Sermons on Open To Others:

Putting Coals Of Fire On Difficult People

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 1, 2005

This message tells us how to treat people who hurt you. Romans 12:14-21 describes how to deal with difficult people.

”Putting Coals of Fire on Difficult People” Romans 12:14-21 When someone hurts you how are you to respond? With revenge or love? Before Christ the Old Testament law was “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Jesus brought a new level of ethical law, the law of love. The word “revenge” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

Denomination: Free Methodist

Life Of David: David's Other Sin Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Aug 2, 2005

David takes an oath that Shimei will not be harmed. Forgiveness has taken place. Or has it?

DAVID’S OTHER SIN 2 SAMUEL 16:5-14 2 SAMUEL 19:14-23 1 KINGS 2:1-12 INTRODUCTION I would like to tell you a story this morning. The story is a Biblical story that can be found in 2 Samuel 16, 2 Samuel 19, and 1 Kings 2. Actually, each of those chapters corresponds to an episode of the story. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Foolishness, Faithfulness, And Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Patrick Mead on Feb 20, 2006

Foolishness, Faithfulness, and Forgiveness

Foolishness, Faithfulness, and Forgiveness Genesis 20:1-18 Introduction The New Year brought new challenges for many. Many have decided to read through the Bible this year. I have loved to hear the different comments from people about the experience of their new challenge. The most memorable ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Christ And Controversy

Contributed by R. Joseph Owles on Mar 3, 2006

Jesus’ forgiveness and compassion creates controversy.

SERMON IN A SENTENCE: We cannot be in a right relationship with God if we are in a wrong relationship with others. Two weeks ago we encountered Paul’s challenge to “Be like Christ,” and we looked at Mark’s account of Jesus healing a leper for clues of how we could actually be like Christ. We ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-28

Denomination: Catholic

Forgive Them

Contributed by Tony Skaff on Mar 18, 2006

This was the first cry out recorded in the gospels from the cross. Forgiveness is a basic foundation of the cross.

1stBBC Forgive them Luk 23:33-34 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-34

Denomination: Baptist

A Story Of Forgiveness

Contributed by Steve Severance on Mar 20, 2006

What does St. Patrick’s Day have to do with Forgiveness? In this sermon we’ll find a great lesson on returning blessing for evil.

What must it be like to be kidnapped by foreigners at the age of 16? Succat found that out. Succat was born in Britain. His family was Christian but he considered himself to be a pagan. That is, until the awful day when Irish raiders had attacked Succat’s village and he had been kidnapped. Suddenly ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:21

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Treating Your Enemies Right

Contributed by Vinnie Cappetta on Apr 4, 2006

It is natural for us to hate those who treat us poorly. It seems outrageous to do anything else, right? But, we forget that Jesus came to bring a new way of doing things; He wants us to treat our enemies right. Check out what He says . . .

Treating Your Enemies Right Matthew 5:43-48 Think back to someone(s) who hurt you deeply. Ever asked the question, “What am I supposed to do with these angry feelings?” What if you could speak to Jesus about this? What if he could answer you? What might he say? First, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Mistletoe Message

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 27, 2005

Reconciliation is a choice we need to make if we’re serious about the message of Christmas.

“A Mistletoe Message” Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts. Christmas Eve devotional During our “Hanging of the Greens” one of our deacons was wondering whether to place a large ribbon over the doorway leading upstairs. The concern was whether it might get ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Denomination: Congregational

Doing Right When You've Been Done Wrong

Contributed by David Ward on Jan 23, 2006

BIG IDEA: We make our love revolutionary when we refuse revenge and generate grace.

"Doing Right When You’ve Been Done Wrong” Romans 12:14-21 INTRODUCTION: A man went into the preaching ministry, worked for seven years, then resigned to go back to medical school and become a doctor. He came to the conclusion that “People don’t want spiritual health. They just want to feel good.” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Onesimus"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Oct 9, 2004

This message deals with the relationship between Paul, Onesimus, and Philemon.

“Onesimus” Philemon Vs. 1-25 INTRODUCTION: Most people never READ the book of Philemon … can’t FIND it. It’s a little book … 1 chapter … 25 verses. BACKGROUND: Philemon was a Christian who lived in Colossae. Paul had led him to the Lord when Philemon was in Ephesus. The church at Colossae ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Art Of Reconciliation

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 10, 2004

Sermon on the Mount - dealing with murder and reconciling relationships.

The Art of Reconciliation Matthew 5:21-26 October 12, 2004 Introduction We are knee-deep in the Sermon on the Mount as we work our way through the gospel according to Matthew. The section we look at today begins a number of individual teachings that Jesus gives regarding a number of different ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26

Denomination: Wesleyan

Total Forgiveness

Contributed by Fernando Cabrera on Oct 27, 2004

A sermon outline from the principles taught by R.T.Kendall in Total Forgiveness

Total Forgetfulness Dr. Fernando Cabrera Genesis 37:1-50:26 1. Forget emotionally what was done against you a. First born – Manasseh “to forget” i. Joseph had not forgotten emotionally, but factually ii. Forget the pain 1. In Hell, says C.S. Lewis, part of the punishment will be to remember all, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

To Forgive: God's Grace Filled Example

Contributed by Marc Bertrand on Nov 5, 2004

A consideration of the parable of the unforgiving servant, and the danger of living in a prison of unforgiveness.

Intro: C.S. Lewis wrote, “Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive, as we had during the war. And then, to mention the subject at all is to be greeted with howls of anger. Forgiveness is so often such a difficult thing because it means that something has ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

"What Forgiveness Looks Like" Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Nov 16, 2004

Just what does real forgiveness look like?

In our passage for today, Paul speaks about the dangers of unforgiveness. He tells us that unforgiveness . . . A. Negatively impacts our influence on others - v. 29 B. Negatively impacts God’s influence on us - v. 30 Consequently, he tells us to all those things associated with unforgiveness - ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32

Denomination: Baptist

"Taking The Initiative To Reconcile" Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Nov 16, 2004

Whose responsibility is it if reconciliation is to happen?

Last time we spoke of the role of forgiveness in reconciliation. We said that without forgiveness, reconciliation is not possible. For reconciliation results with the offended person forgives and the offending person repents. Forgiveness + Repentance = Reconciliation Our reconciliation with God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17

Denomination: Baptist