Sermons on Avoiding Worldly Pursuits:

Overcoming Canned Christianity Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jan 6, 2004

Few purposes of the church create more tension in a local body than worship. Churches are struggling to avoid the land mines associated with the Worship Wars. This happens because churches often have an erroneous perception of what God-pleasing worship re

1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3And they ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jump The Shark

Contributed by Troy Brewer on Dec 16, 2002

The term "Jump the shark" is a pop culture term that means to do something that causes the eventual ruin of that same something. Like the point when a good Tv series goes bad. this is about how to avoid "jumping the shark" in our walks with God.

JUMP THE SHARK Sometimes new terms come into modern pop culture that catch us guard. I remember the first time I hear “You da bomb”. Party animal for somebody that lives for getting drunk. You da bomb for somebody you actually like. Back before bad meant tough or dangerous it actually ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open Mouth Disease

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 21, 2003

People in the church need to avoid getting the open mouth disease. This disease always originates from the heart. If the heart is not guarded and taken care off it will have a heart attack and cause open mouth disease to pour out onto all that are in its

Open Mouth Disease? Thesis: People in the church need to avoid getting the open mouth disease. This disease always originates from the heart. If the heart is not guarded and taken care off it will have a heart attack and cause open mouth disease to pour out onto all that are in its ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:33-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Temple Of Power - 3:16 And Us Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 3, 2005

When we meet together in worship of Jesus, this passage tells us we are a temple of God and that God’s Spirit dwells in our presence. How do we take hold of that power and how do we avoid damaging it?

OPEN: A man was stranded on a deserted Pacific island for years. But one day he saw a boat coming into sight, and he waved frantically … eventually he caught the skipper’s attention. The boat came near the island and the sailor got out and greeted the stranded man. They talked for a bit… and as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of Love - 3:16 And Us Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 24, 2005

John tells us we run the danger of being like Cain (who killed his brother). Why would he warn us of this, and what does the Bible say we can do to avoid this danger in our lives?

OPEN: The cartoon "Peanuts" has been in newspapers for years. The author of that delightful comic strip actually died some time back… but the comic was so powerful and amusing that newspapers have simply reran the comics of the past. In one of “Peanuts" comic strips Lucy says to Shroeder (the boy ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Law Versus The Promise Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 6, 2005

Let’s avoid the mistakes the Judaizers made and focus our thoughts on Paul’s history lesson in Galatians 3:15-22. We will observe the solid, historical fact of justification by faith alone in contrast to the perilous fiction of justification by works.

Scripture Allen Dale Golding tells the story about when he and his wife were missionaries in the Philippines. They vacationed in Baguio City in the mountains of Northern Luzon. While there, they visited the St. Louis Silver School, where silversmiths are trained. They admired exquisite workmanship ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:15-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grace In The Middle Of Grief Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Mar 30, 2009

Both of our texts describe persecuted believers.Is persecution something that we should avoid or embrace? In a minute I will attempt to answer that question, but before I do let’s see what we can learn about persecution.

Revelation 7:1-17; 14:1-5 Purpose: To highlight God’s grace toward His faithful followers. Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in the advantages of persecution. INTRODUCTION: Last time, we finished looking at the first six seals (or chapters) from the sacred book that only the Lamb of God could ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Church That Made God Sick

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 11, 2009

If it’s possible for a set of conditions to exist which make God sick, then we need to know about them, so we can avoid them at all costs! Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Laodicea—The Church that Made God Sick Revelation 3:14-22 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Laodicea.html Have you ever been so disgusted with someone’s attitude that you said, You make me sick! You meant, I don’t feel good about you, I don’t like to be around you, you ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Necessity Of A Changed Heart Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Aug 21, 2007

Many people in the church have not ungone a change of their heart. So we believe the right things, do the right things, and avoid doing the wrong things...what more does Christ want from us? He wants our Hearts!

The Necessity of a Changed Heart i Introduction: I was always taught that change does not come easily, and I believe it. You’ve heard old ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Worship Your Pastor Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 20, 2010

You might never think of yourself as worshiping your pastor. But that's just what has happening in Corinth and it happens in churches all over the world to this day. What are the dangers, how to spot it, and how to avoid it are the subject of part two in

It had been only 18 months since Paul left his newly formed church at Corinth. A trusted family had filled him in on what had happened to this fledgling body: fights, divisions, class envy, a return to paganism, and out and out sin. I picture Paul pulling his hair out and tearing his clothes as he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Be Still And Know Series

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Jan 2, 2010

This Kyle Idleman message begins in silence. Sometimes we talk too much. To hear God, we need to be where He speaks, confirm His voice, avoid distractions, & respond with obedience. (34 PP slides/posters are available on request)

Sermon Notes Be Still and Know 1 Samuel 3:1-18 (Sermon notes courtesy of Kyle Idleman, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY) NOTE: This is most effective if the speaker begins the message in silence, holding up 34 different posters for the congregation to read, making the point that many are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Two Great Sins

Contributed by Tony Abram on Sep 4, 2009

Two Great Sins In this sermon outline we point out the two great sins of Israel that resulted in much unnecessary misfortune in the lives. If they would have avoided these two sins they could have experienced blessings instead of cursing. I believe that

Two Great Sins In this sermon outline we point out the two great sins of Israel that resulted in must unnecessary misfortune in the lives. If they would have avoided these two sins they could have experienced blessings instead of cursing. I believe that we too today, must avoid the same failures ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 78:10-23

Friends Of God

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Dec 17, 2012

There is a war raging between our self-indulgent nature and God. That war sets us at enmity with our brother, shuts the window of heaven and makes us Friends of the world .... and enemies of God. What can we do to avoid this and be friends of God?

Friends of God James 2:23 James refers to Abraham as, "a friend of God." What a title, what an epitaph. Wouldn't you like to have that said of you? I would. How do we become a friend of God? We will learn that in today's sermon. But first we will look at James's discussion in 4:1-10 He begins ...read more

Scripture: James 2:23

Denomination: Baptist

The Interview Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 16, 2015

What makes a marriage work? How do families in your congregation keep it together and avoid divorce? In this presentation, I interviewed 6 different couples in our church and exposed the strengths and weaknesses we all have in keeping a marriage together?

For the Valentine’s Day Weekend, in place of a sermon we held an interview on stage with 3 of our solid couples from the congregation (3 in each of our two services). Since the Apostle Paul told Timothy and Titus that Elders must be good husbands and fathers we believe there’s a high ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33, Ephesians 5:21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Be Like Jonah, Don't Run Away, Follow Your Calling Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on May 2, 2017

Have you discovered the calling that God has for your life? Do you know what it is that He wants you to do for Him? If you do know what He has called you to do are you doing it or avoiding it?

Don't be like Jonah, don't run away, follow your calling. We are continuing in our series Discovering Your Destiny and this week we are considering how ‘God Prepares and Positions us’ Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, God has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Jonah 2:1-10, Isaiah 27:1, Psalm 104:26, Psalm 74:14, Job 41:1, Job 3:8, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal