Sermons on Difficult Relationships:

The People Of The Covenant Lord: The Church Is The People, Not The Steeple Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Jul 8, 2002

This sermon as part of the series on the covenant relationship of God and His people, explains the form and function of the church as the people, not the steeple.

INTRODUCTION: C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters, writing, of course, as an elder devil to a younger devil, "One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see her spread out through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Prodigal Son

Contributed by Alan Perkins on May 5, 2002

The younger son wanted blessing without relationship. So did the elder son. And so do we today.

This morning, we continue our journey through the parables of Christ. As we’ve noted before, a parable is a short story which is intended to teach or illustrate some spiritual truth. Parables are small but powerful, and this is demonstrated by their familiarity. Few of us, I imagine, could explain ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Love Me? A Haunting Question For A Busy Church

Contributed by Tom Lawson on Jan 6, 2001

An inductive sermon exploring the idolatry of our (often Christian) busyness in light to the need for "Sabbath times" of relationship-building

DO YOU LOVE ME? A Haunting Question for a Busy Church John 21:15-17 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15 I love my wife Linda. I do. Now, to be honest, there are times that I do not enjoy being with her. But I do love her. To be painfully honest, she’s not a very exciting person for me to talk. There ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17, Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hearing In Your Belly Series

Contributed by Bob Ashcraft on Mar 27, 2001

To build a relationship with God, we must hear His voice. He is speaking to us but are we really listening?

March 21st, 1999 The Voice of the Spirit Part I “You Can Hear Better With Your Belly Than Your Ears.” Deut 8:3 "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-39, Deuteronomy 8:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tools For A Biographical Sketch Of Gideon

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 14, 2001

A biographical message seeks to explore the character, reputation, background, contributions, relationships, temperament, and spiritual life of person in the scriptures.

IV. Biographical Exposition DEFINITION - A biographical message seeks to explore the character, reputation, background, contributions, relationships, temperament, and spiritual life of person in the scriptures. Examples of Biographical Sermon Titles (From Sermons For the Nigerian Pastor) 1). ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living Life With The Fellowship Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Sep 3, 2001

1.RELATIONSHIP 2.REFINING 3.REST 4.REVELATION 5.REQUESTS 6.RESISTANCE 7.RELEASE

LIVING LIFE WITH THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OUTLINE 1.RELATIONSHIP 2.REFINING 3.REST 4.REVELATION 5.REQUESTS 6.RESISTANCE 7.RELEASE THE MESSAGE LIVING LIFE WITH THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 1. RELATIONSHIP The Lords wants to provide us a relationship with the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Unfailing Love

Contributed by Scott Cheatham on Feb 9, 2002

God’s unfailing love shown through the relationship between the prophet Hosea and his adulterous wife, Gomer.

God’s Unfailing Love Hosea 2 Rev. Scott Cheatham I think most everyone here today would agree that the greatest human need is to be loved. Professionals from all areas of the medical field have stated this in their writings. From the moment a baby is born, it craves the love and attention its ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Marriage As Christ Modeled

Contributed by Kemuel Travis on Feb 15, 2006

To show that Christ’s relationship with us gives us a wonderful picture of what our marriages should be like.

INTRODUCTION Our society is full of many so called “Urban Myths” These are stories that are claimed to be facts and likewise widely distributed and believed, yet with no basis to them at all One such myth came into popularity in the 90’s when it was said that the uncooked rice thrown at couples ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-33

Denomination: Wesleyan

Sleeping With The Enemy: Coping With Conflict Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Mar 4, 2006

3rd in a 3 part series on marriage using three movies as the springboard to Biblical truth for marriages and relationships.

SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY: COPING WITH CONFLICT Reel Relationships - Week 4 Romans 12:17, Psalm 86:5 INTRODUCTION: (Video clip from Sleeping with the Enemy - 29:16-32:40 = 3:34) Some conflict in marriage is so horrible people will do anything to get out. Every time I see that clip my heart ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:17-19

Denomination: Christian Church

War Of The Worlds: Different By Design Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Mar 4, 2006

2nd in a 3 part series on marriage using three movies as the springboard to Biblical truth for marriages and relationships.

WAR OF THE WORLDS: DIFFERENT BY DESIGN Reel Relationships - Week 3 Genesis 1:26-27, Jeremiah 31:3 INTRODUCTION: (Montage video clip from War of the Worlds - Mpg = 2:24) That movie, War of the Worlds, is based on the best selling novel by H.G. Wells. The movie actually did very well at ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:26-27

Denomination: Christian Church

Titanic: Keeping Romance Afloat Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Mar 4, 2006

1st in a 3 part series on marriage using three movies as the springboard to Biblical truth for marriages and relationships.

TITANIC: KEEPING ROMANCE AFLOAT Reel Relationships - Week 2 Revelation 2:4-5 INTRODUCTION: (Video Clip montage from Titanic - mpeg 2:58) It was that tragic, true story that served as the backdrop for the blockbuster film Titanic, which steamed past all other movies to become the top grossing ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:4-5

Denomination: Christian Church

Hosea: God's Scandalous Love

Contributed by Doug Vance on Sep 11, 2006

Jerry Springer would love to get Hosea on his show to talk about his scandalous relationship with Gomer.

HOSEA: THE SCANDAL OF GOD’S LOVE Introduction: You came to church to get challenged, didn’t you? 1. I’M ABOUT TO LOSE SOME CREDIBILITY HERE, I hope by the end of the sermon I can get it back: I logged onto the Jerry Springer web site to check out the kind of SCANDALOUS topics he ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What's Really Importat Series

Contributed by Ron Murphy on Nov 13, 2006

For Paul, knowing Christ, constantly moving closer in his relationship with Christ, and doing so with others was of primary importance.

Introduction I. I personally was not, but I have certainly heard the zeal of some that have been; born in a Christian “home” that is. A. I must believe that it would be a great benefit to have a strong Christian heritage. 1. I was once in a prayer group with a pastor, whose ancestry included a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8-16

Denomination: Methodist

Marriage: Pursuing Conformity To Christ In The Covenant Series

Contributed by John Piper on Mar 29, 2007

In Christ’s relationship to the church, he is clearly seeking the transformation of his bride into something morally and spiritually beautiful.

Ephesians 5:21-33 [Submit] to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33

Denomination: Baptist

A New Year's Feast

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

Leading into communion, with a large amount of OT Festival background, all around the question "how is your relationship with God?"

A New Year’s Feast Jan 4/5, 2003 Intro: New year’s resolutions… There was a couple who were sitting with a marriage counselor for their first session and the good doctor asked them to identify what seemed to be the root of their problems. The wife responded, "It all started when we thought it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:28

Denomination: Baptist