Sermons on Pitfalls To Avoid:

A Blueprint For Building

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 25, 2000

with Christ as our foundation, we as a church and as individuals need to make sure we build with the right materials; make sure we stay God-centered; we need to rely on the Lord's strength and wisdom and avoid the temptation to take shortcuts

This church building was constructed about nine years ago. These are the blueprints for our church. Whoever put them together did a fine job, and they provided direction for the folks who built this structure which we often call First Baptist Church. It is good to keep in mind, though, that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

What Are Some Temperamental Tendencies We Need To Guard Against?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

We need to learn to be more controlled by the Spirit. Actively guard against specific temptations that may prove harmful – based on your individual faulty tendencies. Let us examine certain behavioral patterns that should be avoided by the four different

"To the weak I became weak, to the strong I became strong. I have become all things to all men so that by all means I might save some." (I Cor. 9:19-21) 1. Have you ever heard of the expression, "One man’s meat is another man’s poison?" What may be fuel for one person may turn out to be dangerous ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:5-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Benefits Of Restraint

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 12, 2005

Fourteen benefits of Spirit led restraint in our speech. Many problems could be avoided if we learn how to restrain our lips using discretion, tract and Spirit-led self-control. Prevention is better than any cure.

The Benefits of Restraint (James 1:19-21) Solomon wrote, "Where there are many words, trangressions are unavoidable but he who restrains his lips is wise." James wrote, "Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger." (James 1:19) Preventive Tactics Things you should never ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

King Making - King Breaking Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 12, 2007

Gideon shunned position but kept power, his son Abimelech had position but not power as both were ruled by the flesh and from the flesh reaped corruption. Learn how we can fall prey to that as Christians and how to avoid it.

Judges 8 and 9 give us a good picture of what happens when we decide to let the flesh rule in our lives instead of God’s Spirit. Galatians 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Anointing For Divine Consolidation

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Jan 7, 2014

God has given every believer in Christ the anointing when He got them filled with the Holy Spirit. The anointing is meant for great exploits in the Kingdom of God, however, we must avoid actions and attitude that can destroy the anointing.

THE ANOINTING FOR DIVINE CONSOLIDATION Study Text: Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:18-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Be Still And Know That God Is God Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 6, 2014

All of us need to take a little more time each day to be still don’t we? We need to avoid getting so caught up in our own agenda that we force God out of the way.

Do you have a list of goals you would like to achieve this year? Can you tell me something that is on that list? We all have lists of things we would like to do this year, this month, this week, maybe you even have something you would like to do today. I have a list of goals, things I would ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Works Of Mercy Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

. Wesley identified two kinds of holiness. First is personal holiness which is avoiding sin and developing the character of Christ. We develop this through the Means of Grace which include, weekly worship and communion, prayer, fasting, Personal Bible stu

What do you do with a Gift Like That? Works of Mercy Matthew 7:12-23; Galatians 5:1, 6, 13-15 A Dutch pastor was helping Jews escape the Nazis when he himself caught. He was loaded into a boxcar with several Jews and others to be sent to a concentration camp. It was a long, frightening journey ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12-23

Denomination: Methodist

Total Surrender

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Apr 14, 2017

What does total surrender to the Lord look like? Is it grudgingly doing things you don't want to do and avoiding things that you would like to do but know you can't. Or is it being like minded in Christ?

Total surrender Selected Scripture Some of the context of this sermon was gleaned from ideas and illustrations found on SermonCentral. Last week we looked at what it means when we say God bless you and wither we want God blessing or a bailout of what we are going through. This morning, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27

Denomination: Nazarene

The Unavoidable Consequences When Following Christ Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jun 26, 2015

S WE CONTINUE OUR SERIES IN THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS, WE APPROACH THE END OF CHAPTER 1, AND IT IS HERE, THAT PAUL REVEALS TO US THAT THERE IS AN INEVITABLE PROCESS FOR FOLLOWING CHRIST. THOSE WHO SEEK TO SERVE THE LORD WITH THEIR WHOLE HEART CANNOT AVOID

THE UNAVOIDABLE CONSEQUENCES WHEN FOLLOWING CHRIST PHILIPPIANS 1:28-30 IN NO WAY ALARMED BY YOUR OPPONENTS—WHICH IS A SIGN OF DESTRUCTION FOR THEM, BUT OF SALVATION FOR YOU, AND THAT TOO, FROM GOD. 29 FOR TO YOU IT HAS BEEN GRANTED FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, NOT ONLY TO BELIEVE IN HIM, BUT ALSO TO ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

Beware Of Pride And Hypocrisy

Contributed by David Mende on Jul 20, 2018

The scribes were guilty of pride and hypocrisy. And there is a 'scribe' within us. We must avoid the sins of pride and hypocrisy and pursue humility and integrity. I would be delighted if you could rate this sermon and give brief feedback.

INTRODUCTION (SECURE ATTENTION) & BACKGROUND OF THE PASSAGE: PRAY before starting the sermon. ILLUSTRATION: {Few of you might recognize this man on the screen. This is Jim Jones, a self-proclaimed prophet who led a cultic church known as the Peoples Temple. He faced several allegations, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:42-45, Luke 14:7-11, Matthew 23:8-12, Mark 12:38-40

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Where's Your Worth? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 2, 2013

Where do you find your "self-worth"? Is it in God, or in yourself? The Pharisees looked for their importance in themselves and ended up robbing God of His glory to gain their own. How can avoid the traps that ensnared these highly religious leaders?

OPEN: "Sometime, when you're feeling important Sometime, when your ego's in bloom Sometime when you take it for granted, You're the best qualified man in the room. Sometime when you feel that your going, would leave an unfillable hole, Just follow this simple instruction, and see how it humbles ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Red Delicious Apple Christianity Iii: One Rotten Apple Spoils The Barrel Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 18, 2020

To be mature in the Christian Faith is to hold fast to the truth of the Gospel, to avoid getting caught up in false doctrine, and to exercise your freedom to "let your light so shine" that others may see the Light and glorify God.

ONE ROTTEN APPLE SPOILS THE WHOLE BARREL Based on 2 Peter 2 An old saying but ever so true! It is true that one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel – eventually. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-22

Building Godly Character

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 1, 2025

Our culture often tells us to avoid suffering at any cost, to seek pleasure and ease above all else. Paul declares with the authority of heavenly insight that suffering is not without purpose. In God's kingdom, character is currency.

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: There is a story told among the Cherokee Indians… One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 wolves. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Good Plan That Went Awry – Or Did It? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 24, 2021

A unanimous apostolic plan that went awry, Jewish rumors, gentile riots, and an apostle getting a ride on Roman soldiers. The purpose of the Christian life is not to avoid problems; indeed, God can sometimes use our problems to further His plans.

A Good Plan That Went Awry – Or Did It? (Acts 21:17-40) 1. The invention of Post-it notes is interesting. What seemed like a failure was turned to a great success: In 1968, scientist Spencer Silver at the 3M company created a very weak adhesive that would peel off when removed from any surface. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:17-40

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Dilemma Of Doubt Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

If we care to avoid being tossed about by every wind of doctrine, we must be doubters who question, test, and evaluate, and be discerning as to what is of God and what is not. Doubt becomes a partner with faith in helping us discern the will of God.

It is a pain to struggle with doubt, but there is a great debate as to whether this is a helpful or harmful type of suffering. In Camelot, King Arthur says to Lancelot that he is satisfied he did the right thing in starting the round table. Lancelot replies, "Your majesty, did you ever doubt ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35