Sermons on Accepting Difference:

Pleasing God

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Mar 7, 2015

What does it mean to please God? How can we please God?

Pleasing God . . . IT’S A PLEASURE Dr. Lewis Gregory 1. Parent-child Illustration: One of the unique features of the parent-child relationship is that children have a natural desire to please their parents. In the same way, we as children of God desire to please our Heavenly Father. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Can Be God's Masterpiece

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jan 20, 2016

God wants to make your life a masterpiece. Come to Jesus, and He will do it!

Devotion for January 19, 2016 [This message was an interactive homily at an inner-city mission in Toronto, at a mid-week outreach event} What is your favourite band? Your favourite song? You favourite work of art? A lot of us have like and dislikes when it comes to music, and some of us have ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sign Of Cleansing The Temple Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Feb 16, 2015

Jesus performed seven signs in the Gospel of John; the second sign was the cleansing of the Temple.

The Sign of Cleansing the Temple John 2: 13-25 Religious zeal was certainly a great part of Jewish culture: We saw in John 2: 1-12 that the purification rites of the Jews were held in high esteem, but exterior washings did not provide heart cleansing. The Savior changed the water into wine at ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

Is Your Name In The Book?

Contributed by Dr. Phillip Paschal on Oct 30, 2019

All of us must stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

IS YOUR NAME IN THE BOOK? REV. 20: 12-15 1. INTRODUCTION. THERE ARE SEEMINGLY COUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS WHO DO ALL THEY CAN TO GET THEIR NAMES IN RECORD BOOKS BY PERFORMING AMAZING FEATS, BE IT SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT, THE WORLD OF FINANCE, POLITICS, THE MEDICAL FIELD, EDUCATION, AND THE LIST GOES ON ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

Reconciliation: Restored Relationship Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 11, 2018

Sin hinders our relationship with God, creating division and preventing fellowship. We have no way to restore that which sin has lost, but God provided the means of reconciliation through the offering of His Son.

Reconciliation: Restored Relationship Romans 5: 8-11 As we continue the series, Understanding Christianese, I want us to take a moment and consider the state of affairs in our nation, and even around the world. Particularly in America, if I had to choose one word to describe where we are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Living By Faith - Abel's Worship

Contributed by Thomas Fortini on May 18, 2020

Saving faith acknowledges there is only one way to God!

Title: Living by Faith – Part IV - The Worship of Abel Intro: Thus far we have seen that living by faith is established on the Word of God Hebrews 1:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:4

Popularity Versus Godliness

Contributed by Dr. Abraham Obadare on Dec 6, 2020

The saga involving Herod, Herodias and John the Baptist suggests that we as God's children must beware of the choices we make when we need to decide between popularity and godliness.

Introduction: This text shows the actions of some people who were faced with the decisions of correcting what is wrong, repenting, and revenging in the situations they faced in life. Revealed in the saga is the competition between popularity and godliness, a dilemma that all humans beings have to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12, Luke 9:26, Exodus 23:2, 1 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Timothy 2:25-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Embracing Grace

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Apr 2, 2022

The vast majority of people do not "accept" Christ (Luke 4:24) but refuse the "favor" (grace) He offers (v. 19). God has sent Christ to offer His grace. We must embrace the grace offered in Christ. Luke shows us how.

There’s a key word in this passage that I would like to point out. It is not obvious in the English, so it’s a bit tricky. But the word ‘favor’ in verse 19 and the word ‘acceptable’ in verse 24 render the same Greek word, which is dektos. In fact, in the King James Version it is translated ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Get Rid Of Depression

Contributed by Vini Charles on Jul 21, 2021

But Lord said, Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

He, who created the world, the universe, you and me, you think he’s not aware of your pain? He, who is holding our every tear, you think he’ll not recompense those? He, who throttled the evil, doesn’t know what you are going through? Oh my brothers and sisters, do not worry about anything for HE ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:17-18, Matthew 26:33-35

Denomination: Methodist

Decisions: In Which Camp Have You Anchored Your Trust

Contributed by David Tack on Feb 14, 2025

We find in 2 Samuel 15:19-21 a rebellious uprising taking place. We have David's Faithful and Absalom's Rebel Forces... decisions, decisions, decisions...

INTRO: (n) We find in 2 Samuel 15:19-21 a rebellious uprising taking place in the camp of God! King David is about to be ousted from the palace and once again is running for his life (as he did from King Saul earlier in his life). - The leader of a growing rebel camp is his son, Absalom, who is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 15:19-21, John 3:16-18, John 3:21, John 3:20, 1 Corinthians 15:22-23, 1 Corinthians 15:25-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

When The Prodigal's Come Home

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Dec 17, 2024

This message focusses on how we, as God's church and professing Christians, can receive "prodigals"—those who have strayed—with love, acceptance, and forgiveness

Key Scripture: Luke 15:11-32 Introduction • Briefly introduce the parable of the Prodigal Son, describing how the younger son's decision to leave led to loss but ultimately resulted in reconciliation. • Explain the focus of today's message: how we, as a church and as individuals, can ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, 1 John 4:19, Romans 5:8, John 13:34-35, Luke 15:22-24, Romans 15:7, Matthew 11:28, Luke 15:32, Mark 11:25, Micah 7:18-19, Luke 15:31, Psalm 73:26, Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

A Faith That Still Speaks Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Sep 26, 2025

This sermon contrasts Abel's faith-based worship with Cain's self-reliant religion, demonstrating how a life of true faith earns God's approval and creates an eternal legacy that still speaks of righteousness today.

Introduction: The World's First Worship Service I want you to travel back with me in your imagination to the dawn of human history. The gates of Eden are closed, guarded by an angel with a flaming sword. The world is brand new, yet already stained by sin. Adam and Eve, our first parents, are ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:4

Denomination: Baptist

Things That Make Christians Different From The World: Hope Series

Contributed by Terry Frazier on Jun 29, 2012

There should be clear differences between Christians and the world. This sermon looks at how the word hope differs between Christians and the world. Christians have real hope and the world has false hope.

Things That Make Christians Different From The World: Hope Hope is a remarkable word in our world and in the world it can mean anything from I sure do hope that it rains today to I hope I win the lottery today to I hope that I’m saved or I hope that I’m going to go to heaven. But for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

"Making A Difference For God”--Practical Steps For The Jabez Territory Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 16, 2002

Understanding that God’s ways are higher than our ways will help us to apply God’s practical formula for traveling the Jabez territory--and to know when God has shown up in our lives.

(Powerpoint slides and audience outline available) Today I continue with part 5 of the challenges of the prayer of Jabez. Today I want to stimulate your thinking about how to make a difference for God, what are some practical steps for the Jabez territory. Much of this message today was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: Methodist

What Difference Has Jesus Made In Your Life?

Contributed by Glenn Newton on Dec 17, 2016

When Christ came to Earth, He changed the world. When He comes into our lives, our lives are transformed. The Christmas message is that a huge change has taken place because the King has taken his place.

What Difference has Jesus made in your Life? Pastor Glenn Newton, December 11, 2016 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you[c] a sign: The virgin[d] will conceive and give birth to a son, and[e] will call him Immanuel.[f] (Isaiah 7:14) Luke 2: 8-20 8 And there were shepherds living out in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14

Denomination: Nazarene