Sermons on Friendships:

The Rejection Crew: Ahithophel And Judas

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 18, 2000

What makes a trusted person turn against his or her friend? Divorces that come out of nowhere, friendships dissolved, church splits...Today, we’re going to look at parallels between Ahithophel and Judas; we’ll note some similiarites & differences, and th

Intro 1. Civil war is a nasty thing, often polarizing people: Robert E. Lee asked by Lincoln to head up Union troops....against slavery, but loyal to South... 2. Israel experienced several "Civil Wars" that divided the nation... 3. But when David’s son, Absalom, rebelled against him, that had to ...read more

Scripture: John 12:4-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Surviving Your Marriage Series

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 27, 2001

In order to survive your marriage, you need to: (1) seek to serve rather than be served, and (2) stop trying to change each other

When a man and woman are first married, they typically share a dream of having a wonderful, loving, life together. But too often, after a few years their marriage resembles a field of battle more than a field of dreams. It may not be all-out warfare; the combatants may be able to put up a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:28, Matthew 7:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Schoolyard Violence (Opening The Circle)

Contributed by David Swinney on May 11, 2001

The only Biblical, Christian response to the violence of our society is to let the love of Jesus be the rule for the way that we treat others.

Schoolyard Violence (Opening the Circle) Matthew 5: 21-26; 38-48 Sunday Morning, March 11, 2001 Introduction: The Bus Ride Home The boy was already a little worried when he walked up the stairs to of the school bus. He was running late that afternoon, and the front seats, the ones near the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-22, Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Be A Good Friend

Contributed by Brian Atwood on May 17, 2001

Here are some practical biblical principles for not only being a good friend, but also for making good friends.

Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play major league baseball. While breaking baseball’s "color barrier," he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he committed an error. His own fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did Paul Participate In Festivals?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 11, 2001

Paul gives us insights into why he participated in religious festivals for the sake of the kingdom of God.

Why Did Paul Participate in Festivals? (Acts 20:13-16) 1. Why do you suppose that Paul was in such a hurry to get to the festival of Pentecost in Jerusalem in this passage? Illustration:Experience comes from what we have done. Wisdom comes from what we have done badly. Theodore Levitt, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Best Friend -- Part 2 Series

Contributed by Bobby Mcdaniel on Mar 13, 2004

Based on Chapter 12 of "A Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren, Part 2 of a 2-part study of how we can become intimate friends with God.

My Best Friend—Part 2 Scripture Ref: Exodus 33:1-17 John 15:14 1 Samuel 15:22 Psalm 69:9 Additional References: The Bible Knowledge Commentary The Purpose Driven Life, Chapt. 12, Rick Warren 1. Introduction a. Two weeks ago we began a study of friendship with God. Specifically, we ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:1-17, John 15:14

The Company We Keep

Contributed by Mike Hays on Apr 15, 2004

We need godly wisdom in order to avoid the snares of those whose path leads to destruction.

The Company We Keep… Proverbs 1:7-19 The invitations go out every day. They’re in the mail, they’re on our front doorstep, they’re waiting for us at the street corner, they’re lying around the offices where we work, and they’re posted all over the neighborhoods where we live. They come by way of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:7-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dealing With Difficult People Part 3 Series

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 22, 2004

Good News for Dealing with Difficult People.

Dealing With Difficult People Strategies From Genesis (And Beyond) (Part 2) I want to begin this message by giving you some common contemporary types of difficult people you may encounter. • The Bird Dog- Four legged bird dogs’ point to where the hunter should shoot. The two-legged Bird Dog likes ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:39-46

Denomination: Wesleyan

"A True Friend Stirs You Up" Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Oct 20, 2004

A true friend will care enough to confront you.

"Give me the avowed, the erect, the manly foe; Bold I can meet, perhaps return his blow; But of all the plagues, good heaven, thy wrath can send; Save, oh save me from the candid friend!" This poem speaks about an aspect of friendship which most of us would probably rather do without, but which ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:6

Denomination: Baptist

Shall We Smite? Two Swords?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 17, 2006

We must address this question: SHALL WE SMITE? Or What are we going to do with our swords? We do not need to be in bitter contention, debate, argue, fuss, there is a better way. Shall we smite? No, feed them!

SHALL WE SMITE? TWO SWORDS! WE HAVE TWO SWORDS! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH OUR SWORDS? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I did this lesson in two parts. I have two swords and a plastic ear that I use in this lesson. I. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF AN EYE FOR AN EYE? WE LIKE THAT! UNLESS ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:17-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How The People You Fellowshipped With Can Have Influence Over Your Percepti

Contributed by Timothy Lee on Jan 26, 2005

It is important as Christians that we are not influence with the wrong people.

How the people you fellowshipped with can have influence over your perception? 2 Samuel 10:1-5 (NKJV) It happened after this that the king of the people of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. [2] Then David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 10:1-5

Denomination: Apostolic

Are You An Encourager Or A Discourager?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Aug 3, 2006

Encouragement has a two-fold emphasis: to comfort or reassure and to challenge or admonish. Discouragement tears down; Encouragement builds up. The question is "Are you an encourager or a discourager?"

ARE YOU AN ENCOURAGER OR A DISCOURAGER? HEBREWS 10:24-25 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting (encouraging) one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Remedy For Loneliness Series

Contributed by W F on Aug 22, 2006

Loneliness is a part of life, but it was never meant to be that way. Scripture shows us how to defeat this giant.

Key Verse: Psalm 68:5-6. INTRODUCTION Judith Durham was one of Australia’s first international pop stars. As lead singer for The Seekers she toured Australia and the world and had a string of hits, including the first Australian group to have a No 1 hit overseas. Yet while Durham appeared to be ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 68:5-6

Denomination: *other

Dealing With Gossip - "You're Not Going To Believe What I Heard"

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 14, 2005

This message answers 4 of the biggest questions about gossip, including what is gossip (and what’s acceptable conversation) as well as how to deal with someone wanting to share gossip with you.

1. When Is It Gossip And When Is It Acceptable Conversation? “The difference is in motive and accuracy.” - Ephesians 4:15. - One struggle that people have is that they believe that “not gossiping” means ceasing to having any conversation about people and what’s going on in their lives. Most of ...read more

Scripture: James 3:5

Denomination: Baptist

"Sick And Tired Of People Pleasing!"

Contributed by Kevin Smith on Oct 27, 2005

we spend far too much time trying to please everybody else, that we lose ourselves and our identities with God.

Luke 7:11-23 You may be seated in the presence of the Lord. Verse 14 says, "Then Jesus went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still." I want to take a strange twist on this text and for a little bit of time talk from the subject as the Holy Spirit shall lead and guide of, "I’m ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-23

Denomination: Pentecostal