Sermons on Hostile World:

Grace And Peace To You / (Why Mentioned So Often In The New Testament?)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 20, 2012

"Grace and peace to you ..." Eighteen times we hear this exact greeting or a variation in the pages of the New Testament. Why is this the favored greeting of the apostles? Updated April 2022.

"Grace and peace to you ..." Eighteen (18) times... we hear this exact greeting... or a variation of it... in the pages ...of the New Testament It is used as the opening sentence ... from our service ... of Morning Prayer: These words should be familiar: Hear God's Word to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:10, Colossians 1:18, Hebrews 13:5, Exodus 3:14, Revelation 1:4-8, Philippians 1:2, Revelation 2:10-15, Ephesians 6:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Don't Teach The Gospel

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Sep 16, 2012

Christians aren't called to teach to the world, because the world is essentially unteachable. However, we can reach the world through our witness, the authentic living of a Christ-like life.

Who here is a teacher? St. James tells us, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers…because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (Jas. 3:1). Who presumes to be one? Anyone want to be judged? Nodody? Well, I guess that, to escape any additional judgment ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Why America Is Free

Contributed by Robert Pue on Sep 5, 2004

Why did God set America aside as the "New World?" Why is America Free?

I have several things on my mind as I sit down to write this monthÕs column. WeÕre just a week or so into the month of June now. The cold, rainy weather of Spring seems to have finally given way to summer. The kids will have their last day of school before summer break this week, and our family ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Merciful Ways Of God

Contributed by Jay Mcphearson on Mar 19, 2004

"The Love of God calls us to be who God is to the world."

The word ‘Cat’ to my dog Sandy is not a word she wants to hear. It evokes an instant response of revulsion and loathing. ‘Grrr. Let me at it.’ Occasionally we’ll be quietly watching television, snoozing away, and a commercial will come on with a cat noise in it. Instant pandemonium. Vroom. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Flesh And Spirit: Love And Peace Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 20, 2009

Achieving peace in the world must come from those who have achieved peace with themselves. That in turn comes from achieving peace with God. For the Day of Prayer for World Peace, for baptism, and for Communion

My mother-in-law made an arresting comment the other day. She had been reminiscing about what it was like to take care of two small children in a British bomb shelter, and then our conversation turned to the present situation with Iraq. "Oh, you men", she said. "You men, always getting us into ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-25

Denomination: Baptist

Boast In The Lord Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 18, 2009

1) Power: to free people from the world’s bondage, 2) Power: do what the flesh cannot do, & 3)Power: to bring salvation.

I had an interesting event happen this week that perhaps you can relate to. In performing a martial arts drill I was instructed to hit a pad while an opponent was instructed to push me off balance. All went well until one of the pushes caused me to spin around and at the exact same time another ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:14-18

Denomination: Other

How Could Paul Be The ‘world’s Biggest Sinner’ When He Was So Religious? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 29, 2014

A look at how the greatest evil is often wears religious clothes and how we can avoid having that happen in our lives.

A QUESTION: How could Paul be the “world’s biggest sinner” when he was so religious? - 1 Timothy 1:15. - This passage is interesting and sets up an obvious question: if Paul was so religious and so focused on pleasing God, how could he have been the world’s biggest sinner? ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:15

Denomination: Baptist

Romans 1:18-23 Why Is The World In Such A Terrible State? It’s In A Tailspin – Romans Message 3 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 25, 2023

This world is in disarray because of the weight of sin and departure from God. When the light of God is rejected, then darkness clasps the person’s hand, and leads him into its own dark domain. We look at the folly of idolatry, and the world in freefall.

Romans 1:18-23 WHY IS THE WORLD IN SUCH A TERRIBLE STATE? IT’S IN A TAILSPIN – Romans Message 3 [A]. INTRODUCTION We continue the series in Romans. Last time we looked at Paul’s obligation to the gospel and ended with the important verse 18 - {{Romans 1:18 “The WRATH of God is REVEALED from ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18, Romans 1:19-20, Psalm 14:1, Isaiah 44:12-14, Isaiah 44:15-17, Isaiah 44:18, Isaiah 46:6-7, Isaiah 46:8-10, Isaiah 44:19, Isaiah 44:20, Romans 1:21, Romans 1:22, Romans 1:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Cheers From Jesus!

Contributed by Kevin Johnson on Aug 30, 2001

A word of encouragement in a troubled world.

Title: Three cheers from Jesus! Text: Matthew 9:2 Introduction: It’s been said that attitude will determine your altitude. I mention that this morning because I believe in many places in the body of Christ we have let the attitude of the world creep into the church! I believe we could agree ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Marks Of A Christian: Patience Series

Contributed by Dr. Robert Mckenzie on Mar 20, 2002

Developing Patience in a chaotic world

Marks of a Christian: Patience James 1:4 The apostle Paul declared that he bore in his own body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was referring to the physical scars of persecution that he suffered because of his testimony of Christ. As Christians we also should bear certain identifying ...read more

Scripture: James 1:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Morning After A Short Night Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 30, 2001

Waking Up in a Dark World

THE MORNING AFTER A SHORT NIGHT April 18, 1775 British troops arrived in Boston harbor by night. The plan was to cross the Charles river in small boats and attack the towns of Concord and Lexington. A young man, aware of the plan, grabbed his horse and rode through the streets shouting, ‘WAKE ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-14

Room Temperature Christians Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Mar 26, 2001

When the Church adapts to the World

ROOM TEMPERATURE CHRISTIANS - REV. 3:14-21  This morning we come to the 7th and final church to which John wrote. We have only looked at 5 in preparation for our upcoming revival because Smyrna & Philadelphia were churches to which no criticism was directed.  ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-16

Hope For Troubled Times

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Dec 11, 2000

Living with Hope in a Broken World

"Hope for Troubled Times?" Mark 5:21-24,35-43 In Sir Edwin Arnold’s Light of Asia, he tells a parable from the Buddha about a mother who had lost her child. Carrying its dead body in her bosom, she come to the buddha and said:"Lord and Master, do you know any medicine that while be good for my ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Lutheran

Smell The Grace

Contributed by John Beehler on Dec 29, 2003

World Communion Sunday sermon

Smell the Grace Special occasions are often connected with food—Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. I remember often those days whenever we have a special occasion at our house. No matter where I’m at in the house I can smell the turkey or ham baking, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:17-30, Psalm 26:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Talk So That People Will Listen

Contributed by Paul Shafit on Sep 18, 2003

Staying lovable in an unloving world.

“How To Talk So Others Will Listen” (Exodus 4:10-12) Have you ever spoken to someone and had the feeling in your heart that they weren’t really listening to you? This is a complaint that we often hear even from husbands and wives who ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:10-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational