Sermons on church discernment:

Strange Temples Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 23, 2018

Message 17 in our exposition of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. This message focuses on defeat in the church due to internal lawsuits and external behavior.

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “A Defeated Church” 1 Corinthians 6:1-20 Review I. Reproof for fleshly behavior 1-6 A. Reproof for a divided church 1-4 1. Opening appeal for unity 1:10-17 • He encouraged them to unity • He exposed their disunity • He confronted their ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-20

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Church Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Aug 26, 2014

Christ, as head of the church, gave us a model that will lead to unity and love. Are we listening?

Today we begin a short two week series covering what I think is one of the most relevant sections of the New Testament for us today. It gives a very concise, clear picture of how the church and the family are to operate according to God’s design. So please join me as we read Ephesians chapter ...read more

Is It Time To Build?

Contributed by Bobby Cagle on Dec 30, 2003

This Sermon is to help the Church understand and discern the need to build

Text: Luke 5:1-7 Title: Is It Time To Build? October 27, 2002 Illustration: Church Building experts say that its time to build when you’re church has reached 80% of your max capacity. They also say that if you don’t build, you may reach 100%, but statistics prove that you will begin to lose ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Lesson In Evangelism From Philip And The Ethiopian Eunuch

Contributed by Paul Green on May 19, 2022

When Philip introduces the Ethopian Eunuch to Jesus – he does it God’s way. Philip wasn't an Apostle like Peter, a missionary like Paul, or a pastor like Timothy. He was a deacon, a servant of the church, an ordinary, average man who just couldn’t keep God to himself.

There was a man on a business trip and when he checked in he was given one of the middle seats on the airplane. He was tired and he all he wanted to do was sleep, so he got a little bit irritated when the young girl sat next to him started to ask questions: “Mister, do you brush your teeth?” “Yes,” ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40, 2 Timothy 4:5

Denomination: Baptist

Those Who Must Be Silenced Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 11, 2017

In Titus 1:10–16, Paul first gives a general 1) description of false teachers in the church who are to be silenced (Titus 1:10–13a). He then specifies 2) What the reaction to those should be (Titus 1:13b–14) and 3) Evaluates their lives (Titus 1:15–16).

The publishing world sees very few books reach blockbuster status, but William Paul Young’s The Shack has now exceeded even that. The book, originally self-published by Young and two friends, has now sold more than 10 million copies and has been translated into over thirty languages. It is now one ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:10-16

Denomination: Other

Staying Clam In A Storm Of Heresy Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jul 29, 2021

A major concern for John is heresy within the church and the manner it is causing problems and robbing believers of their joy. John uses antichrist in reference to those who perhaps start with seemingly sincere faith; yet, their teaching becomes contrary to Christ and abiding in him.

There is a universal theme that runs through the book of 1 John, abiding in Christ. This is the key to “living in the world but not of the world. When we refuse to live in the world, we fail to serve Christ. Joe McKeever wrote the following. In the 1987 meeting of the Southern Baptist ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

True Or False - Discerning The Authentic From The Counterfeit Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Nov 10, 2008

5th in first John series

True or False - Discerning the Authentic from the Counterfeit 1 John 2:18-27 Recognizing Counterfeit Christianity They have Departed the Fellowship (2:19) Denied the Faith (2:22-23) Deceived the Faithful (2:26) Recognizing Authentic (genuine)Christianity They Acknowledgement of the Son ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discerning Whether That "Open Door" Is From God

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 14, 2007

This message looks at situations where we take something to be God’s hand when often there are other causes at work.

Life Principle: Every “open door” doesn’t have God’s hand on the handle. - If you listen to testimonies, you’ll hear plenty of stories of “coincidences” that were divinely orchestrated. Someone just happens to be at the store at the right moment to share a witness. Someone just happens to ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 9:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

Scanners Set To Discernment: Examples Of Ufo Religions

Contributed by Frederick Meekins on Feb 14, 2022

Scanners Set To Discernment: Examples Of UFO Religions

To most Americans, the idea of beings from beyond this world does not at the moment impact their lives to any appreciable degree. Usually to most people the consideration of the topic is more akin to a transient pondering that may creep intermittently into their minds from time to time. Sadly, in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Understand The Times, And Leadership In Times Of Crisis

Contributed by Patrick Usifo on May 17, 2020

A leader is not born, and not made in times of crisis, but are revealed to the world when crisis struck. Today's crisis has revealed a lack of leadership in the church.

In today's world, knowing what to do in times of crisis can give a nation or a person the needed advantage to overcome adverse situations. But a shortfall of not knowing what to do can spell more trouble, anxiety, and fear in the midst of uncertainty and a wanting leadership. And this true in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gaining Discernment From David Part 1 Series

Contributed by Trae Durden on Aug 29, 2014

Learning from the mistakes of others is the best way to learn. These two lessons consider David's great life and some of the roots behind his worst failures. Based on the book by Charles Swindoll, "David: A man of passion and destiny."

“A tree is best measured when it’s down.” David was a man after God’s own heart. And yet, he made tons of mistakes. As we learn from his mistakes, let’s also learn from his response to those mistakes! Not only did David leave us a lifetime of lessons about things ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

8. Discernment – Separating Friends From Foes Series

Contributed by Shingirayi Gwete on Feb 26, 2022

There are enemies who are within the camp of God and pretend to be serving Christ, yet they are deceivers who have been sent by the devil to abuse the flock. In this sermon we will focus on how to identify whether a person has been sent by God or by the devil.

In the previous chapter we learnt that there are some enemies who are within the camp of God and pretend to be serving Christ, yet they are deceivers who have been sent by the devil to abuse the flock. In this chapter we will focus on how to identify whether a person has been sent by God or by the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1, Revelation 2:2, 1 Corinthians 2:14, John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Kings 14:1-6, Jeremiah 33:3, Deuteronomy 18:22, Matthew 7:22-23, Jeremiah 14:14, Ezekiel 13:3, Ezekiel 13:6, Jonah 3:4, Matthew 24:24, Acts 16:16-18, Deuteronomy 13:1-3, Isaiah 8:20, 1 Corinthians 14:33, Malachi 3:6, 2 Timothy 3:16, Genesis 2:17, Matthew 7:16-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Adventist

A Profile Of A Christ Follower Series

Contributed by Neil Olcott on Sep 10, 2009

Usually because of fuzzy thinking and lack of norms/standards for Christian activity of discernment, people will say, "I can’t tell the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian. What are the unique characteristics that should cause a Christian t

Date: June 1st, 2003 Title: Profile of the New Self Text: Eph. 4:17-32 Subject: Complement: Main Idea: Intro: In recent years profiling has become quite common. FBI profilers determine who the likely suspect is in a murder investigation. Racial profiling happens even though it is not supposed ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

“pigs, Dogs And Kingdom Discernment” Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Apr 12, 2013

"Do not judge" is a very popular saying by the LORD JESUS, but does not include the full understanding of what Jesus both meant and practiced.

“Pigs, Dogs and Kingdom Discernment” Matthew 7:1-6 We live in a society where people are very quick to use the first line of Matthew 7, “Do not judge.” Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Church

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Jan 30, 2014

Continuing to look at the church and what it means for God's people.

The Church November3, 2013 I want to read from an article which was written by a current pastor. His name is Jason Johansen. “About 10 years ago, I grew disillusioned with the church I had attended all my life. I continued to attend, but I avoided the people there. I kept greetings brief ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist