Sermons on Passive Listening:

It's All Over But The Praying Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Dec 5, 2018

Keep praying always and don’t lose heart. Today we’re going to listen in as Jesus explains to His disciples why it is so important to persist in prayer … and then we’re going to look at what we miss out on when we don’t spend dedicated time with the Lord each day.

As a courtesy, a guest preacher was asked to give the offertory. Seeking to impress his captive audience, he went on and on … and on. Finally, one man leaned over to his neighbor in the pew and said: I don’t know about you but I’d double my offering right now if he’d just shut up!” You might ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Luke 11:5-8

Denomination: United Methodist

Changing Masters

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 6, 2014

Does it matter if we fight our sinful nature, or give up and give in? If faith is all that matters, why should we bother to live a godly life and listen to God’s commands? Paul’s question is one we also ought to ask ourselves: Who is your master?

Opening illustration: A pastor was teaching a Bible Information Class to a young couple who were brand new Christians. The first lesson was on law and gospel - the two basic messages in Scripture. The pastor explained the law: God desires us to be perfect, but we are sinful and can never reach ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:15-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Worst Of Them All Series

Contributed by Joe Tilton on Sep 11, 2013

What would you do if your pastor had lunch with an IRS agent who you knew abused you? Or, what if that same IRS agent became a dynamic pastor? Would you listen or turn away? Can you set judgement aside? Want-a-be Pharisees in your church?

September 15, 2013 The Worst of them All There was a man who computed his taxes for the year and found he owed $3407. He packaged up his payment and included this letter: Dear IRS: Enclosed is my Tax Return and payment. Please take note of the attached article from the USA Today newspaper. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: *other

Relational Living: Love Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jul 7, 2021

Let me ask you, “Are you disappointed in the way your relationships are turning out? Do you long to go deeper with those around you? If so, listen and learn from the words of Jesus as He explained the dynamics of love. Our Scripture passage this morning comes from the Gospel of John 15.

For the next 6 weeks, I want to take a close look at relationships. Let’s face it, relationships seldom seem to last or at least be what they once were when a relationship began. I’m not just talking about when two people meet and fall in love. I’m talking about all relationships where we become ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

"what Forty Days Can Teach Us" Lent I

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Feb 17, 2021

A story from Aesop's fables, reminding us that "Satan" will say what ever is necessary to get us to do his bidding and disobey our Lord. "all have sinned"... overcome temptation by "listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit", know the word of God.

In Jesus Holy Name Lent I February 21, 2021 Text: Mark 1:12-13 Redeemer “What Forty Days Can Teach Us” About 2,500 years ago, a fellow by the name of Aesop told a tale. This fable of Aesop begins with a sad, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:12-13, Colossians 2:14

Denomination: Lutheran

Obey Regardless Of The Consequences Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Oct 6, 2023

Jesus came so that we could have a really good life. But to have that good life, we have to listen to Jesus and do what he says. When we obey Jesus no matter what happens, we will face hard times and suffering, but we will also experience God’s presence and provision.

Jesus told his friends that he was going to suffer, be killed, and then rise again. They didn't get it because they thought the Messiah was supposed to be invincible. But Jesus was showing them that suffering and death were part of God’s plan. Imagine if you had a piece of coal. It's black, dirty, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Topics: Sacrificial Love, Spiritual Growth, Perseverance, Divine Comfort

Stepping Out Of The Shadows

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Mar 20, 2022

This sermon was inspired by the late J.T. Pugh's sermon "The Master of Life's Shadows." We are faced with challenges and opportunities every day. Zechariah 3 has an encouraging word from God about what we can do if we will listen to the Voice of God.

What's Next? Introduction There is a plaque on a church building in England that reads like this: "In the year 1653, when all things sacred throughout the land were either demolished or profaned, Sir Robert Shirley built this church. His singular praise is this: To have done the best of ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

My Grandad's Letter

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Jul 12, 2025

This week I found an old letter my Grandad sent to me as a kid - as I decyphered word for word the difficult handwriting it made me reflect on Paul's letter we have listened to this morning - and how if we decypher it word for word - it too can turn out to be so precious to us

I moved into my new house last December and (Don’t judge me for this) – I am still unpacking boxes – including some that never got unpacked from the previous move ten years ago… And while I was going through some boxes this week, I came across this – It’s a letter to me from my granddad written to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 6:12-16, Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 3:13-18, Acts 1:12-26, Romans 16:7, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, Mark 12:27, Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-13, Galatians 3:28, Luke 9:28-36  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Are We Lofty Or Are We Just Judgmental?

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Feb 10, 2012

Contemporary gospel group Casting Crowns did a song entitled: Does Anybody Hear Her? It's a song that has been around a while but, I had just missed it I suppose. When I listen to it I didn't hear all the lyrics so I looked them up on internet. The lyric

Are We Lofty Or Are We Just Judgmental? Matthew 7:1Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what meas-ure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Contemporary gospel group Casting Crowns did a song entitled: Does Anybody Hear Her? It's a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Blessings In The Valley Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 9, 2008

We often think that God’s blessing should just pop up. Some do! More often than not though God asks us to look for them. God has strategically placed His blessings where we could find them if we are listening to Him. God wants us to remember that He loves

Valley Experience Series # 3 Opening Illustration: Once Isaac and his servants remembered the wells, they had to look for them. The wells just didn’t pop up. Effort was made to remember exactly where they were, and to find them. There is a story of a family unpacking at their new home. After ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:17-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who's Your Daddy?

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Apr 23, 2013

Wikipedia states that, “Who's your daddy? is an expression used as a boastful claim of dominance over the intended listener. We see it in sports when someone beats their opponent. It’s like another saying, “I own you”. It’s fitting to use in a spiritual s

WHO’S YOUR DADDY? John 8:31-47 Introduction: According to Wikipedia, “Who's your daddy? is a slang expression that, in one use, takes the form of a rhetorical question. It is commonly used as a boastful claim of dominance over the intended listener.” We see it often in the sports ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living The Word Of God Series

Contributed by Leonard Cook on Feb 18, 2013

Living the Word of God (James 1:19-27) Key Center v. 22 22 Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Accept the Word of God (1:19-21) Obey the Word of God (1:22-25) Live the Word of God (1:26-27)

Background Material James Biographical Info: • The author was James, Jesus’ half-brother; James and Christ had different Fathers (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). • James, also called James the Just, (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). • James was not a believer (John 7:3-5) until after the resurrection (Acts ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Holiness

Reasons For Unanswered Prayers-1

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Mar 10, 2013

I have prayed and prayed about this matter, but I don’t seem to get anywhere. Doesn’t God hear? If He is listening, why doesn’t He help? Why doesn’t He answer my prayers? Many people often find themselves in that situation.

Young preacher asked for advice on how he did after the sermon was preached, one old man said “I have three things to say to you.” 1-You read the whole sermon….Boy replied, I guess I needed to more familiar with it. 2-You read it very badly….Boy replied, I couldn’t ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:18

Denomination: Baptist

God's Glorious Servant Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 8, 2011

Jesus came to speak; let’s listen. Jesus came to suffer; let’s trust Him. Jesus came to save; let’s tell the world. And Jesus came to rule; let’s bow before Him, for that’s what true success is all about.

A few years ago, the Tokyo Times carried a report about a 19-year-old man who was desperate to get to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. So he hopped a bus and demanded that the driver take him there. He was hijacking the bus, but few of the passengers were concerned. For one thing, the hijacker ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Unfinished Work Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 21, 2012

The book of Acts doesn’t end with any benediction nor closure. Listen to the last two verses. Acts 28:30-31NKJ Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the th

The Unfinished Work of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-4Amp The book of Acts is the only unfinished book of the Bible. The reason is this: “the Holy Spirit is still working to bring about the completion of the task assigned to Him on the day of Pentecost.” Acts 2:1-4AMP And when the day of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal