Sermons on Pastoral Ethics:

How To Make A Difference Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 10, 2024

Jesus calls us to let our light shine; here, Paul calls us to walk in the light.

Background to passage: In this text we are reminded that we used to be darkness and now we are light. Jesus calls us to let our light shine; here, Paul calls us to walk in the light. I think he tells us some ways to do that, and I want to bring it down a little closer to where we live today. So, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:7-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Golden Rule

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 19, 2018

"Love" should be more than just a buzzword for Christians. God showed his love for us when we were still sinners. Likewise, we should love our friends and our enemies alike and show it by treating them the way we want to be treated.

[This sermon was preached on 8 July 2018, 7th Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] Years ago, a man came to me for help. His life was in a mess. When he looked to the past, he saw many relationships that had shipwrecked. Several of them were still haunting him almost daily. His ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:25-29, Luke 6:27-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Enjoying The Ups And Bracing For The Downs Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 11, 2017

Life is filled with ups and downs, but God’s Word helps us anticipate and soften the downs and keep the ups from morphing into downs.

Enjoying the Ups and Bracing for the Downs (Proverbs 25:25-28) 1. I have told this joke before, but it has been a few years. 2. Two guys are bungee-jumping one day. The first guy says to the second, "You know, we could make a lot of money running our own bungee-jumping service in Mexico." The ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:25-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Contrast In Heart Attitudes Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 25, 2018

Dealing with people means adjusting to a variety of responses. Some are just nasty, bitter, agitators; others more open-minded/gracious. Some are open to the Gospel, others become adversaries, while others do not embrace the Gospel but are not hostile.

A Contrast in Heart Attitudes (Acts 17:1-15) 1. “On a highway in Indiana, about 20 cars were trailing behind a slow driver in the passing lane who wouldn’t change lanes. When Indiana State Trooper Sgt. Stephen Wheeles noticed the line of traffic, he decided to do something about it. “Wheeles, … in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Pathways To Peace

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Apr 19, 2003

Finding personal peace in a time of war.

Zephaniah 3:14-20 14 Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. 16 On ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Abstinence Not Concupiscence Series

Contributed by Cesar Verdeflor on Nov 8, 2006

Sexual sin will not only hurt one’s own body but others as well. No sin has greater effect on the mind, soul and spirit than sexual sin.

ABSTINENCE NOT CONCUPISCENCE (1Thessalonians 4:3-8) A well-known theologian and pastor was requested by a distraught Christian mother into an undesirable counselling session with her young son who had moved out of the family home and into his own apartment owing to the mother’s constant religious ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

Denomination: Baptist

When Life Begins: A Christian View Of Reproductive Technologies Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2007

Advances in science and medicine have enabled many couples who cannot have children to conceive. And yet, in every society there must be a continual conversation between what can be done, and what should be done. That conversation is generally carried o

When Life Begins: A Christian View of Reproductive Technologies Series: In the World But Not Of It April 17, 2005 Intro: (1 Samuel 1:1-17) – Hannah’s story Different Context; Same Pain: Although our context today is very different then it was in Biblical times, the pain of infertility is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Salt And Light

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Nov 26, 2014

We are called to be the salt and light of the world. Are we?

Matthew 5:13-16 Salt and Light August 31, 2014 On Sunday, April 8, 1945, German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was taken from a worship service he had just conducted for prisoners to a concentration camp in Flossenburg. He was tried for treason and hanged just a couple weeks before the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

The King’s New Clothes Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 11, 2011

If we clothe ourselves only in the name of Jesus, the world will see right through it - and through us. We have to put on his life, death and resurrection as well.

If you change the word “Gentiles” in the first verse of today’s passage to “Americans” the whole lesson moves right into our own situation. They are practically a mirror of contemporary society. Listen to this: “[Americans] are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Relatively True

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Dec 10, 2002

We believe things because they are true - they are not true because we believe them.

Relatively True TCF Sermon November 17, 2002 Open with the illustration below using jar of M&Ms and favorite food choices (NOTE: adapt this and do it with your own examples among the congregation - it’s an effective "grabber") A pastor named Stephey Belynskyj, starts each confirmation class ...read more

Scripture: John 17:14-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

General Survey On The Foundations

Contributed by Rudolf E. Y. Mensah on Dec 5, 2016

The single most important part of any building is the foundation. If the foundation is inferior, then the entire building will not last. It will crumble!

INTRODUCTION: The single most important part of any building is the foundation. If the foundation is inferior, then the entire building will not last. It will crumble! Psalms 11 was written by King David during the time when his estranged son, Absalom, led an armed revolt against him, in an ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 11:1-3

Denomination: Charismatic

Grow Up In All Aspects In Christ

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 26, 2003

"I want to, I need to, be more like Jesus." Thirty-four dimensions of maturity in Christ. When I became a man, I put away childish things -- including the fear of childishness and the desire to be grown-up.

The Problem of Becoming Mature in Many Aspects Ephesians 4:15-15 The word teleios is the Greek word used for maturity. It implies a wholeness, perfection and completeness. Growing up in all aspects in Christ is a life-long exercise in discipling ourselves for the purpose of godliness. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Scott Malone on Mar 1, 2005

The power of prayer in spiritual warfare

A tale is told about a small town that had historically been "dry," but then a local businessman decided to build a tavern. A group of Christians from a local church were concerned and planned an all-night prayer meeting to ask God to intervene. It just so happened that shortly thereafter lightning ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Mary: Living A Life Of Purity

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 12, 2007

Mary’s life reveals the extraordinary blessings and favor that God pours upon those who live a life of moral purity.

Mary: Living A Life Of Purity Luke 1:26-35, 38 Introduction: The Consequences of Wrong Choices Traci stood before the church, tears in her eyes, head bowed to the floor, her mother at her side. It must have been the most difficult situation she had ever been in in her short fifteen years. Yet it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Sovereign Hand

Contributed by Chris Surber on Sep 25, 2009

God is worthy of trust and adoration!

The Sovereign Hand, Job 1:1; 2:1-10 Introduction In times of trials, heartache, despair, it is altogether too easy to believe that we are the only one with problems, isn’t it? When the trials come our way it is easy to lose sight of the sovereign provision and care of God. It is in the hard ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church