Sermons on Negative Behavior:

Making A Name For Ourselves

Contributed by Mitch Davis on Jul 10, 2007

It is natural, when living in the flesh, for people to want to make a name for themselves. We want to “stand out” among our peers: academically, socially, behaviorally, athletically, etc. Christianity, however, teaches just the opposite.

Making a Name for Ourselves Theme: Whose name are we trying to promote: ours, or God’s? INTRODUCTION A. It is natural, when living in the flesh, for people to want to make a name for themselves. 1. We want to “stand out” among our peers: academically, socially, behaviorally, athletically, etc. 2. ...read more

Scripture: James 4:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Reacting Or Responding?

Contributed by Jerry Smith on Feb 6, 2014

The disciples ‘reacted’ to the behavior of the Samaritans by wanting to harm them: Bad for bad, tit-for-tat. And is it not true of us today too? But what did Jesus say to His disciples and us today about it?

OPENING > And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-56

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Give Up Giving Up Series

Contributed by David Roth on Feb 20, 2015

Ash Wednesday (B). Too often we focus on our outward behavior, our sins. But the root of our problem is not sins, but sin, our sinful nature. Joel urges us to "Turn to God and live."

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “Give up giving up” What are you giving up for Lent? Anything? Some people give up something for lent. Not with the purpose of earning ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-19, Psalm 51:5-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Spotting False Teachers Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 18, 2015

False teachers don’t walk around with nametags that say, “Hi, I’m a False Teacher.” We must beware of false beliefs, faulty behavior and fake benefits.

Spotting False Teachers 2 Peter 2:1-3 Rev. Brian Bill May 16-17, 2015 How many of you like watching infomercials? Any proud owners of the Sham-Wow, the Snuggie or the Perfect Bacon Bowl here today? Earlier this month, I read an article in the Quad-City Times called, “Infomercial Tricks ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

How Can We Improve Relationships @ Home?

Contributed by David Cook on Oct 1, 2012

Peter tells us how we can improve relationships at home: 1 - Wives, Focus on Your Christ-like Behavior; 2 - Husbands, Focus on a Limitless Love; 3 - Everyone, Focus on Being a Blessing

Where do you find it most difficult to live out the Christian life? On the job? On the golf course? Around non believers? During traffic jams? How about at home? What makes it difficult to live like Christ at home? When Amy and I first got married, we had never had a major argument. I’ll never ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Virtuous Mother Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 30, 2021

Mother's Day: Proverbs 31 contains, not just advice on the kind of woman that a man should look for, but it’s also an account of the behavior that a godly mother should aspire to in her life.

I surf the radio channels when I’m on a long drive, and over the past few years I’ve noticed there are a lot of “mama songs.” But, I can’t really recall hearing any “daddy songs” on the radio. You see, Mamas are special. Think about it. When you look back at your life and consider who was ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Challenge Sermon Viii: Christian Duty Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 15, 2020

In times like these, when many folks have been sidetracked by political controversies and criminal behaviors, mature Christians stay on the track of dual citizenship - prioritizing their status as citizen's of the Kingdom of God.

CHRISTIAN DUTY ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-25

Defilement Comes From Within Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 22, 2021

It is not the food you eat or religious observation you practice that enables you to claim that you are right with God. Your attitude, behavior, and response to His commands show whether or not your life is defiled before Him.

Worship is supposed to come from a grateful heart and mind, focused on how God's mercy and grace has taken us off of the road to hell and by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on our behalf, placed us on the narrow road leading to eternal life. Our submission to Him as Lord and Savior, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23, Hebrews 12:14-15, James 3:6

Denomination: Baptist

How To Tell If Your Faith Is True. Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 31, 2021

When you think of some Christian you greatly admire, you are usually thinking of their loving kindness and Christian actions, and not their views of the trinity. It is by behavior that we impress people with our Christian faith and not by our belief.

The passage we are looking at has been greatly misunderstood. Some have thought it contradicts what Paul says about being justified by faith. James says we are justified by works. They appear to be holding opposite views, but a close study of the words reveals that they are in perfect agreement. ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Christ In The Heart: It's Just That Simple Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 6, 2024

You can sit in church your whole life and never let Christ into your heart. You can try very hard to adjust your outward behaviors but never let His love into yourself.

In all this deep discussion of prayer and God’s presence and turning ourselves toward Him, we must always return to the basic, simple understanding of who Jesus Christ is to us. You can sit in church your whole life and never let Christ into your heart. You can try very hard to adjust your outward ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25, Proverbs 9:4-5

Denomination: Salvation Army

How Do We Honor God? Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Aug 17, 2011

Paul challenged the believers in Philippi to "Walk the Talk" and honor God with their lives, and he provided a great example in the life of Christ, but here he gives them firm charge to be intentional and one negative and one positive on HOW they can hono

Sermon Brief Date Written: August 12, 2011 Date Preached: August 14, 2011 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Series from Philippians Sermon Title: How Can We Honor God Sermon Text: Philippians 2:12-18 [ESV] Introduction: When you were young, what was your ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

How To Follow Jesus--Though Persecuted Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jun 8, 2021

How we regard difficulties and persecutions will have everything to do with whether we respond positively or negatively to them. Surprising to us, the very things designed by men to destroy faith cause it to thrive, when we have a godly attitude.

Jeanie and I recently read a book with a provocative name—The Insanity of God—by the pseudonymous author Nip Ripken. Of course, the title elicits the question, what is insane about God—a question the author never directly answers, but only becomes evident upon contemplation of his message. It ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-11

Denomination: Bible Church

Standing In Heaven's Judgment Line

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Mar 3, 2005

Everyone is going to be judged by the Lord. Commonly, people say we are going to wait in a line to see the Lord. In that line you will be full of emotions, but these emotions will be positive or negative. The emotion that you feel will depend on you.

IN THE LINE FOR HEAVEN THEME: ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT WE WILL ALL HAVE TO STAND BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD. BUT WHO WILL BE THERE ALSO? WE MUST LIFE IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE WILL NOT BE ASHAMED TO SEE OTHER PEOPLE THERE WITH US. Today we are going on a journey. We are traveling from this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Not - M O V E D

Contributed by William Akehurst on Oct 31, 2008

HANG ON! What are we to BE. What are we NOT to BE. We can look at the ’NOTS’ in the negative. This is looking at the POSITIVE. When things look bleak. Be Not MOVED from your Faith. STAND FIRM.

10.19.08 Sermon.Be Not-Moved By William Akehurst, HSWC 1 Thessalonians 3:7-9 Philippians 1:27 For the last 2 weeks, we were looking to scriptures regard what it was to be a Christian, and what we were to be... Be Kind, Joyful, Patient, Loving, Gracious, Forgiving, Forbearing In Acts we read: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If Jesus Isn't In Church You Go Home With Your Demons

Contributed by Aaron Holbrough on Feb 12, 2013

We need to domesticate the word Demon to imply anything that desires to negatively control and influence us. Once we do that, so much of what Jesus does become incredibly applicable to us.

Did you happen to bring a demon to church on Sunday or maybe just sit beside one? Hard to tell isn’t it, Botox is really screwing up my ability to spot them in a crowd. In Luke 4:31 we find Jesus is teaching in a Synagogue, and at some point a man interrupts and an evil spirit speaks to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:31-45

Denomination: Mennonite