Sermons on Answering Critics:

When Paul Got One-Star Reviews

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 30, 2019

The Corinthians criticize Paul's preaching. What can we learn from this conflict?

[First half of church fight story from Andy Stanley about his Dad - this can be found at the start of Andy Stanley's book Deep and Wide] TRASHING PAUL: It is both stunning and comforting that Paul got some negative reviews. - 2 Corinthians 10:1, 9-10. - We usually think of Paul as the great ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-2, 2 Corinthians 10:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Acts Of The Apostles (16 Of 39)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 14, 2022

Have you ever wondered why God promised to reward us for the good deeds we do in this life?

The first thought that occurs is that He loves us, and wants to reward our good deeds as a father would reward his child for a good report card. Romans 8:17b says, “...and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." This is one ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Righteous Or Sinner?

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 17, 2022

Do we use our knowledge of God's word to criticize others, or to become more and more humble about our own sins? Let’s learn that we are all still sinners and that God alone justifies. Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke 18:9-14.

Do we use our knowledge of God's word to criticize others, or to become more and more humble about our own sins? Let’s learn that we are all still sinners and that God alone justifies. Let’s discuss self-righteousness and self-justification in Luke 18:9-14. Self-Righteousness “Also He spoke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Cataclysm Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 19, 2009

Several of the most controversial and critical questions of our existence are answered in the Noah story. Great visuals help illustrate! Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Cataclysm Genesis 6-9 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Cataclysm.html We’ll attempt to answer some controversial questions from our text: i) Who were the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men”? ii) What was the physical earth like before the Flood? iii) Why did people live so long before the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Justification Through Faith Leaves No Room For.... Series

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Apr 20, 2008

This sermon unpacks justification through faith alone Paul responds to his critics and unpacks justification through faith and its relationship with the law, Jew , Gentile and answers the charge of antinominism.

Rom 3:27 – 31.” JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH LEAVES NO ROOM FOR ….. PAUL WASN’T WITHOUT HIS CRITICS TO JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH ALONE SO HERE HE ADMINISTERS HIS MEDICINE TO ANSWERS THOSE CRITICS IN A FORM OF A DIATRIBE. AS HE HAD DONE EARLY TO SHOW THAT JEW AND GENTILE ARE ALL UNDER ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should I Love Those Who Badmouth, Abuse, Or Criticize Me?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Why Should I Love Those Who Badmouth, Abuse, or Criticize Me? I Cor. 13:4-7

Why Should I Love Those Who Badmouth, Abuse, or Criticize Me? Quote: Love overlooks a fault. (I Cor. 13:4-7) We are living at time when the rhetoric of debate, criticism and verbal abuse is rising to a fever pitch. Many people think that criticisms are a normal part of American life with the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Social Justice And Critical Theory: Biblical Justice In An Age Of Ideological Civil War

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 27, 2021

There is an ideological civil war taking place in the United States, and in western civilization overall. This is a battle that displays itself along political lines, social lines, academic lines, and along religious lines.

Proverbs 21:15 "When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers." There is an ideological civil war taking place in the United States, and in western civilization overall. This is a battle that displays itself along political lines, social lines, academic ...read more

Scripture: John 7:24, Proverbs 21:15, Proverbs 28:5, Galatians 3:26-29, Matthew 5:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Two Great Rewards For Faithful Christians Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on May 5, 2010

God answers prayer and gives spiritual fruit to those who remain in the Son.

Scripture Introduction Jesus often began particularly memorable and poignant explanations about himself and our relationship with God with the phrase, “I am….” Seven are recorded in John: • “I am the bread of life.” • “I am the light of the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:7-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Something About Prayer Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Nov 7, 2016

No prayer is ever wasted. God hears and answers every prayer. His answer may by "No," "Yes," or "Not now." The underlying principle behind the significance of persistent prayer has to be the truth that no prayer is ever wasted effort.

I. Introduction A. Three men worked in the Empire State Building on the 102nd floor. One day the elevator was out of service, so they had to walk up to their office. To pass the time, they decided that one would sing a song, one would tell a joke, and the third would tell a sad story - each ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

Why Your Prayers Are Not Answered – Part Ii Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jun 18, 2014

A study of chapter 58 of the book of Isaiah verses 1 through 14

Isaiah 58: 1 – 14 Why Your Prayers Are Not Answered – Part II 1 “Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-14

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Divine Assignment Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Sep 28, 2018

The life of Jesus is the greatest example we have of how we should conduct ourselves as Christians. Jesus was both celebrated and ridiculed. Today we will discuss what to do when this happens to us by looking at the life and ministry of Jesus as our example.

LUKE 4:23-27, 35 INTRODUCTION • The life of Jesus is the greatest example we have of how we should conduct ourselves as Christians. Jesus was both celebrated and ridiculed. • Not everyone will celebrate you! Some will mock and ridicule you. They did the same thing to Jesus even at the beginning ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:23-27, Luke 4:35, Luke 4:23, Luke 4:29, Luke 4:37, Luke 4:30, Luke 4:31-37, Luke 4:24, Luke 4:32, Matthew 7:6, Luke 4:36, Matthew 7:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Rebekah Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 22, 2022

Some of the events leading up to the marriage of Isaac and Rebecca have been institutionalized in the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony. Before the bride and bridegroom stand under the chuppah, they participate in a special ceremony called badeken (veiling).

Rebekah Rebecca appears in the Hebrew Bible[1] as Isaac’s wife and the mother of Jacob and Esau. According to biblical tradition, Rebecca's father was Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram, also called Aram-Naharaim. Rebecca's brother was Laban the Aramean, and she was the granddaughter of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:67

Denomination: Baptist

Mindset

Contributed by John Mccormack on Sep 27, 2014

MINDSET IS CRITICAL FOR RESTORATION.

MINDSET OBSERVATION: NEHEMIAH WAS A HIGH OFFICIAL UNDER THE RULE OF KING ARTAXERXES 1 IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF SUSA, NOW MODERN IRAN. THIS KING ALLOWED HIM TO RETURN TO HIS HOMELAND AND REPAIR THE BROKEN DOWN WALLS SURROUNDING JERUSALEM. HE ENCOUNTERED OPPOSITION BY PAGAN TRIBES IN HIS ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:6

Denomination: Baptist

You Know What Your Problem Is? Series

Contributed by Drew Mills on Mar 16, 2007

Crushing the criticism that divides the family

Theme: Family Busters Purpose: Crushing the criticism that divides the family We have all heard, “If you can’t say something good about somebody, don’t say anything at all.” Yet, why do we find it so hard to live up to that old saying? James had his own ideas on the cause of a critical spirit. ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Christ & Christians Have To Say . . .

Contributed by Jeffrey Samelson on Sep 11, 2004

What Christ and Narrow-Minded Christians Have to Say … to the Critical, to the Curious, to the Complacent -- Jesus gives us both the model and the content of how to answer questions about the gospel’s exclusivity

September 5, 2004 — 14th Sunday after Pentecost Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MD Pastor Jeff Samelson Luke 13:22-30 What Christ and Narrow-Minded Christians Have to Say … … to the Critical … to the Curious … to the Complacent Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Lutheran