Sermons on Divisions And Offenses:

Why Gandhi Never Went To Church Again - And What Jesus Wants To Do About It

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Jul 19, 2024

In this sermon you'll meet a hardline immigration official and then a not very nice racist. Then ... when they have had their say ... perhaps you will meet Jesus.

A version of this sermon was first delivered on 10th September 2006 at Holy Trinity Barkingside - a slightly amended version (with Part Three added) was delivered Sunday 21 July 2024 at St Barnabas Northolt. As Anglo-Catholics we have a set of four readings (Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22, Galatians 3:28-29

Denomination: Anglican

All Mixed Up

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 21, 2023

How do we know where we should make a stand?

A few decades ago, when George Bush was running for president, he visited Bob Jones University. You would not believe the media firestorm that ensued. Some people were outraged that Bush went there at all, while others were astonished that his political opponents made so much of it. Of course, ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 9:5-15, Ezra 4:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Goal Line Stands

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Feb 6, 2012

Do we push and strain to score a touchdown or hold the offense on goal line stands? Do we really care about what Christ calls us to do and be?

Goal Line Stands 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 January 22, 2012 One of the most exciting parts of a football game occurs when one team gets the ball near the other teams goal line. Then it becomes time for a goal line stand. The defense digs in to stop the offense, while the offense does everything ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: Baptist

A Year For Victory Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on Jan 8, 2007

Part two in this series builds upon the revelation of Christ as Lord of Hosts, or God of Armies. It explores the need for Christians to go on the offensive in spiritual warfare.

(Major inspiration for this sermon derived from Francis Frangipane’s "This Day We Fight") There is a question that is asked in the church. It is an important question. A vital question. One that should be asked of those we come in contact with, and those who find themselves within our church ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 13:14-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

From Pit To Place

Contributed by James Harrington on Feb 18, 2003

The story of Joseph helps us to choose to overlook unfair offenses, overcome enormous obstacles and model a virtue that is fast becoming lost in or hostile age.

From Pit to Palace Genesis 32:22-32 In David Aikman’s book Great Souls: Six Who Changed the Century, he profiles six leaders of the 20th century who he argues triumphed over criticism, adversity and opposition. Aikman writes, “I’ve always personally been inspired by the lives of great people. It ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Doing Life With God Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 9, 2009

Doing life with God produces lasting change in the way we live (i.e. being gracious to others and traveling light, carrying no offense).

Doing Life with God Ephesians 4:17-32 Intro: Earlier in Eph. we talked about the BC life & the AD life. Today we will follow a similar pattern. Paul is giving practical instructions on how to live a life that honors God. Paul started this chapter with a challenge to have a walk worthy of God’s ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Search Me---Am I That Brave?

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jul 23, 2019

One of the bravest thing a believer can do is pray the prayer, "search me oh God and see if there is anything offensive within me.

—Search Me--- Am I That Brave? Psalm 139 13-24 2 Timothy 2:1-4 When you think of someone doing something brave. What comes to your mind? A father lost his life, swimming for his kids. An uncle was severely burned running into a burning building to save his niece. What would give you the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:13-24, 2 Timothy 2:1-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Pleading The Blood

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 12, 2021

To “Plead the Blood” means to speak of the blood in prayer to God, to claim it as a protective shield against the enemy, or even as an offensive weapon against spiritual forces.

PLEADING THE BLOOD Rev. 5:9; 12:11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. “Now class,” she said, “if I stood on my head, the blood would run into it and I would turn red in the face, right?” “Yes ma’am,” the class murmured. 2. “Then why is it, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:9, Revelation 12:11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Pathway Of Idolatry Series

Contributed by Ed Taylor on Dec 22, 2008

They exchange the glory of God for the corruption of man.

1. Downhill. That’s the path painted by our Pastor Paul. • Man is not improving, going up toward God. • But rather doing down hill… and going FAST! • It’s NOT an evolution toward God is it? NO. • It’s a DEVOLUTION downward away from God. • And the one of the strongest evidences of this is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:20-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Integrating God In All Life Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 22, 2009

I want to help us confront a division that is so natural it can influence our lives more than we know… the division between what we perceive as spiritual and secular… between what we deem spiritually relevant and spiritually irrelevant… between what

Integrating God in All of Life (Intro: A division (dichotomy) that needs to die) Let me begin this morning by presenting a few questions… just to stir our thinking: • Where are you most likely to be honoring God… here on Sundays… or Monday at work? • Do you sense any real spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dedication-4

Contributed by Byron Sherman on May 28, 2019

4 of ? The children of Israel were to dedicate the city of Jericho to the LORD. God’s people are to wholly devote themselves & their world to the Lord. But how are we to do that? Dedicating you & your world to the Lord recalls/demands...

DEDICATING/DEDICATION-IV—Joshua 6:15-27 The Task Of Dedication Need: We must remember that what we do, we do by & for the Lord God who has graced us with salvation by faith in Christ... ...We DEDICATE our lives & our surroundings to Him! 2Cor. 10:3-6—“For though we walk in the flesh, we ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:15-27

Denomination: Baptist

How To Seldom Offend And Not Be Offended

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on May 8, 2007

Scripture way to deal with conflict resolution within the community of believers.

May, 2007 How to Seldom Offend and Not be Offended Matthew 18:15-20 INTRODUCTON: Many times there are things that come up within the Christian community that cause hard feelings among members, and these problems grow into mountains and cause divisions within the church and even church splits. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Methodist

How To Protect Our Church

Contributed by Lynn Floyd on Jul 21, 2002

In this sermon I talk about the importance of maintaining unity in the church and give practical ways a church can protect against disunity.

How To Protect Our Church MESSAGE DISCLAIMER: Most of this message material was taken from a sermon Rick Warren (Saddleback Church) preached to his core leadership. This sermon fit right in with what our church is (was) going through at the time. I used the manuscript from his "Leadership Lifter" ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-24, Ephesians 4:3

Denomination: Baptist

Preventing A Spiritual Firestorm Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Dec 28, 2024

How much devastation and destruction has been wrought because believer's think nothing of listening passively to slanderous accusations against their spiritual leaders? The Apostle Paul was a victim of this as well.

Paradise, California. Lahaina, Hawaii. What comes to mind when I mention those two towns? What do they have in common? Yes, wildfire devastation. Firestorms that destroyed nearly the whole towns. I think most of us remember the terrifying and incredibly speedy devastation that each of these ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Timothy 5:19, 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Denomination: Bible Church

Dealing With Doctrinal Deviation

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 29, 2010

God charges the church with the responsibility to avoid those who cause division and create obstacles. It is the responsibility of the entire assembly, and not that of the elders alone.

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve.” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:17-18

Denomination: Baptist