Sermons on Accepting Difference:

18 Things To Rid Yourself Of To Be Happy

Contributed by Jeff Hagan on Feb 10, 2017

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be happy in and of itself. However, biblically there is a difference between "happiness" and "joy." Here is a list of things to rid your life of as you seek to find happiness which will hopefully lead to true joy.

Introduction: Everyone, believer or non-believer, wants to achieve happiness. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be happy as long as it is not our end all goal. Other than not having a relationship with Christ, the biggest thing that holds us back from accomplishing our dreams is, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Who Is This Guy, Anyway?

Contributed by Robbie Parsons on Jun 8, 2003

A different twist on the scripture where Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Who did His Workers, the world and the word say He was? Who do WE say He was?

INTRO In this scripture read this morning, Jesus asks a very pointed question: “Who am I?” It is a question that sounds like he has an identity complex. But the same question was asked about him at least 7 times in the Gospels. The question that we want to explore today is this: Who do we say ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-16

Denomination: United Methodist

Stop Playing The Blame Game

Contributed by Neal Gray on Aug 21, 2001

Purpose: We humans always look for a cause-and-effect. No surprise, because we are taught the "scientific method" in all of our schooling. But with God and His ways, things are different. The Lord arranges events that He might be glorified.

"Stop Playing the Blame Game" Author: Dr. Neal Gray Passage: John 9:1-5 Purpose: We humans always look for a cause-and-effect. No surprise, because we are taught the "scientific method" in all of our schooling. But with God and His ways, things are different. The Lord arranges events that He might ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-5

Denomination: Holiness

The Restoration Of Father God

Contributed by Joseph Lai on Sep 18, 2010

To those who are lost and living under slavery to the power and curse of Sin, the Word is saying “Come make peace with God.” To those who do have salvation through accepting Jesus, God is saying “learn what you have been restored with and live by it.”

“But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet...” (Luk 15:20) This is a well known parable, most Christians have either heard of it or study on it. And there is still a lot for us yet to learn and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Living To Please God

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 17, 2008

The Bible is full of admonition on how to please God in life. We have three different admonitions in this text. 1- Avoid sexual lust 2- Adopt brotherly love 3- Ambitiously work hard

INTRO.- ILL.- The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Holy Spirit's Role In Knowing The Will Of God

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 9, 2021

There is a difference between our conscience and God’s Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit knows all of God’s plans and purposes for our lives, and He wants us to know God’s will.

For the last 2 Sundays we’ve been talking about God’s Will in our lives—God’s Will vs. our Will and God’s Will and the Bible. Today I want to talk about the Holy Spirit’s role in us knowing the Will of God. You might remember last time when I mentioned the statement, “let your conscience be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Denomination: Baptist

Searching For The Everlasting Life

Contributed by Lonnie Erwin on Feb 5, 2023

Many live today in public they portray a different persona than when they are alone. He let down his guard. He is searching to fill the emptiness in his life that only can be filled by Jesus.

John 3:1-17 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Encourage One Another - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 5, 2025

We live in a world that constantly tears people down — with criticism, cynicism, and comparison. But in the body of Christ, we are called to something radically different. We are called to build up, not break down. To edify, not to erode. To encourage

Go! And Encourage One Another - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT): "So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." Introduction: The Power of a Word Well-Spoken We live in a world that constantly tears people down — with criticism, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 15:5, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 3:13, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 10:9, James 5:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Remember My Chains Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 24, 2008

Like some of Paul’s companions in prison, we may be held back by tasks too small, by shame, or even by our own prejudices. But once we accept our limitations as part of God’s will, they become ways to help others and fulfill our life callings.

If you suffer severe limitations, what do you wish for? What is your prayer, if you are bound by something that keeps you from doing what you really want to do? Do you wish you could be free from it? Likely you do. Do you even pray that you might have that limitation removed? I expect that I ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-18

Denomination: Baptist

El Shaddai Series

Contributed by Chip Van Emmerik on Oct 30, 2006

No matter who you are, there are always times in life when you are forced to accept that you just cannot go any farther. That you simply lack the resources or ability to make some things happen. what so many Christians throughout the ages have failed to u

Title: El Shaddai Text: Genesis 17 Proposition: You must look to good for sufficiency Open Have you ever been frustrated in life? I am talking about the time when you worked and planned and hoped, and after it was all done, everything turned to dust? No matter how hard you tried, you reached a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The White Goose

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 22, 2016

If I was given the task of deciding how the Son of God would come to this earth, I would followed human reasoning to get the best conditions for Jesus message to have reached the most people. But God did it differently

Christmas at WSG and WSMM 2016 The Christmas Story Luke 2:1-14 A Scottish farmer did not believe in the Christmas story. The idea that God would become a man was absurd. His wife however was a devout Christian and had raised their children as Christians. The farmer would sometimes mock her ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Denomination: Anglican

Christ Is Not His Last Name!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 10, 2023

If Christ is not His last name, what is it? It is a descriptive title & it tells us WHO Jesus is. And for us to understand what that means is very important because it can make a lot of difference in our lives.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER PP# 397 RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK SCRIPTURES: Matt. 6:33, 11:28, 16:15-16, 20:28; Luke 11:9; John 1:41, 10:10-11, 14:1-3, 20:30-31; Acts 10:38-39; ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, Matthew 11:28, Matthew 16:15-16, Matthew 20:28, Luke 11:9, John 1:41, John 10:10-11, John 14:1-3, John 20:30-31, Acts 10:38-39, Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 3:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Change Your Perspective From Gloomy To Glorious!

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Apr 15, 2025

Changing your perspective can help you stop automatic negative attitudes, speech, thoughts and navigate situations with a more balanced outlook. The Jewish people needed a different perspective, so God sends Haggai.

Sermon – Change Your Perspective From Gloomy to Glorious! Scripture Lesson – Haggai 2:1-9 “On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-9, Ezra 3:10-13, Ephesians 5:26-27, Ecclesiastes 7:10, Hebrews 12:25-29, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

The Covenant Remains!

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Sep 15, 2023

Ever notice how when a man and a woman want to get married, they go to God and have a church wedding? But when they want a divorce, they go to man? They go to church to say, "I do", but they go to court to say, "I quit!" Does God accept that?

Ever notice how when a man and a woman want to get married, they go to God and have a church wedding? But when they want a divorce, they go to man? They go to church to say, "I do", but they go to court to say, "I quit!". They go to a judge, who is a man or a woman, whatever the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:6, Matthew 19:1-10, 1 Corinthians 7:12-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Standing On The Rubbishes Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 17, 2004

For our Annual Theme focus: all that we have accomplished as a church, fine as it is, is flawed. Much remains to be done, but it requires different leadership. This pastor’s departure, however, will not diminish the bond of love.

Some things end, but are not completed. Other things are completed, but do not end. There is a world of difference between the two. Some things end, but are not completed. Some things stop, unfinished. The tragic accident out on I-95 the other day is a reminder of this. Several lives ended ...read more

Denomination: Baptist