Sermons on Blame Shifting:

The True Purpose Of Ministry

Contributed by James May on Oct 14, 2007

Jesus earthly ministry shifted into a different realm when he went past meeting the needs of the flesh to forgiving the sins of men. Suddenly he wasn’t just another Rabbi, because only God could forgive sins.

The True Purpose of Ministry By Pastor Jim May Jesus was just beginning his earthly ministry. To recap what has been happening in the first chapter of Mark, He had walked along the seashore and called Simon Peter and Andrew, his brother, as they were casting their nets into the sea and they cast ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Wealth Of Poverty Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Jun 24, 2006

1st sermon in an 8 part series on the Beatitudes. This series challenges us to "Shift" our thinking in what really brings true happiness. (*Refreshed with some rewrite in 8/08. PowerPoint and Video Clips available on request.)

SHIFT -WEEK 1 THE WEALTH OF POVERTY Matthew 5:1-3, Luke 18:18-23 INTRODUCTION TO SERIES: For the majority of people, Christian and non-Christian alike, the popular idea of finding happiness is based on having the right circumstances. It is what one preacher calls, "When & Then thinking." ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-3

Denomination: Christian Church

The Merits Of Meekness Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Jul 8, 2006

3rd sermon in an 8 part series on the Beatitudes. This series challenges us to "Shift" our thinking in what really brings true happiness. (*Refreshed with some rewrite in 8/08. PowerPoint and Video Clips available on request.)

THE MERITS OF MEEKNESS MATTHEW 5:5 INTRODUCTION: Maybe there is no other beatitude, spoken by Jesus, that is more confusing than the one we study today. “Blessed are the meek...” Why is it confusing? Because we don’t think of meekness as a desired attribute in our character. How many of you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Christian Church

Keeping Your Balance - Work Series

Contributed by Betty Johnson on Jun 1, 2013

First in a series on keeping our balance in life. Work, Rest and Play are three of the areas we need to keep in balance. This message focuses on why we work and some of the hindrances to keeping work in balance with the rest of life, and the "shift" tha

Keeping Your Balance - Work Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 Two weeks ago, our guest speaker, Mr. Jon, spoke about balance. Having a balance in our lives of the things that are good and necessary parts of our lives. I want to bounce off of that message. Jon gave the introduction. For the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Path Of Wisdom - Our Relationship With God

Contributed by Rodney Fry on May 29, 2022

Proverbs focuses much attention on the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. Starting at chapter 16 the focus shifts to highlight the contrast between human righteousness and divine righteousness and also to give evidences of how the Lord intervenes in our daily lives,

The Path of Wisdom: Our Relationship with God Scripture: Proverbs 15:30–16:30, especially 15:31, 32b The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise … he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. Introduction: From chapters 1–15, Proverbs focuses much attention on the contrast ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Deal With Sin And Guilt Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Apr 19, 2021

Many options in the religious and secular world are given for how to deal with our everyday experience of sin, the guilt it brings and the dread of potential ultimate condemnation. The Book of Hebrews is adamant that there is only one solution for sin, and no other substitutes.

The great American psychiatrist Karl Menninger, author of the book, Whatever Became of Sin, once stated that if he could convince patients in psychiatric hospitals that their sins were forgiven, 75% of them could walk out the next day. His statement underscores the struggle that all of us human ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-18, Hebrews 9:25-28

Denomination: Bible Church

On Being Tempted: Is It Satan Or My Habits?

Contributed by John Sattler on Feb 18, 2013

Research has shown that lots of our daily activities are done by habit, like walking, driving, going down stairs, even responding in stressful situations. Are some of our sinful behaviors more from our habits than from satan himself? We like to blame sata

Luke 4:1-13; Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13 1 Lent - Lutheran Lectionary Series C On Being Tempted: Is It Satan or My Habits? Rev. John Sattler Holy Cross Lutheran Church Indianapolis, Indiana (Research has shown that lots of our daily activities are done by habit, like walking, driving, going ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

When God Can't Be Explained

Contributed by Danny Anderson on Oct 28, 2006

Tragedy is often difficult to cope with, hard to understand, hard to explain, and it’s hard on our faith. Tragedy often causes people to lay the blame for these events on God. This will often cause these people to become bitter and cynical toward Him. Of

