Sermons on Handling Critics:

Servant And Prayer Warrior Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 3, 2002

Caution: Studying the book of Nehemiah may lead to doing things God’s way. You will find the world will marvel, worldly Christians will snipe and criticize, and...God will be pleased.

October 6, 2002 A few short quotes about the man called Nehemiah, before we dig-in to the book called after the man: “Nehemiah was an energetic leader who combined a deep trust in the Lord with precise planning, careful organization, and discreet but energetic action.”(1) “He stood like an ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

The Necessity Of Prayer

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 31, 2006

God acts when man pray. The asking is critical to the task at hand. We are not dealing with a reluctant Father, but a God who is willing to respond. Prayer accomplishes God’s will.

James 5:17-18, 1 Kings 18:41-46 The Necessity of Prayer James 5:17-18 17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. Elijah ...read more

Scripture: James 5:17-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Choosing To Live By God's Agenda" Series

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Mar 17, 2005

Where do we stand in the crowd on Palm Sunday? Are we a part of the fickle majority, the convinced minority, the 12 disciples, the critical Pharisees or other people who opposed him?

Iliff and Saltillo UM Churches Palm Sunday March 20, 2005 “Choosing to Live By God’s Agenda” John 12:12-19 INTRODUCTION: Are you aware that year after year we hear or read this story and miss what God is saying to us about our personal life? Within this story is the truth about why many of us ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Determined To Disbelieve Series

Contributed by John Gaines on Jan 30, 2006

Jesus healed a paralytic man. The miracle was witnessed by a group of scribes who immediately began criticizing Him. They were determined to disbelieve. Unfortunately, there are still people like that in the world today.

DETERMINED TO DISBELIEVE 1. Matthew 9:2-8 (NKJV) Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you." 3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, "This Man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:2-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do What You Can

Contributed by Don Brockus on Oct 6, 2007

It is my opinion that although the gospels of Matt., Mk., Lk., and John record some similar details regarding the alabaster jar, the critical reader will conclude that three separate anointing occur.

Do What You Can! (Mark 14:3-9) (Mark 14:1-9; Matthew 26:7-13; Luke 7:36-40; John 12:3-8, cf. [confer]) Introduction In our pericope (Pericope is an English word with Greek origins for: a passage from a written work) this morning, I have chosen Mark 14:3-9. It is my opinion that although the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Having Faith In A Crippling Situation Series

Contributed by A. David Hart on Sep 13, 2007

This sermon is to help the believer understand that the time to activate your faith is not only when things are going well, but the critical time to display your faith is when there appear to be little hope.

HAVING FAITH IN A CRIPPLING SITUATION Acts 14:8-12 My brothers and sisters in the book of Hebrews chapter 11 first verse we’ve read, Now faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence we have not seen. And while we often quote this text, we still show ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:8-18, John 2:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Word Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 28, 2015

Why is Scripture foundational for everything we do. Every time we come together, we read the word and hear it proclaimed. Why is the Word of God so critical to us?

Word 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Two young boys were out in a large field playing hide and seek. As the first boy leaned against a tree covering his eyes and counting to 100, the other boy ran across the field and climbed up into another tree to hide. Just then the first boy reached 100 and he yelled out, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Denomination: Methodist

What Is The Mistake That Leads Toward The Unforgiveable Sin?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 5, 2014

A look at the unforgiveable sin. I think the distinction that I share about why criticism of Jesus is acceptable but of the Holy Spirit is not will be helpful in getting to the heart of what Jesus is trying to convey.

WHAT IS THE "UNFORGIVEABLE SIN" EXACTLY? It seems to be seeing consistently clear evidence of the Spirit’s movement and attributing it to Satan. - Luke 12:10. - The passage in Luke presents the shortest version of this saying in the gospels. The versions in Matthew 12:22-32 and Mark ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:10

Denomination: Baptist

Are We Grateful To God?

Contributed by Sajeev Painunkal, Sj on Oct 10, 2010

Before we criticize the nine lepers who were not grateful for their cure, we should ask ourselves if we are grateful for the good things that we have received from God.

I’m sure you have all heard of Rudyard Kipling. He is the author of famous books like The Jungle Book and Captain Courageous. His writings not only made him famous but also brought him a fortune. A newspaper reporter came up to him once and said, "Mr. Kipling, I just read that somebody ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Catholic

Expendable For God

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Oct 31, 2010

If you are to fulfill the purpose of God for your lives in a very critical hour, you can get the lessons from the life of Esther, the woman who dares to risk everything for God.

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS; BE EXPENDABLE FOR GOD! Ester 4:12-14 If you are to fulfill the purpose of God for your lives in a very critical hour, you can get the lessons from the life of Esther, the woman who dares to risk everything for God. Est 4:12 When Esther’s words were reported to ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:12-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Case For Spiritual Formation Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Dec 31, 2009

Part 4 in series The Company We Keep, this message makes the case for why spiritual formation is critical and discusses the difference between training to obey Jesus and trying to obey Jesus.

The Case for Spiritual Formation The Company We Keep, prt. 4 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers May 23, 2009 John Ortberg asks us to consider what it would be like to be doing what we do every night – sitting on the couch eating Twinkies and potato chips – when suddenly the phone rings. You ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Free Methodist

Cataclysm Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 19, 2009

Several of the most controversial and critical questions of our existence are answered in the Noah story. Great visuals help illustrate! Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Cataclysm Genesis 6-9 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Cataclysm.html We’ll attempt to answer some controversial questions from our text: i) Who were the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men”? ii) What was the physical earth like before the Flood? iii) Why did people live so long before the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Cure For The Common Church, Pt. 2

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Apr 5, 2008

These are critical days for Christianity and how we respond and react to this sweeping sea of change within our culture, will tell a lot about how Christianity survives in the next 25 years!

Last week I said, “As a body of believers, this statement is what will drive us, motivate us and focus us for the work of the ministry that God has placed before us. All of us are to be equipped as maturing and growing believers so that together we can execute the cure for the common ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Justification Through Faith Leaves No Room For.... Series

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Apr 20, 2008

This sermon unpacks justification through faith alone Paul responds to his critics and unpacks justification through faith and its relationship with the law, Jew , Gentile and answers the charge of antinominism.

Rom 3:27 – 31.” JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH LEAVES NO ROOM FOR ….. PAUL WASN’T WITHOUT HIS CRITICS TO JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH ALONE SO HERE HE ADMINISTERS HIS MEDICINE TO ANSWERS THOSE CRITICS IN A FORM OF A DIATRIBE. AS HE HAD DONE EARLY TO SHOW THAT JEW AND GENTILE ARE ALL UNDER ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Importance Of The Virgin Birth

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on May 26, 2016

Delineates why the concept of the Virgin Birth is important to every Christian. And shows how modern critics disparagement of this doctrine leads to further digression from the faith "once delivered to the saints."

TITLE: The Importance of the Virgin Birth TEXT: Luke 1:26-35 INTRO: In the twentieth century theological institutions began to drift left and they cast doubt on a literal virgin birth. Historical criticism began to undermine biblical authority. Modern heretics like retired Episcopal bishop John ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-35

Denomination: Baptist