Sermons on Character Development:

Is Your Church A Cruise-Ship Or A Battleship?

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jan 5, 2011

Which image better describes a church? Your church? I know, it’s a metaphor. All metaphors break down at some point. When making a choice, our natural inclination is to choose the cruise ship over the battleship any day.

Opening illustration: watch an illustrative audio-video clip Introduction: On the surface we would believe that the early church in Acts was blessed with outstanding growth due to the anointed preaching of the apostles; their balanced practices that would evolve into much of our church programming ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Thing That Should Not Be Series

Contributed by Wes Taylor on Oct 2, 2017

The church suffers when it is made into something else. In this message we learn how to have the kind of church Jesus wants and we desire.

Series: 1 Corinthians: Church Off the Rails Sermon: The Thing That Should Not Be - Part 1 Outline and Manuscript: I. Jesus’ Grand Plan II. When Church is Made into Something Else III. Church Off the Rails IV. Hope for a Church Off the Rails Manuscript: Introduction: We’re in the middle of a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

What Would You Do?

Contributed by Larry Turner on Feb 13, 2013

A homeless man walks into a bar. What would you do? (Sermon based on TV show What Would You Do? , the episode centering on the treatment of the homeless.)

Show video from You Tube “WWYD? - No shoes, no shirt, no pants, no service!” I cannot watch this video without being overcome by emotions. I am forced to ask myself “What would I do?” Would I have been one of the many to sit and watch as this person is cast out of the bar? Would I have turned my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:45, Matthew 25:35, Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Foursquare

The Peter Principle

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 7, 2001

Peter’s character flaw was "I can do all things." Until he knew to place his life totally in Christ’s hands, he was the embodiment of the Peter Principle.

OPEN: I recently heard a radio announcer tell about a man who went through a drive up at a KFC restaurant. He ordered about $6 worth of food and then pulled up to give his money to the teller. He handed her a $200 bill. It had President George Bush’s picture on the front and on the back was a ...read more

Scripture: John 1:40-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Out Of Bounds, But Not Out Of Grace

Contributed by Allan Quak on Dec 12, 2005

When Jesus meets the Syrophoenician woman He seems to act totally out of character. However there is a reason why He acts in this way … and it is a reason which gives us all hope.

Mark 7:24-30 People of God in the Lord Jesus Christ, On many occasions in the Scriptures the actions of Jesus make perfect sense – but our text doesn’t seem to fit into that category does it. The way Jesus acts in this passage seems to be so out of character, doesn’t it.. In fact this is the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-30

Denomination: Baptist

Part I - Mary – The Voice Of Servanthood Series

Contributed by Eric Peloquin on Dec 15, 2007

This is partone in a series looking at some of the characters in the Christmas narrative and what they can teach us. Mary’s humble response to the Angel of the Lord is a powerful example of a young woman with the heart of a servant.

The Voices of Christmas Part I Mary – the Voice of Servanthood Mary may be the most controversial figure in the scriptures because of the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church regarding Mary. They teach that she is the co-redemptrix with Christ. They also teach that she was without sin and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:28-38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

From The Very Least

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 16, 2007

Done as first-person, in costume and character, summary of Paul’s teaching; built on acronym of the name PAUL -- prayer, avoidance (of immorality), understanding, love. Montgomery Hills Baptist Church

Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As an apostle, charged to preach the Gospel, I am here today to say to you ... What?! You challenge me? You challenge my right to speak? Am I not an apostle?! Am I not, though born at the wrong time, nonetheless one whom ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Poor In Spirit Series

Contributed by Greg Johnson on Sep 24, 2007

The first quality of character of a citizen of God’s Kingdom that Jesus addresses is spiritual poverty. The poor is spirit are blessed with a deposit of God’s Kingdom now knowing that the best is yet to come.

This message is an edited version of a sermon given at Loving God Fellowship. Copyright © 2007 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org . You are encouraged to share this message with those you know that are hungry for God’s Word. The Poor in Spirit The Greatest Sermon ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Those Who Mourn Series

Contributed by Greg Johnson on Sep 30, 2007

Mournfulness is one of the eight qualities of character of a citizen of the Kingdom of God that Jesus declares in the greatest sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount. Those that mourn are blessed with comfort both in the present and in the future.

This message is an edited version of a sermon given at Loving God Fellowship. Copyright © 2007 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org . You are encouraged to share this message with those you know that are hungry for God’s Word. Those Who Mourn The Greatest Sermon Ever ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Am...the True Vine Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Jan 25, 2007

Since Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches, we are to believe in him and abide in Jesus therefore producing fruit, which is the character of Christ (love, joy, etc.) and helping others know Christ.

During Lent we have been looking at what Jesus said about himself not what other people think, but what he actually said according to an eye witness his disciple John. Specifically, these are Jesus’ seven “I am” statements. Through each statement Jesus revealed a little more about who he really ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

Rules Or Reality Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 14, 2005

It’s much easier for us to follow rules than to allow the character of God to rule our behavior. Jesus challenges us to let go of law and let the Spirit guide.

For an audio version of this and other Bible studies: Go to: www.LivingWatersWeb.com. When it comes to some things in life we like rules and laws – like the law of gravity: “In the ongoing battle between objects made of aluminum going hundreds of miles per hour and the ground going zero miles ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-37

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Trinity. What's That? Series

Contributed by Neil Partington on May 24, 2005

This sermon helps us to look at God’s character in regards to the Trinity. It only scratches the surface of this doctrine, but is written to help the congregation begin to look at God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

Genesis 1.26 1.In the Jewish culture, a familiar term that is used during worship and regular conversation is the word Midrash. 2.A Midrash is a type of biblical interpretation found in rabbinic literature. 3.Midrashic interpretations usually pay close attention to the meanings of individual words ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Humanity Through The Eyes Of Jesus"

Contributed by Danny Moss on Oct 18, 2002

Have you ever looked at humanity through the eyes of Jesus. In this sermon, I try to see several Bible characters through His eyes-the way He saw them.

"Humanity - Through The Eyes Of Jesus" Introduction- Have you ever attempted to see people as Jesus saw them? We all need to see humanity as He saw them. We need to see our world through the eyes of Jesus. In this message, I want to attempt to do that with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-26

Denomination: Baptist

A Testimony To Forgiveness

Contributed by Richard White on Sep 25, 2002

Peter was a character. He went from fisherman, to Apostle. From Denying Christ to proclaiming Christ. His is a story of what can happen to us when we experience the forgiveness of Jesus.

Text: Luke 22:1-24:12 Narration: I am known by several names, Cephas, Simon, and Peter. I am a fisherman by trade, with my brother Andrew and friends John and James we owned a very lucrative fishing business off the Sea of Galilee. Point 1: Met Jesus through my brother Andrew. John 1:41 Three ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Zacchaeus: Searching For Jesus

Contributed by Major Gerardo Balmori on Apr 2, 2011

As we dig into this scripture, I want us to examine the two main characters. First, we’ll take a closer look at Zacchaeus, and then we’ll notice the star of the show: Jesus.

Mayor Gerardo Balmori The Salvation Army INTRODUCTION As we dig into this scripture, I want us to examine the two main characters. First, we’ll take a closer look at Zacchaeus, and then we’ll notice the star of the show: Jesus. I. ZACH: THE PROFILE OF A NORMAL GUY Zach represents every person who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Salvation Army