Sermons on Higher Criticism:

An "Under The Sun” View Of Church Series

Contributed by John Hubert on Mar 23, 2007

Using the criticisms of the disillusioned church goer in Ecclesiastes, this message presents how Christians can grow as individuals and as a church.

Ecc 5:1-7 (ESV) 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. (2) Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Lord Would Repay You

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jan 13, 2015

As a child of God, we got to learn to accept mockery and criticism in good spirit and depend on God to handle the issues

The Lord would repay you! 2 Samuel 16:12 “It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today." Did you know people will throw rocks at you when you are already bruised and bent? Yes, they would! Barbs were thrown at ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

"The Goal Of Christianity"

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Apr 18, 2012

Salvation is not the goal of Christianity, not is Entire Sanctification. Both are critical steps to obtaining the goal. But the goal of Christ and Christianity is Christlikeness

“The Goal of Christianity” April 22, 2012 Romans 8:28-30 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-30

Denomination: Holiness

Inmates Converted To Christ

Contributed by Dennis King on Jul 21, 2018

This touches on the inmates that convert to Christ while incarcerated and, often times, the hypocritical criticisms directed towards them.

One thing you may find to be true is that a lot of people in the church are hypocrites. They sit in the pews and are spoon fed the gospel but their minds and activities are not open to what their ears hear. Often, if you don't look like them, talk like them or even dress like them they throw up ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Worldly Mindset Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Nov 24, 2024

As humans, we have a natural tendency to defend and justify ourselves when we feel attacked, criticized, or threatened.

Scripture Reference: Luke 16:15, "You justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God." As humans, we have a natural tendency to defend and justify ourselves when we feel attacked, criticized, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:15, 1 Samuel 15:13-23

The Fallen Church. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 25, 2024

Today, Iam going to address a critical issue affecting many churches these days, the danger of becoming a fallen church.

Today, Iam going to address a critical issue affecting many churches these days, the danger of becoming a fallen church. In Revelation 3:14-22, Jesus Christ rebukes the church in Laodicea, warning them of the consequences of their spiritual complacency. Let's examine the characteristics of a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6, 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 2:42

"if Your Presence Will Not Go With Me,,,"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 8, 2025

When God threatens to withdraw His presence, the critical danger demands that leaders plead with the Lord to stay near.

“The LORD said to Moses, ‘Depart; go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, “To your offspring I will give it.” I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Extraordinary Strength Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 21, 2009

In life… the greater challenge proves to be not so much how to succeed… but how to last. The course we choose is critical… but so is the strength to stay that course.

(Note: Some of the structure and portions of this message drew upon ‘A Life Worth Living’ material by Nicky Gumbel and Alpha.) Bob W. Ireland crossed the finish line on Thursday, November 6, 1986, as the New York City marathon’s 19,413th and final finisher - the first person to run a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Overcoming Opposition By Prayer

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Feb 6, 2005

Where do you see yourself in this picture? Are you being pelted by unfair criticism as you are serving Christ? If so, keep on going and God will reward your efforts. Or do you recognize yourself as one who tends to be critical of others? If so, it’s time

Overcoming Opposition By Prayer (Nehemiah 1:4-11) Illustration: There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health. --Proverbs 12:18 Critics talk much and do little that is constructive. They are more interested in trying to make themselves look ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:4-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

By His Authority. Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 14, 2020

Paul continues to answer his critics in Corinth, and we are faced with the same problem we had before; we are only hearing one side of the argument, Paul’s side, and we can only deduce what the criticisms were from Paul’s reply to them.

December 10, 2014 Tom Lowe The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians Lesson IV.A.2: By his Authority. (10:7-11). 2nd Corinthians 10:7-11 (NKJV) 7 Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ's, let him again ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

Our Father Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Apr 7, 2010

We have an intimate connection to God when we pray "Our Father."

Living the Lord’s Prayer, Part, Mathew 6:6-13 “Our Father in Heaven” Introduction There’s a wonderful story about a Chicago bank that once asked for a letter of recommendation on a young Bostonian being considered for employment. The Boston investment house could not say ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:6-13

Denomination: Christian Church

The Sovereign's Crown

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Apr 13, 2014

Sermon based on Psalm 24.

"THE CROSS, THE CROOK & THE CROWN" Pt. 3 - The Sovereign's Crown Psalms 24:7-10 Psalms 24:7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Two Flies In The Ointment Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 13, 2004

Developing the right life skills and social skills can make our lives so much richer, our friendships deeper, and our level of happiness higher.

Two Flies in the Ointment (Ecclesiastes 10:10-15) Note: This is the second part of my sermon titled, "A Fly in the Ointment" also posted on Sermon Central. INTRO 1. Talk about a rude awakening. The Reuters news service told a story about a man in January of 2004 who "woke with a jolt in the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:10-15, Proverbs 12:27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Five Traits Of A Super Bowl Christian

Contributed by Mark Land on Dec 24, 2003

By using the analogy of football during the super bowl season this sermon seeks to challenge Christians to a higher level of discipleship through desire, discipline, commitment, sacrifice, and character.

FIVE TRAITS OF A SUPER BOWL CHRISTIAN In a few minutes a game of great importance will be played. Large men will face off across a line of scrimmage. A call will be made, leather will slap, and bodies will collide and crash. A battle has begun. For four 15 minute quarters men will expend ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Fly In The Ointment (Life/Social Skills, Part One) Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 5, 2004

Developing the right life skills and social skills can make our lives so much richer, our friendships deeper, and our level of happiness higher.

A Fly in the Ointment (Ecclesiastes 10:1-10) 1. And sometimes problems occur at just the right time: (1) the pain bothers you or the fever spikes right when you are seeing the doctor (2) or take this news story: "A flight in the United States proved lucky for a British woman who suffered a ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible