Sermons on Avoiding Worldly Pursuits:

The Oldest Game In The World Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 7, 2023

The shame of our sin often leads us to shift the blame. Don’t play the blame game; own it by name and avoid the shame.

The Oldest Game in the World Genesis 3:11-13 Rev. Brian Bill March 4-5, 2023 Do you know what the most popular game is right now? Could it be World of Warcraft, Minecraft, Warzone, or Fortnite? Or for another generation, maybe your guesses would be Monopoly? Risk? Bunco? Scrabble? ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Fortune Leads To Death, Christ Leads To Life PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 24, 2025

Trust God alone for guidance and power; avoid seeking answers from occult or counterfeit sources, and rely on prayer to overcome deception and fear.

Friends, pull up a chair. Some weeks feel like the weather—gusts of news, gusts of need, gusts of noise—and our souls long for a quiet corner and a steady word. As October rolls across our calendars, costumes cover store shelves, cobwebs (the plastic kind) creep across porches, and talk turns to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-18

Topics: Halloween, Danger, Spirituality

Nine Marks Of Worldiness - I John 2:15,16

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 31, 2002

Nine Marks of Worldliness - I John 2:15,16 (Preoccupations that are wrong, pride, pleasures, possession focused, popularity, power obsession, position oriented, people pleasing, and privileges seen as self-centered rights)

Nine Marks of Worldliness - I John 2:15,16 (Preoccupations that are wrong, pride, pleasures, possessions, popularity, power obsession, position oriented, people pleasing, and privilege for selfish reasons) Illustration: That evening, the assassin John Wilks Booth stopped in a saloon near the Ford ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Work: The Achievement Syndrome Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Sep 17, 2014

Work is a necessity and can be a joy, but when our focus gets off kilter, we will not be satisfied! Solomon writes of his frustration with work and life. Let's see what we learn to avoid the frustration!

INTRODUCTION • Video Clip from Family Man- WingClips • SLIDE #1 • Today as we conclude our Rhythm of Life series, we will explore an area of life that can get out of rhythm with the rest of our life, when this area rages out of control it will have negative effects on our family, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Slip Sliding Away

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Oct 11, 2005

God’s goal with Gideon was transformation, as it was with the entire nation of Israel. But after the victory, choices were made that set the nation right back on the same road to destruction. These are choices we can make as well, or avoid.

Passage: Judges 8:22-35 Intro: “Slip sliding way. Slip sliding away. You know the nearer your destination the more you’re slip sliding away... God only knows. God makes His plan. The information’s unavailable to mortal man. We work our jobs, collect our pay. Believe we’re flyin’ down the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:22-35

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Best Barn Of All

Contributed by Lisa Skogsrud on Aug 20, 2019

We can avoid the problems in The Parable of the Rich Fool by building a "discipleship granary" to store the riches of God's grace that are ours in Jesus Christ.

Sermon Luke 12:13-21 for Pentecost +8C, August 4, 2019 I don't know where the time has gone, but here we are in August, and the summer is more than half over! The days are still hot enough, but you've noticed the nights getting longer already, haven't you? The short growing season we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

God Is Unavoidable Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Mar 20, 2017

Have you ever felt like someone was avoiding you? They don't pick up the phone when you call or when they see you coming they turn and run the other way. Don't feel bad, people try to do that with God. But it's pointless to think we can really avoid God.

GOD IS UNAVOIDABLE Have you ever felt like someone was avoiding you? They don't pick up the phone when you call or when they see you coming they turn and run the other way. There can be different reasons for this. Perhaps you talk too much and they don't want to be trapped into having a long ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:5-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Fake Gospel

Contributed by Lee Houston on Mar 22, 2023

Many churches have forsaken the Word of God and embraced worldly views of right and wrong. These churches conform both in language and practices to what the World would have them believe thus contorting Christian love to include sinful acts.

