Sermons on controversy:

Deciding For Jesus

Contributed by Joel Ingram on Mar 2, 2019

Intro below...

A Rabbi takes up work in a new synagogue. His first week things don’t go well. When it comes time for the congregation to say the opening prayer, half of the people stand up – and half of the people stay seated. Before for they can even begin to pray the people standing are yelling at the people ...read more

Scripture: John 7:40-53

Debate Over The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 19, 2017

Jesus remained under attack from the Pharisees. Their demands for adherence to unbiblical standards clouded their vision and desire for Christ. Sadly these attitudes remain today. While we must adhere to doctrine, the Lord affords liberty through grace.

Debate over the Sabbath Mark 2: 23-28 Have you dealt with a season in life when others acted as if you could do nothing right? Surely we have experienced times when people criticized our efforts or challenged our motives. It seems as if everything we tried to accomplish was met with skepticism and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

Good Things Happen On The Sabbath

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jun 3, 2018

While we can agree with Jesus that "the sabbath is made for humankind and not humankind for the sabbath," we are wrong to disregard it.

In 1986, the good people of Bismarck, North Dakota, thought it was time to overturn or at least soften the blue laws which closed businesses on Sundays. Amid great controversy, Dayton’s Department Store, Target, and many stores and restaurants were to open at noon. Dayton’s and Target were both ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Denomination: Lutheran

A Call To Christ-Like Controversy: Do You Have The Guts To Be Unpopular?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 5, 2022

There are many challenges in serving Christ, but dare you be unpopular for Christ? This is the challenge we face from time to time.

There are many challenges in serving Christ, but dare you be unpopular for Christ? This is the challenge we face from time to time. But, many a time, we come across a moment, when we are called to be unpopular for Christ, and we sidestep it. But there is no honor in such a thing, to sidestep ...read more

Scripture: John 7:43

Denomination: Salvation Army

Withered Hand Healed; Causes Another Sabbath Controversy Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 16, 2017

The controversy over the Sabbath began in the fields when His disciples plucked ears of corn and ate them while the Pharisees watched.

-AD 28- Galilee Title: Withered Hand Healed; Causes Another Sabbath Controversy Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11 The controversy over the Sabbath began in the fields when His disciples plucked ears of corn and ate them while the Pharisees watched; see Chapter 13. Now the scene switches ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

How Great Is Our God

Contributed by Larry Jacobs on May 16, 2006

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness.

Our Web Site: cbcbedford.com ------------------------------------------ "HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD" 2 TIM 3:16 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Ground Zero Mosque-Take

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Dec 15, 2010

A look at the controversial Ground Zero Mosque

Introduction: A If you have not heard of the controversy of the Ground Zero Mosque that is trying to be built just two blocks from were nearly 3,000 people perished at the hands of 19 Islamic terrorists, then you will become very familiar today with that story. (13 stories, glass/steel, where 1 to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Cross Unfiltered--A Reflection On The Passion Of Christ

Contributed by William Yates on Feb 28, 2004

The recent controversy over Mel Gibson’s Passion of Christ proves that whenever the message of the cross is presented unfiltered it always evokes controversy.

The Unfiltered Cross 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-18

The Use Of Spiritual Gifts, Focusing On Tongues

Contributed by James Wallace on Jun 6, 2022

The practice of the gift of tongues is very controversial in evangelical circles. I Corinthians 12-14 was intended to save us from much of this controversy.

May 27, 2022 Hi Abby, Here are my concerns about some forms of practice among those who call themselves Charismatic, or especially Pentecostal. I might be called Charismatic by some, because I believe that “sign gifts” such as prophecy, tongues, healings, knowledge, miracles, etc. are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, 1 John 4:1-3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 5:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

No One Cares For A Tabloid God Series

Contributed by Troy Luttrell on Apr 22, 2014

Some would accuse God of being controversial in the way He went about asking Hosea to marry a prostitute. Does God advocate sin? Absolutely not! The real controversy in Scripture is that a holy God would want a relationship with sinful man.

Ill: Italian restorers are using modern technology to refurbish two magnificent bronze Greek sculptures found more than twenty years ago off Italy’s shore. The two classical masterpieces were cleaned when they were first discovered. But inside, ocean salt had infiltrated the clay casting, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Very End Of The End- Its All Over!

Contributed by Coz Von on Jul 18, 2015

The great controversy between God and Satan in a nutshell.

In the following verse, Babylon, meaning "confusion" is symbolic of religiously confused people who would live at the end of time when Jesus returns. Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 18:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Rule Breaker

Contributed by Chris Beam on Mar 4, 2015

If you want God to do a new thing in your life, you can’t keep doing the same old thing in your life. If you want to experience the miraculous, you need to unlearn every assumption you’ve ever made except for one…God is able.

Series: The Grave Robber The Rule Breaker
Text: John 5:1-10

So far, throughout this series, we’ve looked at Jesus as the Wine Maker, the Choreographer, and today we will see Jesus as the Rule Breaker. Now before you start to scratch your head, wondering why in the world I ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Why Is There So Much Arguing Among Christians? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 29, 2014

There is a lot of arguing among Christians. This sermon looks at why that's largely worthless and where God would have to focus instead.

ARGUING AND CONTROVERSIES: Sometimes we act like the symbol of our faith is a bullhorn. - 1 Timothy 1:4 (“promote controversies”), 6 (“meaningless talk”), 7. - Sometimes we act like a bullhorn is the symbol of our faith – we speak loudly to drown out the other ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Sabbath Holiday (1) Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Sep 8, 2014

Are Christians supposed to "Honor the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy?" Does Freedom in Christ mean freedom from everything? As Jesus expanded on the moral law, He also did so concerning "Sabbath".

The Sabbath Holiday Gen 2: 1-3, Exodus 20:1-8, 31:17, Deut. 5:12-15, Hebrews 4:3-10 This past Monday was Labor Day in the US; Labor Day has been a National Holiday since 1894. As you probably know, the word “holiday” comes from the Old English words ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

When Religion Blocks Relationship

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Aug 21, 2016

We go about trying to live religious lives, but do we miss connecting with God in the process? Christianity is about relationship, not religion. And Jesus makes such a relationship possible.

Luke 13:10-17 When Religion Blocks Relationship It was a day I will never forget. Our village had gathered at the local Synagogue to hear the word and receive teaching, to pray together, and to worship Yahweh, the one true God. On this day there was an unusual excitement in the crowd because we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Baptist