Sermons on Guarding Affections:

Red Sticks - Blue Sticks

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Aug 7, 2009

Ordinary Proper 14 - St. Paul draws a contrast between the follower of God and the person who doesn’t know of his love in Christ. He encourages us to guard our identity in Christ by illustrating what life in Christ "looks like".

Recently I was remembering the very first sermon that I preached. It was in the mid 70s at a Baptist Church. I was a young sailor recently married. My new bride had been raised in a Baptist church and I was a freshly catechized Lutheran. We tried the local Lutheran Church – but it was not an ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Centurion Julius’ Experience With Paul

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 1, 2016

What would it have been like to be the Roman officer who sailed in close quarters with the Apostle Paul during the harrowing trip from Caesarea to Rome? How did God’s bond-slave, Paul, affect this man?

CENTURION JULIUS’ EXPERIENCE WITH PAUL Acts 27:1-28:16 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: GETTING OLDER 1. Have you ever felt like everybody around you is getting older faster than you? 2. A woman was sitting in the waiting room for her first appointment with her new dentist. She noticed his diploma ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Watchman

Contributed by Bruce Allen on Sep 27, 2003

Just as the watchman is to primarily act as a guard by watching carefully for danger and to warn of its eventuality, so too has God appointed His messengers to watch out for spiritual dangers and warn of its coming destruction.

The Watchman Ezekiel 3:16-21 At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 17 "Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. 18 "When I say to the wicked, ’You will surely die,’ and you do not ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 3:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

It's Not Enough To Believe

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Apr 7, 2004

Who were the first witnesses to the resurrection? Not the women or the apostles, but the guards at the door! And yet, it didn’t change their lives at all. How many here believe in the resurrection, but it hasn’t changed your life at all?

I think one of the most fascinating careers one could have would be that of the major television or newspaper reporter. To live a life of someone like Walter Cronkitt would be a fascinating life. To witness history unfold. To be a witness of the Normandy Invasion. To be a witness to Pearl ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Am The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 3, 2010

Jesus is the Good Shepherd because he laid down his life to save the sheep. He led and leads the sheep to life not to slaughter. He guards and protects His sheep because He loves them.

“I am the Good Shepherd” “I am” Series I would like to take a few moments to congratulate our graduates today and share a few thoughts with them to keep in mind as they enter this next phase of their journey in life. Opening Illustration and thoughts which are focused to the 2010 graduates: IF ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christianity In Context Part 1 Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Aug 10, 2007

We can only understand His mercy within the context of all that He has spoken to us in the Scriptures. Be on your guard for those who misuse the message of God’s love and mercy for their own ends.

Christianity in Context, Part-1, Luke 4:4 Introduction Have you ever been misquoted or had your words taken so far out of context that by the time you heard what someone said you said it isn’t what you said at all? As a Pastor I know that words are powerful. As I was doing some research for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:4

Denomination: Christian Church

Sinfomercial

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Apr 10, 2010

We can guard against sin if we engage God in our lives, focus on things above with His word in our thoughts, hearts, and actions, and stay in constant prayer, confessing our sins to Him.

Sinfomercial 03/08/09 AM Text: 2 Samuel 11:1-17 Introduction I was flipping TV channels mindlessly (mindless TV, is that an oxymoron?) recently when something grabbed my attention. It was not a captivating program or a fascinating documentary or even a particularly delicious recipe on the food ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sacrifice Of Fools

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Oct 4, 2017

Eccl 5:1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. What is the sacrifice of fools?

THE SACRIFICE OF FOOLS Ecclesiastes 5:1 Christians have nearly abandoned the word "fool," and replaced it with various synonyms. The reason is found in Matthew 5:22, where Jesus says, "...whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the hell of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:10-13, Proverbs 14:7, Romans 1:21-23, Matthew 23:17, Romans 12:16, Romans 12:3, 1 Samuel 15:1-23, Leviticus 10:9-10, Leviticus 6:13, Leviticus 10:1-3, Genesis 4:3-5, 1 Corinthians 15:35-37, Hebrews 13:16, James 1:26-27, Ephesians 5:15-17, Romans 12:1, Ecclesiastes 5:1-20, 1 Corinthians 15:12, Proverbs 29:11, Proverbs 20:3, Proverbs 18:6-7, Proverbs 18:2, Proverbs 15:5, Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 10:18, Proverbs 1:22, Proverbs 1:7, Matthew 5:22, Matthew 15:3-9, Isaiah 29:13-14, Isaiah 1:11-15, Proverbs 26:1-5, Ecclesiastes 5:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Beware Of Spiritual Malware

Contributed by Thilini Perera on Jan 17, 2021

WORD OF GOD CONSTANTLY WARNS US TO BE ON OUR GUARD AGAINST THE MALICIOUS INTRUDER WHO COMES TO US IN VARIOUS DISGUISES TO STEAL, KILL AND DESTROY OUR LIVES, FAMILIES, CHURCHES BY INSTALLING MALWARE IN OUR HEARTS.

