Sermons on Defining Standards:

Sermon On Hidden Rivers

Contributed by William Meakin on Jul 8, 2025

A river is defined as a natural stream of water that flows through land, typically travelling downhill due to gravity, and emerging into another body of water like an ocean, sea, lake, or another river.

Hermann Hesse, a German-Swiss poet and novelist once remarked: “Have you also learned that secret from the river; that there is no such thing as time?" That the river is everywhere at the same time, at the source and at the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the current, in the ocean ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 47:9, Isaiah 43:19, Revelation 22:1, John 7:38

Unlocking The Mystery Of Honor (Inspired By A Blog From Rabbi Curt Landry)

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on May 20, 2015

Honor can be mystery, shrouded in questions, defying a definite definition . . .HOW DO YOU DEFINE “HONOR”? 1 Tonight, honor will mean that you have a good name, outward respect of others, and that you walk in integrity.

Unlocking the Mystery of Honor (Inspired by a Blog from Rabbi Curt Landry) 4.29.2015 CFBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A Honor can be mystery, shrouded in questions, defying a definite definition . . .HOW DO YOU DEFINE “HONOR”? 1 Tonight, honor will ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: Baptist

Radical Love!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 14, 2001

Your faith, what you have been taught, what you believe about God & His will for your life, makes all the difference in the way you act, in the values you hold dear, & in the standards that guide your life.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2019) TEXT: Matthew 5:38-41; Luke 23:34 A. Fifty-two years ago Ethel & I became acquainted with Dr. Vijai & Pushpa Lall of India. The story of their family’s introduction to Christianity & their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-41, Matthew 27:54, Luke 23:34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Razor's Edge

Contributed by Paul Hammons on Mar 13, 2007

How many Christian’s have been tempted to give into sin, tempted to mix God’s standards with the world’s, tempted to take that lustful glance, that first drink, to tell that little white lie, to cheat on a test, to cheat on their taxes, or to cheat on the

The Razor’s Edge; Genesis 13:1-11 The Eskimo’s are among the greatest hunter’s of the world, but there is one animal that is the most difficult for them to catch. This animal has the greatest intellect, keenest smell, and the sharpest eyesight. And yet for the Eskimo’s to survive they must trap ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-11

Examine Yourself

Contributed by Ervin Kimrey on Dec 27, 2008

You want to know if your in faith or not----Then you take your life and compare it to the truth of God’s Word from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The result will be an examination of your life and then you will know. Here is the standard….The key is Ri

EXAMINE YOURSELF 2 Corinthians 13:5 Intro: Since my salvation I have a deeper appreciation for the things of God. Church, baptism, the Lord ’s Supper, God’s Word, Giving, Serving and Witnessing All along I’ve seen people and known people who did not hold these same things dear to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5

Denomination: Baptist

Faith For Today Series

Contributed by Michael West on Oct 2, 2008

When you pray, do you pray in faith? Or are you talking to God, getting a bit of temporary relief? When you pray, you have to pray with confidence. No confidence, no faith...One of the great errors of the Church is to base faith and standards by yesterday

Sunday February 24th, 2008 Series: the Fight part eight Scripture: Romans 10:17 Sermon: Faith For Today Speaker: Pastor Michael West When you pray, do you pray in faith? Or are you talking to God, getting a bit of temporary relief? When you pray, you have to pray with confidence. No ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sophomore Or Saint? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 10, 2008

We tend to use our limited knowledge to bludgeon others who do not know what we know or whose behavior does not match our standards; but we are called to be in Christ first and to love them, letting behavior flow from the relationship.

There is an old, corny story – and please don’t stop me if you have heard this one – a story about the young man who was the first in his family to go to college. In fact, he was the first in his small town to go to college. And so when he came home after his freshman year, he was the apple of ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Cross Is Foolishness Series

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Apr 15, 2014

The Cross is Foolishness Because it says You are a Sinner Worthy of God’s Wrath. The Cross is Foolishness Because it says Your Righteousness is Not Worthy of God’s Reward. The Cross is Foolishness Because it says that God’s Standard is Perfection

Good Friday 2014 “The Cross is Foolishness” 1 Corinthians 1:18 Tonight, we are going to study an important passage regarding how the world typically views the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. From the perspective of the Christian, this is the most important event in human history ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Soldiers For Christ (Memorial Day)

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on May 24, 2015

Jesus Christ in good faith chose the first 12 disciples---soldiers to run their course fighting the good fight in good warfare in which the standard of faith was questioned as little faith when so much more faith was needed in those days and today.

SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST (Memorial Day) by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (May 24, 2015) “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (II Timothy 2:3, King James Version (KJV) [Timothy exhorted to constancy]). Greetings In The Holy Name Of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-26

Denomination: Friends

Don't Judge Me (August 21, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 25, 2022

Whether or not we like to admit it or not, we are all hypocrites because of our double standard judgments we make. .... There is in us all a built-in inclination to judge others. It begins in in our minds. Today we will look at without, within, and transformation.

DON'T JUDGE ME (August 21, 2022) Text: Matthew 7: 1 – 5 Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, 2 for God will judge you in the same way you judge others, and he will apply to you the same rules you apply to others. 3 Why, then, do you look at the speck in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: United Methodist

Propelled Into Destiny

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 26, 2017

In every life, there are pivotal moments when destiny is defined for that person. The decisions made at those crucial times usually set the course for the rest of our lives. Message explores this dynamic in Daniel's life and makes application for today.

Daniel 2:1-19, 47-49 4/12/15 In every life, there are pivotal moments when destiny is defined for that person. The decisions made at those crucial times usually set the course for the rest of our lives. I was watching a documentary a few days ago about the life of Martin Luther. In his early 20’s ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:1-49, Matthew 4:19, Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Charismatic

A Blessed Man

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Oct 5, 2021

We think of blessings as it relates to material things and riches. However, Psalm One talks about a blessed man (or woman) as defined by their relationship with God and His Word. This message examines who is truly blessed in God's eyes.

A Blessed Man Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3; 106:3; Second Timothy 3:16-17; 4:3-4 As some of you know, my brother Barry and I started recording Bible study lessons that people can review at home as part of their personal Bible study time. One of the lessons that we recorded last month was on Psalm One ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm 106:3, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In God’s Image: The Dignity And Destiny Of Humanity Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 12, 2025

How do we define a human being in the 21st century? Is it our intelligence, our achievements, our relationships? The Bible presents a far deeper, richer, and infinitely more dignified vision: every person—male or female—is created in the image of God.

In God’s Image: The Dignity and Destiny of Humanity” Doctrinal Focus: Humanity – “We believe in the inherent dignity and value of every person, as created in God’s image and likeness, male and female, to be in fellowship with God and serve God’s purposes in creation. Yet on account of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27, Romans 3:23-24, Romans 1:18, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 4:24, Micah 6:8, Colossians 3:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Two Scary Words That Could Change Your Life Forever - 2 Peter 1:8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 13, 2025

Are You Truly Effective for Christ? How would you define an impactful, productive life? Peter gives a definition that wouldn’t even occur to most people. But it’s a definition that gives hope to everyone, regardless of your age, health, skills, or any other factor.

2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, having made every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:8

You Must Be Holy Because God Is Holy Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on May 24, 2017

Some of God’s commandments & statutes we find easy to follow, others are a little more difficult for us to faithfully follow. God has given us a command that is explicit in the standard He expects us to live by: "You must be holy because I am holy"

God’s definition of Holy We continue in our preaching series on discovering your destiny. For the next few weeks, we are going to be considering how setting high standards in our lives is important as disciples of Jesus. This morning we are going to think about what it means to be decent and ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16, Galatians 5:16-25, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:2-3, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-24, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Ephesians 1:4, Leviticus 20:26, 1 Peter 2:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal