Sermons on Avoiding Worldly Pursuits:

"Though He Slay Me..." By Dr. Winson Butler (Drbutler2@bellsouth.net)

Contributed by Winson Butler on Feb 16, 2005

When you can’t change the direction of the wind...adjust your sails. Job couldn’t avoid the landslide coming his way, he did however do the next best thing. Let’s examine it together!

Introduction What do you do when you look up and everything above you is coming towards you? i.e. an Avalanche of hurt, heartache and horror! Running won’t help! illus. Alaska Bear Encounter "All I’ve got to do is out run you...all I’ve got to do is shoot you in the leg!" Job knew the feeling ...read more

Scripture: Job 13:15

Denomination: Baptist

When Towers Fall . . .

Contributed by Robbie Parsons on Sep 6, 2003

When towers fall, pride is always involved. "I" is in the middle of pride and sin, but the cross of Christ is "I" crossed out. This sermon shows what pride does to us, God’s reaction to pride, and five steps to avoid pride.

INTRO For thousands of years, man has continually tried to proudly pat himself on the back for his knowledge and acheivements. For example, when the Titanic was built, it was billed as the “unsinkable ship,” with one person stating that “God Himself could not sink her,” yet it was just an ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: United Methodist

What Are Some Temperamental Tendencies We Need To Guard Against?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

We need to learn to be more controlled by the Spirit. Actively guard against specific temptations that may prove harmful – based on your individual faulty tendencies. Let us examine certain behavioral patterns that should be avoided by the four different

"To the weak I became weak, to the strong I became strong. I have become all things to all men so that by all means I might save some." (I Cor. 9:19-21) 1. Have you ever heard of the expression, "One man’s meat is another man’s poison?" What may be fuel for one person may turn out to be dangerous ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:5-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reasons To Fight The Good Fight

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 12, 2001

There are some fights that are worth fighting and others that are better avoided. Many people do not enjoy arguing, fighting or quarreling. Yet, you can tell what a person considers vital by what they are willing to fight for. The apostles found it necess

Reasons to Fight the Good Fight (Acts 15:1-11) 1. Many people do not enjoy arguing, fighting or quarreling. Yet, you can tell what a person considers vital by what they are willing to fight for. The apostles found it necessary to fight the good fight of faith against “false brethren” who wanted to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Pitfalls Of Leadership

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Mar 2, 2013

There are certain things that a wise and Godly leader must avoid. The devil uses many demonic assignments to discourage and destroy Godly leaders. God has already provided the power of His Word and His Spirit to help leaders overcome their weaknesses

The Pitfalls of Leadership 1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. There are certain things that a wise and Godly leader must avoid. The devil uses many demonic assignments to discourage and destroy Godly ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8

Denomination: Charismatic

What Did Jesus Do About Conflict In His Team? Series

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Feb 8, 2009

Jesus dealt with conflict head on, yet always without sin. He did not avoid conflict. Once he dealt with it in his team, he pointed them back to His mission and their mission. He does that with us also.

What did Jesus do about conflict in His team? In their book called ’A bucket of surprises’ J. John and Mark Stibbe refer to a friend (a church leader) who said this: ’Whenever the conflict gets too much in my church I go and visit the local kennels. There’s a whole group there that’s always ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Anglican

Shepherds Or Fishermen?

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Sep 21, 2007

Not even one of the twelve disciples had ever been a shepherd. Were shepherds scarce in Jesus day? Actually there were plenty of shepherds in that area of Palestine. Jesus intentionally avoided choosing shepherds to lead the Christian church. Jesus called

Over and over the Bible inquires Christian pastors to feed the sheep. Three times in John 21:15-17. Jesus instructs Simon Peter, "Feed My sheep....Take care of My sheep....Feed My Sheep." It was to the shepherds on the hillsides that the Heavenly Angels first appeared in glory to announce the birth ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17, John 21:15

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Lessons For The Materializing Church -- Part 4 Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Feb 11, 2010

Last week we looked at the topic of temptation, focusing in on the result of yielding to temptations and some ways to avoid temptations taking hold over our life. One of the key principles was the God is and always will be above temptation. Yet, God doe

THE BOOK OF JAMES LESSONS FOR THE MATERIALIZING CHURCH -- PART 4 James 1:16 - 20 – GOD’S INVOLVEMENT WITH TEMPTATION INTRODUCTION: Last week we looked at the topic of temptation, focusing in on the result of yielding to temptations and some ways to avoid temptations taking hold over ...read more

Scripture: James 1:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Starting From Scratch Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jul 15, 2007

It is helpful to see the events in the Ephesus Church’s life and what we can learn: to do things right, as Ephesus did them right, to pick up pointers as the Apostles gave them advice, and to avoid the mistakes that Ephesus made.

