Sermons on Church Division:

Can We Win More People By Softening The Gospel?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 12, 2017

A study of Jesus' teaching that He did not come to bring peace to the earth and how we need to "fire it up" instead of "watering it down."

CAN WE WIN MORE PEOPLE BY SOFTENING THE GOSPEL? The best plan is not to “water it down” but “fire it up.” - Luke 12:49. - Fire is referred to in this verse. There is a sense in which the truth of Christ is going to bring fire to the earth. - Fire burns down what already exists. - The fire ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-53

Denomination: Baptist

Divided Community

Contributed by Dean Rhine on May 13, 2008

How division came to Israel

Divided Community - 1 Kings 11-15 “With all my heart” - that is our prayer today as we come to 1 Kings 11. Turn with me there. We have been going through the highlights of the OT - looking in the kingdom stage, the time of David, the man after God’s own heart, and then his son Solomon ruling ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Babies Are Cute, But Not When They Have To Shave Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on May 12, 2015

Maturity, Growth, Division, Purpose

GROWN UP CHRISTIANS – Babies Are Cute, but Not When They Have to Shave 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (p. 794) May 17, 2015 Steve Farrar wrote a great book called “Point Man.” It focuses on godly men leading their wives, families and friends. He says: “We’re all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Bible Under Investigation Series

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Jul 18, 2008

Discovering the characteristics and divisions of the Bible.

The Bible Under Investigation: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” Introduction: These two verses in 2 Timothy make two ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

What Does The Bible Say About Racism?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 18, 2020

Americans are a facing a deep, long-standing issue of racism. While 90 percent of Protestant pastors say their congregation would welcome a sermon on racial reconciliation, only 26 percent say leaders in their church have encouraged them to preach on the subject.

What is racism? • Racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or a group of people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized. • Racism is the belief that different races possess ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Galatians 3:28, 1 Samuel 16:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Not On The Sabbath!

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Aug 19, 2010

Our perspectives and prejudices can cause us to act in a way that is contrary to the spirit of Christ Jesus.

Luke 13: 10 – 17 / Not On The Sabbath! Intro: When I was a kid, on those RARE occasions when I would be doing something mischievous or irritating to my mother, she would look at me and say, “Mister, you better straighten up.” I didn’t fully understand what she meant. I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Lawsuits Against Believers Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 8, 2011

In today's lesson we learn about how Christians are to handle disputes among themselves.

Scripture We continue our study in The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians in a series I am calling Challenges Christians Face. One of the challenges that Christians face is the question of whether to sue fellow Christians in civil court. Let’s learn about this in a message I am ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Rediscover Love Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Dec 21, 2020

Love breaks down every barrier that divides us. Nothing illustrates that better than the Christmas story itself.

Rediscover Love 1 John 4:7-16 Good morning. Please turn in your Bibles to 1 John 4. While you are finding 1 John, let me tell you a story. There were once two old farmers. Their farms shared a property line, and for generations their families had lived next to one another. Both farms benefitted ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-16, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Quagmire Of Mankind’s Separation-3

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 16, 2012

3 of 3. Genesis concisely details a separation of nations following the Flood. What defines the quagmire of mankind’s separation? The quagmire in mankind’s separation is in his...

The QUAGMIRE Of MANKIND’s SEPARATION-III—Genesis 10:1-32 & 11:1-9 Attention: Caught in traffic—My experience in Atlanta—the day I had to go thru Atlanta twice... Separated from family. Separated from obligations. Can’t fulfill obligations. Caught up in the momentary ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Stopping A Rebel (2 Samuel 20)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 17, 2025

When should we stop a rebel and when not? Let's look at 2 Samuel 20.

When reconciliation cannot be had, how can a rebel’s destructive influence be stopped? Let’s begin in 2 Samuel 20. Did a rebel named Sheba, son of Bikri, stir up division among the tribes? Now a wicked [worthless] man, a Benjaminite named Sheba son of Bichri, happened to be there. He blew the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Distractions And More Opposition Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Feb 8, 2013

Nehemiah faced opposition prior to this event, but here the opposition had the strong potential to distract Nehemiah from his work in God's plan. We find that Nehemiah reveals his character in being able to stay focused when the world around him was fille

Sermon Brief Date Written: February 8, 2013 Date Preached: February 10, 2013 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: Building with God Sermon Title: Distraction & Opposition Sermon Text: Nehemiah 6:3 [ESV] 3so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Refine Or Destroy Series

Contributed by Joe Tilton on Aug 11, 2013

Jesus is quoted saying, "I came to...divide," and in another place He said, "I came to bring peace." Which is it? What would cause division in families? Division began very quickly after He physically left us. Has this division led to war?

August 18, 2013 Refine or Destroy A bank robber in Virginia Beach got a nasty surprise when a dye pack designed to mark stolen money exploded in his Fruit-of-the-Looms. The robber apparently stuffed the loot down the front of his pants as he was running out the door. “He was seen hopping ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: *other

Romans, Part 42 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on May 27, 2011

Christians are called to live for others, to come alongside and help them up and be a constant encourager. Division is never the way to bring unity to the Kingdom.

Romans, Part 42 Romans 15:1-13 Introduction - Last weekend Paul clearly demonstrated living for Christ in everything that we do - It is imperative that we live daily for Jesus; clinging tightly to the cross - We also discussed the spiritual act of placing stumbling blocks -- In this, what ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tough Love In The Church

Contributed by Tim Huie on Apr 23, 2008

What is church discipline? When is it appropriate? How long does it last?

Matthew 18:15-17 1 Corinthians 5:1-11 1 Timothy 1:18-20 Titus 3:10-11 1. Illus. of teenager gone wild • Young man of about 18 went wild. • Would drink, do drugs, come home raging and tear up the place. • Would come to blows with mom and dad. • Finally, parents had to administer “tough love.” They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Tough Love In The Church

Contributed by Tim Huie on May 7, 2009

What does the Bible REALLY teach about church discipline?

TOUGH LOVE IN THE CHURCH Matthew 18:15-17 1 Corinthians 5:1-11 1 Timothy 1:18-20 Titus 3:10-11 1. Illus. of teenager gone wild • Young man of about 18 went wild. • Would drink, do drugs, come home raging and tear up the place. • Would come to blows with mom and dad. • Finally, parents had to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-5

Denomination: Baptist