Sermons on Difficult Relationships:

What Does It Mean To Be The Family Of God?

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 13, 2006

What does it mean to be the family of God? What does it look like for us to live in community? 1. A commitment to the hard work of relationships. 2. Having compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 3. Risk

Max Lucado, in his book In the Grip of Grace tells the story of the family of God in the form of a parable. He writes, “God has enlisted us in his navy and placed us on his ship. The boat has one purpose — to carry us safely to the other shore. This is no cruise ship. . . . We aren’t called to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Methodist

Seven Last Words

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Apr 24, 2014

Jesus went to the Cross so that we, through his death and resurrection might have a personal relationship with God and that we might know its power in every area of our lives.

Seven Last Words The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is the corner stone of our faith. It is the chosen symbol of the Christian faith. We see it empty, it is an empty cross because of the apparent tragedy which God turned for good and the apparent victory for evil which God overturned by the power ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Root Of Your Problem Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jun 24, 2014

When we follow worldly wisdom, the evidence will be demonstrate in the quarrels and fights that occur in our churches and in our other relationships. The problem is solved when we humble ourselves before God and before others.

“A new movie, “Fight Church,” raises the unusual question: “Can you love your neighbor while kneeing him in the face?” (Source: ABC news, abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/church-fight-club-pits-pastor-pastor-23188184 The documentary, by directors Daniel Junge and Bryan ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finding Freedom From Sin Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 18, 2011

Because of our relationship with Christ, we are enabled to live righteously and able not to live in sin. Thanks to the grace of God we are forgiven, freed, and enabled to yield our selves to Him and His service

ROMANS 6: 15-20 FINDING FREEDOM FROM SIN The previous verses taught that each man has one of two masters. Man will serve God, or man will serve sin. Sin is the most devastating, debilitating, degenerating power that ever entered creation. Sin is the terrible, life wrecking, soul-damning reality ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us To Remain Upbeat Despite Discouragements

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Ask the Lord to remind you to plug into His infinite power, perspectives and resources whenever you are feeling any discouragement in your personal life, relationships or ministries.

1. The Holy Spirit helps bring God’s purposes to completion in us and our ministries when we feel like giving up hope. Paul wrote, "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 1:6) Application: Trust the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Transforming Gospel

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Mar 10, 2001

Paul makes a special plea to his friend Philemon concerning his run-away slave but now a Christian, showing how the gospel transforms all relationships.

THE TRANSFORMING GOSPEL Letter writing is almost a lost art. We’d rather pick up the phone or dash off an e-mail but I’m glad that Paul used pen and ink. Doubtless Paul, being a man of letters and bubbling over with ideas for the spread of the gospel, must have written many ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

How Bold Shall We Be?

Contributed by Olen Bruner on Feb 16, 2002

This question is a retrospective look into our Christian resolve and commitment. This question ask us to look into the nature of our relationship with God, as we call upon our faith.

Introduction: This question is a retrospective look into our Christian resolve and commitment. This question ask us to look into the nature of our relationship with God, as we call upon our faith. This question also suggest to me several additional questions: Just where do I stand when ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Where Do You Meet With God?

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Sep 11, 2001

The two mountains mentioned in these verses direct us to examine the basis of our relationship with God. Do we attempt to interact with him at Mt. Sinai or Mt. Zion?

“Ararat, Moriah, Sinai, Nebo, Gerizim, Ebal, Carmel, Zion. Those are just a few of the many mountains mentioned in the Bible. What happened at Mt. Ararat? Noah’s ark came to rest there. You may remember that on Mt. Moriah the Lord provided a substitute sacrifice to take the place of the one he ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Love One Another Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Aug 20, 2001

Helping a church remain healthy in its relationships requires paying attention to the "one anothers" of the Bible. (Sermon series originally published in Proclaim! The Journal for Biblical Preaching)

August 26, 2001 These things I command you, that ye love one another. John 15:17 Stop the first one hundred people you meet on the street and ask them this question: What¡¦s wrong with the church today? You will get plenty of answers! It¡¦s so easy to criticize what others are doing. If ...read more

Scripture: John 15:17

Denomination: United Methodist

Killer Instinct (Anger) Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 7, 2005

Anger is a powerful sin that destroys relationships and adversely affects our relationshipo with God. God invites us not only to control our anger, but to be transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 29:11, James 1:19-21 “Killer Instinct” (Anger) INTRODUCTION Many of the seven deadly sins appear to be harmless at first glance. Pride can be downgraded to simply having an “attitude.” Envy is such a common “sin,” that can’t be all that bad, besides it is what fuels our economy. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Hell

Contributed by Tony Grant on Nov 28, 2005

God does not warn us about hell to scare us into a relationship with God, but God does tell us the natural consequence of separation from our Creator.

Hell Mark 9:43-48 2268 words 43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:43-48

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Miracle Of The New Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 1, 2005

God offers us new life, a new relationship with him, and a new experience of forgiveness. Discoving the miracle of the new is one way we prepare for the coming of the Lord

Mark 1:1-8 “The Miracle of the New” INTRODUCTION New items are attractive to us. We like the smell of a new car, and the fit of a new outfit. Even though some assembly may be required, we want new toys, and we are willing to buy the dozens of batteries that are needed for our new electrical ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Mechurch Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Apr 4, 2006

Who we really are is revealed by how we think about four major areas of life: God, time, money, and relationships. This message looks at the first two.

MeChurch Following Jesus, part 6 Wildwind Community Church November 13, 2005 David Flowers Right now we’re talking about following Jesus, and I have realized this week that there’s one thing that keeps me from following Jesus as faithfully as I would like, and I know that it’s the exact same ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

Me2church Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Apr 4, 2006

Who we really are is revealed by how we think about four major areas of life: God, time, money, and relationships. This message looks at the second two.

Me2Church Thanksgiving Message Wildwind Community Church David K. Flowers I believe that developing spiritual eyes – eyes that see God all around us – spot Him in things and in people and in world events and in circumstances good and bad – this is the key to thanksgiving. All over the world ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Jesus Driven Church

Contributed by James Chandler on Jan 15, 2007

While works clearly do not save us, in Matthew 25 Jesus makes it clear that how we live is the indicater of the kind of relationship we have with HIm.

The Jesus Driven Church As I look at all the messages that Jesus delivered this is without a doubt, to me, one of the most powerful. Jesus makes it clear that when He returns he will be able to distinguish one person from another in their relationship with Him. He will know who has been true ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