Sermons on Non Reciprocal Love:

Matthew 7:12 – Stop Following Me! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on May 17, 2012

There’s a shop on the corner of OBLIGATION STREET and RECIPROCITY. It advertises free tickets, scratch-its, gifts, invitations, free samples, biros, key-rings, 2 for one. All designed to make me feel OBLIGATED to give or buy or comply or compromise in som

Matthew 7:12 – STOP FOLLOWING ME! I was looking at Instragram photographs recently. On the most popular photographs, so many people made comments such as “I will like you 5 times if you like me”. It was as blatant as that (and as pathetic). They scream “Make me popular, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fruit Of The Spirit—love (3 Lessons)

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Feb 26, 2014

A thorough examination of love from a Bible perspective.

Fruit of the Spirit—LOVE (3 lessons) Series: Fruit of the Spirit Teaching Series Chuck Sligh February 2, 9, 16, 23, 2014 Fruit of the Spirit—LOVE (Part 1) TEXT: Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Reasons For Our Suffering

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 1, 2003

Suffering can teach us that we may have to realign our priorities, values and sense of what is essential vs. non-essentials

Suffering - To experience adverse effects of something unpleasant. To feel pain, grief or discomfort. Illustration:Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They’re the only ones who can take it." Unknown. "Although the world is full of suffering, it is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:10-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It’s Ok To Fall In Love - Valentine

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 9, 2006

All moral responsibility hinges on the two affections of love for God and love for our neighbor. Memorable outline. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

It’s OK to Fall Luke 10:25-37 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/OK2Fall.html The man in our text fell...he fell among thieves. The Good Samaritan fell...he fell in love for the man and had mercy and compassion toward him. And it’s ok to fall. We talk so much about love being a commitment and not a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

Second Chances, Scars And Spiritual Transformation Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Oct 9, 2013

God's great desire is not to bring judgment to people but for people to repent. God's great desires if for believers and non-believers alike to turn to Him.

Intro: In this third chapter of Jonah we see God’s great desire for people to turn toward Him. It doesn’t matter the depth of their sin or the degree of their violence. What we discover in this chapter of Jonah is what John R Stott said, “The Gospel is good news of mercy to ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

God's Letter Of Recommendation

Contributed by Mark Adams on Oct 21, 2006

This sermon relies heavily on a visual illustration. It is based on the passage in 2 Cor. 3 which says we are letters from God. It calls for serious dedication to living for Christ.

______________________________________________________ NOTE: This sermon relies heavily upon a visual illustration. It’s based on Paul’s statement that we are a ’letter from Christ’. Here is a description of the visual I made for this lesson: Before the sermon, I prepared a manilla envelope, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Spiral Stair Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 9, 2011

The journey of faith is like a spiral stair, the whole held up by the love of God, but the sequence of steps always the same. Commit yourself to the grace of God. Surrender more of yourself to Christ. And love the people he puts in your path as if he h

I wish I could play the piano. Not just picking out a tune with my right hand, but really playing - composers like Bach and Beethoven and Mozart. As most of you know, my mother plays. She’ll be back here in May, and Martie’s already agreed to let her play for the service. Even ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Galatians 5:13-15, Freedom To Love Series

Contributed by Eldron Gill on May 26, 2008

Galatians 5:13-15, Freedom to love

Freedom To Love Galatians 5:13-15 * Paul begins to speak to us about the danger of abusing our Christian liberty. * To some people to be free from the law meant that there was nothing standing in the way of self-indulgence and a free rein in sin. -- They understood the law to be the ONLY ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Zephaniah's Message Of 'the Day Of The Lord' Series

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Sep 17, 2008

Zephaniah tells how ’The Day of the Lord’ affects the nations either for punishment of the non-repentant and blessing for believers in the ’Now’ and ’Not Yet’.

ZEPHANIAH’S MESSAGE OF ‘THE DAY OF THE LORD’ The Old Testament prophets were commissioned by Jehovah, the God of Israel, to ‘hear the Word of the Lord’ and then to speak it out to the people, whether or not they were willing to receive it. Often they were unwilling hearers. In many cases the ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

"What's Love Got To Do With It?--Revised"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 8, 2004

This sermon is revised in light of the recent events in Iraq.

John 13:31-35 “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” Over this past week we have seen photographs on the front pages of our newspapers and on our television screens of the type—well, that I have never seen before. But then, now that I think of it. I have seen pictures from the concentration ...read more

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Denomination: United Methodist

What’s Love Got To Do With It

Contributed by Michael Bolin on Jan 31, 2010

condemning heart

Did you hear the story about the Hot air balloon? This man was traveling in a hot air balloon when he realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-24

Denomination: United Methodist

What's On Your Mind?

Contributed by John Gullick on Jun 29, 2004

A sermon that encourages the Christian that our mind is to be used for God’s purposes and not our own.

What’s on your mind? A friend of Soviet Physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov tells this story:- Some friends were holidaying with the Sakhorovs on the Black Sea. Once, they jokingly asked his wife, Elana, what Sakhorov thought about while wandering along the waterfront. She said “Here, in his ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:2

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Help Resolve Conflicts With Difficult People

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Conflict resolution is exemplified in Acts 15 by James and the apostles.

ILlustration: Many people find themselves stuck in ruts unable to find a way out of their conflicts. Millions in North America suffer from depression because they are unable to properly channel their feelings of anger, resentment and frustration.Unconsciously, people take out their exasperation ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hating In The Name Of God

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Sep 10, 2011

This message focuses on how we choose to hate and justify it by thinking God approves of it.

Hating In The Name Of God Scriptures: Matthew 5:43-44; 22:37-40; 1 John 2:9-11; 3:14-16; 4:7-21 Introduction: Ten years ago on this day I left my home early in the morning to drive to Wichita, KS. When I came through Emporia, I called a friend at her job to chat. When she was not at work, I ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Appropriating Our Freedom

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 27, 2003

Freedom: The condition of being free or unrestricted; personal, civic and spiritual. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.

How to Live in Full Freedom - Rom. 8:2-8 Freedom: The condition of being free or unrestricted; personal, civic and spiritual. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. Illustration:The divine "scheme of things," as Christianity understands it, is at once extremely elastic and extremely ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational