Sermons on Messy Relationships:

The Persistent Friend Lesson 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 11, 2024

The main focus of this parable: It is about asking and receiving. “… how much more will your heavenly Father give” (v. 13).

A. INTRODUCTION (Luke 11:1, 5-13) After seeing Jesus in prayer, a disciple asked, “teach us to pray.” Jesus taught them what to pray (the Lord’s Prayer) then how to pray (the importunate/persist friend). Because a friend arrived late, a second friend tried to borrow bread from a third friend, yet ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1, Luke 11:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Marriage And Conflict

Contributed by Stephen A Olatunde on Feb 22, 2024

Conflict in marriage is an inevitable situation that could have positive and negative effects on a relationship.

Conflict in marriage is an inevitable situation that could have positive and negative effects on a relationship. The understanding of marriage in the Bible: "Genesis 2:18 And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him. Genesis 2: 21-22: ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18

Sermon 8 - Finding An Approach That Fits Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 28, 2025

The key for evangelistic success is not only employing the most effective approaches, but employing the ones that best match our own personalities and gifts.

Introduction: A. For every task that we face, there are many approaches or methods that we might employ. 1. Some methods are certainly better than others. B. I like the story of the man who was injured on the job and had to provide further explanation of the cause of his injuries for the insurance ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:5-6, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Embracing The Journey Of Faith SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

This sermon draws inspiration from the book of Ruth, encouraging believers to boldly step forward in their faith and deepen their relationship with Christ.

Today, we sang a familiar invitation hymn called "Wherever He Leads I’ll Go." But I wonder, do we truly mean those words? Are we willing to follow Jesus wherever He may lead us? Imagine this scenario: you go to work tomorrow and your boss gestures for you to follow them. They lead you through the ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16

Topics: Faith, Relationship With Christ

God's Plan For Spiritual Misfits Series

Contributed by David Selleck on Oct 26, 2006

Second in a series of messages from Michael Yaconelli’s book "Messy Spirituality" God’s Annoying Love for Imperfect People.

Template Oct 8, 2006 Messy Spirituality Series 2 Felt Need: What is God’s plan for my life, why is this so difficult to figure out? Desired Results: Persons would hear the Good News of God’s grace and know that they are loved and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Message: God’s plan for Spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Methodist

Jabez Finish Strong Series

Contributed by Rodney Coe on Feb 10, 2015

Evil wants to get us. If we have a shaky start or messy middle, God wants us to finish strong.

“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Broken: How God Uses Defective People

Contributed by John Beukema on May 1, 2013

The Bible is filled with stories of fractured lives and messy situations. From these we can learn truths about how God works.

Bob Dylan wrote a song called “Everything is broken.” Here are some of the lyrics. Broken bottles broken plates Broken switches broken gates Broken dishes broken parts Streets are filled with broken hearts Broken words never meant to be spoken Everything is broken. He’s right. ...read more

Scripture: Judges 13:1-25

Denomination: Brethren

God In Three Persons-Blessed Trinity

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jun 13, 2015

God is Father, Son and Spirit, co-equals united in mutual love and divine essence. When we remember this, we can understand what Jesus meant when he said that he and the Father and the Spirit are one.

The minister gave his Sunday morning service, as usual, but this particular Sunday, it was considerably longer than normal. Later, at the door, shaking hands with parishioners as they moved out, one man said, "Your sermon, Pastor, was simply wonderful - so invigorating and inspiring and ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Anglican

Rooted In Him

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 19, 2014

Relationship with God is your most important relationship. Spiritual growth is God's will for your life. Go deep is the way to grow strong. There is no short cut to cultivating a relationship.

WHY ARE WE DOING WHAT WE ARE DOING? Why should I take on this discipleship thing? Why can’t I just sit back and simply cruise into heaven? • We’re made to have fellowship with God. Adam and Eve walks in the Garden with Him. RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Portrait Of A Peacemaker - James 3:17-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 23, 2021

This message shows how several of the elements of human wisdom have been dressed up and have found their way into the church. We must beware of those. The message also gives insights into how to convert incidents of conflict into peace in the church and restore broken relationships.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. Introduction God will call us His children, if and only if… How ...read more

Scripture: James 3:17-18

The Difficulty Of Love Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the challenges of loving in a broken world, emphasizing the need to focus on Jesus and intentionally love God and others, despite the difficulties.

Welcome back church! We’re a few weeks into our series, Loving God; Loving People, and I imagine today’s message is going to resonate with a lot of us as it’s all about the difficulty of love. We all have these stories, and the truth is, we’re hard to love as well. None of us are easy to love, all ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-3, James 4:7-10, Galatians 5:16-26

Topics: Broken Relationships, Divine Love, Redemption

Sermon Series: Love God Love People

Love Is More Than A Theory Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon introduction explores the concept of love as an action rather than a theory, encouraging followers to emulate Jesus' love for broken and messy individuals.

We’ve all had theories. Here are a few of mine that I’d like to share with you as we get going; Before I was married, I had theories about how to have an amazing marriage. I thought my spouse would be blessed to be with such an enlightened husband. Before I pastored, I thought I knew how to handle ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:35-40, Proverbs 14:4

Topics: Active Love, Grace And Truth, Brokenness

Sermon Series: Love Has A Name

When Nitty Gritty Becomes Brother Nit And Sister Grit. #5 Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Stratton on Aug 20, 2002

This sermon is based upon Mike Yaconelli’s book "Messy Spirituality" and is designed to convince seekers that God wants their Nitty and Gritty lives.

June 15 & 16, 2002 Romans 8:1-4 “When Nitty Gritty Becomes Brother Nitty or Sister Gritty” I believe that I have proven to you over the last four weeks that you don’t have to be some spiritual titan to be following God. I also believe that I have proven that all persons, regardless of their ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Nitty Gritty...meet Who I Have Become #4 Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Stratton on Aug 20, 2002

This series is based on Mike Yaconelli’s book "Messy Spirituality and is designed to convince seekers that God wants their Nitty and Gritty lives.

June 8 & 9, 2002 Matthew 10: 18-36 “Nitty Gritty …Meet Who I Have Become!” There is a wonderful story contained in Robert Fulghum’s book entitled “Uh-oh”. The story is about a young elementary school student named Norman. Norman’s teacher announced that the school play for the years was going ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:18-36

Denomination: Baptist

A Tale Of Two Levites Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 28, 2015

The conclusion highlighted the corruption and sinfulness of life without God and without His Word. We need to cling on to the compass and map of life - God and His Word.

Israel’s attempts at trying to do life on their own have failed miserably. • Man’s attempts at doing “what is right in their own eyes” would never succeed, we are lost, like sheep gone astray. • They could not even maintain a decent life. With each account of ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible