciples’ men who were radically different in temperament, personality and political philosophy. It was because of their glaring differences that their unity was so evident.

Opening illustration: I know, there are so many great verses from John’s remarkable story: “In the beginning was the Word….”, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” “For God so loved the world…,” “In my house are many mansions…,” and more. Why, then, do I love this verse? Simply because in ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Ye Separate

Contributed by James Hayden on Nov 24, 2006

We as Christians are to be different from the world around us.

BE YE SEPARATE 2 Corinthians 6:17 17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, As Christians we are told by the bible to live holy lives that reflect the nature of God. We ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:17

Denomination: Baptist

Community - Weirdest Herd I've Ever Seen!

Contributed by Art Good on Jun 20, 2017

What a great description of the church! A weird mix of people of different generations, different personalities, different ethnic, economic, religious backgrounds, who might never hang out together— except for the fact that we all love Jesus!

“Weirdest herd I’ve ever seen.” (Show clip from Ice Age 1 where the mammoth saves the saber tooth tiger, Diego. Afterwards Diego asks the mammoth why he risked his life to save him. The mammoth replies, "Because that's what you do when you are a part of a herd. To which the sloth says, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:20-23

Denomination: Wesleyan

One Mind, One Voice PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 20, 2023

Explores how to emulate Christ's acceptance of us by fostering unity, love, and humility in our interactions with one another.

Beloved, I invite you to join me today as we stand on the precipice of a grand vista, a panorama of truth that stretches far and wide, as we turn our hearts and minds to the book of Romans. Just as the sun peeks over the horizon, casting its first light on the day, we too are about to illuminate ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7-8

Topics: Unity, Christ

Sunflower Focus

Contributed by Craig Smee on Mar 27, 2007

A close look at the difference between a relationship with God and religion.

SUNFLOWER INTRO The Sunflower is probably the most amazing flowers God created. They literally follow the sun. No I don’t know about you, but one the most amazing things I have seen is a field of sunflowers. Watching one follow the sun through is cute. Watching hundreds in absolute unison follow ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:5

Denomination: Christian Church

How Sheep Become Shepherds

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Oct 24, 2007

This is an ordination sermon I wrote when we accepted 2 deacon couples and a minister as leaders in our church.

HOW SHEEP BECOME SHEPHERDS Murray had a little lamb…shouldn’t that be Mary? No, my brother Murray once had a lamb named Lambert that was white as snow and terribly cute. But then it grew up. And boy was it the stupidest animal ever. I had heard that sheep were dumb but this one was a prime ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-11

Denomination: Mennonite

"james And John Call 'shotgun!!!'"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Oct 12, 2021

Jesus calls us to be radically different than the world.

“James and John Call ‘Shotgun!!!’” Mark 10:35-45 Did anyone else grow up calling “shotgun” when heading toward the car you were about to ride in? If you called “shotgun”, you got the privilege to sit in the passenger seat in front, next to the driver. And the first one to call shotgun got ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: United Methodist

Giving Your All

Contributed by Jason Seger on Feb 21, 2012

Giving God everything you have is the only acceptable response in light of all He has done for us.

Giving your all Scripture Text: Romans 12:1-2 Introduction: On Friday a 21 yr. old Olympic Athlete died while practicing for his competition. Years of sacrifice and training: gone in an instant. Olympians are extremely focused individuals. They spend a lifetime preparing physically, mentally, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

When You Are Too Old To Go To Heaven

Contributed by Kenneth Tankersley on Jul 20, 2007

THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ACCEPT CHRIST AT AN EARLY AGE. HOWEVER GOD CAN AND WILL SAVE ANYONE, ANYWHERE, AT ANYTIME IF THEY COME TO HIM IN HUMBLE REPENTENCE AND ACCEPT HIS PLAN OF SALVATION.MANY HOWEVER, WAIT TOO LATE TO DO THIS AND DIE HOPELESSLY LOST.

1/14/07 WHEN YOU ARE TOO OLD TO GO TO HEAVEN TEXT: LUKE CH. 13 VS. 22--28 INTRODUCTION: YOU COULD CALL THIS A CONTROVERSIAL SERMON. SOME WOULD ARGUE WITH THE TITLE. CERTAINLY, GOD LEFT THE DOOR OPEN FOR “WHOSOEVER WILL” BUT HE KNEW THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME THAT WOULD NOT ENTER IN ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-28

Denomination: Baptist

A Church Full Of Sinners Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Jun 10, 2003

What is our attitude toward growth? Are we ready and willing to accept what God has in store for this congregation? What about our attitude toward those on “the fringe?” Are we willing to accept them into the fold when God calls?

The Teachings of Christ A Church Full of Sinners #2 in Series Mark 2:13–17 INTRODUCTION Once there was a church that had prayed fervently for God to give them growth. It happened that one Sunday at worship a known prostitute entered the building and took a seat in the back of the building. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Unaccepted Message Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 21, 2009

The people who lived at the time of Jeremiah could not accept his message. Many people who heard Jesus preach could not accept his words. Today people, including ourselves, find it difficult to believe in a god of steadfast and overwhelming love.

Jeremiah 11:18-20 “An Unaccepted Message” INTRODUCTION One of the most challenging jobs, or callings, is that of a prophet of change. Certainly, the Old Testament prophets, like Jeremiah, realized the enormity and difficulty of their task. Jeremiah lived in the seventh century B.C., and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 11:18-22

Denomination: Lutheran

A Christian's Influence Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Aug 28, 2007

Jesus, using Salt and Light as an illustration, taught his disciples that we must be a different influence to others. Not as the world has seen, but a difference!

INTRODUCTION ILLUSTRATION: A Peanuts cartoon showed Peppermint Patty talking to Charlie Brown in which she said, “Guess what, Chuck? The first day of school, and I got sent to the principal’s office. It was your fault, Chuck.” Charlie Brown responds, “My fault? How could it be my fault? Why do ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus, The Faith Provoker Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 18, 2014

Jesus provoked faith in different people in different ways, but he was consistently the object of faith, and faith meant taking him at his Word.

Jesus, the Faith Provoker (Mark 7:24-37) 1. A Catholic priest, a Baptist evangelist, and an Assembly of God minister were in a row boat in the middle of a pond fishing. None of them had caught anything all day. The evangelist stands up, says he needs to go to the bathroom climbs out of the boat ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Few Small Coins Series

Contributed by John Sears on Jan 5, 2012

Do you struggle with the idea that your giving makes no difference? What difference does our giving make in the Grand scheme of things.

Have you seen the Television show, Storage Wars? Storage Wars is a reality television series that began on the A&E Network premiering in 2010. The show features two auctioneers and 5 auction hunters -- Dave Hester, Darrell Sheets, Barry Weiss, and Jarrod Schulz and Brandi Passante. (If you watch ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church