Sermons on Prefer:

Devoted To Jesus

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 9, 2009

A lot of Christians give preference to someone or something in their lives over what should be the most important thing in their life, Jesus. So in effect, they don’t make Jesus their life but rather have just added Jesus to their lives. But when you deci

Devoted to Jesus Matthew 4:18-20, 9:9 Isobel Kuhn was an author and missionary to China, and was married to John, a man just as strong willed and stubborn as she was. The two had many conflicts throughout the years of their marriage. One had to do with their cook who prepared their meals. John ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Methodist

Responding Means Submitting To God – Ruth, Part 5 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Nov 7, 2022

When you are given direction to move and follow God, are you willing to step out and trust even though you have NO IDEA where the future will lead? Said differently, are we willing to give up our preferences and wants to follow Jesus?

“Responding means Submitting to God” – Ruth, Part 5 Ruth Sermon Series, Part 5 Ruth 3:1-9 Cookout today, ALL invited … you got to eat!! Introduction - So, let’s sum up the first four sermons very quickly with three ideas: - “Sometimes when you abandon God, your life has disastrous ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-9, Ezekiel 16:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Light Of The World Has Come

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 14, 2022

Before His coming, the world dwelt in darkness. Jesus is the True Light. Whoever lives in the truth comes into the light; others prefer darkness, because their deeds are evil. What about you; do you have any dark spots in your life?

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD HAS COME John 8:12 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Robert Baptista was attending his church’s program and noticed how many men were wearing full beards. Knowing his wife’s aversion to facial hair, he teasingly whispered to her, “How do you think I’d look with a beard and a ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, John 3:19

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Worship On Purpose Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 5, 2021

Worship is so much more than singing a song, the style of music, or our even own preferences; it’s about our heart-attitude before God. There are many elements to worship; but they all serve to honor and glorify God and edify others.

This morning, we’re going to continue our series on the five purposes of the church by looking at worship. In the song “The Heart of Worship,” Matt Redman sings, “I’ll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself is not what You have required. You search much deeper within, through the way ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:17-21, Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

When Real Truth Is Traded For Lies

Contributed by Chris Layton on Jul 17, 2025

We live in a time where "truth" is increasingly viewed as subjective—flexible depending on personal preferences, emotions, or convenience. Today we have “My Truth”, “Your Truth”, and Their Truth”. But Scripture is clear that there is only one “TRUTH” – God’s.

Introduction: We live in a time where "truth" is increasingly viewed as subjective—flexible depending on personal preferences, emotions, or convenience. Today we have “My Truth”, “Your Truth”, and Their Truth”. But Scripture is clear that there is only one “TRUTH” – God’s. And it is when ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Stand Firm In The Truth - 2 Timothy 4:3–4 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 8, 2025

We are living in a time when truth is treated as flexible, as if it bends to the winds of personal preference. Social media influencers, self-help gurus, and even some pulpits echo the same empty promise: “Follow your heart. Create your own truth.”

Go! And Stand Firm in the Truth - 2 Timothy 4:3–4 2 Timothy 4:3–4 (NLT): “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Isaiah 30:9-10, Romans 1:25, 2 Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 4:14, Romans 1:16, 2 Corinthians 6:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Witness: Confesses #4 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 24, 2019

our largest tool for sharing the gospel has been thwarted by our willingness to so assimilate into the culture we don’t look like any different or welcome the challenge of criticism or debate for what we believe. We’d prefer to live anonymously.

We began a conversation three weeks ago about what gives us meaning in this life and I suggested that the question is actually a mute point for those who call themselves Christian because if we believe that Christ came, died and rose again then we must also live out this reality. To live out this ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Milk Or A Thanksgiving Feast Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Nov 16, 2023

On Thanksgiving day which do you prefer? Milk or a Thanksgiving feast? The writer of Hebrews has a candid conversation with those who were spiritually missing out on the best instead of Spiritual meat- they were on Spiritual milk. How do we do the opposite?

When we think of Thanksgiving we often think of food. While we all know that Turkey is the top food for the Thanksgiving meal in America; the favorite side dishes vary. Yet, this week I did a little study to see which side dishes are America’s favorite. Are you ready for this? 1. Stuffing; of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Why Pray? Series

Contributed by Brad Stone on Jun 29, 2024

Many people question the purpose and effectiveness of prayer. Often, prayers not answer in the method we would prefer, or in the time frame we would like, are mistaken as unanswered prayers. In this message, I attempt to give a biblical response to the question, "Why Pray?".

Biblical Answers to Life’s Tough Questions: Why Pray? Phil 4:6-7 People have asked the question before, “What is the point in prayer?”. Their argument is that, if by praying we can change God’s mind, then He isn’t sovereign. If he doesn’t change His mind, then He is superfluous. Many people ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does Belief Sometimes Come The Hard Way?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Why do some people only trust God when they experience terrible hardships? In this passage we are given insights into how a governor of Cyprus was brought to Christ the hard way. His path to faith is symbolic of so many people who seem to prefer to learn

1. Why do some people only trust God when they experience terrible hardships? In this passage we are given insights into how a governor of Cyprus was brought to Christ the hard way. His path to faith is symbolic of so many people who seem to prefer to learn the most important lessons in life, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:4-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are We Committed? Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 16, 2015

If we have accepted the name of Christ as our own, it means we have repented of our sins, given up our desires and our preferences and submitted fully to Him. Are we submitted to Him or still trying to live fulfilling our own selfish needs?

Are we committed? 1 Peter Sermon Series, Part 12 1 Peter 4:12--19 Introduction - Peter now ties these two chapters (sufferings of Christ and living for Him) -- There is a huge implication here about adopting the same attitude as He did -- He suffered, was broken, and died because of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Genealogy Of God Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 4, 2012

The genealogy of Jesus Christ had interesting sets of names included. They may not be some that we would have personally preferred in our genealogy, yet God had them there through whom His Son would come. Through it we see the character of God -the faithf

My wife was telling me during the sermons, she was distracted because one of the hairs was just sticking straight up. And I said, “Which one?” She said, “I think it was Joe!” I have started to name them because they are so precious. So I put Joe back in place, and it looked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: *other

How Could One Solitary Life Have So Much Impact - Christmas Eve

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Dec 24, 2023

Church members and friends can support St. John's By-the-Sea by visiting our website https://www.stjohnsbythesea.com/donate, where a donation can be made by PayPal or credit card, if you prefer that to mailing your donations to the church.

Good Evening, and welcome again to St. John’s Church. And, as you can tell, I love our Christmas Eve Service. The first one at St. John’s was in 1892, 130 years ago. This is only my 5th Christmas here, and I absolutely love how this service paints a picture. It really has a feel to it. As we close ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

"i Want It To Matter"

Contributed by Dave Nichols on Feb 11, 2021

You may not know the name Tyler Trent. But let me tell you a few things about him: He liked Mahi Mahi: grilled, not blackened. And he liked Starbucks coffee: something with peppermint, preferably. He liked pizza – thin, not thick – and popsicles. And Pepsi Max.

“I want it to matter” Holly Springs 1/6/19 If you have your bibles with you today I want you to turn to Isaiah 44:24, again that is Isaiah 44:24: here is what it says: Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 44:24

Denomination: Baptist

Big Life Little Life - Mark 15:1-15 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 22, 2024

What is it about the natural human heart that prefers someone like Barabbas to Jesus? If we don’t know the answer to that question, we’ll miss one of the most important messages of the whole book of Mark. And when it comes to a choice, we’ll make the wrong decision too.

Mark 15:1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. 2 "Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-15, John 18:28-40, Matthew 27:11-26, Luke 23:1-25