Sermons on Passive Listening:

"hark! The Herald Angels Sing" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 2, 2019

This hymn begins with an exhortation … a command … a call to action: “Hark!” “Hark!” … “Listen!” … “Listen to the angels singing!” As we are about to see, this hymn has a remarkable theological depth and richness not often found in carols.

How many of you pay attention to all the little type at the bottom of the hymns? Turn to page 240 and look at the bottom of the page. See them down there? They’re there to give you a little bit of the history of the hymn. If you look at the bottom of “Hark! 5he Herald Angels Sing,” it says that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14, Isaiah 9:6, Malachi 4:2

Denomination: United Methodist

A Bad Situation Plus Prayer Equals Deliverance Series

Contributed by A. David Hart on Jul 22, 2007

This sermon is to allow the listener to know that prayer should be our first response, rather than our last resort.

A BAD SITUATION + PRAYER = DELIVERANCE Acts 12:1-17 My brothers and sisters when it comes to bad situations the first thing that we should do is pray. In fact our church’s moto is “Prayer should be our your first response, rather than our last resort.” And even though ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Gold Standard

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 7, 2010

Our Lord reframes an ancient code, moving it from passive compliance to active obedience. He calls us to go to practice an unselfish standard of fairness/righteousness. This is what He did. And this is what He empowers us to do.

James Cash Penny started a general merchandise store in Kemmerer, Wyoming in 1902, which he built into a multi-billion dollar enterprise on the guiding principle of the Golden Rule. For years J.C. Penny stores were called “Golden Rule stores”. It was Mr. Penny’s belief that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12

Denomination: Congregational

Expectations Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 11, 2014

Advent is meant to be a time of expectation, a time of looking forward to God doing a new thing. It’s not meant to be a time of passively waiting for Christ’s return, it is a time of actively working toward the return of Jesus

Expectations Luke 1:26-38 Today is the first day of the year on the Christian calendar, which always starts with the first Sunday of Advent. Advent means “the coming” and Christians have been celebrating Advent since the 4th century. Advent is about looking forward to and working for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Methodist

Yahweh Time Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 20, 2015

One of the hardest struggles we as believers face is the illusion that God is silent and passive, even though it seems like this is the case so very often. But he works on what we might call “Yahweh Time.”

Yahweh Time (Isaiah 64:1-12) 1. Can you be on those perennial late persons and still succeed in life? 2. A British man named Steve Cleary was in his early 50's, retired from the Royal Navy, and had started a second career. However, he just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day he was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Responding To God

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Aug 23, 2006

When God is talking are you listening? Are you ready to follow? What holds you back?

Responding to God’s Voice Because the kids are with us this morning…Let me see how you do with this superhero quiz. Q: Why do the Hulk’s tulips look so healthy? A: Because he has a green thumb. Q: Why won’t Captain America use the metric system? A: He refuses to support a foreign ruler. Q: Why was ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Persuasion Tips - 2 Cor. 5:11

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 27, 2002

Ten Persuasion Tips - 2 Cor. 5:11 Paul wrote, "Since then we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men." We need to be more effective persuaders in a day when many are skeptical about the truth of Jesus Christ

Ten Persuasion Tips - 2 Cor. 5:11 Introduction: People are more likely to change their opinions if you state your beliefs than if you let the audience draw their own conclusions. * Pleasant forms of distraction can increase the effectiveness of a persuasive appeal. * Information, by itself, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Two Roads Of Life PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 1, 2024

Emphasizes the importance of choosing the path of righteousness, living in awe of God, and bearing spiritual fruit.

Greetings, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I stand before you today with a heart brimming with joy and anticipation. We are gathered here, not by chance or circumstance, but by the divine orchestration of our Heavenly Father. As we open our hearts and minds to His Word today, let us ...read more

Topics: Faithful, Faithless

10. The Good Samaritan Series

Contributed by Don Jaques on May 29, 2007

OBJECTIVES: 1. Listeners will be informed of the importance of living out our faith in Christ through acts of compassion and mercy. 2. Listeners will be challenged to give of their physical, emotional, and financial resources to help those in need.

INTRO: Luke 10:25-37 (NLT) 25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Providence - God's Ongoing Work

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Feb 22, 2022

Is God active in the world or a passive observer? The doctrine of Providence claims he is the former - the creator who is still sustaining the world and working in it to bring about his purposes. This sermon explores the ways He is active and the peace providence gives us.

Providence Today I want to talk about God – shouldn’t surprise you since we are in church • He’s a being that the more you know the more you don’t know • God is knowable but incomprehensible • We will never totally understand everything about God but that shouldn’t keep us from knowing what we can ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:20, Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3, Acts 17:26, Romans 8:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Your Spirit Series

Contributed by Andre King on Mar 21, 2019

People have many natures. Some are "sweet". Others are "mean". Some are passive. Some are "intense". Whatever your nature, it was given by God but shaped by the world. Is yours under God's control?

GENESIS 1:26-27 - THEN GOD SAID, "LET US MAKE MAN IN OUR IMAGE, ACCORDING TO OUR LIKENESS; AND LET THEM RULE OVER THE FISH OF THE SEA AND OVER THE BIRDS OF THE SKY AND OVER THE CATTLE AND OVER ALL THE EARTH, AND OVER EVERY CREEPING THING THAT CREEPS ON THE EARTH." GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:7, Job 32:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Family Talk: Hearts And Bridges PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 1, 2024

This sermon explores the importance of effective communication in fostering unity and wisdom in relationships, emphasizing listening, understanding, and careful speech.

Good morning, church family! I feel a warm sense of joy and anticipation as I stand before you today. We’re here, not by accident, but by God's divine appointment. We are here to share, to learn, to grow, and most importantly, to encounter God in a real and transformative way. Today, we are going ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19, Proverbs 18:2, Proverbs 1:5

Topics: Communication, Building, Marriage

The Necessity Of Self Discipline

Contributed by Rusty Tardo on Apr 30, 2009

Christ calls the believer to take up his cross daily...

The Necessity of Self Discipline Dr. Russell K. Tardo Discipleship means discipline. The words are synonymous. That the words sound alike is no coincidence because a disciple is a disciplined one, a pupil. Even the very angels have been given responsibilities. They are given charge over the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas: Wise Men Still Seek Him.

Contributed by Dr. C. David White on Dec 2, 2002

The question isn’t does God still speak. The question is are we listening?

Wise Men Still Seek Him After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard this he was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Sower's Diagnosis

Contributed by Kyle Meador on Nov 13, 2000

In this simple parable the great physician offers listeners a straight-forward heart exam.

(A note to those reading this material: This manuscript follows the presentation of the material as it was originally given. What may be difficult to tell by just reading the original text is the presence of a thick, southern accent – deliberately used in the introduction to make the material more ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:2-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational