Sermons on Constructive Criticism:

How To Be Good And Mad

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

Christians often try to avoid or deny anger because unrighteous anger can be so destructive. But there is a time and place and way to be angry in a constructive way.

This morning I want to talk about finding freedom from anger, or to be precise, from destructive anger, not all anger. And our sermon text for this morning lays out a very simple outline of some really important guidance for us about anger. It is Ephesians 4:25-27. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-27

Family Practice Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 29, 2022

Conflict isn't bad. Conflict is part of life. But there are constructive ways of dealing with conflict, ways that destroy families and communities, and destructive ones.

Early in my pastoral career a nearby hospital released a 7-week-old baby to her homeless, drug-addicted mother even though the child was at severe risk of pulmonary arrest. The hospital provided the mother with an apnea monitor to warn her if the baby stopped breathing while asleep, and trained her ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Finish The Race/ The Saints Are Cheering Us On

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 12, 2010

My greatest cheerleader of all over the years, my mother who while dying from Leukemia would call and ask how she could pray for me. Updated February 2020. Who I held in my arms and while I sang Jesus name above all names she took her final breath. She to is cheering me on.

I enjoy listening to stories about people who will not give up; ...... stories of those who stay the course ... even though ... the "going ...gets tough". They are a source of great inspiration ... to all. Remember the man who came to Jesus and said, ..."I will follow you wherever ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2, Matthew 8:20, Luke 9:62, 2 Timothy 4:7, Hebrews 11:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Overcoming Opposition By Prayer

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Feb 6, 2005

Where do you see yourself in this picture? Are you being pelted by unfair criticism as you are serving Christ? If so, keep on going and God will reward your efforts. Or do you recognize yourself as one who tends to be critical of others? If so, it’s time

Overcoming Opposition By Prayer (Nehemiah 1:4-11) Illustration: There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health. --Proverbs 12:18 Critics talk much and do little that is constructive. They are more interested in trying to make themselves look ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:4-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Overcoming The Spirit Of Rejection Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Apr 4, 2016

Rejection can have a devastating effect upon the lives of people with scars that they will carry as they mature. In this message, we will learn how Jephthah overcame rejection and rose up to be the next Judge of Isarel.

Rejection means to cast aside; to throw away; to put side. It can refer to a person or a thing as if not up to some standard. When you reject a person, it shows him or her that he is unacceptable, of no value, doesn't belong, unwanted, can't fit in and unloved. Rejection communicates this message ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:1-11

Denomination: Nazarene

The Cry At Midnight (The Meaning Behind The Parable Of The 10 Bridesmaids)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 3, 2011

Jesus is the returning bridegroom who will arrive triumphantly at the end of the age. Beloved , blessed are those whose lamps are faithfully kept burning as they watch and wait for his appearance. Be Ready for "The Cry at Midnight." (Redone Nov 2017)

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: Joshua:24:1-25; Psalm 78:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Matthew 25:1-13. A film crew was on location deep in the desert. One day an old Indian went up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Anglican

Purple Reign

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 8, 2012

The world may be filled with the rain of despair, but we are covered by the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. We are covered by His Purple Reign. Updated November 2021.

For Those not Familiar with an Anglican Service there are 4 Scripture readings before the message is given. Today Scriptures were Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 and Luke 21:25-36 In a neighborhood ......in the city of Kabul, ...a child plays on the sidewalk outside of his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:20, Matthew 6:10, Romans 8:38-39, Philippians 2:10-11, 1 Corinthians 15:20-34, Revelation 21:4, Luke 21:25-36, Hebrews 13:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

In The Air There Is A Feeling Of Christmas

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 20, 2012

Can you hear it? There is a buzz in the air. Maybe you can feel it. As the song states, In the air there is a feeling of Christmas.It permeates everything tonight. Everything.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2: 11-14 and Luke 2: 1-20. Can you hear it? There is a buzz in the air. Maybe you can feel it. As the song states, " ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Anglican

Ready Or Not He Will Come

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 29, 2011

As a child I really enjoyed playing hide and go seek. Little did I realize as a child how much this game of hide and seek paralleled the Return - The Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

As a child I really enjoyed playing... hide and go seek. I loved it ...no matter if ...I was the one hiding ... trying not to get caught, ... or if I was the one seeking; ......who was trying to catch those hiding... unexpectedly. Although I have not played in quite some time, ......I do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 20:26-28

Denomination: Anglican

It Is Pruning Time

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on May 4, 2012

Pruning does not simply mean spiritual surgery It is not just the removal of what is dead. It can also mean cutting away the good and the better so that we might enjoy the best.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: Acts 8:26-40; Psalm 22:24-30; 1 John 4:7-21 and John 15:1-8. A missionary in Africa ....lived in his central mission ....which had a small generator ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Anglican

Blaspheming The Holy Spirit

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jun 9, 2012

This act reveals a heart so hard that repentance is impossible (Hebrews 3:7--19). Ultimately, as Augustine says, "It is un-repentance that is a blasphemy against the Spirit" Updated June 2018.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: 1 Samuel 8:4 - 20; Psalm 138 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 and Mark 3:20-35. A Little Boy desperately wanted $100.00 ...to buy some toys ...and prayed to God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Anglican

Faithing - Faith Without Works Is Dead

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Sep 9, 2012

In the Christian life faith and works go together like inhaling and exhaling. Billy Graham stated it in these terms: Faith is taking the Gospel in; works is taking the Gospel out.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 ; Psalm 125 ; James 2:1-17 and Mark 7:24-37. Alexander Graham Bell was an amazingly talented person. He invented the ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-20

Denomination: Anglican

Go Into Your Room, Close The Door And Pray

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Oct 17, 2013

God is calling his people to be persistent in prayer. God is calling his people to be changed, to be transformed through prayer. God is calling to those who truly enjoy and who truly yearn to spend time with Him.

Let us pray -- O' Heavenly Father, we come before you this day and we ask that you reveal more about the nature of prayer. May our hearts and our minds be open to your Word this day. We ask this in the blessed name of Jesus your son and our Savior .... Amen. A young man went into a drugstore to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 8:3-4, Matthew 6:5-6, Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Anglican

Redeem The Past, Transform The Present And Redirect The Future

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 3, 2013

Jesus' encounter with Zacchaeus is a foretaste of how our Lord will impact our lives and will: Redeem The Past, Transform The Present And Redirect the Future.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture readings prior to the Message. Today's passages were Habakkuk 1: 1-4; 2:1-4 - Psalm 119:137-144 - 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4,11-12 and Luke 19:1-10. Zacchaeus ... Just his name is enough to elicit a grin. As children, ... we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

Twenty Mississippi - Ready Or Not He Will Come

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 9, 2013

As a child I really enjoyed playing hide and go seek. Little did I realize as a child how much this game of hide and seek paralleled the Return - The Second Coming of Jesus Christ. (Updated October 2023)

I loved it ... weather... I was the one hiding ... trying not to get caught, ... or if I was the one seeking; ......who was trying to catch unexpectedly ... those that were hiding. Although I have not played in quite some time, ......I do remember ... that the seeker, ......was called ... the ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, Matthew 24:35, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5, Luke 12:32-40, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 20:26, Matthew 20:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican