Sermons on Harmful Appetite:

Reacting Or Responding?

Contributed by Jerry Smith on Feb 6, 2014

The disciples ‘reacted’ to the behavior of the Samaritans by wanting to harm them: Bad for bad, tit-for-tat. And is it not true of us today too? But what did Jesus say to His disciples and us today about it?

OPENING > And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-56

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon # 39 - Eradicate Envy Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jun 15, 2023

Are we targets of envy or do we sometimes envy others? Jealousy is a strong emotion that can cause much harm, and God’s word teaches us how to deal with it and be rid of it from our lives.

We read in Hebrews 13:5, Don't love money. Be happy with what you have because God has said, "I will never abandon you or leave you." (GW) One of the crucial emotions that a majority of people struggle with, is that of jealousy, though many feel uncomfortable to accept this fact. If ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5, Genesis 26:12, Proverbs 14:30, Proverbs 10:22, Proverbs 27:4, Genesis 37:20, Psalm 106:16, Numbers 16:1, Numbers 16:3, Numbers 16:12, Numbers 16:15, Numbers 16:26, Genesis 37:11, Genesis 26:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Harnessing Your Passion

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 3, 2022

Some people misuse their passion in a way that is harmful to others and the kingdom. This sermon asks: “What is passion?” “Is anyone here passionate?” “Why should we harness passion?” and “What should we be passionate about?”

This evening’s message is entitled “Harnessing Your Passion.” “Harness” means “to tie together,” and “to yoke.”(1) You know what a yoke is, right? It is “a wooden bar or frame by which two . . . oxen are joined at the heads or necks for working together,” but it is also “the control device for ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Family Secrets Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Mar 22, 2018

Family secrets harm families. In Jacob's family, there was disunity and favoritism. Family secrets need to be brought into the open, where they can be dealt with. Families can change the way they deal with issues: truth, attitudes, and actions.

FAMILY SECRETS—Genesis 26:34-27:45 Are you familiar with the phrase, “the elephant in the room”? Imagine some people in a room, with an elephant in the middle of the room, but no one wants to recognize that the elephant is there. The people in the room talk about a lot of things, but no one ever ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Dangers Of Compromise

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 19, 2025

Compromise is a dangerous path that erodes spiritual strength, destroys testimony, breeds confusion, harms our relationship with God, and jeopardizes eternal rewards. The Christian life demands unwavering commitment to God’s holiness and truth.

THE DANGERS OF COMPROMISE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Joshua 24:15 Supporting Texts: 1 Kings 11:1-6, James 4:4, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 3:15-16 INTRODUCTION: Compromise may seem like an easy way to avoid conflict or to fit in, but in the spiritual realm, it is a dangerous path that ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:15, 1 Kings 11:1-6, James 4:4, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 3:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Sanctify Them By Your Truth, Your Word Is Truth

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 9, 2003

Let us see how we the word sanctifies by His truth as His word is truth: WEANS FROM OLD DESIRES - By trusting and obeying God’s word we disengage from the old habits. We gain a new appetite for what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent admirable

Sanctify Them by Your Truth; Your Word is Truth (John 17:17) Sanctification involves a past, present and future element of being set apart and made holy. We have been set apart from the sins of our past by believing the words of John 3:16; we are presently being made more like Jesus as we offer ...read more

Scripture: John 17:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Your Enemies Without Being A Doormat Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 10, 2025

The Bible teaches us to "love our enemies....

The Bible teaches us to "love our enemies" (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-36). However, this doesn't mean allowing them to take advantage of us or harm us without boundaries. In fact, setting boundaries and standing up for ourselves can be a form of love – love for ourselves and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

A Kind Of Firstfruits Series

Contributed by John Visser on Feb 20, 2006

God allows and trials and purposes in your life, not to destroy you, not to harm you, not even to hurt you, but to strengthen your faith to teach you perseverance an endurance and to help you grow up in Christ in every way.

A Kind of First Fruit James 1:16-18 What I want us to try to do together in the time that we have this morning is unpack these verses that we have read together from James Chapter 1, the verses 16, 17 and 18. The book of James, like all Bible books is not simply a collection of isolates verses ...read more

Scripture: James 1:16-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Forgiveness: It's A God Thing - Pass It On! Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Sep 17, 2008

This is part of a series of messages about the life of Joseph. We are challenged to "imitate" Jesus by forgiving those who have caused emotional harm. Some thoughts come from Sermon Central - John Hamby "Dealing With Forgiveness"

In Jesus Holy Name September 21, 2008 Series: O.T. Challenges Redeemer Genesis 42:1-9 “Forgiveness: It’s A God Thing! Pass It On” Our series of messages through the book of Genesis remind us of real life events. We have followed the life of Joseph. He ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Godliness With Contentment Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 6, 2011

What will godliness plus contentment do for us? 1- Godliness plus contentment will bring great gain 2- Godliness plus contentment will avoid harmful desires 3- Godliness plus contentment will keep us faithful

INTRO.- What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done in life? Let’s say the hardest physical thing. Work an 80 hour week? That’s just about 12 hours a day. Well, 84 hours in 7 days. Did you ever do that? That would be hard no matter what kind of work you were doing. Let ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God, Take The Wheel Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Oct 4, 2011

Man cannot control himself. anything uncontrolled has the potential to harm us. Self-control is not self-help. For a Christian, self-control means that He/She will allow the Lord to control their lives by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God, Take the wheel Galatians 5:22 2 Peter 1:5-8 Introduction- We have been in the study of the Fruit of the Spirit for several weeks. I hope that you have been able to be with us for the whole series as we looked at the characteristics of God, and His desire to have these characteristics active ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-27

Denomination: Nazarene

Earthquakes Examined Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 20, 2021

The first thing I learned about earthquakes in the New Testament is that they can be completely positive with no harmful effects. Our text is a case in point. Paul and Silas are delivered from prison by the violent earthquake that opened all the doors.

It was in Santa Clara, California, in the summer of 1988 that Lavonne and I experienced our one and only earthquake. We were in a motel and the bed began to vibrate like it does when you put a quarter in the machine at the side of the bed. It only lasted a few seconds, but even that made ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:22-34

Stand And See The Day Of Salvation

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Mar 28, 2021

What the devil has meant for harm, God is going to turn around for the good of all those who Love Him. Also for those who are going to come to know Him and love Him in the coming days ahead!

Stand and see the day of Salvation! John 10:10-11 NKJ 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. We use to say, we live in a day and age where the accuser, is pulling out all the stops. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 4:6, John 10:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Greetings To The Church Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 2, 2020

Paul's welcome in Thessalonica was less than favorable. Although he had been ill-treated while there, being forced to flee for fear of harm, his commitment and love for the church never diminished.

Greetings to the Church 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-4 In the book of Acts we discover Paul receiving the Macedonian call, Acts 16: 8-10. This led Paul initially to Philippi and then on to Thessalonica. In that day, Thessalonica was the prominent seaport and capital city of the Roman province of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of A God Pleaser

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 5, 2012

God has called us to please Him in all areas of our lives! And He offers to help us live a life that honors Him and does no harm to ourselves or others. God is ready and willing to forgive those who have fallen into the trap of sexual sin, giving in to si

Marks of a God Pleaser 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Intro: How important is it for a person to please God? The Bible really has a lot to say about this. First, we know that without faith or trust in God, it is impossible to please Him (Heb. 11:1). Most people don’t worry about pleasing God unless ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God