Sermons on Cultivating Character:

How God Defines Greatness (1 Samuel 18:5-16)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Aug 27, 2024

The world defines greatness in terms of achievements and deeds, celebrated today and forgotten tomorrow. God defines greatness as how one lives his life. We see this in David as he continued to follow the will of the LORD.

Greatness, according to the world's standards, is measured by things such as achievements, status, education, wealth, and individual or corporate contributions to society. While these traits are admirable, they can also be a source of pride, selfishness, self-centeredness, and arrogance. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:5-16, Ephesians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Proverbs 27:2, Proverbs 26:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Our God Never Changes Series

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 22, 2021

Because everything around us is always changing, it is so good to know that our God never changes. God's consistent character, unchanging Word, promises and purposes gives us great strength and stability. How wonderful that we can hold to God's unchanging hand!

A. Let’s begin by considering this statement: Everything changes, nothing stays the same, except for God. 1. Think about how travel has changed over time: a. When George Washington traveled from Virginia to Washington D.C. by horseback, it would take him ten days traveling at a speed of 25 miles ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 102:25-27, Malachi 3:6, James 1:17, Hebrews 13:8, Genesis 9:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Kingdom Keys Habakkuk Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 6, 2023

Living in Faith is an action leading to greater faith in Jesus and in the refinement of us

So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried and failed. Our hope as leaders is that all of us will pick up God’s word and come to understand the true nature of God. After all, the bible is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 12:3, Ephesians 2:8, Galatians 2:20, Habakkuk 3:17-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Looks At The Heart

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Sep 23, 2025

God examines the heart, not outward appearances, when evaluating our devotion, obedience, and faith.

GOD LOOKS AT THE HEART By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 16:7 Key Verse: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Quest For Honesty Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 20, 2005

The character attributes involved in honesty are: 1. Simplicity 2. Transparency 3. Integrity

We are dealing with a topic today which is a struggle for all of us. If we are truthful, we will admit that not lying can be a problem. There is the fib, the white lie, the half-truth, the clever deception, misleading information, stretching the truth, exaggeration. Who has not been startled to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:31-37, Matthew 5:31

Denomination: Methodist

The Waiting Father Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on May 18, 2004

We may relate to each of the characters in the story of the prodigal, but we are called to become the father.

Luke 15:11-32 May 14, 2004 The Waiting Father – Becoming the Father How many people have read the book “The Return of The Prodigal Son” by Henri Nouwen? This is one of my “must read” books for Christians – I even recommend it for non-Christians. If you haven’t read them yet, this summer, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: *other

The Nature Of The Church

Contributed by Raymond Perkins on Oct 14, 2002

An expository sermon designed to show the true nature and character of the Church as Jesus designed it.

THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH Matthew 16:18 INTRODUCTION: One Sunday morning a stranger wandered into a small country church in the middle of the sermon. The man was unkempt and dirty, and clearly smelled of alcohol. The usher tried his best to seat him off in a far corner but instead the man walked to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Dialogue With God

Contributed by Cynthia Hinson on Oct 19, 2002

A contemporary sermon in first person exploring the character of Moses as he hungers for the presence of God.

(This sermon is preached standing in the chancel, with the preacher’s back to the congregation during all but the closing of the message. It is an animated dialogue - almost a monologue - between the preacher [representing Moses] and God. A second person, by way of wireless mic and in an ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:12-23

Denomination: Methodist

God Is Love Series

Contributed by Stephan Brown on Mar 30, 2005

The final installment in a series on the Character of God from Psalm 139. God’s Love.

The Character of God: God Is Love Psalm 139:17,18 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. I. God loves you—this is why the Psalmist spoke of precious ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:17-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Help Make Your Church Great

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

* Let God's character be your standard and source for how your church defines greatness.

* Let God's character be your standard and source for how your church defines greatness. Many churches fall into the trap of thinking that greatness is found in large numbers. David wrote, "Thine is the greatness and the power and the glory and victory and the majesty." (I Chron. 28:11,12) Ask the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:30-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Day Of Trouble

Contributed by Phil Dyar on May 12, 2006

THE DAY OF TROUBLE COMES TO EVERY LIFE. WHAT WE DO WITH TROUBLE IS A TEST OF CHARACTER.

PSALM 50:15 TEXT. AND CALL UPON ME IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE I WILL DEILVER THEE AND THOU SHALT GLORIFY ME. TITLE (THE DAY OF TROUBLE) 3 THINGS I FIND IN PSALM 50:15 1.THE PLEA OF THE LORD. CALL UPON ME IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE""PS 50:15 THE LORD INVITES EVERY SOUL TO CALL UPON HIM IN THE TIMES ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:15

Old School: Hosea Series

Contributed by Lee Powell on Jul 2, 2009

A sermon on the book of Hosea in a series of messages focusing on the faith journeys of Old Testament characters.

We are in a throw back series, I mean you know the first clue, the disco ball, the platform shoes, the tie dye, the Cyndi Lauper song but really all of those things are just a throwback of the last 20-30 years. This series we are in, it’s really like a couple 1000+ throwback where we are looking at ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

...peace Series

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Sep 11, 2007

A sermon about "peace" being one part of the Fruit of the Spirit [our Christian character].

My beautiful wife has become hooked on the cable television show Shalom in the Home. It is what I call a Jewish version of the Dr. Phil Show. The difference is that Dr. Phil’s program is more of a talk show format where Rabbi Shmuley uses a hand’s on approach and gets his hands dirty by being ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: *other

Standing Face To Faith Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jul 10, 2011

This was the third in a series of character studies from Hebrews 11. A look at believing in the tough times.

Standing Face to Faith Rev. Denn Guptill Every story has a beginning. And this one is found in Genesis 6:9 This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. Did you ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-7

Denomination: Wesleyan

Three Kinds Of "People" Series

Contributed by Bob Beltz on May 15, 2008

Continuing with the theme of faith, Lewis creates a number of characters that model different kinds of faith.

Dear Church Leader, As a life-long C.S. Lewis fan, and a pastor for twenty-five years, I am excited not only about the wholesome entertainment value of the second film in the Chronicles of Narnia series, but also about the tool the film can be for churches and ministries. I’ve been told that the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational