Sermons on Anxious Bench:

Fear Series

Contributed by Greg Lindsey on Mar 15, 2020

What do I do with my fear? What is our response to the growing pandemic of fear in the world around us?

So, we are in a series called Inside Out and the title actually comes from the Disney movie that came out a few years back, a movie that gave us an inside look at all of the emotions going on inside of an 11 year old girl named Riley who is trying her best to adapt to all the change in her life ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-31

While U Wait, Seasonal Basics For Believers

Contributed by Scott Hippler on Dec 3, 2001

While we wait, do we get frustrated and anxious or do we realize that only through times of waiting can our Lord accomplish some great stuff.

Don’t you just hate to wait? I do. Patience is not something that I am exceptionally good at and as a matter of fact is one of the main areas in my life that God is having to work overtime to bring into line with His will and plan for my life. Christmas is the worst when it comes to waiting. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing The Big Picture Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Mar 18, 2025

When we begin to feel anxious or overwhelmed, misjudged or offended, occupied with our needs and self-gratification, take a few steps back and take time to look at the big picture

How many enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles? Normally, we turn all of the pieces face-up; set aside those that have a straight edge (the outside frame) and start assembling those first. Then we begin to assemble the rest of the pieces, looking for pieces that more obviously fit in a section, and work on ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:1-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are We In The Game Or Riding The Pine?

Contributed by Jason Miller on Mar 29, 2010

The goal of the coach is to get 5 players out on the court for his team that are talented, strong, wise, and able. Now there are more than 5 players on a team. The rest of the players watch the game from the bench, or as it’s called, “Riding the Pine”. So

It’s March! Spring may have felt like it’s sprung the past couple days with the beautiful weather we’ve been having. March bring lots of things. For one thing, it brings time change. That wonderful thing we all had to do last night so that we could wake up an hour earlier this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:14-30

Denomination: Mennonite

"Love Isn't Love Until You Give It Away"

Contributed by Ken Harris on Jan 14, 2004

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the HEARERS to affirm to others that (as believers during The Christmas Season) we should be anxious to SHOW God’s Love through our Goodness and Kindness to OTHERS.

U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris, Jr. Camp Walker - Taegu, Korea BIG IDEA: A wonderful definition of Christmas is the appearance of God’s Love in our display of Goodness and Kindness. REFERENCES: Titus 3:1-8; Island of Crete (just South of Greece); Isaiah 62:12 ( And they shall call them, The ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 62:12, Titus 3:4-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Don't Worry, God Finishes What He Begins

Contributed by John Perry on Jan 25, 2011

Every found yourself awake at night anxious over the things that only God can control? The good news that we have in this message is that what God begins He promises to finish.

Bunbury Tues pm 25/01/2011 “Don’t worry – God finishes what he begins” Intro: A great deal of our anxiety comes from worrying about things we really shouldn’t worry about. Some people have a lot of confidence in themselves. But their confidence is sometimes not well ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Having Faith In Uncertain Times

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jul 5, 2022

2022 is certainly an uncertain time, and with all that is going on, a person can be left feeling anxious, afraid, and directionless. But the Bible has the answers and the help we need to navigate the storms of life.

Having Faith in Uncertain Times Text: Matthew 8:23-34 GIVE THANKS / OPEN WITH PRAYER Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of years, I think we’d all agree that it seems like our world just keeps getting crazier and crazier. Pandemics and lock-downs, riots in major US ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:23-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

An Outline Of Balaam’s Messages To Balak Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 12, 2025

Balaam had finally arrived at Moab and met Balak, the king. Balak was anxious to have Balaam curse Israel but things didn't work out the way Balak hoped.

An Outline of Balaam’s Messages to Balak (This outline was the basis for a message preached Sunday evening, March 9, 2025 at New Hope Baptist Church near Fulton, MO.) Introduction: Balaam had arrived in Moab and had spoken with King Balak, Their first conversation seemed a bit testy, but Balaam ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Historical Heresies Alive And Well In The Church Today - A Multi-Part Message

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Aug 3, 2020

I remember reading that one of the primary sources of error in Theology is the desire to say something new.

"There is nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9 ESV) Week One - Introduction When I chose to become a follower of Jesus, I had a voracious appetite for knowledge about Him, as well as a deep desire to grow in intimacy with Him. I would read everything about Jesus I could get my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23, Galatians 1:6-7, Galatians 2:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Marked Men

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 22, 2009

Cain’s problem is ours: we are fearful and anxious if someone else seems to be getting ahead of us, and our anxiety is the root of our violence. But in God’s curse there is a mercy and a clue for brotherliness.

For today’s message we are going back to the earliest moments in human history to look at one of the most basic issues in human life. We are looking at the way we feel about differences, and what we do about that feeling. The Book of Genesis, in its opening stories, teaches us about what it means ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Antidote For Anxiety Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 31, 2020

Don’t be anxious. Instead, look to the birds and flowers; look to your Heavenly Father; and look only at today. In a word: have FAITH! Trust the Lord to take care of you today and tomorrow.

Antidote to Anxiety (Matthew 6:25-34) Chris Surber, a pastor in Suffolk, Virginia, tells the story is about a woman who for many years couldn’t sleep at night because she worried that her home would be robbed. One night her husband heard a noise in the house, so he went downstairs to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Changing The World By The Word

Contributed by William Baeta on Mar 10, 2018

“Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you”. (Isaiah 35:4)

Introduction: The theme for today’s sermon is “changing the world by the word”. The most widely read book in the world is the Word of God and it is estimated that over 3.9 billion copies have been printed in the last fifty years. The life of the late Billy Graham is a testimony of how the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-6, Acts 26:17-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

'how To Remain Sane In An Insane World'

Contributed by James H. Cook, Jr. on Jan 23, 2004

In our anxious age of terrorist threats; financial uncertainty; marital disillusionment; rebellious children; neglectful parents; governmental ineptness and inadequacy; and personal failures, the universal cry and desire for a true and lasting peace seems

"HOW TO REMAIN SANE IN AN INSANE WORLD" or "PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING" Philippians 4:6-8 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-8, Isaiah 26:3

Denomination: Baptist

Giving Thanks

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Nov 20, 2005

Giving thanks loosens the grip of our anxious clenched fists, so that we might let go of ourselves and receive the fullness of God’s Spirit. Five steps toward learning to give thanks.

A few miles south of downtown Atlanta, away from the tall, shiny, steel and glass buildings, a street corner is occupied by a short, unassuming, old building made of brick and stone. It’s a church building. When I lived in Atlanta, early every weekday morning a line formed outside this building—a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Friend Of The Full Heart Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 23, 2009

Christmas is a time for full hearts: weary, guilty, anxious, sad -- past, present, and future. Mary felt the same things, but Christ comes to forgive our past, empower our present, and assure our future.

Christmas is an emotional time. All kinds of feelings are involved with the celebration of Christmas. If you don’t feel some tension, some excitement, or some pressure, something at this time of the year, you are either dead or you’ve been watching the Redskins, which is about the same thing. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist