Sermons on Avoid Dependence:

The Sunflower Challenge

Contributed by Craig Smee on Feb 19, 2007

Do we follow God as a religion or are we in relationship?

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: Jeremiah 31:33

Denomination: Christian Church

The Gift Of Exhortation Series

Contributed by Bruce Willis on Feb 21, 2007

This sermon is the sixth in a series of ten on Motivational Spiritual Gifts which communicates the characteristics of the gift of Exhortation in order to allow the Holy Spirit opportunity to reveal this gift to those who have it.

This year LifeWay Christian Resources of the SBC released through Holman Bible Publishers the inaugural edition of the Holman Christian Standard Bible from which I read Romans 12:4-8 today . . . There are 7 heart Motive gifts listed here. That’s who you are! There are many Ministries, that’s what ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

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

Managing Temptation

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Jun 1, 2007

Satan is in no hurry to destroy us! He would rather be successful than speedy. We must manage the temptations that lure us towards destruction.

A STORY WAS ONCE TOLD A BOUT THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD LINE AS IT WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED. AT ONE LOCATION ALONG THE ROUTE AN ELABORATE TRESTLE BRIDGE WAS BUILT ACROSS A LARGE CANYON IN THE WEST. WANTING TO TEST THE BRIDGE, THE BUILDER LOADED A TRAIN WITH ENOUGH EXTRA CARS AND EQUIPMENT TO DOUBLE ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:38

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Only Thing That Counts Is Faith Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Jul 2, 2007

A message from an expository series from the book of Galatians.

As you are probably quite sick of hearing; Galatians 5:1 states the theme of the entire letter. Christ has set us free. What Paul wants more than anything is for us to enjoy this freedom that Christ has provided. When we allow ourselves to become subject to traditions and other man made standards ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Family Matters Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jun 13, 2006

Fourth in a series from 1 Timothy. This message describes a functional church family.

The Bible describes the church as a: • Holy Nation (1 Peter 2:9) – common citizenship in the heavenly realm • Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) – privilege of direct access to God for all believers • Kingdom (Revelation 5:10) – common submission to the King of kings and Lord of lords • Vine (John 15:5) – ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Prisoners Of Fear

Contributed by Mark Roper on Nov 20, 2007

Many are held as prisoners because of fear!

Prisoners of Fear Psalm 27:1 Many are held as prisoners because of fear! Shohoiya Yokowai spent 28 years of his life in prison. It was not a prison of bars & locks & wardens, but a self-imposed prison of fear. He was a Japanese soldier on the island of Guam during WW2. And when the American ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1

Denomination: Church Of God

Who Is Really Blind?

Contributed by Tim Spear on Sep 9, 2011

Jesus explains the characteristics of those that are spiritually blind.

Jesus, the God Man: The Gospel of John “Who is Really Blind?” John 9:13-23 Introduction: The definition of being legally blind according to the American Medical Association is someone with 20/200 eyesight. These are people that can only see objects from 2 feet where the average person ...read more

Scripture: John 9:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

"Words Of Integrity" Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Sep 17, 2008

Fifth sermon in a series on the use and abuse of the tongue.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had developed a curious hierarchy of oaths, which were categorized in such a way that some oaths were considered more binding than others. This is illustrated by what Jesus had to say to the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:16-22 (read passage). These oaths ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

You Might Be A Pharisee (What Not To Do)

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Dec 15, 2008

This sermon focuses on what NOT to do as Christians, looks at comparing ourselves to the Pharisees.

Matthew 23:15 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. “You Might Be a Pharisee” It’s hard for us to fully realize… just how cool the Pharisees were in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sound And Blameless

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Dec 9, 2005

How should Christians live in preparation for the coming of the Christ?

Sound and Blameless – 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 28 Intro: It has been particularly difficult getting ready for the Christmas holidays this year. Usually, I have the Christmas trees up by the week after Thanksgiving. That didn’t work this year because we were having new carpet installed. --- So ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Holy Comforter

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on May 10, 2018

The Holy Spirit is our Comforter and Advocate.

The Holy Comforter John 15:26-!6:15 We are in the middle of what is called Jesus’ farewell sermon to the eleven disciples who remained, as Judas had already left as prophesied to betray Him. Jesus is preparing the disciples for both the short term issues concerning His upcoming arrest and ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Ambush

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 3, 2021

Satan often seeks to strike from a hidden position. Whether hidden and concealed or hidden in plain sight Satan seeks to ambush us. We can only be victorious through Jesus Christ.

AMBUSH (2016) Text: Luke 4:1 – 13 As a student pastor, I had my first confirmands for a confirmation class. We were having a session, imitating how some of the very first Christians lived with the threat of persecution, one of the leaders jumped in the door and said with a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Disciples And Miracles Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 18, 2014

Jesus calls the first disciples and they willingly follow Him, but there is MUCH more to see in the powerful chapter about how Jesus interacts with those around Him as God's true servant.

Disciples and Miracles Mark 1:16-45 Introduction - Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant” who acts, immediately -- He is the ultimate servant; giving Himself clearly for all who will receive -- Key verse: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:16-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon On A Gilded Cage

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 25, 2025

A gilded cage is defined as an enclosure, often with gold leaf or other exterior glamorous material intimating luxury.

Lynette Noni, a female Australian author once remarked: “Sometimes the people who act like they don’t care are really the ones who care the most. They feel so much that it overwhelms them, and to keep from falling apart, they hide behind easy smiles and quick laughter, acting like nothing matters. ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-3, 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 16:26