When God Can’t Be Explained Introduction: As we look back over the last several years, we see recent history dotted with some very tragic events. Middle Eastern terrorists have made a number of attacks against America in various ways - their crowning achievement, of course, being 9/11. The tsunami ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Praying In Frustration

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 11, 2010

Like Samuel, we are often frustrated in our intentions. But turning to prayer, as he did, will help us remove the blame from ourselves, will help us understand the motives of others, and will help us accept reality and move on toward something better.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC September 14, 1986 Some weeks ago I told you that one of my principal projects in starting my service as your pastor would have to be spending time trying to learn my way around the city of Takoma Park. DC I can handle and Silver Spring is a breeze, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Samuel Leadership Pain Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 26, 2024

Samuel lived an exemplary life for God and for Israel, but they rejected his leadership for a king and blamed it on his wayward sons! Samuel reveals his leadership pain in chapter 12 and reveals to them what God revealed to him that they are rejecting God not Him.

1 Samuel Chapter 12 – Leadership Pain Series: Never seen before in 2024 – I pray that the Lord will open your eyes and heart to the reality of leadership pain! I also want to say that everyone of you if your choose to lead will expereince leadership pain. Now some of you just decided I am not a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon # 18 - Peace-Makers Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Oct 18, 2024

Jonah’s disobedience to God resulted in total chaos and turmoil for all aboard the ship. God’s call to His children is to be peace-makers wherever we are. The word of God cautions those who cause disunity and discord of serious consequences.

We read in Jonah 1:15, “And they lifted Jonah up and threw him out into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging.” (AFV) The background to this verse is that a sea-voyage which commenced peacefully, with the hopes of a tranquil journey, was suddenly confronted with a furious and violent storm. ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:15, Matthew 5:9, Acts 9:26-28, Proverbs 6:16-19, 1 Kings 18:17-18, Romans 16:17, 1 Samuel 20:27-31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Sermon # 21 - There Is Hope Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on May 21, 2025

Job was struck with tragedy and loss like no one could ever imagine. Yet, Job could praise God and his faith in God was unshakeable. Through all the storms and trials that come our way, let’s hold on because Jesus our Redeemer lives and He is our protector, refuge and fortress.

We read in Job 1:1, “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. And that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and turned aside from evil.” (AFV) The testimony about Job The bible when describing about this man called Job, introduces him as one who was blameless, ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:22, Job 1:14-19, Job 1:20-22, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Obedience Is Not Optional

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 1, 2002

Obedience is the duty of every child of God. It is not an option, but an obligation.

Obedience Is Not Optional Text: I Sam.15: 22 Intro: We hear a lot these days about options. An option is “the act of choosing; choice; the freedom to choose” (Webster’s New Dictionary and Roget’s Thesaurus: published by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN., copyright 1984; pg. 499). If I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:22

Denomination: Baptist

Core 52 Week 23 - The Cross Before Me Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Jun 7, 2020

Jesus turns our cultural ideas of "the good life" upside down by affirming a radical shift in our thinking and actions away from our own agenda and living for Him will bring us true happiness and contentment.

You can listen to the audio of the sermon at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/4078034 Intro: • Yale course on happiness. Taken by over 2 million people. • Professor Laurie Santos - demand is a “bit surreal but understandable given that people are looking for evidenced-based ways of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-25, Matthew 5:3-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fifth Sunday In Lent Series

Contributed by Reginald Knight on Mar 21, 2021

With today’s gospel reading comes the shift to the beginning of the Passion and the response which Jesus makes as he is told that there were some Greeks waiting to see him, points us in the direction of the cross – a place to which Jesus himself is reluctant to go.

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT – Year B By: Rev. Reginald Knight ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus’ John 12:21 ‘All who see the sacred sign, Press towards heaven’s portal,’ Words from the Hymn written by John Allan Warner (1851-1928) #410 Hymnal. With today’s gospel reading comes the shift to the beginning of ...read more

Scripture: John 12:21

Denomination: Anglican