Sermons on Moral Stories:

What Does "morality" Even Mean?

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Nov 24, 2019

How do we define morality in an increasingly relativistic, materialistic world? When we realize our inherent blind spots, we find that morality must be rooted in something outside of ourselves, and only the example of the incarnate Christ is firm foundation enough for discerning right from wrong.

A CLASH OF WORLDVIEWS In our passage this morning, Paul is speaking to the faithful in the church at the Greek colony of Colossae, now in modern day Turkey. Many of these believers came from a pagan background. They didn’t grow up with the benefit of stories about God’s providence or saving work ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-23, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Denomination: Nazarene

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

Against The Tide: Pushing Back Against The Moral Climate

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 18, 2012

Christians are called to be holy. However, we are not always certain what it means to be holy or how to achieve that status.

1 PETER 1:13-25 AGAINST THE TIDE (PUSHING BACK AGAINST THE MORAL CLIMATE) “Preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

Case For A Creator (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Sep 6, 2013

In this five part apologetics series, based heavily on the work of William Lane Craig and Reasonable Faith, five arguments are presented in favor of the existence of God: the evidence of Cosmology, Creation, Conscience, Christ, and Conversion.

The Case for a Creator (3) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 4/21/2013 A lecturer in Hyde Park, London was speaking out against religion one day and said, “My hatred of religion is inherited; my grandfather was an atheist; my father was an atheist; and, thank God, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:14-15

Denomination: Christian Church

"True Moral Behavior Is Really Gratitude-In-Action.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Jun 6, 2002

June 9, 2002 -- THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 5 Psalm 50:7-15 Color: Green Psalm 50 Title: “True moral behavior is really gratitude-in-action.”

June 9, 2002 -- THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 5 Psalm 50:7-15 Color: Green Psalm 50 Title: “True moral behavior is really gratitude-in-action.” This psalm is cast in the mold of a lawsuit. Since the prophets also used the format of the lawsuit to accuse Israel and the Israelites of sin, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-23

Denomination: Lutheran

We Live In Evil Days And With Morally Corrupted Generations. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 1, 2024

The world we live in today is filled with evil and moral corruption.

It's easy to get discouraged by the darkness that surrounds us, but as Christians, we must remember that we are not of this world (John 17:16). Let us explore what the Bible says about evil days and morally corrupt generations, and how we can navigate these challenging times. Evil Days The ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:16, 2 Peter 2:1-3, Matthew 28:20

The Scandalous Women In The Genealogy Of Jesus - Bathsheba Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Jan 12, 2018

The description of the women in the genealogy of Jesus.

The scandalous women in the genealogy of Jesus - Bathsheba. Scripture References—2 Samuel 11:2, 3; 12:24; 1 Kings 1:11-31; 2:13-19; 1 Chronicles 3:5 ; Matthew 1:1-16. In Matt. 1:1-16 we find “the forgotten chapter of the Christmas story.” It is a genealogy—a list of names, most of them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Narnia: The Power Of A Story That Is True

Contributed by Jim Barnes on Dec 24, 2005

A Christmas Eve message utilizing the film version of "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and the conversion of C.S. Lewis as tools for challenging listeners to decide whether the Christmas story is truth or fiction.

Title: “The Power of a Story That Is True” Text: Matthew 1:18 - 2:23 Date: December 24, 2005 (Christmas Eve) People love good stories don’t they? If they didn’t, books and movies wouldn’t be so popular. There’s just something about a good story that stirs our emotions and moves us in a way ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Journey Series

Contributed by Michael Monica on May 29, 2015

We all have stories. This is my story about where God has taken me.

My Journey Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." I grew up in a Catholic church and when I was ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Must Be Born Again PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

Explore and understand the themes of salvation by grace through faith, the necessity of being born again, and God's love as a relationship with us, as depicted in John 3:1-14.

Good morning, Church! Today, we're diving deep into John 3:1-14 As C.S Lewis once said, "The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us." Let's read together from John 3:1-14: [Read passage] Let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-14

Topics: Respectable, Moral, Religious

Christmas Courage: The Story Of Joseph Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Nov 28, 2006

There are three points to this sermon. 1. God gives courage to ordinary people. 2. God gives us courage to overcome our doubts and fears. 3. God gives us courage to face the future.

(This sermon is a re-working of “The Nativity Story: The Courage of Joseph” by C. Raymond van Pletsen. I used some of the same wording and illustrations but changed the outline and applications. I only spoke of movies I had seen and since I am not a sports fan changed the ending.) Christmas ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Rich Fool

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Oct 17, 2013

Parable is a short story that illustrates a moral point and Jesus illustrates that in the parable of rich fool.

The parable of the Rich Fool Luke 12:13-12:21 Introduction- Please turn to Luke 12:13-21. This is the parable of the Rich fool. It is the recorded words of Jesus addressing a conflict between two brothers over an inheritance. The words of Jesus goes much deeper than two brothers arguing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Nazarene

Paul's Life Story Series

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Oct 31, 2025

Paul's Life Story

Acts 26 v. 1 - 32 Paul's Life Story I. Paul’s Company - He Loved The Lost 1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. i. Festus the governor – He had no accusation to write to Caesar against Paul. (25:26) This was a dilemma to him. To send a prisoner to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:1-32

Denomination: Holiness

Re-Think Your Story Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Jan 22, 2024

This sermon explores the idea of rethinking our personal narratives in the context of the larger, overarching story of redemption and eternal life through Christ, as depicted in the Gospel of Mark.

We need to be reminded occasionally of the context of Jesus’ ministry. It was Israel: the community God formed and called to be his people for the world. The plan was that God would then act from within this people group, fulfilling their calling, to complete his rescue operation of the fallen ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-4, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 19:28-40

Topics: Redemption, Eternal Life, Great Story

Telos

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 9, 2018

Of all the sins listed in our Gospel today, the telos in that list is extremely off-course from God.

22B People put their entire moral analysis on intention only; e.g. If my intention is good, I can do it. But actually, “telos” is the word in the Bible that orients ourselves toward God. Telos means “purpose, intent, goal.” E.g. Bulimia is acting against the telos of eating. A couple good ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Catholic