Sermons on hostile environments: showing 511-525 of 16,460

Gentleness & Goodness Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jul 20, 2010

We live in a ‘dog-eat-dog’ world. There is not even much gentleness or goodness where you might expect to find it: nurses and doctors have become preoccupied with lawsuits and their paychecks, homes are toxic environments, and churches are full of bitter

Do gentleness and goodness seem like qualities on the top of many lists? What do these words mean to you? For some, it might mean being a push-over or a marshmallow… to others, it might be a coveted virtue. Needless to say, these character traits are as scarce as water in a summer Arizona ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Attempting Newness With New Year Resolutions

Contributed by Leo Samuel D G on Apr 25, 2017

In general, new year resolutions become old in a few days and we are back with our old routines. This sermon focuses on how to stand firm in our resolutions 1. Dependence on God 2. Creating the apt environment and 3. Perseverance.

Introduction: Another year has ended. Though there were many sweet moments, there were also bad moments of missed opportunities, broken relationships, etc. We started the year 2016 with an aspiration to achieve great things (resolutions) and started running very hard, but soon we lost track and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:8, Philippians 4:13, Mark 9:27, Ephesians 6:10-12

Denomination: *other

Identifying A Peacemaker Series

Contributed by Boomer Phillips on Jan 5, 2022

What should you do when the Lord calls you to a task that will involve working with a hostile group of people? You must pray for the Lord the lead you to a key individual who is already on the inside of the group you are trying to reach.

Ministry is all about people, and when the Lord lays a calling on your heart it will involve or effect people in some way or another, because it is human beings whom God came to save through Jesus Christ. So, what are you supposed to do when the Lord calls you to a task that will involve working ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-4, Joshua 2:8-21

Denomination: Baptist

"who Do You Think You Are?" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Aug 15, 2021

Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their inability to discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3). The signs of our times seem to be indicating an increasing hostility toward Christianity, which has lost its place as the nation’s primary guiding ethic.

You can run but you can’t hide. That’s certainly true today, amen? They not only know where you live and work, but probably know what kind of car you drive, when you take a shower, what’s your favorite flavor of ice cream or your favorite show on TV, what station you listen to in the car. They ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5, 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, 2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Corinthians 12:10

Denomination: United Methodist

"Loving Your Bullies” Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 18, 2021

How can we love those who are hostile to us? Jesus shows us how in looking at 1) The Misinterpretation: (Matthew 5:43), 2) The Mandate (Matthew 5:44), and 3) The Motive: (Matthew 5:45-48).

Matthew 5:43-48. [43]"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45]so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Other

Christ's Lights All Year Long Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 2, 2012

Jesus said we should be "the light of the World." But just how and why should we shine that light?

I asked the congregation: “How many of you have already taken down your Christmas lights?” (This was 7 days after Christmas Day, and about a 1/3 raised their hands) “Well, how many of you will take down your decorations NEXT week? (a few more raised their hands). How many of you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Progressive Christianity In Scripture

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 3, 2023

Under the cover of social justice and love, the Progressive Christianity movement rejects New Testament doctrine, substituting its own standards for the moral standards taught by the apostles. This message addresses the error and calls God's people to remain true to Traditional Christianity.

Intro Today we will address a popular movement known as Progressive Christianity. Its adherents describe this movement as being “characterized by a willingness to question tradition, acceptance of human diversity, a strong emphasis on social justice and care for the poor and the oppressed, and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6-9, James 1:27, Jude 1:1-25, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15, Jeremiah 6:16-19, Matthew 7:13-14, Proverbs 16:25, Isaiah 30:11, 2 Peter 3:1-10, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Confronting Domestic Violence Biblically Pt 7 Series

Contributed by Joe Hayes on Dec 17, 2008

This teaching is taken from my book “Beaten, Battered, Bruised & Blessed” (Christians Recognizing and Responding to Domestic Violence) more information can be found at www.c21c.org My prayer is it will help you in Pastoral ministry.

