Sermons on Difficult Relationships:

Stop Supporting Missionaries!

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Apr 7, 2016

This message, from Acts 13, argues that the proper relationship between the church and missionaries involves missionaries supporting the church, rather than the other way around, because the work of mission is the work of the church as led by the Spirit.

Three Statements: • I propose that effective immediately, Grace Community Church stop supporting missionaries. • I am completely serious. • By the end of this message, I believe you will agree with me. Got your attention? Follow along this morning as we read Acts 13:1-4: Now ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Look!

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jun 3, 2003

When we focus on Jesus, it changes how we see every other part of our lives - ourselves, our future, our past, our attitudes and our relationships.

June 1, 2003 Colossians 3:4-11 “Look!” INTRODUCTION Once we get our focus on Jesus and heavenly things – that’s the “Look up” part, it changes our perspective on every part of our lives. It’s time we took a second look at parts of our lives that we thought we had seen accurately ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Did The Lord Say To Martin Luther?

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 26, 2002

I Martin Luther heard the Lord tell me that it’s by faith alone, Grace alone, Christ alone and Scripture alone that we experience and have a relationship with Him.

What did the Lord say to Martin Luther? Thesis: I Martin Luther heard the Lord tell me that it’s by faith alone, Grace alone, Christ alone and Scripture alone that we experience and have a relationship with Him. Texts: Martin Luther’s two favorite passages. Romans 1:17 For in the gospel a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 72:1-20, Romans 1:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Man From Smallville Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 12, 2002

Judges 14 tells us that Samson’s relationship with the Philistine woman was "from the LORD." How could that be? And what can this chapter in Samson’s life teach us?

OPEN: Commenting on the "Spiderman" movie, a critic noted that the famous kiss (where Spiderman kissed the heroine while hanging upside down in the rain) was actually not a kiss at all. The actor put his mouth up to hers but actually didn’t kiss her because - between having to wear his mask and ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Beyond The Sunday Face

Contributed by Bob Ashcraft on May 15, 2002

There is such falseness in American churches today. Most relationships are merely a façade. In this “throw-away society” the Church lacks transparency, “realness”. As a result we have become oblivious to the needs of others.

Beyond the Sunday Face · Some will not like this sermon today. · Some will you be mad at me for preaching this. · The Holy Spirit is going to challenge everyone of us. · There is such falseness in American churches today. · Most relationships are merely a façade. · In this “throw-away society” the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Hebrews 13:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

John Chapter 15 Series

Contributed by Jimmy Davis on Sep 20, 2001

Somewhere along the way to the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus stopped at a vineyard and compared His relationship to His followers to that of a vine and its branches to assure His followers of a productive and gratifying life.

John Chapter 15 The setting for this chapter is somewhere along the way to the Garden of Gethsemane. Perhaps Jesus stopped at a vineyard terraced along the hillside at one of the wealthy homes along the way, and compared His relationship to His followers to that of a vine and its branches, to ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-27, John 15:3

Denomination: Baptist

"Saint And Sinner"

Contributed by Bruce Hindenburg on Sep 3, 2002

From Saint to sinner. From "blessed are you," to "Get behind me Satan!" A look at the life of Peter, and his relationship with Jesus and how our lives might be mirrors of his.

September 1, 2002 Matthew 16:21-26 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. What a difference a day makes. I would imagine that at next weeks worship services and for sure on Sept. 11, and probably on Sunday the 15th of September, those words ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-26

Denomination: Lutheran

At The Last He Will Stand Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 8, 2003

We search for permanence through accomplishments, wealth, legacies; but Job discovered that he needed a Redeemer who would stand in his place and bring him a lasting relationship with God.

Have you discovered that nothing which you call permanent really is permanent? Lots of things are called permanent, many things are described as lasting, but they aren’t. Not really. Not long ago I wanted to mark two plastic containers so that I could be sure they would stay permanently ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:7-27

Denomination: Baptist

N.o.w., Or What? Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 9, 2003

The aim of this sermon is to give some Biblical direction as to the spiritual relationship between men and women and to encourage us to respect and honor the women in our lives on Mother’s Day and everyday.

1 Corinthians Mother’s Day N.O.W. or What? 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 May 11, 2003 Intro: A. [illustration] Three men were talking over coffee. Two of them are talking about the amount of control they have over their wives, while the third remains quiet. After a while one of the first two turns to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:3-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Learns His Destiny

Contributed by Larry Brincefield on Jan 8, 2003

I make the argument that Jesus begins to learn about His relationship to God the Father during the event when He was left in the Temple when He was 12-years-old.

Larry C. Brincefield larkayb@earthlink.net 1/8/03 Title: Events In the Life of Christ: Jesus Learns His Destiny Text: Luke 2:41-52 Introduction Well, here we are at the 1st Wednesday Night service of the New Year... As I began to think and plan about what to do on these Wednesday ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Nazarene

3 Questions Of God

Contributed by Glenn Narvaez on Jun 19, 2006

Find out the 3 heart-searching Questions God would ask us. These refers to our relationship with Him, with our brethren and with our family. Enjoy God’s word.

THE THREE QUESTIONS OF GOD? By Ptr. Glenn Narvaez July 10, 2005 1. “Where are you?” Gen. 3.9 This is related to our relationship with God "But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"" (Gen 3:9 NIV) He is absent in his meeting with God. Adam was not in his meeting place with God. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lordship And Stewardship

Contributed by Tom Mccrossan on Jan 26, 2004

Stewardship is a reflection of my relationship to my God and Savior. It is the management of my God-given resources for His glory & for the good of others. From an outline by Gerald Flury, 9/2002.

NOTE: The outline and 3 of the illustrations are taken from the very helpful sermon “STEWARDSHIP IS LORDSHIP” by Gerald Flury from September 2002. LORDSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP - Proverbs 3:5-10 INTRODUCTION: When we think of stewardship, we often consider it merely as a matter of our giving of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-10, Malachi 3:7-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Terrorist Turns To Jesus Series

Contributed by Doug Warren on Mar 25, 2006

Saul’s experience on the Damascus Road proves that God is more powerful than any Terrorist. Saul’s "religion" was keeping him from "relationship"with Jesus Christ.

Intro: Suppose Osama Ben Laden, Sadaam Hussein, or another famous terrorist leader was reported to have been converted to Christ. While many would be skeptical most would agree that God’s power had been at work and a Miracle had taken place. Such a miracle happened to the terrorist named Saul. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Today Only Offer

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Aug 18, 2005

As important as the choice of vocation - education, even the choice of a mate may be, none of these are the greatest choice of all. Life’s greatest choice has to do with our relationship with God.

Sermon Central Contributor Account# 12972 Rev. Wayne A. Lawson, M.Min First Baptist Church Ardmore, OK (Preached Sunday August 14, 2005) http://firstbaptistok.org/ Scripture: Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:15

Denomination: Baptist

Just Be A Branch Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 22, 2005

Expository sermon--don’t try to be the vine--be a branch. Major considerations: (1) Our Relationship with the Lord (2)Our Responsibility to Him (3) Our Reward in Him.

Just Be A Branch Fortifying the Foundations #34 John 15:1-17[1] 4-25-04 Intro 1. Have ever struggled in you walk with the Lord and found yourself asking, “How can I make Christianity work in my life?” There is no passage in the Bible that better answers that question than Jesus’ words in John ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-7

Denomination: Charismatic