Sermons on Moral Development:

Pelagianism – Works Versus The Gospel Of Grace

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Oct 29, 2019

There are many within Christianity who may unknowingly deny God’s free and eternal gift of salvation by requiring a well-meaning, but a misdirected emphasis on adhering to the Law.

There is a belief, known as Pelagianism, that has lingered in the church for over 1600 years, which does not accept that the sinful condition of humankind was inherited from Adam and Eve in the Fall (Genesis 3). It is the belief that motivated the ministry of Charles Finney, who is known as the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Timothy 5:5-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 13:34, Matthew 22:37-40, Romans 15:4, John 19:30, Romans 10:4, Matthew 5:17, Galatians 4:4, Hebrews 10:26-29, Galatians 5:3, Hebrews 8:5, John 14:6, Ephesians 2:8, Acts 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bible And Homosexuality

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Nov 5, 2019

What does the Bible say about homosexuality and how should Christians respond to legislation that legalized gay marriage?

Homosexuality Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 7/26/2015 On Friday, June 26 the Supreme Court of the United States legalized marriage for same sex couples all across the United States... and along with the decision came huge celebrations as well as thunderous condemnation. In ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Marks Of A Mighty Church (Part 5) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Nov 8, 2019

In the last chapter of 1 Thessalonians Paul gives us 12 marks of a mighty church.

Marks of a Mighty Church (Part 5) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 9/6/2015 For the past several weeks, we’ve explored the book of 1 Thessalonians together. As I said in the beginning of this series, every local church is made up of sinners saved by God’s grace, so there’s no ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Denomination: Christian Church

In The Land Of The Blind, The Open-Eyed Get Beaten Up Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 23, 2023

Our Western world is suffused with moral and intellectual darkness; it’s like nearly everyone is blind, or walks around with an eyepatch over both eyes.

Friday of the 11th Week in Course 2023 I had for about nine years the privilege of leading a Christian secondary school. One of the skills we taught in our writing classes was, as in many schools, how to write a resume for college applications. And, as principal, I got to read very many resumes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-23, Psalm 34:2-7, 2 Corinthians 11:18-30

Denomination: Catholic

The Conduct Of The Follower Of Christ Regarding The Law – Introduction Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jul 3, 2023

This message continues the Sermon on the Mount series. Jesus is in these verses defining the Law and His fulfillment of it. In this message you should see the relevance of the Law, our responsibility towards the fulfilled Law, and what our response should be to that.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT THE CONDUCT OF THE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST REGARDING THE LAW – INTRODUCTION MATTHEW 5:17–20 “DO NOT THINK THAT I HAVE COME TO ABOLISH THE LAW OR THE PROPHETS; I HAVE NOT COME TO ABOLISH THEM BUT TO FULFILL THEM. 18I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, UNTIL HEAVEN AND EARTH DISAPPEAR, NOT THE ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is Very Much The Light Of The World

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 10, 2024

All of us are called to be evangelists to the folks around us. That means all of us must practice self-control, moderation.

Friday of 23rd week in course 2024 Today’s Scriptures need to be read with the saying of Jesus found in the Gospel of John. Jesus said “I am the Light of the world.” We see it again in the Book of Revelations, as the description of the eternal city of God tells us that there is no need for lamps ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 1 Corinthians 9:22-27, Luke 6:39-42, John 8:12

Denomination: Catholic

Evil As A Duty [1]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 8, 2012

Morality is not what man wants it to be; morality is what God declares it to be.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Warning #1 - About Drifting Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Mar 9, 2009

The first in a series of warning offered from the book of Hebrews.

Code YELLOW Alert “Warning About Drifting” Hebrews 2:1-4 * In the aftermath of 9/11, President Bush established a Department of Homeland Security to protect us from this sort of terrorism. This was a progressive concept which took almost 18 months to flesh out. However, only 6 months after 9/11, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming Marginal Living

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Sep 21, 2010

God wants to help us move away from the margins (edges) of His love and continue to grow as close to Jesus as possible.

Overcoming Marginal Living -Several months ago Robin and I were sitting in the living room one night and all of a sudden there was a big thump! We went into Zoe’s room to check it out and she had fallen out of bed. She was fine. We helped her back in and she didn’t even remember it in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Profit, A Means, Not An End Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 26, 2009

The attitude of a child is the attitude of knowing you are incomplete, and need to grow, to change, to take the risk to be wrong.

September 28, 2009 Caritas in Veritate The emphasis Jesus constantly puts on being childlike puzzled me until I read Carol Dweck’s great book Mindset. A child knows–perhaps without being able to articulate it–that she needs to change, learn and grow. A child knows his own incompleteness. As we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:46-50

Denomination: Catholic

It's For Your Own Good

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 2, 2021

Last Sunday I used a phrase that you may have heard growing up: do as I say, not as I do. Today I have another that would be just as bothersome: this is for your own good. God will do things we won't like but will be for our own good.

IT'S FOR YOUR OWN GOOD Last Sunday I used a phrase that you may have heard growing up: do as I say, not as I do. That's a phrase we wouldn't have wanted to hear. Today I have another one that would be equally as bothersome: this is for your own good. We didn't like to hear that ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9, Hebrews 4:13, John 16:5-7, John 14:16-17, John 16:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Emergence

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 15, 2025

The concept of emergence is deeply rooted in God’s desire for His people to step into the fullness of His calling and to manifest His glory.

EMERGENCE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 60:1 "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Supporting Texts: Isaiah 61:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 5:8, Romans 8:19, John 1:5 INTRODUCTION: The concept of emergence is deeply ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus Exemplifies Charity In Truth Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 2, 2009

Charity in truth is not something we summon up from ourselves; it is a divine gift essential for true human development

Monday of 18th Week in Course Caritas in Veritate The occasion for Jesus’ withdrawal to a “lonely place” was the news that John the Baptist, his relative and mentor, had been murdered by Herod. Jesus was no coward, so we should think that this withdrawal was to achieve some time for His humanity ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Catholic

Holy Habits #1 - Goodness Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jun 19, 2025

For the next few weeks we want to focus on some Holy Habits - behaviors that we should seek to repeat often enough that they become automatic.

SEVEN HOLY HABITS: GOODNESS Introduction In 1898, A psychologist named Edward Thorndike conducted an experiment to study the behavior of animals - he chose cats. He would place each cat inside a device known as a puzzle box. The box was designed so that the cat could escape through a door by some ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stephen’s Witness To The Jews, And Ours

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 26, 2009

We need to consider the early Church’s message to their elder brothers, the Jews, and our attitude of love for them today.

December 26, 2009 St. Stephen, protomartyr Once the Church of the first decade accepted the reality that the scandalous execution of the Messiah, Jesus, was really the beginning of the transformation of man into the obedient child of God, a new scandal occupied their attention. And so, with the ...read more

Denomination: Catholic