Sermons on Discerning Behavior:

Not Obliged Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Jan 16, 2010

As our church considers who we really are as the Body of Christ, we find it necessary to focus on some very core scriptures about Christian Behavior. This is one of them.

No Obligation Text: Romans 13:8-14 I know this is going to sound surprising to those of us who live near, in, or work and/or play in the City of Chicago, but I once saw a police officer turn down free coffee and doughnuts. Yes, that’s right. I was on a “ride along” with an officer ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-14

Denomination: *other

Who Gets Hurt By What We Do?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 24, 2008

Morality is not just an arbitrary abstraction. God is hurt by what we do, and we ourselves are hurt by immoral behavior. But God in Christ can give us a new heart.

I am a part of a group of five ministers who get together about once a month as a support group. Our intent is simply to share what is going on in our lives and let the others comment with any wisdom they may have. At the last meeting of the group, one of the members was talking about the way he ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Our Call: It Is Never Easy Working With People... Hurt People Hurt People.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 1, 2017

Idleness really hurts families, churches and our nation. Idleness is a learned behavior that leads to hurt people hurting people. What are we learning? What are we teaching?

IT IS NEVER EASY TO WORKING WITH PEOPLE WITHOUT GOD'S PLAN? DEALING WITH HURT PEOPLE! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com WE ACCEPT BURIED TALENTS AS THE NORM... TAKE OWNERSHIP... FIND A JOB FOR PEOPLE. WE NEED TO DEVELOP PEOPLE SKILLS. TEXT: 1 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:13, 1 Timothy 25:24-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Embracing Your New Identity

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 25, 2017

Absolutely essential to your success as a Christian, is the biblical revelation of who you are in Christ. When a Christian tries to become something in God by good behavior, he is working backwards.

Galatians 2:20 2/15/15 When a person is brought into the military, an extensive process begins to change his (or her) way of thinking about himself. He is stripped of his old civilian closes and dressed in a uniform consistent with his new identity. That uniform is a constant reminder that he is ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:11-13, Colossians 1:13, Romans 8:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Wrathful Love Of God - Did God Pour Out His Wrath On Jesus?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on May 27, 2019

This is a multi-part message - There is a growing belief that God does not need to punish people for sin and that His wrath is directed specifically against all the ungodly behavior and unrighteousness of humanity.

There is a growing belief in the Church that God does not need to punish people for sin and that His wrath is directed specifically against all the ungodly behavior and unrighteousness of humanity that is damaging them, hurting them, causing them to sin against each other, and anything contrary ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 22:23, Colossians 1:9, John 14:8-11, John 8:29, John 16:32, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:3, Psalm 22:1-31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Pursuit Of Happiness Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Apr 18, 2011

“God wants me to be happy?” We often hear that phrase in our day, usually as an excuse for some kind of behavior that the individual knows is wrong. But is that true?

“In The Pursuit of Happiness” Matthew 5:1-2 “God wants me to be happy?” We often hear that phrase in our day, usually as an excuse for some kind of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-2, Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Baptist

A Passion For Purity Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 30, 2020

Is it possible that we have concentrated on the outside of people (behavior modification) and we have really missed the point of Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God?”

The Jesus Manifesto – A Passion for Purity Matthew 5:8; Psalm 24 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 8-26-18 Your Tree Exploded When we decided to move to Pontiac nearly twenty years ago, Maxine came up with her mother to look for houses. She called and told me that she had found ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

Realistic Reminders Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 17, 2020

We need reminders to keep us realistic about human social behavior, about our tendency to accommodate our own sin, and about the nature of government leaders.

Realistic Reminders (Proverbs 28:11-16) 1. Everyone is forgetful at times. The difference is often this: some people remember they are absent-minded, others forget they are absent-minded. 2. One of my favorite original jokes is also true: I read a book about how to remember, but forgot what it ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 28:11-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Fear A Redeemer? - 1 Peter 1:17-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 1, 2024

We will face judgment for our deeds, good and bad, on Judgment Day, and we also face judgment in the form of chastisement in this life. Both should affect our behavior.

1 Peter 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the worthless way of life handed down to you from your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-18

What Mama Said

Contributed by Jason Jones on May 17, 2023

On this Mother’s Day, we will look at a beautiful, and probably most significant, character trait and behavior mom’s (past, present, and future) share with God himself: Grace

What Mama Said Ephesians 5:3–5, Background to passage: Paul’s quick turnaround from his encouraging word to imitate God and walk in love like Christ is to move back to teaching from the negative (by that I mean that he is instructing them what not to do rather than what to do). Important ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On Accountability & Responsibility

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 28, 2023

One of the many definitions of accountability includes owning up to the positive and negative consequences of our individual choices in life and the subsequent behavioral trait that undoubtedly follows, rather than attributing the cause to external factors or somebody else.

Christopher Norio Avery, an American public policy scholar and writer once remarked: “Taking responsibility – practicing 100 percent responsibility every day – is about seeing ourselves not as right or wrong, but as an agent, chooser, problem solver, and learner in the complex interrelationships of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:13, Jeremiah 17:10, Colossians 3:23, 1 Corinthians 3:8

The Judgmental "Thou Shalt Not Judge” Diversion

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jan 28, 2017

Jesus said to “Judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). The Bible clearly gives every Born-Again Christian the authority and right to humbly discern and make the distinction between truth and error, right and wrong, good and evil.

In the pluralistic culture we currently live in the greatest 'sin' is intolerance and self-contradictory moral relativism runs rampant as judgments are suspended so that each person can define what is morally right or wrong for them. The Bible verse most often taken out of context to condemn those ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Overcoming Bad Habits Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 11, 2025

Overcoming bad habits is not an easy task, but with God’s help, it is possible. We must renew our minds, rely on the Holy Spirit, take responsibility for our actions, and remain patient in the process.

OVERCOMING BAD HABITS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Supporting Texts: Ephesians 4:22-24, 1 Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus Keeps Secrets?

Contributed by Jimmy Davey on Dec 29, 2001

Mathew 16 teaches us how spiritual discernment lets us judge false teachers, about the good and bad of secrets and our faiths saving message.

Matthew 16 Main focus: The Holy Spirit I. 16:2-4, The Pharisees and Sadducees were living in the flesh, thus Christ serves that they have no comprehension of the spiritual realm. They have no spirituality themselves. Sign of Jonah = a sign of judgment: as the Son of Man was judged so shall ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-28

Denomination: Methodist

Hallmarks Of Godly Ministry Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 23, 2005

What criteria do you look for in order to discern whether a ministry is the real thing or a counterfeit? How do you know whether a ministry is trustworthy not?

Hallmarks of Godly Ministry 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20[1] 10-17-04 Intro I have taken as my subject this morning from 1 Thessalonians 2—The Hallmarks of Godly Ministry. What criteria do you look for in order to discern whether a ministry is the real thing or a counterfeit? How do you know whether ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20

Denomination: Charismatic