This teaching is taken from my book “Beaten, Battered, Bruised & Blessed” (Christians Recognizing and Responding to Domestic Violence) more information can be found at www.c21c.org My prayer is it will help you in Pastoral ministry. Confronting Domestic Violence Biblically The issue of domestic ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What To Do When You Are In Exile, Part 1

Contributed by S Henriques on Jan 27, 2003

Don’t we all know the feeling of being in a complicated and difficult environment that feels sometimes as though we are in a foreign land? We find ourselves being forced into an unpleasant situation we would never choose for ourselves, and it looks as tho

What To Do When You Are In Exile Jeremiah 29:1-13 by S. M. Henriques Folks, I have been so eager to bring you this message of hope and good news this morning. I am truly excited about what God wants to say to you and me today. Suppose that this afternoon, a group of soldiers was to storm into ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Power To Do

Contributed by Daniel Haas on Jan 31, 2009

Can anyone heal the environment, fix the economy or bring peace to the world? No! It’s a matter of scale: Jesus always healed individual people and cast out demons one at a time. You don’t want to rush healing.

Super heroes - Mom and Dad - They have healing powers - can perform miracles - we need super heroes because this world is so big and incomprehensible, we need someone to hold things together for us - we need the feeling of power, if not for ourselves so at least for our leaders or role models: "Can ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

Denomination: Congregational

Creation Care Or Environmentalism (What's The Difference?)

Contributed by David Diyanni on Jun 29, 2008

What is a Christian’s responsibility to care for the environment? Does God really care about what happens to the earth? How can we become more intentional about our care for creation without becoming an environmental fanatic or a ’tree hugger?’

Creation Care or Environmentalism? (What’s the difference?) Introduction A.Since the 1960s, there has been a lot of controversy about man’s relationship to the environment and nature. A movement has developed that seeks to place the value of the environment above the needs of man. Many refer to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 11:17-18

Denomination: Vineyard

The Days Of Noah

Contributed by Martin Holland on Oct 10, 2012

Noah lived in a very difficult time and yet in so many ways by the descriptions given in the Bible of Noah days we are living in a similar environment. What can we learn from Noah that we might find grace in the eyes of the God?

The Days of Noah Genesis 6:1-13 Mention: Genesis 6:5-6, 11 The state of the world in Noah’s days Questions: • I wonder how many people were upon the earth at this time. Genesis 6:1 Today we know that there is an estimated 6.5 Billion • I wonder how bad it was at this time. We ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Art Of Thank You: Lepers Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 27, 2016

We must cultivate a grateful heart with the Lord and learn the art of “Thank You” to the Lord and to others. Thank You has the power to change our heart and others hearts! It can even transform our daily life and environment.

Video Illustration: Nick Viciuvik: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOzsjEmjjHs Series: The Art of Thank You – 10 Lepers Thesis: We must cultivate a grateful heart with the Lord and learn the art of “Thank You” to the Lord and to others. Thank You has the power to change our heart ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Salty Christians Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 7, 2012

What influences you and what kind of influence are you on others? In the final portion of Mark Chapter 9, Jesus describes a common substance: salt. It is either salty or flavorless. When it comes to you affect on your environment are you salt or unsalt?

Leading up to this portion of Mark 9, Jesus has taken a young child and put them into his arms. Somehow I picture him placing the child in front of Him and wrapping his arms around their front. The disciples can see both the child and the Messiah standing together. That stance of loving protection ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-50

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Bloom Where You're Planted Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 11, 2021

It's not always easy to see your environment as part of God's mission... but, one way or another, whether you like it or not, it always is! This series was given to a group of believers in an assisted living facility.

I. Intro: A. Pandemic Panic? 1. In the early days of the COVID pandemic, we watched our ministry opportunities almost immediately and completely evaporate—no assisted living/nursing home concerts, no home concerts, no church concerts, NOTHING 2. Rather than respond in fear (but after a little ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-14