Sermons on Counter Offer:

Recognizing (And Recovering From) Spiritual Abuse

Contributed by Jim Miller on May 18, 2003

Spiritually abused Christians and spiritual abusers are more prevalent than you may think. This sermon identifies spiritual abuse and offers some remedies.

INTRODUCTION I am a victim of spiritual abuse. And, chances are, if you have been a member of a church or religious organization for any length of time, you are too. Spiritual abuse surfaces in an assortment of forms: sometimes in-your-face flagrant; other times behind-your-back subtle. It emerges ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Credible Christian Household Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Dec 17, 2002

The Credible Christian household depends on those within it being submitted to one another, offering hospitality to others and using their tongues only to build up.

I want us to spend some time today thinking about what a Christian household might look like. Mind you I don’t mean just any Christian household. Of course I mean a credible Christian household. Well, what is it that might characterise a credible Christian household? Is there something about a ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Believers Eagerly Expect God's Greater Glory

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Aug 17, 2004

PENTECOST 9(A) - Believers eagerly expect God’s greater glory because earth only offers groaning but heaven provides praising.

BELIEVERS EAGERLY EXPECT GOD’S GREATER GLORY ROMANS 8:18-25 - August 1, 2004 Pentecost 9 ROMANS 8:18-25 18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Douse The Flame Of Excuses Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 30, 2004

Offering excuses will always limit spiritual growth. We look at people from the Bible and their excuses and how God helped them overcome their excuses.

DOUSE THE FLAME OF EXCUSES! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr.  Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: Proverbs 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. Luke 14:18 And THEY ALL with ONE CONSENT BEGAN TO MAKE EXCUSE. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:18-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Devine Destiny - Part Three

Contributed by J. Yeargin on Sep 2, 2004

Many of us have seen people who want everything life has to offer. They want it now! We live in a fast pace society with

- Part Three - DESTINY OF RESPONSIBILITY Text: Luke 16:10 thru 12 Prayer: Many of us have seen people who want everything life has to offer. They want it now! We live in a fast pace society with an instantaneous lifestyle that says they must have everything now. The prophesy from the Old ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:10-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What It Isn't

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Oct 17, 2006

Forgiveness heals the hurts of the past and can change the future...but to know what it is, I offer a list of what it’s NOT.

“What it isn’t”…Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts. Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Jesus is known as the “Man of Sorrows.” He endured personal abuse, culminating in His ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:32

Denomination: Congregational

Weakness, Power And Grace Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 22, 2003

Where do you have the hardest time standing up for Jesus? In your weakest point, God offers grace and the strength of his power.

2 Corinthians 12 As we are nearing the end of this letter to the Corinthians we see another golden principle of the Christian faith. Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient.” And, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul was granted something rare. He saw and heard heavenly, inexpressible ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wolves Walking Around.

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Jan 31, 2004

Jesus offers us a warning about wolves and I’m glad He did because we often don’t get warnings.

Wolves walking around. Matthew 7:15 -- 23. 02/01/04 Ann and I stopped at Dewey’s house the day of his mother’s funeral. Blackjack, the Doberman pincher was laying in the yard. I pointed to old blackjack and Ann said I’m not getting out. Now I know old blackjack and I know he would not harm a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

Forgive? Who Me?

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Jan 31, 2005

We desire, and expect God’s forgiveness when we ask. But it is so hard to offer that forgiveness to others when they sin against us.

Forgive? Who Me? Matthew 18:21-35 I remember this story about a famous person in American history, and for the life of me, I can’t remember who it was. Anyway, this person was asked one Sunday afternoon about the worship service he attended that morning. “What did the preacher preach about?” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Methodist

Do You Trust Me - No Matter What?

Contributed by Larry Elder on Aug 1, 2007

Jesus calls on two people to trust Him in different ways – but both are offered the chance to “prime the pump” of faith by forcing reliance on Jesus Christ.

Do You Trust Me - No Matter What? Mark 5:21-43 ILL…There was a man who was lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance. He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Living Beyond Being Down And Out (Part Ii) Series

Contributed by Danny Pinksen on Jul 2, 2007

The Bible does offer great advice and instruction on how to deal with and overcome many of life’s everyday challenges including being down and out.

Living Beyond the “Down and Out” II (Advice adapted from Rick Warren’s “God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions”) {DVD – Laughter is Contagious} [ILLUS: “Laughter Really is the Best medicine” states Sue Casiglia – Lets look at some highlights from her study: > The affect of laughter on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28

Denomination: Holiness

Stained-Glass Masquerade

Contributed by Scott Johnson on May 16, 2008

So often in the Church we pretend that everything is perfect, but truth is, it isn’t. The book of James offers insight into how to cure this ailment.

Stained-Glass Masquerade (James 5:13-16) Intro: Do you ever walk in to a church service and begin to question the validity of the perfection that’s displayed? Do you ever look around at the people and ask “Is there anyone in here who fails?” or “Has anyone fallen down in their walk with God ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Marriage: Building A Fortress That Stands Series

Contributed by James Sawyer on Mar 8, 2007

In a society where marriage is under attack The Bible offers an answer that teaches us what God’s Best is for a relationship between a man and a woman.

Reviewing A Few Foundational Truths Predatory relationships do not work. We live in a society that teaches us that we need to go after what we want. Pursue the thing that we think will fill us. But the bible disagrees with this. James 1:14-15 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-28

Denomination: Baptist

Priority One Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Oct 9, 2005

God has a top priority plan for you! He invites you to hear, receive, stand in and be saved by a power that only heaven can offer.

(Begin by blowing up a balloon and holding up a straight pin) What will happen if I take this pin and puncture this balloon? Watch. (Pop the balloon). Now this pin only makes a tiny hole, but that’s all it takes to explode a perfectly good balloon. In the events of history there is one tiny ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-58

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Obtaining God's Inheritance

Contributed by James May on Nov 9, 2003

This sermon deals with what we must do to obtain the inheritance of the Lord rather than to fret and seek after what the world has to offer.

OBTAINING GOD’S INHERITANCE Psalms 37:3-9, "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:3-9, Luke 12:30-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible