Sermons on Overcoming Differences:

The Older Brother

Contributed by Matthew Stidham on Apr 25, 2008

Here’s a different look at the parable of the lost son from Luke 15. It’s a narrative sermon that focuses not as much on the lost son, but more on the rest of the story...the older brother’s reaction.

The Older Brother 2/24/2008 AM By Matt Stidham for the Whitewright Church of Christ I’d like to begin by telling you a story this morning. This story is a pretty common family story...while you’re listening to this story, some of you might be able to think of a family you know that could very ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Directions For The Path Forward

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 16, 2020

Every day in many different ways we ask ourselves about the path forward in our country as we battle coronavirus. No matter what opinion you hold, there is a longing not to stay where we are now.

Directions For The Path Forward Acts 14:21-28 Introduction Every day in many different ways we ask ourselves about the path forward in our country as we battle coronavirus. No matter what opinion you hold, there is a longing not to stay where we are now. As have navigated now into Phase ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:21-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

These Three Things Part One Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 24, 2019

In these sermon we will unpack a very familiar passage in Philippians 3 and discover 2 things that if we embrace and keep striving to live out, this year can be different... forgetting what is behind and pressing on to what is ahead.

These Three Things #ThisYearCouldBeDifferent 700 years before Jesus put on flesh and invaded our planet, GOD breathed the following words through the prophet Isaiah… to a people who… • Had seen better days • Experienced great suffering • Lost hope • In many ways had no one to blame for their ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:3-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Consider Your Influence

Contributed by John Dobbs on Feb 16, 2019

In the spring of 2004, 10-year-old Austin Gutwein watched a video that showed children who had lost their parents to AIDS in Africa. He realized these kids weren’t any different from him. ...

Consider Your Influence Matthew 13:31-35 Introduction In the spring of 2004, 10-year-old Austin Gutwein watched a ideo that showed children who had lost their parents to AIDS in Africa. He realized these kids weren’t any different from him. He decided to shoot free throws and on World AIDS Day, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Are You Looking At?

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Oct 24, 2019

Should the saint be different from the sinner in what they look at? What are you looking at????? Does it really matter? If no one was looking, what would you look at? What are you looking at?

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT???? Time Study -- Watching TV vs. Doing Things With or For the Lord (Discuss the content of Television programs and movies.) Do you think that what you are looking at will affect how you behave and how you speak? "But it's only a movie!" Scripture: Acts ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:16-20, Proverbs 27:20, 1 John 2:15-16, Psalm 101:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Are You Listening To?

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Oct 24, 2019

Should the saint be different from the sinner in what they listen to? What are you listening to????? Does it really matter? If no one was listening, what would you listen to? What are you listening to??

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO???? Should the saint be different from the sinner in what they listen to? What are you listening to????? Does it really matter? If no one was listening, what would you listen to? What are you listening to?? II. THE EARS -- are more than just sensory organs. They are ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:31, Matthew 13:19, Romans 10:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Our Maker-Helper-Keeper Twenty-Four-Seven! (Psalm 121) Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 12, 2019

The Psalmist highlights the difference it makes in lives by trusting our Maker to help us be true to Him and protect us from them who would distract and deter us away from our trust in Him.

MAKING MUSIC FROM SHARPS AND FLATS IN LIFE Sermons Based on Selected Psalms Psalms Sermon XII – Psalm 121 David the shepherd lad who became ...read more

The Laser Light Of The Gospel Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 23, 2019

The New Covenant Gospel is not a competitor with God’s plans for Israel, but there is a difference between the Old and New Covenants: The Israelites became part of the Old by birth, we become part of the New Covenant only by second birth.

The Laser Light of the Gospel (Romans 3:1-20) 1. Laser lights are useful as pointers. I have one, but only rarely use it. 2. They are not toys. [https://phys.org/newsstory below:] 3. Concern is growing over the safe use of small, battery powered, hand held lasers. For example, there are now ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Erasing Chalk Lines!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Aug 6, 2018

If we don't handle bitterness & hostility differently than the way most people in the world handles them, then we have not learned what it means to be a Christian. What did Jesus say?

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Matthew 18:15-35; Psalm 27:1 A. I believe that most of us, at one time or another, have had someone that we have fallen out with. There have been times when we have been so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-35, Psalm 27:1, Luke 23:34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Salt And Light

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 19, 2018

We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are not called to withdraw from public life into our safe and cozy Christian circles. We are called to make a difference in a world full of darkness, fear, violence, and foolishness.

[Sermon preached on 21 October 2018, Reformation Sunday / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] We sing it almost every Sunday in church with the kids: “This little light of mine—I’m gonna let it shine. Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.” But I wonder how many of us really think about what we sing. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-8, Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Intelligent Design Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 1, 2017

The Bible makes it clear that - not only IS there an intelligent designer - but that even unrighteous men are made aware of that by what God has made. How can we know that is true, and what difference can it make in our witness?

OPEN: A young skeptic returned from his 1st semester at college and visited elderly Bible teacher who’d invited him over for a meal. He hadn’t been at college long, but he’d been there long enough for the professors to destroy his faith. So as she fixed a meal, he felt he needed to inform her of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Waste Your Life Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Aug 7, 2016

It is not enough to have great potential or show great promise. It is what you do with that potential that makes all the difference. A good beginning does not guarantee a good end. End your life well, to the glory of God.

Whatever we start, do it well and end it well. Put your heart in it and do a good job. It is more important how we end than how well we start. • This is so true of Saul’s life. He started well, but did not end well. • We are going to read about his death today (1 Sam 31), and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 31:1-7, 2 Samuel 1:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Spirit And His Gifts 1

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 10, 2015

Tonight we’re going to examine the Spiritual Gifts. We're going to take a few minutes and give a brief overview of these gifts, their differences, and their importance. We're especially looking at the Revelation Gifts.

THE SPIRIT & HIS GIFTS 1 Cor. 12:8-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: WHAT’S A MIRACLE? 1. A devout cowboy lost his favorite Bible while he was mending fences out on the range. Three weeks later a cow walked up to him carrying the Bible in its mouth. 2. The cowboy couldn't believe his eyes. He took ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:8-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Can Those Who’ve Never Heard The Gospel Be Saved?

Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 3, 2016

Opponents accuse God of injustice for sending people to hell who never had the chance to hear the Gospel. That would be unjust if it were true, but God gives everybody a chance to be saved & judges them on a different basis.

CAN THOSE WHO’VE NEVER HEARD THE GOSPEL BE SAVED? Rom. 2:12-15 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: IMPORTANCE OF REPUTATION 1. A guy was going 89 MPH. A cop pulled him over. 2. “Let me see your driver’s license.” “Don’t have one.” “Let me see your ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:12-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Making A Touchdown

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jan 26, 2015

Sermon for Super Bowl Sunday. Baptism and Communion are two things Christ meant to unite us. When people are able to look beyond their differences and come together to celebrate these holy sacraments then it is the greatest "Touchdown" in history.

Making a Touchdown “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, Ephesians 4:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational