Sermons on Facing Criticism:

How The Early Church Weathered Its First Crisis

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Aug 7, 2006

The early church faced many crises that threatened its very existence but none greater than that posed by the Judaizers.

HOW THE EARLY CHURCH WEATHERED ITS FIRST CRISIS “And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Before There Can Be A Resurrection There Must Be A Death, Burial.

Contributed by Timothy Lee on Aug 19, 2004

In our walk with God we too have to face with: Death of a vision Burial of a vision Resurrection of a vision

Before there can be a Resurrection there must be a death, burial. John 11:1-4 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. ...read more

Denomination: Apostolic

21 Thoughts For Meditation On The Crucifixion Of Jesus Christ

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Jun 22, 2001

This sermon is about the nature of the sufferings of Jesus Christ and it often reflects the sufferings we face in our own life.

21 THOUGHTS FOR MEDITATION ON THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST 1) JESUS SUFFERED FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS: Often we are willing to suffer for our own benefit but let us learn to suffer for the benefit of others. SCRIPTURE REFERENCE ********************************** Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Tough Times Ahead -- Part 2 Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 10, 2001

THE EXAMPLE OF GODLY MENTORS AND THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE WORD OF GOD EQUIPS THE MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL TO PERSEVERE IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION AND GROWING DECEPTION

BIG IDEA: THE EXAMPLE OF GODLY MENTORS AND THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE WORD OF GOD EQUIPS THE MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL TO PERSEVERE IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION AND GROWING DECEPTION I. (:10-14) THE EXAMPLE OF GODLY MENTORS EQUIPS THE MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL TO PERSEVERE A good model can make a tremendous ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Prayer That God Answers Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 14, 2001

On the face of it, the Prayer of Jabez would appear to be the kind of petition God wouldn’t answer - too selfish.

OPEN: Two young boys were spending the night at their grandparents. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers when the youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs, "I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE. And I PRAY FOR A NEW NINTENDO PLAY STATION, -and I PRAY FOR A NEW ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Mountains Won't Move

Contributed by Antonio Torrence on Nov 18, 2000

We will face obstacles as we strive onward to Mount Zion but we must see them as opportunities for ministry

"When Mountains Won't Move" -Reverend A. LaMar Torrence, Pastor of Cross of Life Lutheran Church “I am bound for Mount Zion way up on a hill.And if anyone is going to make it, surely I will." Those words seem to sum up our mission as we travel along our pilgrim's journey. We seek to obtain that ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Challenged By Chariots Of Iron(Part 1 Of 3)

Contributed by Charles Holt on Apr 16, 2001

Study deals with the fear of Ephraim and Manasseh faced with chariots of iron in their conquest of Canaan with applications to the Christian’s life.

A Bible Study by Charles W. Holt email: cholt@gt.rr.com CHALLENGED BY CHARIOTS OF IRON(Part 1 of 3) Scripture reading: Jeremiah 12:4 Scripture Text: Joshua 17:14-18 The expression, "chariots of iron" is very descriptive. Its symbolic importance will be heightened when we place it within the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 17:14-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Love Of God

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

NO MATTER WHAT WE FACE, THERE IS NOTHING STRONG ENOUGH TO CUT US OFF FROM THE LOVE OF GOD 1.

NO MATTER WHAT WE FACE, THERE IS NOTHING STRONG ENOUGH TO CUT US OFF FROM THE LOVE OF GOD 1. (:31-32) Nothing Can Defeat Us Since God is On Our Side a. Respond in Confidence b. Trust the Power of God c. Rest in the Unchanging Eternal Love of God 2. (:33-34) Nothing Can Condemn Us Since God is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

Denomination: Independent/Bible

True Faith

Contributed by Jay Robison on Mar 5, 2008

True Faith; looks for God at work around us, leaves the glory to God alone, and lasts in the face of suffering.

I have used sermoncentral as one of the many resources in preparing this sermon. TRUE FAITH March 2, 2008 Jay Davis Robison ACTS 14:8-22 Few weeks ago began Lenten journey toward Easter Time of reflecting on our faith Considered being Generous, Last week living on Purpose This week ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:8-22

Denomination: Baptist

True Righteousness Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Nov 29, 2007

Can you imagine the faces when Jesus told them their righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees to go to heaven?

Can you imagine the faces of all the people sitting on the Mount of Beatitudes listening to Jesus preaching the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus told them their righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees to go to heaven? In Jesus day there were many people deeply concerned about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

In A Time Of Need?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 2, 2008

We face times of trouble and needs. God has a plan. We must learn the beauty of faithfulness to prayer!

WHAT SHALL WE DO IN A TIME OF NEED? COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com 1 Cor. 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Ready Because Of Christ

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Mar 23, 2008

Easter Message reflecting on the fact that because of Christ we can be ready to face God when we die.

Ready Because of Christ 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, 54-55 Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT USED IN MY MESSAGES IS BORROWED FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." Me: I shared this story the first Easter I was here, back in 2001, but we’ve got a number ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Three Giants That Must Fall

Contributed by Matthew Haynie on Jun 30, 2008

A sermon that describes the battles facing the Church today and the things Christians must fight if they wish to obtain the Incorruptible Crown.

In the times of Saul and the fledgling Israelites, there was another older nation that had crossed the Aegean Sea and settled in city states around Israel. The Philistines were every bit as civilized as the Israelites. They were actually a whole era ahead in technological terms; the Israelites were ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:2-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Soul-Lift

Contributed by Skip Alexander on Jun 30, 2008

Inward vs. outward change. We live in a world of face lifts when we need a soul-lift.

I. You Know You’re Getting Old When… • You and your teeth don’t sleep together. • You try to straighten out the wrinkles in your socks and discover you aren’t wearing any. • At the breakfast table you hear snap, crackle, pop and you’re not eating cereal. • You are on a first name basis with your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Avoiding Temptation's Trap Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jun 23, 2010

In this sermon we learn how Joseph was able to resist the challenging temptation he faced from Potiphar's wife.

Introduction: A. Let me begin by asking you: “What is it that is most tempting to you?” 1. I think it is funny to watch cats stare at a fish bowl or a bird cage – it is so representative of temptation’s attraction. 2. When I was a kid we had cats and they would sit and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