Sermons on Avoiding Worldly Pursuits:

Lessons From Biblical Backsliders Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 21, 2025

The Bible provides several examples of people who fell into backsliding, some of whom were restored, while others faced tragic consequences. Studying their lives gives us valuable lessons on how to remain steadfast in faith and avoid their mistakes.

LESSONS FROM BIBLICAL BACKSLIDERS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Judges 16:20 Supporting Texts: 1 Samuel 15:23, Proverbs 14:14, Jeremiah 3:22, Luke 22:31-32, Revelation 2:4-5 INTRODUCTION Backsliding is a spiritual decline where an individual who once walked closely with God gradually drifts ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:20, 1 Samuel 15:23, Proverbs 14:14, Jeremiah 3:22, Luke 22:31-32, Revelation 2:4-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Answering God's Call

Contributed by Mark Johns on Jun 15, 2002

True obedience often involves more than what we avoid doing. It also involves our positive response to God’s call to service.

Answering God’s Call Jonah 1-4 Introduction When the name “Jonah” is mentioned, most people immediately think of a man being swallowed by a great fish. Yet this remarkable event is really only a minor part of a much more important story. The book of Jonah is really the story of a missionary—a ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"The Way That Seems Right..."

Contributed by Tony Searles on Jul 25, 2002

The Bible tells us that there is a way that SEEMS right to man, but in the end it leads to destruction. How do we avoid doing it? There are a few simple principles.

STAND & READ - Proverbs 14:12-14 ?There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. [13] Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief. [14] The backslider, in heart, will have his fill of his own ways; but a good man will be satisfied ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:12-14, Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Other

A Mother's Oracle

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 18, 2000

Moms can make lasting impressions not only upon their daughters, but also upon their sons! They can help their children avoid the detours that could ruin their lives.

1. "The ideal woman was described 2,500 years ago in Proverbs 31--and she is still intimidating her sisters ever since." Liz Higgs 2. Many inaccuracies re: motherhood, role of women in OT... 3. E.G., weddings arranged, girls forced to marry....not true; daughters could accept/reject; parents ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Just One Touch Of Jesus

Contributed by Bramwell Hayes on Oct 20, 2006

Two people who were changed by one contact with Jesus, after trying to avoid meeting him tell their stories. Zacceus and the woman who bled.

Mark 5:25-34 Unclean! Unclean! Unclean! That was me It was not really a life, more an existence, and a miserable existence at that. I was tired all the time and I was getting weaker, and weaker, and weaker. I had no energy, no joy or zest for life. Some days I could only lie on my bed all day. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:25-34

Denomination: Salvation Army

Dangerous Duo

Contributed by Ron Callen on Feb 9, 2007

Luke 6:39-40 Jesus teaches that we are to follow His example and to avoid the trap that the world has set for us. This is a lesson on Christian mentoring.

Dangerous Duo I want to begin today by telling you about my father. He was a hard working man all of his life. He worked hard to support his family. He was a faithful husband. He was a loving, consistent example of what a man of God should be. He is not only my father but he was and is my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:39-40

Denomination: Baptist

For The Love Of Money Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jun 3, 2007

Avoid the "love of money" by Putting all your Hope in God, Becoming Rich in Good Deeds, and Guarding your life against the downward pull of materialism.

I Timothy #6 CHCC: May 20, 2007 For the Love of Money I Timothy 6 INTRODUCTION: This is our final sermon in the First Timothy series. I enjoyed studying this letter because it addresses very real problems any Church Congregation might have to deal with. In fact, of the 13 letters ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 6:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jonah And The Whale Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 22, 2007

Despite his tendency to do all those human things—to run away, to try to avoid responsibility—eventually he gets a new life.

Read Jonah 1:1-17; 2:1, 9-10 from "The Message" God says GO! Jonah says NO! God sends a storm to remind Jonah who is in charge. Jonah is thrown overboard by the others on the ship. Jonah makes the choice to keep trying to run from God. And you know what happens when Jonah is thrown ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Appealing Spirituality

Contributed by Paulson Pulikottil on May 4, 2005

Our spirituality should attract others to Christ. Sometimes Christians live their lives in such a way that makes non-Christians would avoid going near a church.

An Appealing Spirituality 1. Introduction One can appeal or repel. The secret of a magnetic spirituality. 2. The Dangers of a Repelling Spirituality Isa. 56.3: The Church is meant to be a culture solution. A place where people can find nourishment and grow. But what happens in the Church most often ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Faithfulness To The Lordship Of Christ Series

Contributed by Stephan Brown on Nov 16, 2004

Shows how the Lordship of Christ demands our faithfulness. We must avoid idolatry and worship of money. This sermon is very specifically tailored to the Vietnamese culture.

The Lordship of Christ – Part 3 (Faithfulness) Joshua 24:14-15 "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Demand And Supply - Hunger Games - Part 3 Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jul 24, 2012

Hunger . . . we avoid it. We refuse to indure it. We have allowed this fight to stomp out hunger to seep into our spiritual lives!

The Hunger Games – Pt. 1 Demand and Supply Text: Mark 8:1-8 At about this same time he again found himself with a hungry crowd on his hands. He called his disciples together and said, "This crowd is breaking my heart. They have stuck with me for three days, and now they have nothing to eat. If I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Let Us Worship And Bow Down

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jan 3, 2011

Let us worship and bow down to the LORD because of who He is, and let us avoid doing it in an improper way, from Psalm 95.

Psalm 95:1-11 “Let us Worship and Bow Down” Addressed: - Why should we worship God? - Who is this God that we worship? - How shouldn’t we worship God? - What is worship? Proposition: Let us worship and bow down to the LORD because of who He is, and let us avoid doing it in an ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hell And The Gospel Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Jan 18, 2014

People feel "uncomfortable" about the topic of "Hell", but avoiding it will not change what Jesus taught about Hell; the Gospel frees people from the threat of Hell.

“A Four-Letter Word and the Gospel” or “Hell and the Gospel” Matt. 18:1-9, 25:29-46 Recently someone told me that I talk too much about sin. IF I am guilty of that accusation, I can justify my actions: SIN is the reason for millions of people spending their eternities in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

A Mother's Curriculum

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 11, 2010

Moms can make lasting impressions not only upon their daughters, but also upon their sons! They can help their children avoid the detours that could ruin their lives.

A Mother's Curriculum Proverbs 31:1-9 [Note: This is a major revision of my 2000 sermon, also posted on Sermon Central, titled, "A Mother's Oracle] 1. "The ideal woman was described 2,500 years ago in Proverbs 31--and she is still intimidating her sisters ever since." Liz Higgs. One man ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Meaning Of Meaninglessness

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

The Bible rejects the idea that all is meaningful. It stresses the reality of the meaningless, for the more we know of this reality, the more we will strive to avoid it and stay on the road of meaningfulness.

Pastor W. Robert McClelland had to endure the painful experience of hearing his grown son curse God and cry out in angry rebellion at Him. His son had worked hard for congressman Jerry Litton in his senatorial campaign. When the polls closed that Tuesday night and Litton come through with an ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18