Starting from scratch Ephesus - Year 1 Acts 18.19-27 For 9 sessions it is my intention to trace the Church at Ephesus as it unfolds in the New Testament. From Acts 18 to Revelation 2, we see the first half century of this primal church’s life. As it grows there are valuable lessons to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:19-27

Denomination: Mennonite

Dealing With Divorce Series

Contributed by David Asch on Jan 18, 2005

As we study this passage, we will see God’s view of divorce. In doing so, we will discover God’s answer to avoid becoming a statistic, as well as what to do if divorce has already been a part of our lives.

DEALING WITH DIVORCE Mark 10:1-12 INTRO: Greet the people sitting next to you. Over 50% of new marriages end in divorce. That means either you, or the people sitting next to you. Statistics are the same for churches. Divorce is a big deal. Most don’t like it…. In church, you hear some different ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Works Of Mercy Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

. Wesley identified two kinds of holiness. First is personal holiness which is avoiding sin and developing the character of Christ. We develop this through the Means of Grace which include, weekly worship and communion, prayer, fasting, Personal Bible stu

What do you do with a Gift Like That? Works of Mercy Matthew 7:12-23; Galatians 5:1, 6, 13-15 A Dutch pastor was helping Jews escape the Nazis when he himself caught. He was loaded into a boxcar with several Jews and others to be sent to a concentration camp. It was a long, frightening journey ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12-23

Denomination: Methodist

Red Delicious Apple Christianity Iii: One Rotten Apple Spoils The Barrel Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 18, 2020

To be mature in the Christian Faith is to hold fast to the truth of the Gospel, to avoid getting caught up in false doctrine, and to exercise your freedom to "let your light so shine" that others may see the Light and glorify God.

ONE ROTTEN APPLE SPOILS THE WHOLE BARREL Based on 2 Peter 2 An old saying but ever so true! It is true that one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel – eventually. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-22

Beware Of Pride And Hypocrisy

Contributed by David Mende on Jul 20, 2018

The scribes were guilty of pride and hypocrisy. And there is a 'scribe' within us. We must avoid the sins of pride and hypocrisy and pursue humility and integrity. I would be delighted if you could rate this sermon and give brief feedback.

INTRODUCTION (SECURE ATTENTION) & BACKGROUND OF THE PASSAGE: PRAY before starting the sermon. ILLUSTRATION: {Few of you might recognize this man on the screen. This is Jim Jones, a self-proclaimed prophet who led a cultic church known as the Peoples Temple. He faced several allegations, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:42-45, Luke 14:7-11, Matthew 23:8-12, Mark 12:38-40

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Be Still And Know That God Is God Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 6, 2014

All of us need to take a little more time each day to be still don’t we? We need to avoid getting so caught up in our own agenda that we force God out of the way.

Do you have a list of goals you would like to achieve this year? Can you tell me something that is on that list? We all have lists of things we would like to do this year, this month, this week, maybe you even have something you would like to do today. I have a list of goals, things I would ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Unavoidable Consequences When Following Christ Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jun 26, 2015

S WE CONTINUE OUR SERIES IN THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS, WE APPROACH THE END OF CHAPTER 1, AND IT IS HERE, THAT PAUL REVEALS TO US THAT THERE IS AN INEVITABLE PROCESS FOR FOLLOWING CHRIST. THOSE WHO SEEK TO SERVE THE LORD WITH THEIR WHOLE HEART CANNOT AVOID

THE UNAVOIDABLE CONSEQUENCES WHEN FOLLOWING CHRIST PHILIPPIANS 1:28-30 IN NO WAY ALARMED BY YOUR OPPONENTS—WHICH IS A SIGN OF DESTRUCTION FOR THEM, BUT OF SALVATION FOR YOU, AND THAT TOO, FROM GOD. 29 FOR TO YOU IT HAS BEEN GRANTED FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, NOT ONLY TO BELIEVE IN HIM, BUT ALSO TO ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:28-30

Denomination: Baptist