Sermons on avoiding vulnerability:

Avoiding Dead-End Shortcuts Series

Contributed by David Asch on Nov 21, 2005

In our text today we see a family that took a shortcut, and it led to a dead-end - literally. Looking at their story, we discover how we can keep from taking shortcuts that lead to dead-ends.

AVOIDING DEAD-END SHORTCUTS Ruth 1:1-5 INTRO: Shortcuts that don’t turn out so well: The shortcut to Lake Success Some shortcuts aren’t just inconvenient, they are deadly. Shortcuts that lead to dead-ends: Jim Madsen on Yosemite’s El Capitan in 1968. A veteran and skilled climber, he rappelled ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Avoiding The Mistake Of Alcohol And Drugs Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 24, 2007

Substance abuse is dangerous and detrimental. In this lesson we learn from the mistakes of biblical characters.

Introduction: A. During the days of prohibition, an evangelist was preaching against the evils of alcohol. 1. He demonstrated the destructive force of the demon drink by dropping a worm into a bottle of whiskey. 2. By the time the worm hit the bottom of the bottle, the worm was dead. 3. The ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Avoiding The Traps Of Negative Conversation Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Apr 24, 2007

Biblical examples of negative communication patterns to avoid.

TRAP #1: "Take my side without hearing both sides." "Then Haman said to King Xerxes, ’There is a certain group of people scattered among the other people in all the states of your kingdom. Their customs are different from those of all the other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws. It is ...read more

Scripture: Esther 3:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Avoiding The Mistake Of Sexual Immorality Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 8, 2007

Samson made many mistakes with regard to sexual immorality. Let’s learn from his mistakes, not our own.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a church secretary who would typically answer the phone saying, “Jesus loves you. Karen speaking. How may I help you?” 1. One day she was distracted when the phone rang, and she answered, “Karen loves you. Jesus speaking. How may I help you?” 2. There was a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jonah: Avoiding A Legacy Of Bitterness Series

Contributed by Mike Quinn on Jan 18, 2006

The story of Jonah, who was called by God, but ultimately leaves a shameful legacy. How do we avoid a legacy of bitterness?

What are the experiences in life that can cause us to become bitter? How do we avoid a legacy of bitterness? 1. When God speaks act first and ask questions later. Jonah 1:1-3 1:1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Samson: Avoiding A Legacy Of Shame Series

Contributed by Mike Quinn on Jan 18, 2006

The story of Samson. He appeared to have such potential, and God DID use him, but he is primarily remembered for his sin.

Samson: Avoiding a legacy of shame (Judges 13-16) Part two Intro – potential – 12 Judges 1375 – 1050; Nazarite – Hair, alcohol, dead bodies; miracle birth; Judg 21:25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. NIV Judg 13:1-5 13:1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Avoiding The "Red-Line" Church Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on May 31, 2005

The fifth in a series of sermons through the book of James. The focus of this message is on the sin of partiality and favoritism. Especially ways in which it takes place in the church today.

(This message contains a significant intro that is a personal life experience. Should be personalized to an example from the speakers life of prejudice/favoritsim/partiality being shown.) We have been working our way through the book of James. Chapter one is behind us and as you will see over ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Wesleyan

Two Keys For Avoiding Discouragement Series

Contributed by George Bannister on Aug 4, 2003

This message deals with the apostle’s encouraging words to the hebrew believers. he gave them two keys to avoiding discouragement.

TEXT: Hebrews 12:3-11 TOPIC: “Two Keys For Avoiding Discouragement” INTRODUCTION: In Larry Olsen’s Outdoor Survival Skills, he tells of a guy who has been lost in the desert for days. His water and food have long since run out. His lips are parched, and his tongue is swollen. His legs are bruised ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

Avoid Becoming A Camouflaged Christian

Contributed by John Troutman on Aug 7, 2003

Why we must not be conformed to this world.

Avoid Becoming a Camouflaged Christian Scr. Ref: Rom. 12:1-2 1 I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Avoid Over Reactions To Situations

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jan 3, 2004

We live in an age when people are easily provoked toward anger or fear. However, the Bible teaches us: "A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." Here are ten guidelines to help us avoid over reacting to irritations.

Avoiding Over Reactions to Situations (Proverbs 19:11) We live in an age when people are easily provoked toward anger or fear. However, the Bible teaches us: "A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." Here are ten guidelines to help us avoid over reacting to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Recipe For Avoiding Moral Failure Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Feb 5, 2004

Disregarding God’s moral and ethical principles as David did can have disastrous consequences.

I recently saw a photo of three expensive cars encased in ice in the garage of a million-dollar house when the pipes froze while the owner was away. One of the rules for living in a cold climate is to take special precautions so your water pipes don’t freeze. Disregarding that rule can exact a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-15

Denomination: Brethren

How To Avoid A Financial Crash Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jan 25, 2003

Part 2 of series Getting a grip on my Finances focuses on how to avoid a financial crash.

(powerpoint available) SLIDE 1 SLIDE 2 A recent poll revealed that only 26% of the people surveyed are satisfied with their finances. That means 74% of the people are not satisfied with their finances. It seems that no matter how much you make it’s never enough. Gallup released a poll recently ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10, Luke 16:11

Denomination: Methodist

Reasons To Avoid The Mud Hole. Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jul 30, 2010

WE have reasons to avoid the mud hole of sin on our life.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1  Look at that mud hole, that looks fun as long as someone else is doing the clean up.  Do you remember being a kid and being drawn to mud puddles, water pebbles, and mud holes?  There was something about the mud that as a young boy it had an ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Avoid A Pity Party

Contributed by Damion Lowe on Jan 22, 2011

We must learn to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and learn to see the blessings in life.

“HOW TO AVOID A PITY PARTY” By Dr. Tom Wallace The Story Of The Prodigal’s Brother is one often missed by many preachers. Yet we find a great life lesson here about pouting and having a "pity party." Luke 15:25 - 32“ …and he was angry and would not go ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Avoiding Fear And Trusting In God

Contributed by Charles Jones on Feb 16, 2011

God has promised to never leave you nor forsake you.

David the Shepherd had been anointed King by the Prophet Samuel. Though Saul still sat on the Throne of Israel the Lord has promised David that he would one day be King of Israel. The first time Saul meets David was when the Philistine Goliath challenges Israel to a duel. David - filled with faith ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal