Sermons on Payback:

How's Your Karma Doing?

Contributed by Jay Winters on Jun 28, 2008

You might think "How’s your karma doing?" is an odd sermon title for a Lutheran pastor. You would be right in thinking that, we don’t believe in karma, we believe in grace.

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three In One Who has justified us apart from our works. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Two Sundays ago I was in Tampa, Florida at the Campus Mission Confabulation, a ministry conference on how to effectively do campus ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

So Much Work, So Little Help

Contributed by Joe Harding on Feb 5, 2002

Jesus calls all disciples, those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior, to Go and tell someone else “the kingdom of God is near you.”

SO MUCH WORK, SO LITTLE HELP LUKE 10: 1-21 FEBRUARY 3, 2002 INTRODUCTION: Norman Cates shared the humorous story of a guy who prayed this prayer every morning: "Lord, if you want me to witness to someone today, please give me a sign to show me who it is." One day he found himself on a bus when a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Why Focus On The Violence Of The Passion? Series

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Mar 13, 2004

Part Three of our series entitled “the Passion of the Christ: Curious? Find out more!” Violence of the Bertuzzi sucker-punch and the Madrid bombings and the violence of the cross says a lot about God and us.

Why focus on the violence of the cross? 13 See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. 14 Many were amazed when they saw him—beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person. 15 And he will again startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What To Do With A Slap In The Face

Contributed by John Perry on Jul 27, 2011

What do you with a slap in the face? When Someone treats you badly, betrays you, offends you or humiliates you, what do you do, how do you respond when someone gives you a slap in the face?

Bunbury Wed pm 27/07/2011 “What to do with a slap in the face” Intro: *** As you all know Vergel & Lee have just recently moved into town & a new residence. They are now going through what we all hate about moving – trying to get everything in place / order again! One of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-31

Denomination: Pentecostal

Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Sep 4, 2015

Authentic relationships are enhanced whenI give up my right to hurt you for hurting me

This week I ran across a website called ThePayback.com. This paragraph on the home page of that site describes its purpose: ThePayback.com is your home for all of your revenge needs. So you never had a chance to get revenge on your ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend? Your current spouse lied to you ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Let Them PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2025

Trusting God with opposition frees us from control and revenge, inviting us to pray honestly and rest in His faithful care amid conflict and criticism.

Some weeks feel like a parade of prickly people and pricklier problems. A stray comment stings. A coworker corners you with criticism. The group text lights up with misunderstandings, and your heart feels like a drumline—pounding, pounding, pounding. Have you ever replayed a conversation until your ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:14

Topics: Letting Go

The Good Shepherd PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 9, 2025

Persistent prayer matters because God hears, cares, and responds in His perfect timing, inviting us to trust Him even when answers seem delayed.

Some prayers are born in bright rooms with balloons and birthday cake. Others are born at 2:13 a.m., when the house is quiet, the questions are loud, and the pillow is wet. Some prayers feel like sprinting—fast, full of faith. Others feel like limping—slow, sore, and short on strength. If you’ve ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Topics: Shepherd, Guidance

Report Card Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2005

Do you ever get a report card from God on how you are doing? The Thessalonians get one from Paul and we learn about moving our relationship on in Jesus.

How many of you have ever gotten a report card or employee evaluation? I wonder if that sinking feeling might have attended the opening of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians. The first letter was designed to answer questions and concerns about Jesus’ return - and to get people who had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Standing In The Gap

Contributed by Danny Nance on Mar 21, 2008

Facing the election of 2008, the morality crisis of leaders (secular and religious), the need for intercessors, as seen in this text, is great among us.

Standing in the Gap Ezekiel 22:23-31 Ministry takes on many faces, my friends. It can be as deep as sitting in an ICU waiting room, holding the hand of someone whose loved one has just died. It can be as simple as offering a glass of cold water to someone who is thirsty, or a word of good cheer ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:23-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Forgiveness

Contributed by Kenneth Tankersley on Apr 29, 2009

1. WHY IS IT SO HARD TO SAY: “I’M SORRY”? 2. SOMEONE ONCE SAID THE TWO HARDEST WORDS TO SAY ARE: “I’M SORRY”, AND “I LOVE YOU”. 3. I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I DON’T LIKE CARRYING AROUND A BURDEN SO HEAVY AS BITTERNESS AND AN UNFORGIVING SPIRIT. 4. SO

CBC THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS MATHEW 18: 21-35 INTRODUCTION: FORGIVENESS IS APPARENTLY A VERY DIFFICULT THING TO MASTER. IT SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST THING TO ACCOMPLISH. 1. WHY IS IT SO HARD TO SAY: “I’M SORRY”? 2. SOMEONE ONCE SAID THE TWO HARDEST WORDS TO SAY ARE: “I’M ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

Making The Most Of Babylon Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 4, 2009

We may be pilgrims in this world, but we are to set down deep roots while growing toward heaven.

Making the Most of Babylon (Jeremiah 29:1-14) 1.This past week, Marylu and I were enjoying a lean pork tenderloin roast -- it was delicious. I thought to myself, "I am so glad I am a gentile." 2. According to WebMD, "It appears that the use of the term "swine flu" has had quite an impact. "The ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"The Rich Little Man"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 10, 2010

In Luke 19:1-10 Jesus’ willingness to be present to Zacchaeus ends up being an act of evangelism. His encounter with his Savior changes his life. Is there ever anyone beyond the reach of God’s grace. The answer is "No!"

Luke 19:1-10 “The Rich Little Man” By: Ken Sauer, pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN Poor Zacchaeus! He wants to see Jesus but he can’t. He’s a small man, and he can’t see through the crowd. So, he climbs a tree. Poor Zacchaeus!... …or is he? Luke tells us ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

What Does The Christ Follower Do In A Recession?

Contributed by Greg Johnson on Feb 5, 2008

What does the Christ Follower do in a recession? What does the Christ follower do when things go south? What does the Christ follower do when things don’t look so good?

This message is an edited version of a sermon given at Loving God Fellowship. Copyright © 2008 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org . You are encouraged to share this message with those you know that are hungry for God’s Word. What does the Christ Follower do in a ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:7-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cost Of Revenge Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Feb 22, 2025

This is the 14th Sermon in the Series from the Book of Judges, "Spiritual Decay".

Series: Spiritual Decay [#14] THE COST OF REVENGE Judges 15:1-20 Introduction: Samson shows us what can happen when we seek revenge. After his wife is given to someone else, Samson is filled with anger and sets out to get back at those who wronged him. In his quest for revenge, we see how his ...read more

Scripture: Judges 15:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Christ’s Victory Over Violence : Overcome Evil With Good Series

Contributed by Wayne Golliday on Oct 5, 2025

In this present Church age, God forbids personal vengeance and assigns justice to His ordained authorities. We overcome evil with cruciform love now, while we await Christ’s visible Kingdom when justice will be perfectly executed.

SermonCentral Summary: Two weeks ago we declared “Christ, not vengeance.” Today we answer “How?” From a dispensational reading of Scripture, Romans 12 sets the believer’s personal ethic, Romans 13 defines public justice, and the Sermon on the Mount forms Kingdom character in disciples now, while we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:17-21