MALWARE IS MALICIOUS SOFTWARE DESIGNED TO STEAL, DAMAGE & DESTROY INFORMATION AND IT POSES A GREAT THREAT TO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS OF OUR DAY. MALWARE IS EXPERTLY CRAFTED & CAMOPHLAGED FOR HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT UNDETECTED FOR LONGER PERIODS. ORGANIZATIONS, BANKS, COMPANIES ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Deuteronomy 12:30-31, Exodus 12:19, Genesis 3:6, Jeremiah 10:2-4, Jeremiah 16:19, John 4:24, John 8:32, Mark 7:6-13, Matthew 13:24-30, Proverbs 16:24-26  (view more)  (view less)

Jesus Was Dead And Now He Lives Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Oct 27, 2016

Sunday Morning and the women approach the tomb where Jesus was. They encounter the angel, they encounter Jesus. The women - the last to leave the place where Jesus lay and the first to return. The conspiracy of the Roman guard and the Jewish leadership.

I. Introduction A. One man commented, I was a little taken aback when I got my receipt from the funeral parlor for my father’s funeral, on the bottom of the receipt, after the bill, it read, “Thank you. Please come again.” B. Andrew was watching his father, a Vicar, write a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Paul At Rome Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Oct 8, 2021

Paul arrived in Rome and was allowed to stay at a rented house till he appeared before the emperor. Paul stayed with state honour of having a soldier appointed to guard him. He was a prisoner but at the same time with relaxation.

Acts 28: 1-31 Paul reaches Rome with Gospel Acts 28:1-10 Paul at Malta. The people of Malta Island believed that God punishes the sinners and rewards the righteous. They thought Paul was murder because the ship carried the prisoners. They perceived that God sent a viper to bite Paul and punish him ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:1-31

Denomination: Methodist

Character Study Of Solomon Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 22, 2025

Solomon began well but ended poorly due to compromise. His wisdom, achievements, and failures serve as lessons for us today. We must seek wisdom, obey God wholeheartedly, and guard against spiritual decline.

CHARACTER STUDY OF SOLOMON – WISE KING, BUILT THE TEMPLE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Kings 3:9 "So give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?" Supporting Texts: 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Birth Pains Are Worth It

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Oct 25, 2024

Be careful! Be on guard against false teachings and teachers. These are warnings Jesus makes as we wait for Him to come again. Luther fought against the false teachings of his time, and we must within ours as well.

10.27.24 Mark 13:5–11 (EHV) 5 Jesus began by telling them, “Be careful that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. . . . These are the beginning of birth pains. 9 But be on your guard! People will hand you over to councils, and you will be ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:5-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Samson’s Compromise Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 29, 2025

Samson’s compromise in marrying a Philistine woman against God’s will highlights the dangers of wrong associations. As believers, we must guard our choices and relationships, for they have the power to shape or derail our destinies.

SAMSON’S COMPROMISE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Judges 14:1-3 Supporting Texts: Proverbs 13:20, 2 Corinthians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Amos 3:3, Psalm 1:1-3 INTRODUCTION: Samson was a man anointed from birth, set apart as a Nazarite, destined to begin the deliverance of Israel from the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 14:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Betrayed But Not Bitter Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 12, 2004

The three stages of betrayal are examined by discussing Judas’ behavior. It is not only important that we guard our hearts so that we do not become betrayers; but it is also important to respond correctly when we are betrayed. Jesus provides an example fo

Betrayed But Not Bitter Fortifying the Foundations # 31 John 13:18-38[1] 3-28-04 Intro Our text this morning in John 13 deals with the issue of betrayal. With a kiss, Judas betrayed Jesus. The thing that makes betrayal so painful is that by its very nature it comes from someone you trust. In ...read more

Scripture: John 13:8-38, Hebrews 4:15

Denomination: Charismatic