Sermons on Lower Standards:

Smyrna: Riches Within Poverty

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 12, 2020

The second church Jesus instructed John to pen a letter was the church in Smyrna. It was situated within a city of great wealth and affluence, and yet many believers lived in poverty. They were not rich by the world's standards, but they were rich in grace.

Smyrna: Riches within Poverty Revelation 2: 8-11 Today we come to Smyrna, the second church within the series of letters John was instructed to write in the Revelation. It is interesting to note, that of the seven churches, only two received all praise and encouragement from the Lord, with no ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Second Coming Of Christ - Part 8: How Will Jesus Judge My Life? Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 17, 2023

Here are the Lord's simple standards: 1. Be a sheep (vs. 31-33). 2. Share (vs. 34-36). 3. Show up (vs. 36). 4. Seek to have a humble heart (vs. 37-46).

The Second Coming of Christ Part 8: How Will Jesus Judge My Life? The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 25:31-46 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared March 17, 2023) BACKGROUND: *Today we will finish our study on the second coming of Christ. This study has taken us from the Old Testament to the New. We have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Baptist

Who I Am In Christ

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Oct 11, 2025

Our true identity is not defined by the world’s shifting standards but by the unchanging grace of Jesus Christ, who makes us new, adopts us as His children, sets us apart for His purpose, and secures our citizenship in heaven

Who I am in Christ Do you know who you are? John Newton was born in England in the early 1700s. His mother, a devoted Christian, taught him Scripture and planted seeds of faith in his young heart. But when she died tragically at the age of seven, Newton’s world was shattered. With no ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Ephesians 1:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

Compensation (Exodus 22)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 28, 2024

God's old covenant contains many things hard to understand. Do we judge God by our corrupt society's standards or humble seek to understand? Let's look at Exodus 22.

When we look at the laws under the old covenant, are we tempted to think that some were too harsh and some were amazing? Do we judge God by our society’s corrupt standards? Or, do we humbly seek to learn? Let’s look at Exodus 22. What compensation was a thief to pay? Was there something similar to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God Of Complete Holiness

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 8, 2025

God’s holiness is not just one of His attributes—it is the very essence of His being. Holiness defines God’s nature, distinguishes Him from all created beings, and sets the standard for all moral purity and righteousness.

GOD OF COMPLETE HOLINESS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 6:1-5 Supporting Texts: Leviticus 11:44-45, Revelation 4:8, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Hebrews 12:14, Psalm 99:9 INTRODUCTION: God’s holiness is not just one of His attributes—it is the very essence of His being. Holiness defines God’s ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The God Of Absolute Excellence Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 10, 2025

The God we serve is the embodiment of excellence. His name, His works, His wisdom, and His ways are perfect and glorious. To walk with Him is to aspire to a higher standard—not for the praise of men, but to reflect His beauty and bring Him glory.

THE GOD OF ABSOLUTE EXCELLENCE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 8:1, 9 Supporting Texts: Daniel 5:12; Psalm 150:2; Matthew 5:48; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Philippians 1:10 INTRODUCTION: God is not just good; He is excellent. Everything about Him is marked by perfection, beauty, order, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1, Psalm 8:9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How Jesus Directed His People Toward Excellence

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus knew that excellence could only be measured in terms of the heavenly Father. The Lord Jesus did not make the mistake of letting His standards be measured relative to his cultural context. Instead, Jesus said, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly

1. Jesus knew that excellence could only be measured in terms of the heavenly Father. The Lord Jesus did not make the mistake of letting His standards be measured relative to his cultural context. Instead, Jesus said, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt. 5:48) ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Will Deliver Me! Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Apr 28, 2005

The law of God is perfect, but we are not. Trying to live up to God’s standards with our own steam is an impossible task. Before power comes freedom! ...Free from sin, free from death, even free from the law!

