Sermons on Avoiding Distractions:

How To Improve Your Spiritual Meditation

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Aug 18, 2008

Here are 17 principles that will help you improve your spiritual meditation.

How to Improve Your Spiritual Meditation: Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” – Joshua 1:8 Introduction: All throughout God’s word, we are ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Right Focus Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 9, 2015

Old and new ideas constantly circulate and are repackaged; they can distract us from the truth; we must be on-guard or they will slither into our hearts and minds.

The Right Focus (I Timothy 4:1-13) 1. Not all problems are difficult to solve.. Morris went to a psychiatrist. "Doc," he said, "I've got real trouble. Every time I get into bed, I get his weird feeling that there's somebody under it. I look under the bed, to check it out, but then I think there's ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Adventures In Missing The Point Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Oct 13, 2009

Some theological arguments are only a distraction from the core of Faith, which is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

1 Timothy 1:3-7 August 9, 2009 Adventures in Missing the Point 3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain persons not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:3-7

Denomination: *other

Living An Impactful Life

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jan 4, 2016

We are called to be disciples of Christ and disciple-makers for Christ. Jesus challenges us to consider the cost commitment of discipleship, and not be distracted by the comfort and convenience this world offers.

Being the first Sunday of the year, I want to take some time to revisit our ES mission – to grow as disciples of Christ and be disciple-makers for Christ. Why are we doing what we are doing? Why is this important? Can we do something else, or can we not do this at all? • We are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Saul's Unfaithfulness

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 8, 2001

To lead the children to understand some of the errors to avoid through Saul’s unfaithfulness to God.

Unit 12 – Faithfulness Lesson 34 – Saul Disobeys God (Illustrates the Opposite of Faithfulness) Preparation for the Teacher 1. Aim: To lead the people to understand some of the errors to avoid through Saul’s unfaithfulness to God. 2. Explanation of the Aim: Faithfulness can be defined as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Man Who Is Blessed

Contributed by Chris Hodges on Jul 30, 2003

To note how one may be a man who is blessed by doing good and avoiding evil.

The Man who is Blessed Text: Psalm One Thesis: To note how one may be a man who is blessed by doing good and avoiding evil. Introduction: (1) Psalm 1 is thought to be an introduction to the whole book of Psalms. (a) “The first psalm sets the tone for the entire Psalter because of its concern ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Stop Your Walk With God In Two Easy Steps

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Sep 27, 2004

We can avoid our own Ichabod moments by knowing what to look for.

How To Stop Your Walk With God In Two Easy Steps 1 Samuel 4. 21-22 September 26, 2004 Chester FBC, Chester, Illinois Mike Fogerson, Speaker 1 Introduction A When Ridge was born I remember looking at all the different names of babies on the walls. a Cletus, Octavious, Xavior, Mercedes, . ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:21-22

Denomination: Baptist

Sex, Lies, And Second Looks

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: Sexual sin can be avoided by being content with "the wife of your youth.

Thesis: Sexual sin can be avoided by being content with "the wife of your youth." Intro.: 1. < Begin by reading ... > a. Prov. 5:15-20: "Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-27

God's Love Banishes Fear

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Sep 24, 2001

Fear is never God’s will for His people. But how can we avoid it?

It’s now been a week and a half since the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, and all over America, life is returning to normal – even as we realize that our definition of "normal" will have to change. The airlines are flying again, even if the planes aren’t very full. The stock market is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:15

Denomination: Baptist

Averting Your Worst Nightmare Series

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Dec 10, 2001

To avoid the nightmare of not being recognized by Jesus, I must recognize the truth and live by it.

September 23, 2001 The Doorway to Heaven – Part 2 INTRODUCTION Once in awhile I’ll have dreams that I can remember in the morning. For some reason it doesn’t happen that often. Kim on the other hand is a practically a professional dreamer. In fact, this has been one of the single most ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Big Mistake

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Oct 18, 2000

Learning from Adam and Eve's mistake, so we can avoid falling into sin.

We all make mistakes. Some of them are more embarrassing than harmful. I remember at our former church in Wisconsin, I typed up the bulletin with this announcement: "Ladies, please remember to pick up your bowels in the kitchen." It was supposed to be bowls. In fact, every Sunday a couple of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Invitations Of Wisdom And Folly

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 30, 2000

Wisdom’s call is an invitation to fear the Lord, avoid deception and ultimately a call to life.

This chapter of Proverbs contains the invitations of two women. One is called Wisdom and the other Folly. Wisdom abides in a rock solid house with seven pillars. She has prepared a banquet of choice meat and fine wine. The table is set and she sends out messengers to call out from the highest ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 9:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

The Evasion Of Exasperation Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jun 30, 2008

54th in a series from Epehesians. How to avoid exasperating my children - and others.

This week, I ran across this article. Although it is attributed to a pamphlet put out by the Houston police department, the author is actually unknown and no one can produce a copy of any such pamphlet. Nevertheless, it gives us some good food for thought this morning: TWELVE RULES FOR RAISING ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:4

Denomination: Baptist

Come, Let Us.... Series

Contributed by Timothy Dolan on Feb 3, 2008

Demonstrating through the story of Babel how to avoid unhealthy pride and fear by trusting God.

COME, LET US……. Genesis 11:1-9 Read all of Genesis 11:1-9. Today’s message addresses human pride, fear, and sin. Very apparent to us at this point: It is a message of judgment; but upon closer examination of its context, we also find a message of grace. When a televised baseball game ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

How To Tame Temptation Series

Contributed by Tim Huie on Apr 5, 2008

While we will never be pefect, we can learn to avoid sin by controlling temptation

HOW TO TAME TEMPTATION JAMES 1: 12-16 1. Illus. of Cliff Head of a charitable organization who handled hundreds of thousands of $$$ each year. Unexpected audit turned up the fact that he had embezzled thousands of $$$ Wife told him, “you’ve broken my heart, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-16

Denomination: Baptist