Sermons on Avoiding Worldly Pursuits:

Hunger Sickness - Hunger Games - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Aug 4, 2012

Hunger. . . We avoid it. We refuse to endure it. Now lack of hunger has bled into our spiritual walk. It is time to become hungry again!

The Hunger Games – Pt. 2 Hunger Sickness Intro: Last week I laid down a gauntlet so to speak. I challenged your hunger level. I declared to you that unlike the folks discussed when Jesus fed the hungry crowds that our issue isn’t a supply issue it is a demand issue. We have not because we ask not. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 7:3-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Wealth Doesn't Guarantee Heaven SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Jesus, through the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, illustrates that wealth does not equate to righteousness. The rich man, despite having worldly possessions, lacked what was necessary for entry into heaven.

Today, we will explore the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, as told by Jesus. This parable serves to remind us that being wealthy does not equate to being righteous. The rich man in the story had everything he desired, but he lacked what was necessary for eternal salvation. In the parable, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Topics: Wealth And Righteousness, Abraham's Bosom

The Big Bounce - Pt. 1 - Unequal Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Feb 16, 2012

We prefer the easy road. We try to avoid any obstacles. We must learn to handle “The Big Bounce!”

“The Big Bounce” Pt. 1 - Unequal Text: 1 Samuel 4:11 The ark of God was captured; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died. 1 Chronicles 13:1-14 David consulted with all of his leaders, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds. Then David addressed the entire assembly of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 13:1-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Eyes Fixed On Jesus Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Mar 10, 2024

Rather than being rigid in our worship, interpretation of His word, and rituals intended to bring us closer to Him, let our primary aim be not the control of others but the pursuit of holy lives.

Eyes Fixed on Jesus 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 Ever since creation humanity has struggled to establish channels of communication and demonstrate reverence towards a holy God! Sacraments such as confession, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

Coming Into Focus Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Oct 25, 2005

Launch sermon in a series through the book of Nehemiah exploring the pursuit of God’s vision for our lives. Sermon addresses the birthing of vision, and the connection of concern to vision.

(Visual Aids - Placed a large pile of rocks on the stage, simulating wall rubble. Picked up rocks, and dropped them during message illustration of the rocks of life.) What a great time of year! This is by far my favorite time of year in Central Kentucky. I love the cooler temperatures. I love ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-4

Denomination: Wesleyan

Resisting The Devil Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Aug 28, 2007

The is the fourth and final sermon in this series. This sermon series was inspired by Jerry Bridges book, "The Pursuit Of Holiness". This sermon looks at seven facts about a believer in Christ.

Resisting The Devil – Cleaning Up Last week we talked about how every Christian is to pursue holiness. Every Christian is to pursue purity. Every Christian is to strive to stay away from sin. Holiness is not an option. For the past three weeks we have been looking at a verse from first Peter ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Family Matters Series

Contributed by Robert Odle on May 13, 2003

In our pursuit of godly character we must recommit ourselves to doing family God’s way: children submit and parents nurture in God’s ways.

Character Counts! Family Matters (Ephesians 6:1-4) Theme: God created the family to reflect His character. Purpose: What do I want to happen in the hearer when I preach this sermon? A. Increased insight. After I preach this sermon, the hearer should be able to see that the American family is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

His Name Shall Be...king Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 17, 2013

Christmas sermon, a look at the Magi to help people see that searching for King Jesus is life’s most worthy pursuit, and finding Him changes it completely

His Name Shall Be…King Matthew 2:1-10 Have you ever considered the irony: When there’s a play called Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, everyone wants to be Dopey – after all, his lines are the easiest to learn! Dopey. When it comes to a Christmas play, there are a lot of parts ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Gods Forever Favor!

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Jul 24, 2016

Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, isn't that what we all want? Do you know what that sounds like in spiritual terms..."abundant life"

Gods, Forever Favor! Psalm 30:1-5, AMP 1.I WILL extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2.O Lord my God, I cried to You and You have healed me. 3.O Lord, You have brought my life up from Sheol (the place of the dead); You have kept me alive, that I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Life Bigger Than Money Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 23, 2018

This message focuses on stepping out of the American Dream's pursuit of escalating standards of living. Instead we are to hold our money lightly and "freely receive, freely give."

- In some ways this is the second part of last week’s sermon. Last week we looked at this passage in Matthew 10:8 about freely receiving and freely giving. We talked about living life with an open hand and whether we are living stingy lives. - I want to return to that same passage this morning ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Keep God In The Calculations

Contributed by David Nolte on Jul 18, 2022

People often figure out what to add to, or subtract from, their lives. They try to multiply, or divide, pursuits in life. They often leave God out of the calculations.

Perhaps it began with marks in the dirt, then progressed to piles of stones, and then somewhere along the line came the abacus, but men have always had a means of calculating debts, payments and other quantities. These days we have desk calculators, computers, smart phones and even watches that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:16-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Might Have Been

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on May 20, 2008

Look at famous failures (like Mike Tyson and Michael Vick) and Judas to see how we can avoid failure in our life.

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN Luke 22:1-6, Mark 14: 17-21 He was a big man on campus, a quarterback with the speed of a gazelle, his moves left would-be tacklers holding a handful of air, an arm like a rocket launcher, and the looks of a model. He had it all… but then he went to the dogs. He found he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Arguments Of False Prophets

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Nov 15, 2011

I. EXORDIUM: If you're a false prophet, please raise your hand. Of course, no one wants to be a false prophet, so avoid them. II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: General III. OBJECTIVES: To learn the qualities of false prophets, so we can avoid them.

I. EXORDIUM: If you're a false prophet, please raise your hand. Of course, no one wants to be a false prophet, so avoid them. II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: General III. OBJECTIVES: To learn the qualities of false prophets, so we can avoid them. IV. TEXT: 1 Timothy 6:3-4 (MKJV) 1 Timothy 6:3 If ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:3-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Wake Up! Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Sep 28, 2021

The Bible says to have no partnership with people who do these evil things. What kind of people am I to avoid? People who are sexually immoral, impure, greedy for people and things. Avoid partnering with people who speak trash, talk foolish, and joke crudely.

A twelve-year-old Taiwanese boy was visiting an art exhibit in 2015 when he accidentally tripped at a museum. Thankfully he was ok because he broke his fall by reaching out to support himself on a 350-year-old painting valued at $1.5 million. Insurance paid for the restoration, and I am sure he ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:6-14, Psalm 10:4, 1 Corinthians 5:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Christian: What Kind Of Disciple Are You? Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 6, 2022

How can we be better disciples? 1. Avoid distractions (vs. 17-21, 23). 2. Accept the difficulties of following Jesus (vs. 22-23). 3. Avoid pointless disputes (vs. 24). 4. Live with Christlike devotion (vs. 25-28).

Christian: What Kind of Disciple Are You? The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 20:17-28 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared December 6, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 20:17. In this verse of Scripture, Jesus has started His trip to Jerusalem to die on the cross for our sins. And by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:17-28

Denomination: Baptist