If I were to take a long piece of super-duper duct tape and stick it firmly to your hairy arm, how would you prefer to have it removed if you only had these two choices: Slowly, pulling out one hair at a time, or suddenly, ripping it off instantly? Most of us would prefer a quick rip. Well, when ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Knowing That He Is The Lord

Contributed by Clinton Nobles on Nov 26, 2002

The sovereignty of God is something that as Christians we often take for granted that everyone knows. We have always believed that He is all-powerful and all-knowing, so we assume that others have this same set standards by which they live their lives.

“So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.” Joel 3:17 The sovereignty of God is something that as Christians we often take for granted that everyone knows. We have always ...read more

Scripture: Joel 3:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Can't Fool God!

Contributed by Ralf Bergmann on Sep 8, 2004

I think the parallel between Judah in Isaiah’s time and America today is frighteningly similar. Everywhere we look, we see declining moral standards, business ethics are deteriorating, and the leadership of this nation moves further and further away from

Sermon Title: You Can’t Fool God! Text: Isaiah 1:10-20 Date: July 27, 2003 Context of Scripture: I think the parallel between Judah in Isaiah’s time and America today is frighteningly similar. Everywhere we look, we see declining moral standards, business ethics are deteriorating, and the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-20

Denomination: *other

Marriage That Goes The Distance

Contributed by Steve Greene on Nov 5, 2007

This message includes ten characteristics of marriages that last. We concluded the service by honoring several couples who had been married for 50 years or more. It was a great way to communicate God’s standard for marriage of one man and one woman for

Pastor’s Note: Just before this message, we had the ladies on the praise team sing their own rendition of “Stand by Your Man”. Stand by your man. That might sound a little chauvinistic in today’s culture, but I have to tell you, when a man treats his wife the way the Bible says she should be ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33

Denomination: Nazarene

What Makes A Good Father?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jun 19, 2012

Being a good father is more than just bringing home a paycheck and meeting the physical needs of your children. It’s not enough just be a good father by the world’s standards; fathers need to be the spiritual leaders in their homes.

What Makes a Good Father Proverbs 17:6 When asked what is a good father? One replier said, “A good father is one who provides and is always there when the child needs him.” 1 Timothy 5:8 tells us “… if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:6

Denomination: Baptist

Reach For God's Perfect Righteousness

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 23, 2014

God calls us to the highest standards: 1. Always be believable (vs. 33-37). 2. Bend over backwards for other people (vs. 38-42). 3. Make sure you belong to the Father's family (vs. 43-48).

Reach for God's Perfect Righteousness Matthew 5:33-48 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - April 23 2013 *When Randy Hawkins was in his 40's, he played softball on a team a lot of younger guys. During one game, Randy was playing third base when a line drive was hit right over his head. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-48

Denomination: Baptist

Lord's Supper Is Essential

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jul 22, 2014

A sermon describing the Lord's Supper (Adapted from Andrew Paris in the book, Essentials of Christian Faith, chapter 9 The Lord's Supper; some other thoughts from Knofel Staton in an article in Christian Standard called "The Lord's Supper is Essential)

HoHum: It is possible in one accident to lose my left arm, the watch on the arm, and a significant amount of blood. The fact that I lose all of them at the same time does not mean, however, that all the losses are equal. My left arm is important, but not essential for my life to continue; my ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:26-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Good Mothers Never Yell (And Other Myths)

Contributed by John Gaston on May 16, 2018

There is a mythology afoot today which causes mothers to set standards for themselves so high that no real, normal human mother could ever reach it! Mothers need to know they are doing a good job and that kids also have a mind of their own.

GOOD MOTHERS NEVER YELL (AND OTHER MYTHS) INTRODUCTION A. WONDERFUL OCCASION – MOTHER’S DAY 1. Is Scriptural: Exodus 20:12; “Honor your father AND YOUR MOTHER, that your days may be long on the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” 2. Rom. 13:7; “Give honor to whom honor is due…” B. ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God