Sermons on Avoiding Worldly Pursuits:

Go! And Gain What Truly Matters - Mark 8:36 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 20, 2025

We live in a time when people measure life by possessions, position, prestige, and popularity. Jesus, however, flips the script.

Go! And Gain What Truly Matters - Mark 8:36 Mark 8:36 (NLT): “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” Introduction: The Ultimate Question Welcome again to our “Go! And…” series — messages that challenge us to live intentionally, faithfully, and Christ-exalting ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:36, Mark 8:34, Luke 12:15, 1 John 2:17, Matthew 6:19-21, Genesis 2:7, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Acts 3:19, John 14:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Worship: All Or Nothing Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Apr 7, 2008

I think the problem most of us have with worship is that we’ve never made that “phone call” – the one where we seek to discover more about the One who has saved us. Many of us have a vague awareness that we’ve avoided hellfire, but we don’t feel any part

Worship: All or Nothing Genesis 18:2 Genesis 22:17-18 Intro A few years ago, a young lady had moved to London, England and had bought herself a nice little flat on the top floor of a tenant building to live in. She had brought her share of great dreams to the great city. But what happened next ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:2

Denomination: Baptist

Surely Not I, Lord!

Contributed by Harold Orndorff on May 11, 2004

The story of Judas Iscariot, and his betrayal of Jesus, should remind us to examine ourselves. We need to avoid betraying Jesus in twenty-first century style. As Judas attempted to re-make Jesus and then abandon Him when He was not the "Jesus" Judas wan

Surely Not I, Teacher? Those are the words of Judas as he was about to betray Jesus. We now approach the Easter season. In our culture Easter is a happy holiday with bunnies and candy. But the events leading up to what we could anachronistically call “the first Easter” were anything but happy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:3-8, Matthew 26:20-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Praying For The Right Things Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

In the light of the Lord’s impending return, we’re to pray that our faith will grow and that our love will increase. Since those who don’t know God will be punished when Christ appears, we must avoid mediocre spirituality and apathetic prayers.

Praying for the Right Things One of my favorite commercials is for a cell phone company in which cellular static has caused some confusion between a married couple. The wife had just asked her husband to bring home “a movie, something old.” The husband however, thought she said, “Bring home a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Believers Or Belongers? Series

Contributed by George Alves on Jan 27, 2003

Many in Canada are saying yes to God but no to the church. This sermon address why we NEED to belong. Statics presented, issues of loneliness discussed. Reasons why people avoid church share and God’s design explained. The Church, God designed, God o

FORMED FOR GOD’S FAMILY (title borrow from Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Church and Purpose Driven Life) One day a little boy was asked by his pastor if he knew why they always served coffee after the sermon. Little boy responded, "I think I know. Is it’s to get the people awake before they ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:31, Ephesians 1:5

Denomination: Brethren

Procrastination's Garden Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Feb 21, 2013

Noting carefully the slothful man & his field can teach us how to avoid more than poverty. Learning diligence from the depicted wall & vineyard's condition is not the only lesson offered here for the far greater concern is the condition of a soul whose o

PROVERBS 24: 30-34 PROCRASTINATION'S GARDEN [Isaiah 28:24-29; 5:1-6] We have idleness portrayed before us by the master sage, Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived (1 Kings 3:12). The true to life picture is of negligence and the consequences it brings. To the observant eye, the results of an ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:30-34

Denomination: Baptist

Temptation, Sin, And Consequences (Part 1) Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 19, 2009

David, the man after God’s own heart fell into sin. Looking at his life we can see how he allowed himself to end up in a weakened state, and we can learn from his mistakes how to avoid the same.

Introduction: A. Perhaps there have been times when you have felt like praying this prayer: “Dear Heavenly Father, I think you’d be proud of me! So far today I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, lusted, lost my temper, haven’t been greedy, grumpy, or selfish. Praise Your Name! I’m grateful ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can't We All Just Get Along?

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jul 20, 2011

Conflict. It can come in various forms and in various ways. There can be a conflict of interest, conflicting opinions, etc. Conflict is one of those things that we’ve all dealt with on some level. Some people go out of their way to avoid conflict; others

CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? INTRODUCTION: (Rodney King saying. Ironic that I’m doing this sermon with his famous line and I read that he just got arrested! I think this time it was without incident). Conflict. It can come in various forms and in various ways. There can be a conflict ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Value Of Suffering Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 16, 2012

What if I told you that for you to suffer and be uncomfortable was an important part of God’s will for your life? The more that we avoid it, build barriers to protect ourselves from it and invent theology to condemn it the more we miss out on becoming us

1972: Former pastor of mine stood at airport waiting for an evangelist to arrive. It was Tuesday and the revival had begun the past Sunday morning. The evangelist had been too sick to make the trip but now was arriving. Two flight attendants helped him that the music evangelist and pastor Tom ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

The Search Of Simeon Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jan 6, 2013

This series looks at the 5 stories after Jesus was born and the one thing whic unites all of them: their search for the Christ. This message looks at the story of a man who didn’t want to avoid Christmas but instead had been looking and waiting for Chri

Simeon Luke 2:22-35 A shopping mall Santa Claus in California had a meltdown after refusing to cuddle a bawling toddler, calling the mother evil and ripping off his beard and costume in front of startled children. Kelly Fornatoro, 33, said she told Santa her 19 month old son, Brian, would stop ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-35

Denomination: Methodist

The Comfortable Cross Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 28, 2014

Many baptized believers attempt to avoid offending the world by not standing up for the cross because they feel they'd risk too much by doing so. But we've died supposedly died to this world and its attractions. How can we do that?

OPEN: Clarence Jordan, author of the "Cotton Patch" New Testament was getting a red-carpet tour of another preacher’s church. With pride the minister pointed to the rich, imported pews and luxurious decorations. As they stepped outside, darkness was falling, and a spotlight shone on a huge ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You Comfortable?

Contributed by Darrin Fish on Sep 3, 2015

People don’t like to feel uncomfortable in any situation. • Because It feels… well…uncomfortable. • As a result, people will go to great lengths to avoid situations that make them feel uncomfortable. Adopted from "Not a fan"

In life we like to be Comfortable • The temps in our houses • Ourselves • Financially • Relationships • Our Surroundings People don’t like to feel uncomfortable in any situation. • Because It feels… well…uncomfortable. • As a result, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:21-27

Denomination: Christian Church

What To Do Until The Lord Comes Back - Part 2

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 1, 2013

What should we do until the Lord comes back? 1. Help people avoid the horror (vs. 9-12). 2. Commit to live in holiness (vs. 10-11). 3. Look forward with God's sure hope (vs. 12-14).

What to Do Until the Lord Comes Back - Part 2 2 Peter 3:9-14 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - April 28, 2013 *If we believe what the Bible says about Jesus Christ, then we know that the Lord is coming back some day. And it could be someday soon. What should we do until the Lord ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Raised Up Revved Up Prayed Up Series

Contributed by Judith Hand on Feb 6, 2015

To avoid burnout and stay focused on our mission to share the good news we must be raised up revved up and prayed up according to Isaiah 40:21-31 1st Corinthians 9:16-23 and Mark 1:29-39

Raised Up Revved Up Prayed Up Isaiah 40:21-31 I Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39 Most of us are very busy and we associate this with being productive. But I have found that everyone likes to declare a “snow day” once in a while and simply slow down and sit around and read a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Methodist

When You Have To Do What You Don’t Want To Do Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 27, 2017

God and His Word may dictate that we do things we would rather not do or be involved in unpleasant situations we would rather avoid. It is when we obey but don’t feel like obeying that we really honor God the most.

When You Have to Do What You Don’t Want to Do (2 Kings 8:1-15, 9:1-10, 13:14-25) 1. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. In 1935, Charles Darrow brought his invention of Monopoly to Parker Brothers. The experts at Parker Brothers rejected the game for "containing fifty-two fundamental ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible