Sermons on Difficult Relationships:

Christian Challenge Sermon I: Be Distinct Not Extinct Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Dec 11, 2019

For times like these, Jesus gave us eight Beatitudes or qualities that serve as a crescendo of progression toward becoming distinctly Christian in our relationship to God and to others.

CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE SERMON I: BE DISTINCT NOT EXTINCT When was the last time you took someone up on a challenge? Not too long ago, it was the “cool” thing to do among the younger generation to challenge another person to some kind of difficult venture or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-2, Philippians 4:4-7

All In The Family

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 2, 2007

In our text, Paul speaks about three different family-type relationships: 1- Husbands and wives 2- Parents and children 3- Masters and servants

INTRO.- It’s all in the family. You remember that old TV show with Archie Bunker and Edith. All in the Family was originally broadcast on the CBS television network from January 1971 to April 1979. In September 1979, the show was retooled under the title, Archie Bunker’s Place. This version of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Speak Lord, I Am Listening

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Jan 17, 2012

Today we’ll be reflecting on how important “listening” is when it comes to our relationship with God and to what the Corinthians were not hearing.

1 Samuel 3:1-10 1 Corinthians 6:(9-18) 19-20; 10:13 1 Kings 8:27 One activity that human beings really aren’t very good at is listening. It’s surprising, really. There doesn’t seem to be much to the art of listening – you just sit there and nod your head at the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Joy: Stand Firm In The Lord Series

Contributed by Dana Chau on Aug 31, 2025

Have you ever wondered why it is so difficult to live out the Christian faith? What if you knew how to stand firm in Jesus Christ which would help you live for Him? Get ready to discover Paul’s instructions!

Joy: Stand Firm in the Lord Philippians 3:12-4:1 Just a reminder that families and friends who don't attend church may be open to coming to church for Christmas. They need an invitation from us. Some may decline this year but may come the next. But some may be ready this year. We ...read more

Denomination: *other

The Gift Of Rest

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 11, 2018

We respond to God’s grace and nurture our relationship with God by observing a day of rest. The world can get along without our involvement (for a day).

Exodus 20:3-11 “The Gift of Rest” INTRODUCTION We have a problem. A lack of sleep among the U.S. workforce is costing approximately $411 billion and losing 1.2 million working days per year, a new study has found. The study also found that that a person who sleeps on average less than six ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:3-11

Denomination: Lutheran

"Growing In Grace Together”

Contributed by Austin Calder on Apr 21, 2020

Grace is a terribly misunderstood word and defining it sufficiently is very difficult. Some of the most detailed theology textbooks do not offer any concise definition of the term. Someone came up with this acronym: GRACE is God’s---Riches--- At---Christ’s---Expense.

That’s not a bad way to characterize grace. One of the best-known definitions of grace is only three words: God’s unmerited favor. A. W. Tozer expanded on that idea by saying, “Grace is the good pleasure of God that allows him to bestow benefits on the undeserving.” The key word in what have ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

Holy Spirit's At Work Gathering Everyone

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Jul 11, 2009

This sermon explores what happens when the Holy Spirit is at work gathering people together and they respond.

Whenever I go camping with a group of people there is one thing that brings us together, the camp fire. Everyone seems to gather around the camp fire. Likewise the Holy Spirit is active in bringing people together. God’s Spirit has been active since the creation of the world in bringing people ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:5-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Called Out Of Darkness Into Light

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on May 18, 2013

A sermon on what it means for a Christian to be called out of the darkness of the world (e.g., past behaviors, relationships, attitudes, etc.) and called into the Kingdom of the Son.

About 11 years ago, I received my formal call into ministry. It wasn’t a call from a church. It wasn’t a call from a bishop. It wasn’t even a call from the Pope but that would have been nice. I considered it a direct call from God. You see, I had been struggling with where I ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:13-14

Denomination: Christian Church

Rest For Your Soul - Psalm 23:1-2a Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 2, 2025

Most people do not have a sheep/shepherd relationship with God. Do you? If so, you will never lack anything you need. But need for what?

A psalm of David. 1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-2

How Do I Handle My Anger? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Sep 22, 2021

The Bible says a Christian is a changed person. Like HGTV and the fixer-upper homes, a Christian is to have a "before and after" in their story. Our "after" is supposed to be really different than our "before."

It was one of the best-known photographs and most tragic photographs of the Vietnam War. The picture a young burn victim running down the road in terror with her arms outstretched while soldiers walked behind her at his distance. On June 8, 1972, Kim's village came under attack. The South ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26, John 3:36

Denomination: Baptist

Get A Grip

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Aug 31, 2013

The Writer of Hebrews tells us to get a new grip on our faith by re-committing ourselves, recognizing the goal, re-energizing our faith, and renewing our relationships.

Get A Grip Hebrews 12: 12-15 Intro: I have been watching a TV show with my sons here lately. It’s called American Ninja Warrior. Has anybody else watched this? Basically it’s an extremely difficult obstacle course. No American has ever successfully completed the final course. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

Open-Minded To A Narrow Way? - Matthew 7:13-14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 16, 2024

The dominant religion of our culture is pluralism – no one goes to hell. Jesus tells us to enter the narrow gate because the more popular, less exclusive, less difficult road leads to hell, whereas the sparse, exclusive, hard road leads to life.

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Introduction Pluralism Whatever you think about President ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Fatherhood Ain't No Joke!

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Jun 20, 2020

The father-child relationship was created by God to give an expression of aspects of His Nature. Godly fathers should strive to reflect our Heavenly Father in these.

Fatherhood Ain't No Joke Introduction Dad jokes are the best. If you have never Googled dad joke challenges, Father's Day is a great day to. Dad jokes are corny and they are just too dry and corny not to laugh. A few that I find humorous are: "Dad, did you get a haircut?" ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Longing To Be With God

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jun 3, 2025

The Psalms are filled with Praise. This is so helpful when we consider our own need to praise God in prayer. This reminds us that we should be willing to praise even when times are difficult and we struggle. What a wonderful sourcebook of songs and prayers.

Introduction What we should remember when studying the Psalms: The Psalms are filled with Praise. This is so helpful when we consider our own need to praise God in prayer. This reminds us that we should be willing to praise even when times are difficult and we struggle. What a wonderful ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1st Things 1st: "God Is A Loving Father" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jun 16, 2005

To invite a more personal relationship with our Creator God by seeing Him also as a loving Father who loves each of his children without end.

Reading: Deuteronomy 32:1-6 I suppose that I’m like a lot of us… I’ve always wanted to please my father, but many times I have felt like I just never could. …that I never could quite live up to his expectations. • My Dad has always loved baseball. Some of the only toys he had as a kid growing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