Sermons on Hostile Environment:

Avoiding Dead-End Shortcuts Series

Contributed by David Asch on Nov 21, 2005

In our text today we see a family that took a shortcut, and it led to a dead-end - literally. Looking at their story, we discover how we can keep from taking shortcuts that lead to dead-ends.

AVOIDING DEAD-END SHORTCUTS Ruth 1:1-5 INTRO: Shortcuts that don’t turn out so well: The shortcut to Lake Success Some shortcuts aren’t just inconvenient, they are deadly. Shortcuts that lead to dead-ends: Jim Madsen on Yosemite’s El Capitan in 1968. A veteran and skilled climber, he rappelled ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

On Assignment Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jun 27, 2014

Jesus came to earth with an assignment. He left us to complete that assignment.

This week I want to go back to the prayer Jesus was praying on his last night with his disciples. As you may recall He said this prayer was not only for them but others who would believe in him due to their testimony. Jesus first prayed for himself and the begin praying for certain behaviors He ...read more

Scripture: John 17:18-19

Denomination: Foursquare

Healthy Church Bodies Pt 1 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Aug 14, 2018

This is the first of six messages on a healthy church body.

“HEALTHY BODIES” pt 1 We spent some time pondering three life pursuits drawn from Hebrews 10. Due to the fact that we have confident access to God’s presence through the blood of Christ our Savior, the intercession of Christ our High Priest and the cleansing of Christ our sanctifier, Hebrews calls ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Christ The King, The Servant King, The King Of Humility, And Power.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Nov 21, 2016

All Christian agree that Christ is their king, but king of what? To many, humility and servitude smack of weakness, yet it is the true source of power, strength and authority, and this message today is not radiating from our churches.

This sermon was delivered at Holy Trinity, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on Sunday the 20th November 2016; Holy Trinity is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. The readings for today are: Jeremiah 23:1-6 Canticle 16 Colossians 1:11-20 Luke 23:33-43 Please ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-43

Denomination: Episcopal

Are You The Church, Or Do We Look For Another?

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 28, 2016

Is the Church of today the same as the original church? Would first century Christians recognize the church of today? Here are the 4 things we should we do to look like the early church.

ARE YOU THE CHURCH OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER? INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: POWER OF MOTIVATION 1. Bobby Dodd, the former great football coach at Georgia Tech, tells the story of a game in which his team was leading 7-6 with just a minute to go. 2. He instructed his quarterback not to pass the ball ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

From Promise To Providence - The Beginning Of A Nation - Exodus 1:1-2:15 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jan 4, 2026

GOD fulfills His covenant promises by growing His people through fruitfulness, shaping them through affliction, preserving them through faith, and preparing a deliverer who points ultimately to JESUS Christ; teaching us that true freedom comes only through dependence upon Him.

2026.01.04.Sermon Notes. FROM PROMISE TO PROVIDENCE. Exodus 1.1-2.15 The Beginning of a Nation - Faith, Affliction, and Deliverance Exodus 1:1-2:15 William Akehurst, HSWC KEY WORD: Exodus, Covenant, Faith, Affliction, Deliverance, Providence, Obedience, Redemption, Faith, Humility, Sovereignty, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:24-26, Exodus 1:1-22, Exodus 2:1-15, Genesis 1:28, Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 15:13-14, Genesis 50:24, Hebrews 11:23-26, Numbers 12:3, Acts 5:29, 1 Corinthians 10:11, 2 Corinthians 6:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Desert Shall Blossom

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 19, 2025

Christ has conquered death, making this world new for all who believe in Him as the Risen lord of Glory.

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Keys - Malachi Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 6, 2023

One of the great enemies of God is apathy. A lack of interest in God is the same as rejection without declaration.

So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried and failed. Our hope as leaders is that all of us will pick up God’s word and come to understand the true nature of God. After all, the bible is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Free To Choose - Suffering Over Sin Series

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Oct 5, 2025

How should we live in a world that is hostile to Christianity? Not by adopting the culture around us uncritically, nor by rejecting the world completely, but by engaging with the world while guarding against sin.

This morning, we continue with our study of First Peter. As a reminder, 1 Peter is a general epistle, meaning that it was a letter written to Christians in general, rather than to a specific church body. The first verse of the letter tells us that it was written: “To God’s elect, exiles scattered ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Wagons Are On The Way

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Dec 28, 2006

Jacob’s blessing and deliverance was on the way, he just did not know it.

The Wagons Are On The Way Genesis 45:16-28 KJV And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, Joseph’s brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. [17] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:16-28

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Book Of Acts, Part 11- Available To God; What To Do Before Your Call Series

Contributed by Mark Strauss on May 4, 2006

We’re going to look at a man named Philip •Philip is what we might call a "minor character of Acts" •We know great characters of Peter and Paul. •When we meet Philip: -Not a professional missionary; great evangelist; powerful preacher -Just an o

Available to God (or, “What to do before your call”) Philip in Samaria (Acts 8:1-8) 1982 was a momentous year in my life. After 12 yrs. of school and 4 yrs. of college, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree. It was a wonderful accomplishment. •Unfortunately, like many college graduates my goal up ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Came Just The Same

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 29, 2007

How do you regard Christ: 1) Responding with Hostility (Herod), 2) Responding with Indifference (chief priests and scribes) 3) Responding with Worship (Magi)

Quote: “Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville did Not!” Although I do not poses an edgy voice like Boris Karloff, I am sure many of you recognize the line from arguably the most famous of Dr. Seuss’ books: The Grinch that Stone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Other

Our Gracious God Grows His Church

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Sep 11, 2008

Pentectost 9(B) - Our gracious God grows his church. God tears down the wall of hostility. God then builds up with living materials.

OUR GRACIOUS GOD GROWS HIS CHURCH (Outline) July 13, 2008 -- PENTECOST 9 -- Ephesians 2:13-22 INTRO: There is a certain excitement in undertaking a project. It might be a building project or study project. In either case the project has a starting point, mid-point, and completion. At ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-22

Denomination: Lutheran

"I Must Continuse Today, Tommorrow, And The Next Day"

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Feb 20, 2016

The message shares with us what we must continue doing despite deceptions, despite attacks of adversaries, despite our fates, and despite hostile areas.

Luke 13:31-34 “I Must continue today, tomorrow and the next day” 1. Jesus Must continue today, tomorrow and the next day despite the deception • 31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-34

Denomination: Methodist

Sermon National Day Of Prayer - Be Persistent In Prayer

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on May 6, 2024

We must persist in prayer while dealing with unjust systems, prejudice, and hostility in our present world. What does the parable in Luke 18 mean?

Sermon – Be Persistent in Prayer Scripture - Luke 18:1-8 “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Luke 17:20-37

Denomination: Methodist