Title: The Fake Gospel Central idea: Many protestant denominations are engaged in a spiritual war. Think with me for a few minutes about the state of American churches. Many have forsaken the Word of God and embraced worldly views of right and wrong. These churches conform both in language ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 John 2:4, Romans 16:17-18, Isaiah 29:3, Matthew 7:21-23, Revelation 3:14-22  (view more)  (view less)

Freedom From Division-4(2024)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jul 30, 2024

4 of 4. The apostle Paul urged the Corinthian church to distance themselves from internal division. Successful ministry is undermined thru internal division. ?What can free us from division? OR, ?How can we be free from that indignity? Freedom from division thrives in Christian...

FREEDOM From DIVISION-IV—1Corinthians 1:14-17(:10-17) formerly: The INDIGNITY Of DIVISION Attention: On Feb 20, 2019, Duke University, basketball forward & freshman basketball sensation, Zion Williamson(from Spartanburg, SC), was injured within the first minute of play, in a regular-season game ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Stepping Into The New Year

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 30, 2025

The literal suggestion to "refresh yourself" can be viewed as a metaphor for our spiritual life. Often, we seek refreshment and rejuvenation in worldly comforts or recognition, which may momentarily satisfy but do not truly fulfill the deeper needs of our soul.

1. REFRESH YOUR HEART 1 Kings 13:7 "The king said to the man of God, ‘Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.’" In this narrative, King Jeroboam attempts to entice the man of God, who has just challenged the idolatrous practices at Bethel, with hospitality ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 13:7, Psalm 51:10, Isaiah 43:18-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Disciples Contend For Greatness

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 14, 2012

There never was a greater pattern for humility than Jesus, and there was never a greater preacher of it, than Jesus. On several occasions, He had talked to his disciples and followers about it. I wonder, is there a bit of worldly ambition present in these

Capernaum (53) Disciples Contend for Greatness Matthew 18:1-10 A LITTLE CHILD BECOMES AN OBJECT LESSON: At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 18:1) There never was a greater pattern for humility than Jesus, and there ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Rejection Test

Contributed by Doug Morrell on Dec 5, 2005

It is completely unnatural, painful and difficult to risk friendships when you are truly about God’s work, but Jesus never flinched in His pursuit of God’s will - in the end you will discover those who are there for the show and those who show Christ-like

As I was reading in I Peter 4:1-19 from The Message I came across some passages that appear to be very timely: Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Death To Sin Through Christ

Contributed by Wayne Tindale on Oct 18, 2006

Believing it possible that through Christ we may live in the required manner, that we may avoid sin--desist from sinning--give it up and abandon it altogether, and put it forever away.

Death to sin through Christ Romans 6: 10-23 Pastor Wayne Tindale 10/18/2006 The connection of this passage will help us to understand its meaning. Near the close of the previous chapter Paul had said," The law entered that the offence might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did much more ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:10-23

Denomination: Foursquare

Usable

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jan 26, 2014

To be used of God is my desire. Is that your desire today? Paul speaking to Timothy about the issue of Christians who were caught up in false teaching and Christians caught up in worldliness, instructs us as believers as to how we can be used of God.

Usable 2 Timothy 2:19-26 Audrey Mieir wrote in her song, "To Be Used of God": "I've a yearning in my heart that cannot be denied, It's a longing that has never yet been satisfied. I want the world to know the One who loves them so. Like a flame it's burning deep inside. To be used of God, to sing, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:19-26

Denomination: Baptist

Follies Of A Fool Series

Contributed by Tom Evans on Apr 1, 2002

THE RICH FOOL FAILED TO: RECOGNIZE GOD’S BLESSINGS, LIVE A LIFE OF GENEROSITY AND FOCUS HIS RESOURCES TOWARD HEAVEN. Jesus challenges us to avoid his foolish ways.

FOLLIES OF A FOOL HE DIDN’T EVEN HEAR THE WORDS JESUS WAS SPEAKING TO THE LARGE GATHERING, “I TELL YOU, WHOEVER ACKNOWLEDGES ME BEFORE MEN, THE SON OF MAN WILL ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE HIM BEFORE THE ANGELS OF GOD…” NO, HE HAD COME FOR ANOTHER REASON. CERTAINLY JESUS WOULD HELP HIM. HE PRESSED TOWARD ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21, Deuteronomy 8:17

Denomination: Adventist