Sermons on Defensive:

A Mind To Work

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 12, 2022

Disapproval and discouragement can result from ridicule. We should choose not to respond in the same manner or to become discouraged when we are ridiculed for our faith or criticized for doing what we know is right.

Many years prior to Nehemiah’s time, the Northern Kingdom had been conquered and many were taken captive to other lands. The conquering nation introduced prisoners from other lands, which led to intermarriage with the few Israelites. This blending of the races produced the people known as the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Self Control Series

Contributed by Michael Monica on Dec 25, 2022

Understanding Sanctification

Control Your Desires | Matthew 5:27-32 “You have heard it said” (Part 2) - Jesus is not challenging the Law. He is saying, you’ve been taught in the past how to avoid certain actions, but Jesus is showing them how to do it! - Jesus focus here is how to prevent sin before it occurs. Jesus does ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Servant Leadership Involves Pain--Even In Election Season

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 16, 2024

One of the two major parties has made abortion this voting cycle their preeminent priority. Let's look at the morality behind that divide.

There is something almost humorous in today’s Gospel pericope. The story has come down to us in two versions. Both place this incident right after Jesus predicted His passion and death for the third time. St. Matthew’s original version pictures Salome, mother of James and John, making the request. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10-11, Psalm 33:4-5, Hebrews 4:14-16, Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Catholic

Content For The Faith Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Aug 25, 2023

Christianity survived for centuries for a simple reason its built on Faith in God. It would survive till the end of the earth, end of the humanity and end of everything. Because God has built His Kingdom through one man and till the last person holds the faith, it would exist.

Jude 1:3 - Content for the Faith Delivered to Saints: Jude writes to encourage his readers to violently defend the faith that the apostles had taught. Jude writes that "the faith … was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3). To be a saint means you stand shoulder to shoulder ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:3

Denomination: Methodist

Paul Before Festus Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 28, 2017

Those two years that Paul languished in prison are silent years in the life of Paul. Perhaps he was exasperated by it all. We don’t know. We do know that the hand of God was discernible in all this, and His purposes were carried out.

July 11, 2016 Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Lesson: Paul Before Festus (Acts 25:1-27) ...read more

Scripture: Acts 25:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Why Go On Living? - Philippians 1:21-26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 29, 2021

Those who contemplate suicide often hesitate because they fear what may be on the other side. Paul also wrestled with whether it would be better to live or die. But his reasoning was far different from most people's.

Philippians 1:20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-26

The Silent Sin Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on May 4, 2001

This sin is something we just don’t talk about today. It is not one of the Baptist ’biggies’; it is hidden, private, and all the more dangerous.

I. A Discipline that is Deceitful A. Pharisees Insisted on External Obedience 1. Pharisees had reduced commandment number seven down to the mere physical act of adultery 2. Cup and platter analogy (Matthew 23:25-26), “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Conquering Fear Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

ONLY FAITH IN GOD CAN CONQUER FEAR OF MAN

BIG IDEA: ONLY FAITH IN GOD CAN CONQUER FEAR OF MAN INTRODUCTION: Fear is a powerful, paralyzing force I. (:1-2) FEAR OF MAN IS THE NATURAL REACTION TO PERSISTENT OPPRESSION A. How does it feel to be Trampled Upon all day long? “Be gracious, O God, for man has trampled upon me” “My foes have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Making An Effort To Rest Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Sep 20, 2003

The Promise of entering God’s Rest still stands!

Making an Effort to Rest Hebrews 4:1–11 INTRODUCTION If today I told you that somewhere in the building there were tickets for everyone here to enjoy an all expense paid vacation, would you be interested in searching for them? Suppose I hid them so good that no matter how hard you looked you ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Landmine Of Discouragement Series

Contributed by Ken Pettigrew on Mar 23, 2007

The power of encouragement in the daily life of the believer. When we are presented with a challenge, and everything we know has been taken from us, we must stand on faith and follow the direction of God, without the involvement of our emotions.

The Landmine of Discouragement I Samuel 30:1-6 David was distressed for the people spake of stoning him. There have been plenty of times in our lives where we are discouraged. We get distressed for various reasons. Sometimes it is because we are under attack. Other times it is because we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Davinci Code Trap

Contributed by Ron Macarthur on May 24, 2006

A look at the enemies purpose for the DaVinci code book and film.

The DaVinci Code Trap The year was 1988 and the film The Last Temptation of Christ had been released. The Christian world was in a fury over this Christ bashing movie. Immediately books were written, films produced and preachers fired up their sermons to preach against this thing the church ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:23-26

Denomination: Baptist

Recognizing The Enemy Series

Contributed by Jonathan Powell on May 15, 2007

How to recognize the strategic mind of Satan

Recognizing the Enemy - God or the World #1 - Ephesians 6:10-13 Where God is at work, the Devil is as well. Most all of us have heard that statement before. The statement is oh so true in context. The next two Sundays, we are going to focus on the strategy of Satan to bring you and I down. We ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Good To Be Here

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Mar 4, 2011

Mountaintop experiences are wonderful; but, we must move forward to reach the world for Christ Jesus.

Matthew 17: 1 – 9 / Good To Be Here Intro: The lawyer for the defense rose to his feet to give his summation speech. He began, “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you must find my client not guilty of murder, if there is the slightest doubt in your minds. In conclusion, I want to say ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Condemnation? I Don't Want To Hear It.

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Jul 28, 2011

The dictionary defines condemnation - the condition of being strongly disapproved of; "he deserved nothing but con-demnation"

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, be-cause their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh ...read more

Scripture: John 3:19

Denomination: Baptist

The Woman At The Well Talks With Jesus Series

Contributed by Paul Shafit on Oct 7, 2009

An evangelistic look at Jesus interplay with the woman at the well

For those who’ve been tracking with us you’ll remember Jesus was sitting on the coping of Jacob’s well up in Samaria. He was tired from walking. He was waiting for His disciples to return with supplies. A local woman came to the well and seeing Jesus sheepishly approached. She was surprised that a ...read more

Scripture: John 4:11-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational