Sermons on Facing Criticism:

Bethel: Where The Prophet Was Told To Leave Town!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 3, 2020

Many things happened at Bethel, including this visit from one of God's true prophets who came face to face with the priest of that city. God's prophet preached--but what happened afterwards?

Introduction: God’s prophets seldom if ever had an easy time of it. Consider Nathan, who had the duty to inform David that what he had done with Bathsheba was sin. David was king and could have said only one word and the result would have been one less prophet! David’s own great-great-grandson Asa ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Victorious In A Foreign Land (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 30, 2021

Regardless of who we are, or where we live, we all face seasons of comfort and ease countered by seasons of trials and difficulty. There is one constant in life regardless of the season we must face – the presence and help of the Lord.

Victorious in a Foreign Land (Part 1) Esther 9: 1-19 The emotional roller coaster for Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews within the kingdom of Persian continues. They have experienced a series of highs and lows. It seems as if they really didn’t have time to enjoy a victory before being confronted ...read more

Scripture: Esther 9:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

How To Deal With An Impossible Situation Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Feb 15, 2021

Jesus and His disciples faced an absolutely impossible situation--10,000 people to feed in a deserted place, little food and too little money. How should we respond when we face the same kind of situation?

“Life is difficult.” So says the first three words of a best-selling book by Dr. M. Scott Peck, an author and Psychiatrist, who wrote “The Road Less Traveled.” And He goes on to say that the key to dealing with the difficulty of life is just simply realizing and accepting the fact that life is ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15, Proverbs 17:3, 1 Peter 5:12, Deuteronomy 34:10-12, Deuteronomy 18:15-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Bible Church

A Portrait Of A Mother

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on May 8, 2023

The portrait of the mother and all successful women is found in Proverbs 31. When the artist of Proverbs 31 lifts his brush to paint the portrait of the woman, who would be the ideal woman, God made her face the face of a mother.

Read with me Proverbs 31:30 and 31. Ready? "Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain. But a woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates". Father, thank you for the beautiful Word of God and the portrait ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:30

Denomination: Pentecostal

Believing Without Seeing

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Apr 4, 2021

On the day of Jesus's return we will see him, in person, face to face. Until that great day, we are those who have not seen, yet believe. We are those who have not touched and seen and heard.

There are some things about us that we just have, naturally. Think about how children look. Every child receives some features from his or her parents, like red hair or brown eyes or a certain shape of nose or chin. And sometimes we think faith is like that too. We say, “I’m pretty sure I have ...read more

Scripture: John 20:28-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What We Shall Be

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Aug 21, 2019

The more we feel battered on this earth or are tempted to look away from others who are broken, the more we need to remember what God can make us when we see him face to face in heaven.

This morning we are celebrating All Saints’ Sunday. You may know that the observance began many centuries ago to honor Christians who experienced the fierce persecutions of the Roman Empire, who were executed for their faith, and maintained their testimony of Christ through it all. Folks like a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Who Is Jesus To You? Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Feb 24, 2025

We all face judgments from other people. Jesus faced that too. As He began his earthly ministry, Jesus experienced two completely different responses from two different towns. How will you respond?

People make judgments about us all of the time. It’s not so much that they are judgmental, but that they get to meet us or get to know us based on certain associations. I know, by virtue of the fact that I’m a pastor, when I introduce myself to people, they make an immediate judgment. If they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-44

Denomination: Baptist

Smyrna Series

Contributed by Larry Brincefield on Sep 28, 2003

1. History of Smyrna (Modern day Izmir) 2. The Trials/Tribulations they faced. 3. Worsening Persecution 4. Their reward

September 21, 2003 Title: 7 Churches of Revelation: Smyrna Text: Rev. 2:8-11 Introduction 1. During this series on the 7 Churches of Revelation, there are several things that we want to happen. A. We want to understand that Jesus is walking amongst the lampstands... He is walking amongst ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Nazarene

All You Need Is A Word

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Jul 7, 2011

I don’t care what you are facing today: One word from God is all you need.

Before I start preaching I need to prophesy to somebody and I need to tell you that tonight is your night for a turn around. And I decree to you that in the very same place that the enemy said it was gonna end, you’re going to step into a new beginning and the greatest blessing of your life. Begin ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-25, 2 Chronicles 20:25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lord, This Really Hurts

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Mar 13, 2004

This sermon deals with the stress we face when unexpected losses come into our lives. Job is the chief character.

Lord, This Really Hurts NLF 2/8/2004 Job 1:6-22 Matthew 11:25-30 Our Bible Study this week involves the stress of loss. Today’s message is entitled, “Lord this really hurts.” Have you ever had to say to the Lord, or to someone else, “now this really hurts?” We are all going to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30, Job 1:6-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Taming Your Tongue Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Nov 4, 2005

Sometimes we say things that we really don’t mean to say. Sometimes we are downright mean in our speech. James outlines four critical truths about taming your tongue in James 3:1-12.

Scripture An elderly man had serious hearing problems for a number of years. His family tried again and again to convince him to get a hearing aid. Finally he relented. He went to the doctor and was fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed him to hear 100 percent. A month later he went back ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12, James 3:3-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Creativity: Maintaining A Sensitivity To Transcendence Series

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Nov 25, 2020

The Star and Stars of Christmas is a series of messages for Advent. Using the idea of a play on a stage. Each message will look at different characters in the Christmas story. The introduction takes a critical look at how many in our society are portrayed as celebrities—bigger than life.

Often people are attracted to performances based upon the popularity of the performers, or the authors. (My wife’s father enjoyed David Baldacci, James Patterson, Danielle Steele, etc.). A good writer wants to remove his/her personality and have us to focus on the story. The Gospel according to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Grasshopper Complex

Contributed by Arthur And Marie Mason on Aug 6, 2009

In Modern America who would want to have a ‘grasshopper complex?’ Satirized by our childhood and criticized by others, would-be giants often shrink further at the thought of overcoming. But if we, “…rebel not against the Lord, neither fear ye the people o

Moving Beyond A Grasshopper Complex “And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of The giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, And so we were in their sight” (Numbers 13:33). Introduction: In Modern America who would want to have a ‘grasshopper complex?’ Satirized ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Have Heard It Said – Divorce Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Aug 14, 2023

This message is probably one of the hardest messages I have ever had to both prepare for and preach. I am sure this message will be accepted by some and criticized by others. My goal was to be true to where the Scripture took me and the conclusions of that study

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT YOU HAVE HEARD IT SAID – DIVORCE MATTHEW 5:31–32 “IT HAS BEEN SAID, ‘ANYONE WHO DIVORCES HIS WIFE MUST GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE.’ 32BUT I TELL YOU THAT ANYONE WHO DIVORCES HIS WIFE, EXCEPT FOR MARITAL UNFAITHFULNESS, CAUSES HER TO BECOME AN ADULTERESS, AND ANYONE ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:31-32, Malachi 2:14-16, 1 Corinthians 7:10-15, Ephesians 5:22-28

Denomination: Baptist

Lost…at Home Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Apr 15, 2002

In Luke 15, Luke gives a series of three parables in response to the criticism of the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus received unbelieving sinners and even ate with them. Today, our focus is on the second of these stories – a lost coin that had value and

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: How many of you chronically lose or misplace things? You never notice that something is lost until you need it and it’s always in the last place you look. Have you ever noticed the intensity with which you will search for an inanimate object when you need it? Your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:8-10