Sermons on Enduring Temptation:

Standing Firm In Trials Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

Persecution is promised to believers; therefore we should not be surprised when we encounter trials of various kinds. In the midst of difficulties, we must continue to increase in love for people as we anticipate the return of Christ.

Standing Firm in Trials Here are a few breaking prayer needs that have been compiled by a ministry called “Open Doors.” (Taken from the Pastor’s Guide for the “International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church,” www.opendoorsusa.org). Vietnamese authorities recently arrested a pastor and held ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Living Responsibly Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 30, 2001

Three strategies to live spiritually responsible lives.

Just because a person’s an adult doesn’t necessarily mean that person is responsible. When I turned 18 years old it seemed that the only thing I could think about was moving out on my own. But like most 18 year olds, I still had a lot of growing up to do. Eventually my mom helped me buy a trailer ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Betrayed! Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 1, 2001

Four ways to make sense out of spiritual betrayal when spiritual companions turn away from Jesus.

There’s a scene from the 1988 movie Shoot To Kill that still makes my blood run cold. Maybe you remember the movie, it starred Sidney Poitier and Tom Berringer, and it was about their search for a jewel thief who murdered his victims. During one scene in the movie there’s a group of backpackers ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Analysis Of Confusion

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on May 7, 2004

God does not sustain what He has not ordained so all the lack of intimacy with God is a symptom of confusion.

There is a powerful spirit known as the spirit of confusion, and because it is sometimes neglected and nobody prays seriously against it, gives room to have many confused women and men in the market square of life. Some just find themselves in the world, with no good idea of what they come to do. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 48:13-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Climbing Out Of The Hole: Winning Over Depression & Discouragement

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Oct 4, 2006

Message addresses several causes of discouragement & several biblical steps to overcoming it.

CLIMBING OUT OF THE HOLE: WINNING OVER DISCOURAGEMENT “‘The paper guy’s here!’ Every Monday morning a cashier at Eckerd’s drugstore greets me with these words. A manager gives her a key and she fishes $3 and change from a cash drawer and pays me for copies of the Kansas City Star sold the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

How To Let Jesus Deliver You From Temptation

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 1, 2002

How to Let Jesus Deliver You From Temptation - Matt. 4:1-11

How to Let Jesus Deliver You From Temptation – Matt. 4:1-12 Avoid temptations of all types by fixing your eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of our faith. Illustration: A young Indiana college student won a competition for performing the most outlandish stunt to earn a prize of $10,000.00 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Christ Speaks To His Churchs--Ephesus" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 6, 2002

Introduction to the series, then Ephesus--in spite of their orthodoxy, the spiritual vitality of the church at Ephesus was gone.

Christ Speaks to His Churchs--Ephesus Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts We all dread performance appraisals; they can often make or break a career. In the Book of Revelation we read our Lord’s spiritual evaluation report to His churches. While specific ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Congregational

The Frog In The Kettle

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 5, 2006

The parable of the boiling frog gives us great insight into how we gradually move into places and attitudes that are dangerous. We don’t dive right in. We slowly wade in. We start at the shallow end of the pool. And slowly we find ourselves getting in dee

INTRODUCTION / SERMONIC THEME Opening Statement: Some time ago a book was written on church life called, "The Frog In The Kettle." It was an interesting title designed to call to mind how it is so easy to gradually drift into trouble. Perhaps you could subtitle the book "How To Boil A Frog." The ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Tempting Good News

Contributed by Ricky Johnson on Mar 11, 2007

A sermon expounding upon the Good News in Temptations.

When I first returned to the Church I found a reading schedule which allowed me to read through the Bible in one year. I had never read through the Bible so I decided to challenge myself to complete this task. While involved in this pursuit I would make notes of certain verses or thoughts I had ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

How To Deal With Lifes Greatest Changes Series

Contributed by Chris Kelly on Nov 6, 2006

This series follows the life of Joseph as he enrolls in the "School of Hard Knocks". Learn how you too can be victorious no matter what life throws at you.

How to Deal with Life’s Greatest Changes Series: Surviving the School of Hard Knocks August 6, 2000 Show video clip, “Toy Story” ( start 25:05 “What is it?” – Stop 31:02 “They’ll see. I’m still Andy’s favorite toy.” Duration: 6 min.) Change is a tough thing to swallow. Whether you’re being ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 43:1-14

Denomination: Wesleyan

Craving Evil And The Lottery

Contributed by Greg Nance on Oct 12, 2002

Israel’s history helps us understand the dangers of sinful patterns today. Craving evil is a root that bears bad fruit. Only the cross can deliver us.

Bill Cosby once said, “I’m proud to be an American, because an American can eat anything on the face of this earth, as long as he has two pieces of bread.” As Paul approaches eating meat offered to idols here in chapter 10, he gets a running start by pointing to ancient Israel’s history. For our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:9-19, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Whatever It Takes (#2) Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Aug 25, 2004

This is the 2nd in a series of 4 messages that challenge the hearers to do "whatever it takes" to be the people that God has called them to and to help their church be all that God would have it to be.

“WHATEVER IT TAKES” Luke 4:38-44 INTRO – WWJD – extremely popular a few years ago. Bracelets, t-shirts, bumper stickers – all sorts of things with these letters on them. Had one of these on when on a youth mission trip once. Went into a fast food restaurant. Teenage girl waiting on me saw it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons Learned From Luke's Account Of The Temptation Of Christ

Contributed by Harvey Earls on Jun 19, 2007

Lessons I learned about temptation and how to react to temptation based on Jesus Christ’s experience with temptation as recorded in the Gospel of Luke.

Lessons learned from Luke’s Account of the Temptation of Jesus Christ A mother told her son not to go swimming. However, when he came into the house his mother noticed that his hair and bathing suit were wet. "Johnnie," his mother scolded, "I told you not to go swimming." "I couldn’t help it mom," ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Persecution Faithfully

Contributed by Greg Nance on Aug 26, 2006

Are you persecuted? If you seek to fit in with the world, probably not. But if you make a stand with Jesus - watch out!

Today we begin the second letter to the Thessalonians. This letter was written just weeks after the first letter. In that letter, Paul wrote about Jesus’ return to encourage them and to answer two questions about it. 1. What will happen to those that die before Jesus returns? 2. When will Jesus ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Looking Up To God Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 30, 2013

The temptations and accusations of the world are like a man-eating plant that wraps its legs around our character and seeks to drag us down. God's Word is like the searchlight from a Coast Guard helicopter, coming to rescue us in times of trouble.

Psalm 119 is a celebration of God’s Word and a literary masterpiece. But there is also a story arc in this psalm that we can relate to. The psalmist, quite possibly Ezra, is facing temptation and opposition from the world—in an attempt to keep him from serving Yahweh and obeying His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:57-104

Denomination: Calvary Chapel