Sermons on Avoid Sameness:

An Unexpected Tapestry

Contributed by Donavon Hill on Oct 9, 2017

From the story of Joseph, God used the very same threads the enemy had used to weave defeat into Joseph's life and wove what would become an unexpected tapestry. Look a little deeper into your own story and you'll see how God is doing the same for you.

Please stand for the reading of the Word . . . Genesis 45 5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:5-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Witness Protection Program Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Aug 2, 2024

Jesus offers us 3 witnesses: 1) human testimony, 2) the very things Jesus is doing, and lastly, 3) the Scriptures themselves. If you’re wondering if it’s crazy to believe Jesus is God, the same kinds of evidence they had is the same kind of evidence you have.

When your world is in chaos, do you think life is random? When your world is a snow globe shaken in every direction, do you feel as if there is no one who is in control? In the midst of chaos, Jesus steps forward to say, “I’ve got this.” We begin a series entitled “This Is Your Captain Speaking.” ...read more

Scripture: John 5:31-47

Denomination: Baptist

Focused On The Faith Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Nov 16, 2016

Paul exhorted the church to rejoice in the Lord, even though they faced adversity, and avoid false teaching. He also emphasized that works were not enough to secure salvation. If they remained focused on the faith, they could overcome in Christ.

Focused on the Faith Philippians 3: 1-6 As we begin to discuss the third chapter of Philippians, it appears that Paul is seeking to begin concluding his thoughts to the church. While this may have been the beginning of his conclusion, he has quite a bit more to share with them. Following the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

How Do I React To Sin? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 28, 2011

There are two seemingly automatic reactions to seeing sin in the life of someone else. One is to avoid them. The other is to judge. In Galatians 6 we begin to see a third alternative. It's harder, but much more loving and effective.

The main theme of Galatians is about whether legalism, in the form of the Jewish law, is required for a Christian. Paul’s answer is an emphatic “no!” Legalism, in general, is superimposing an external set of rules or expectations on yourself or others—even Biblical rules or ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-5

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Forcing Of Sides Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 17, 2003

Pilate did with Christ what millions do today: he was not against Him, but wanted to avoid the issue. When the pressure came, he had a choice. It is only under pressure that our true convictions surface.

Note: this is a bulletin insert I put in our bulletins to supplement the sermon; it contains much helpful information, so I have included it here before the sermon. Ed Pilate: A Friend to Caesar or Not? The year was 33 AD. Jesus had been arrested and illegally tried. From a human perspective, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:3-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Forgiveness

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 26, 2005

Many look at the concept and action of forgiveness in light of the negative connotation of the term the “F word!” They avoid saying it and doing it and feel for some mysterious reason that they are exempt from doing what Jesus described as being essential

“Forgiveness!” On the Lighter side: These are all apparently true statements made by important people... "I’m not going to have some reporters pawing through our papers. We are the president." -Hillary Clinton commenting on the release of subpoenaed documents "The president has kept all of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Missing Jesus Series

Contributed by Ryan Daffron on Jun 13, 2011

Every church can experience the fullness of Jesus by avoiding the ATTITUDES of those in Nazareth. For a video of the sermon - http://www.coasthillschurch.org/listen__watch.ihtml?id=602286&series=138&teaching=439&media=video

Intro: ATTITUDES about life really impact a great degree in which we experience life – The control on a plane that keeps the plane on track is called “attitude”. ILUSS: It is crazy how we all can have different attitudes about the same thing – it is what makes us unique and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-7

Denomination: *other

Hurry Sickness Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 16, 2025

Eliminating hurry isn't about avoiding urgency, but about intentionally slowing down to align with Jesus' unhurried, peace-filled way of living, which fosters rest, joy, and spiritual growth.

Series: Unhurried - The Hurry up sickness Tag – So many are rushing too nowhere! Opening Quote: Dallas Willard and John Ortberg – Soul Care “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry” Dallas Willard urged people to "ruthlessly eliminate hurry" because he considered it the greatest obstacle to a vibrant ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30, Luke 10:42, Luke 6:12-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Climbing Higher

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 9, 2010

Satan wants to keep us from making progress in our spiritual life. With the Lord’s help, though, we can keep on climbing. To avoid sin’s tragedy, learn Satan’s strategy.

Opening illustration: Pastor Dale Kurtz laughed so hard that his sides ached. He was watching a frustrated squirrel trying to climb the metal pole supporting a bird feeder. The squirrel repeatedly got part way up, then slowly slid down the pole in a heap. In describing this incident, Kurtz wrote, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Imagine The Divine Midwife Next To Us Whispering, "Push, Push, Push. It’s Almost Here" Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Nov 16, 2024

The Twin Towers stood for ever until they didn't- avoid Over Confidence. Yet the wars keep coming and Jesus has not yet come - As Hitchhikers says - "don't panic"

Sermon preached on my second last Sunday at St Barnabas Northolt, 17th November 2024 ......................................................................................................... [lean to one side] Over confidence? [lean to the other side] Over panicked? [scratching head] over ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8, Daniel 12:1-3, Hebrews 10:11-25, Mark 12:41-44, Isaiah 40:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Danger Of Smooth Things

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Aug 15, 2014

This message explains what the 2 words "Smooth Things" from Isaiah 30:10 mean. And how they are pleasant to hear but dangerous upon further inspection and why we should avoid hearing them and repeating them.

The Danger of 'Smooth Things' Scripture: Isaiah 30:10 Introduction: Wednesday I mentioned the story of Isaiah and his calling and I would like to revisit a particular scripture that reveals the attitude his time, because it isn't different from the times in which we live in today. In Isaiah ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Jesus Saw In The Crowd

Contributed by Kevin Cummins on Nov 14, 2003

In Jesus’ ministry he was often times surrounded by crowds. What did Jesus see when he was among the crowds? Do we see the same things?

As you probably know I’m a big fan of the NFL. Of course you know I’m a huge Dallas Cowboy fan. Three weeks into the season I’m just glad that they have a winning record so far. But last Monday night on Monday night football the Green Bay Packers came to Soldier Field to play the Chicago ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Denomination: Church Of God

Supersize Me!

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Mar 12, 2006

In order to avoid the trap of self-indulgence, we need to: 1. Reject the spirit of entitlement and embrace a spirit of gratitude. 2. Reject excess and move toward moderation. 3. Reject the temporal and focus on the eternal.

Two years ago Morgan Spurlock created a film documentary called Supersize Me, which won several international film awards. It was based on an experiment to see what would happen if he would eat nothing but McDonald’s fast food for one month. He had three rules for this experiment: 1. During the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-11

Denomination: Methodist

Ripe Ritual And Redemptive Righteousness Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 20, 2008

Dramatic monologue as if it were from Micah himself, summarizing the entire book around the contrast between practicing ritual in order to avoid judgment vs. living God’s requirements of justice, mercy, and the humble walk.

[Outside the sanctuary] Justice, O God! Justice! We must have your justice! And righteousness! Without that we are lost! Oh, Lord God, the Temple and the city – what I see there sickens me. That ripe and rotten ritual, those empty gestures, those paid and padded priests! O God, ...read more

Scripture: Micah 7:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Good Employer Series

Contributed by Kevin Brady on Sep 13, 2021

The owner of a vinyard pays all of his workers the same amount. How can this be fair? The motivations of the employer are explored within the cultural context of the first century.

The Good Employer (Matt. 20:1-16) Harvest time. The morning sun burned just below the hillside and backlit the ancient vines rising up from the even more ancient earth. The ground was parched and packed. Only the grapes held the promise of moisture, the pulp near bursting through their skins. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16