Sermons on lower standards:

Is The Judge Unjust?

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 19, 2011

Why does a just God delay justice? How can a loving God allow evil? Why do we think we can judge God by our standards?

Have you ever felt that God was just like the judge in Luke’s parable? Perhaps you have a problem, a need, a pain, a burning question; you bring it before God, and - nothing happens. You remember what Jesus said about persisting in prayer, so you go on battering at the heavenly gates - for ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Old Faithless Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 1, 2011

Eternal life is for those who live faithfully before God, believing in his promises and living by his standards, even when the pressures to conform to our culture are nearly overwhelming.

Has it ever occurred to you that the Bible probably ought to be rated “R”? It’s definitely not G, and parental guidance is certainly needed. I don’t think it rates an X, even though there’s an awful lot of violence, especially in the OT, and even some sexually ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

True Friendships Series

Contributed by Peter Steinbach on Jan 24, 2017

In our culture we call most people we have frequent contact with "Friends." In this message of Love we'll learn what "True Friendship" is according to biblical standards.

For those of you who weren’t here with us last week, we finished off the book of Daniel. • It was a wonderful book to teach, and I hope that all of us had our faith strengthened as a result of this book. (Elaborate) • Now this morning we’re going to start the book of Thessalonians. • And ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-6

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Are Good Works Good Enough? Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 12, 2019

How do you know when you’ve done enough? How good do you have to be? What standard do we measure ourselves against?

Are Good Works Good Enough? Rev. Brian Bill August 10-11, 2019 Last month in Virginia I had the opportunity to run a 10K race with our daughter Lydia on a hot and humid day. While I’ve labored through the Bix course twice I had never run an official 10K. Pip also participated, though he was ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:9-20, Isaiah 53:6

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Words: Speaking Life In A World Of Negativity Ephesians 4:29 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 7, 2024

Ephesians 4:29, explores how our words can be instruments of grace, encouragement, and healing. In a world filled with negativity and harsh speech, we are called to a higher communication standard.

The Power of Words: Speaking Life in a World of Negativity Ephesians 4:29 Introduction: Today, we will delve into the profound message of Ephesians 4:29, exploring how our words can be instruments of grace, encouragement, and healing. In a world filled with negativity and harsh speech, we are ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 18:21, Colossians 4:6, Hebrews 10:24-25, James 1:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Be A Christian Citizen Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 30, 2014

God has drawn a moral standard, a line. “That’s my boundary. That’s my spiritual fault line. You better move your life to get in line with it.” And too many Americans are saying, “No, I want to move God’s line and change God’s standard to fit my life.”

INTRODUCTION Open your Bibles to Romans 13. I think sometimes our families are sent by God to keep us humble. I remember when I was pastoring a church in Alabama, and Jenni was a little girl. She saw me get up to preach and she said, “Daddy, what are you doing before you get up to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

God, The Supernatural Healer

Contributed by Craig Condon on May 20, 2015

How do we respond to people who come to us for help? Do we ignore them? Do we listen to them and then send them on their way instead of helping them? Do we just throw money at the problem by making a donation or do we lower ourselves like Naaman did?

A missionary lady was sitting by her window as she opened her mail. In one letter she found a crisp, new, ten-dollar bill. She was pleasantly surprised, but then she noticed a poorly dressed stranger leaning on a post by her window. She couldn't get him off her mind. Thinking that he might be in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-15

Denomination: Anglican

Walking In Integrity Series

Contributed by Boomer Phillips on Jan 5, 2022

When the Lord begins tearing down the walls of opposition and using you to bring glory to Himself, and to see the lost come to Christ; it is at this point that you need to be ever-mindful of how you stand, and be careful to walk in integrity.

With success comes great responsibility. When the Lord begins tearing down the walls of opposition and using you to bring glory to Himself, and to see the lost come to Christ, then you need to be careful that you do not fall into sin. Lawrence O. Richards says, “Early [devotion to God] leads to ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:2-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Cross Is Foolishness Series

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Apr 15, 2014

The Cross is Foolishness Because it says You are a Sinner Worthy of God’s Wrath. The Cross is Foolishness Because it says Your Righteousness is Not Worthy of God’s Reward. The Cross is Foolishness Because it says that God’s Standard is Perfection

Good Friday 2014 “The Cross is Foolishness” 1 Corinthians 1:18 Tonight, we are going to study an important passage regarding how the world typically views the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. From the perspective of the Christian, this is the most important event in human history ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Vote Biblically

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Apr 27, 2006

VOTE BIBLICALLY How should a Christian Vote? Should we just vote the party line or does God hold us to a different standard than the Democrats and Rebulicans? Let’s learn to let God direct us at the ballot box.

VOTE BIBLICALLY How should a Christian Vote? Philippians 3:20—Ephesians 2:19 As a Christian we have a dual citizenship. I believe all of us here today are US citizens (some who live in the US still retain citizenship of their home nation such as Canada, Mexico or other nations). However, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Wilderniss Into Oasis Series

Contributed by Paul Kallan on Mar 5, 2003

When we experience wilderness in life, it is difficult to uphold our moral standards. Rooted in God and with the power Jesus gives us, we can try to overcome the attractions and promises of evil.

Mark 1.12-15 describes the Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness. After the baptism in the Jordan, the Spirit leads him to the wilderness to spend fourty days of fasting and prayer. There he is tempted to give up the call of God and yield to the temptation to react to situations in the normal ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:12-15

Denomination: Catholic

How Can The Lord Help You Overcome Any Tendency To Act As A Judge?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Angry cynical people die young. Men who score high for hostility on standard tests are four times more likely to die prematurely than men whose scores are low.

What are the problems with trying to play the role of a judge over others? Illustration:Angry cynical people die young. Men who score high for hostility on standard tests are four times more likely to die prematurely than men whose scores are low. Bottom Line, quoted in Homemade, February 1989. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Becoming People Of Grace

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Nov 10, 2010

We think that we can approach forgiveness with some half-measures that look pretty good to us. Jesus sets a standard that is incredibly high, but one that He has already met.

Passage: Matthew 18:21-35 Intro: Few things we can do will have such a powerful impact on our lives. 1. this is an area where the battle will rage with great force, because of what is at stake. 2. there is something about holding grudges that fills a great need in us. 3. there are few thing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Can We Have Moral Values Without God? Series

Contributed by Andy Payne on Apr 13, 2010

We may deny God’s existence ... but it is hard to escape the reality of a fixed moral law ... we prove this when we judge others by a standard that we ourselves break.

Can We Have Moral Values Without God? Romans 1:16-20, 28-32; 2:1-4 INTO: People claim that they don’t care about sexual morality, or cheating on exams, or lying to keep from getting in further trouble. This is part of being RELATIVIST: What is right for you is right And what is right for me ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Holy, Holy, Holy Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jan 11, 2015

God is separate from all that is sinful; He is the perfect measure of goodness. He is holiness itself--the source and standard of moral absolutes. Do we have a sense of God's holiness?

Everything begins with God. He is at the center of our faith. Yet we don’t get out of bed each morning and mindlessly repeat “I believe” three times. We need to ask ourselves: “In whom do I believe?” We were made to know God. Do we? I’m not talking about ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 99:1-9

Denomination: Congregational