Sermons on Higher Criticism:

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

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

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

Jesus And Zacchaeus Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Feb 6, 2017

This sermon focuses on the interaction between Jesus, Zacchaeus, the Pharisee's and the community at large. Lost People matter to God. You can overcome a critical spirit and God cares about families.

We come this morning to one example of what I consider to be the most difficult part of the Bible to understand. So I’m just going to name it for what it is, right up front. This scene of Deborah calling members of the Israelite tribes into battle is just one story among many of the seemingly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, Luke 4:8

Denomination: Church Of God

“i Wish We’d All Been Ready” Pt. 1 Of 2

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Apr 26, 2016

Most people, church folk included, are clueless to the 3,000 year-old mystery surrounding the word shemitah, but their lives have been critically impacted or altered by its manifestation.

“I Wish We’d All Been Ready” Pt. 1 of 2 8/23/15 CFBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A Earlier in the year I did a mini-series on a prophetic hot topic called “Shemitah.” 1 Most people, church folk included, are clueless to the 3,000 year-old ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 23:10-11

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

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

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

High Place

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jul 5, 2018

God strengthens us to flee from demons, problems, sickness, loneliness, strife, envy, betrayals, mockery, criticisms and get to the high place with God, where you feel secure.

Sit with God Habakkuk 3:19”The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places.” My experience: Can a scripture keep you so enthralled that you could think of nothing else? Yeah, get to the end of this article then you would comprehend the ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Accusing Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 4, 2021

Was Jesus ever falsely accused? Purpose: Did He face vilification? Plan: Let’s look at how Jesus handled unfair criticism in Mark 3:20-35.

Intro Was Jesus ever falsely accused? Purpose: Did He face vilification? Plan: Let’s look at how Jesus handled unfair criticism in Mark 3:20-35. Is our Faith Crazy? Are Christians nuts because of their self-sacrifice? Mark 3:20 Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus & The Traditions Of The Elders

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 25, 2021

Jesus regularly received criticism from the religious authorities who were seeking to discredit Him. He turned it around as an opportunity to teach us that we need a new heart.

JESUS & THE TRADITIONS OF THE ELDERS Mark 7:1-23 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: GETTING IT WRONG 1. Back in the cowboy days, a westbound wagon train was lost and low on food. At last they saw an old Jewish Rabbi, sitting beneath a tree. 2. The leader rushed to him and said, "We're lost ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Standing In The Gap

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 19, 2022

We are living in a period of extraordinary assaults by Satan. It is critical that we maintain prayers for our leaders, and it is fundamental for the leaders to take accountability to assist them with keeping their spiritual and moral integrity.

In Chapter 22, we learn why judgment would come to Jerusalem (22:2-16), how it would be approached (22· 17-22), and who would be affected by it (22:23-31). Those actions and sins that occurred back then seem very similar to what is happening in society today (James 3:1). We are living in a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:1-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Call Of A Disciple (Luke, Part 4) Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 13, 2022

It’s critical that we see ourselves and the calling of the disciples was NO different than ours. If we will not share what we know, are we any different than the religious pharisees?

Introduction / Recap - The study of Luke is an interesting one for several reasons -- We can clearly see Luke’s genuine interest in people (career as a physician) -- We also get to experience how Jesus interacts with society; critical lesson for us - Last week, we unpacked the temptations of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Luke 5:27-32, Luke 9:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational