Sermons on Avoiding Trouble:

Don't Wanna Be A Pharisee

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 23, 2006

The Pharisees were a group that wanted holiness in their lives and obedience to God, yet Jesus rebuked them more harshly than any other group. Where did they go wrong? How can we avoid their error?

Don’t Wanna Be A Pharisee TCF Sermon October 15, 2006 Let me tell you about two groups of people. The first group of people is deeply concerned about holiness. They are students of the Word of God. They are very careful about obedience to God. They take very seriously God’s admonishment to be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Membership Not Required Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Nov 21, 2013

We may not say there are membership requirements to be a Christian in our churches, but does our behaviour say otherwise? Membership requirements don’t have to be verbally stated, they can be communicated with a look, with avoidance, and so on.

Back in the mid-nineties I was working in the golf business for a couple years. One course I worked at in Vancouver required $75,000 to join and there was about a 3 year waiting list, then it was about $350 a month for monthly dues as well. In the winter I went down to a very exclusive private ...read more

Godliness With Contentment Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 6, 2011

What will godliness plus contentment do for us? 1- Godliness plus contentment will bring great gain 2- Godliness plus contentment will avoid harmful desires 3- Godliness plus contentment will keep us faithful

INTRO.- What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done in life? Let’s say the hardest physical thing. Work an 80 hour week? That’s just about 12 hours a day. Well, 84 hours in 7 days. Did you ever do that? That would be hard no matter what kind of work you were doing. Let ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Want To Be A Pharisee Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 5, 2014

Jesus despised the Pharisees. But why? These guys were simply trying to please God by honoring His rules. What was it about them that angered God so much and how do we avoid becoming like them?

About the worst thing you can call somebody in Church is to say they are a “Pharisee”. The Pharisees were THE “bad guys” in scripture and seemed to always be the main group that Jesus singled out as examples of who His followers were NOT to be like. I don’t want to be ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Overcoming Temptations

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Sep 22, 2019

Today’s sermon is going to review Joseph’s encounter with Potiphar’s wife and in doing so suggest that setting life boundaries in accordance with God’s word and avoiding and hating sin is the key to overcoming temptations.

Life Lessons from Potiphar’s Wife Genesis 39:7-23 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 If you were offered an opportunity to sin and you knew no one could find out what you had done would you indulge in the sin? What if it was a sin that you had done before and got great ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:7-23, 1 Peter 5:8, James 1:14, 1 John 2:15

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Take The Bait

Contributed by Derek Geldart on May 1, 2018

Offense is one of the most devistating lures Satan uses to keep Christians from being effective in ministry. In this sermon I am going to review the Bait of Satan by John Bevere and suggest that it is possible to avoid and overcome offense.

Don’t Take the Bait James 4:1-3 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 Whom amongst us does not know that we are one body of Christ, instructed to love, support and build each other up in the faith? And yet whom amongst us does not have one or several other ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

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

Divorce, Children And Wealth

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 6, 2024

Do our churches avoid talking about divorce and money because we are embarrassed? Should children be seen and not heard? Let’s examine what Jesus has to say about these important topics in Matthew 19.

Do our churches avoid talking about divorce and money because we are embarrassed? Should children be seen and not heard? Let’s examine what Jesus has to say about these important topics in Matthew 19. Divorce What was the question that the Pharisees asked? When Jesus finished saying these ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Do When The Lord Makes You Uncomfortable?

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Aug 14, 2025

Jesus is going to show us in Luke 12:49-56 that this divine discomfort is not a bug in the system of faith—it's a feature. It's not something to avoid—it's something to embrace.

There's a question that every serious believer must eventually face: What do you do when the Lord makes you uncomfortable? I'm not talking about the discomfort of difficult circumstances or trials that come from living in a fallen world. I'm talking about that deep, internal stirring ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56, Jeremiah 20:9

Denomination: Methodist

Renewing Our Consecration To God’s Purposes Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 19, 2022

This exposition of Zechariah 8:9-13 focuses on the importance of Christians being on task and fulfilling their God-given calling in life. This remnant of Jews suffered unnecessary troubles when neglecting their God-given assignment but blessing as they obeyed.

Intro Our text today begins in Zechariah 8:9 with the words: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Let your hands be strong.’”i The word translated strong is chazaq. It means “to be strong, be courageous, be firm, be resolute.”ii God used this word three times when commissioning Joshua for the task of ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 8:1-23, John 6:38, Philippians 3:1-14, Ezra 5:1, 1 Kings 11:14, Jeremiah 24:9, Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 25:14-30, 2 Chronicles 7:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

What Is Your Life Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 6, 2021

James applies the need for humility to our mindset about our lives and our plans. As he discusses the fact that our life is just a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes, we learn some sins to avoid and some things to do.

Introduction: A. One day a doctor called one of his patients into his office to deliver some very important news. 1. “I have received the results of your tests and I have some bad news and some good news.” 2. The patient was quiet for a moment, sensing the gravity of the announcement, “Let me have ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17, Psalm 90:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Doing Right When You've Been Done Wrong

Contributed by David Ward on Jan 23, 2006

BIG IDEA: We make our love revolutionary when we refuse revenge and generate grace.

"Doing Right When You’ve Been Done Wrong” Romans 12:14-21 INTRODUCTION: A man went into the preaching ministry, worked for seven years, then resigned to go back to medical school and become a doctor. He came to the conclusion that “People don’t want spiritual health. They just want to feel good.” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"embrace The Cross & Run Toward The Roar."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jun 3, 2024

This message strongly emphasizes how the enemy often uses fear and division to deceive and discourage the body of Christ. When we confidently embrace our challenges by overcoming fear with faith, we move forward with courage, trusting in God's unwavering strength and his everlasting word.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (I Peter 5:8) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (James 4:7) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, James 4:7, Job 1:7, 1 Corinthians 15:55-56, Hebrews 2:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal