Sermons on Pretend Christian:

True Freedom Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Mar 10, 2008

God offers freedom to those who admit their slavery.

Scripture Introduction The world defines freedom as the license to do whatever we want. God (on the other hand) says it is the ability to do whatever is right. Human freedom flows from obedience. I can sit at that piano with “liberty” to pound each and every key; but I lack the freedom to make ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sin, Stones, And Forgiveness

Contributed by James Chandler on Jan 11, 2007

It is not a question of IF we have sin in our lives, but how we deal with sin in our lives. In John 8, we see how Jesus helped an adulterous woman deal with the sin in her life, and he will do the same for you and me.

Can you imagine being in Time’s Square in New York City, and there on the jumbo-tron screen was every sin you have ever committed being displayed for all to see? How horrible would that be? How humiliating would that be? We all know we have sin in our life, we just don’t want everyone else to ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's What's Inside That Counts Most.

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Jan 10, 2004

Jesus, who often fretted the Pharisees, said it’s not what is on the outside that counts, it’s the internal things that matter of the most.

It’s what’s inside that counts most. Matthew 5:20 -- 22. 01/11/04 You do not have to study the lives of the Pharisees long to realize they wanted to go through the motions of being religious. But Jesus, who often fretted the Pharisees, said it’s not what is on the outside that counts, it’s the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

When Actions Contradict Faith. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 5, 2024

It's a true reality that many who claim to be Christians are living lives that contradict the very essence of Christianity.

It's a true reality that many who claim to be Christians are living lives that contradict the very essence of Christianity. They profess faith in Jesus Christ, yet their actions resemble those of lost souls. This disconnect between faith and actions is a paradox that undermines the credibility ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38, Ephesians 2:8-9

Parable Of The Sower

Contributed by Paul Davidson on Jan 26, 2021

I remember sitting, my face wet with tears, as I prayed for God to rescue me and change the soil of my heart into rich, fertile soil. I was tired of just pretending to be a Christian. I no longer wanted to be the person I had become. I surrendered my life to Jesus... and I was forever changed!

INTRODUCTION God has put a message on my heart to share with you from the Gospel of Matthew. This message is actually very special to me personally. It was April of 1993 when I heard someone preach on the “Parable of the Sower” from Matthew 13. We had just survived a very serious car ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9, Matthew 13:18-23, 1 Corinthians 2:14, James 1:2, Galatians 1:6, Galatians 5:7-8, Matthew 7:21, Proverbs 24:30-32, 1 Timothy 6:10, Matthew 6:24, Matthew 19:23-24, John 15:5-8, Ezekiel 36:26, 1 Peter 5:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Making A Full Recovery

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 3, 2001

How do we get back on track after lapsing into sin?

Often, as we come together for Sunday morning worship or Friday evening Bible study, the topics we address have to do with how to be a good Christian. I don’t mean that in a negative way ("aren’t you a good little Christian"). I mean that we consider what the Bible teaches about how to be faithful, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Why We All (Especially The Elders) Need Deacons Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Mar 19, 2008

God loves us by equipping and calling deacons to serve us.

Scripture Introduction A guy dies, arrives at the Pearly Gates, and (as always in stories like this), St. Peter is there and asks him to relate a good deed he had done. He thinks for a moment then says, “Well, there was the time I was driving down a road when I saw a group of hoodlums harassing a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Jesus Taught About Controlling One's Tongue

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus knew that one day His brother James would write, "If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." (James 3:2) The Lord knew the tongue has the power to encourage or discourage; heal or wound;

Jesus knew that one day His brother James would write, "If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." (James 3:2) The Lord knew the tongue has the power to encourage or discourage; heal or wound; direct or deceive; comfort or ...read more

Scripture: James 3:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Random Acts Of Kindness Series

Contributed by Richard White on Mar 19, 2003

Kindness and gentleness are fruits of the Spirit. If there were a trial today and being kind and gentle were a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict us?

Random Acts of Kindness Galatians 5:22-23, Luke 10:30-37 Illustration: The Courtroom drama. We all know the story, it’s the story of the good Samaritan and even those in the world who don’t know that Jesus originally told the story know what a good Samaritan is. Jesus used this story ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:30-37, Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wise Up About Conflict Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jun 4, 2002

Six steps to applying God’s wisdom to relationship conflicts.

When the first Lord of the Rings movie came out--The Fellowship of the Ring--my 12 year old son begged me to take him to see it. So we went; not just once, but twice. Since I’d never read the J. R. Tolkien books, my son had to explain parts of the movie to me as the story unfolded. As I watched, I ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:17, Proverbs 27:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Jesus' Baptism Is A Model For Understanding Christian Baptism.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Jan 4, 2002

Year A. The Baptism of our Lord January 13, 2002 Title: “Jesus’ Baptism is a model for understanding Christian Baptism.” Matthew 3: 13-17

Year A. The Baptism of our Lord January 13, 2002 Title: “Jesus’ baptism is a model for understanding Christian Baptism.” Matthew 3: 13-17 John baptizes Jesus after objecting that Jesus should be baptizing John. Afterwards, the sky opens, the Spirit of God descends on Jesus and the Father ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Carmel-Coated Christianity Won't Cut It

Contributed by Wayde Wilson on Jan 21, 2002

In the last days there will be a lot of people sportin’ a brand of Carmel-Coated Christianity that looks and sounds good that will be powerless.

I Kings 18:1-40 (READ) II Timothy 3:1 & 5 – “Mark my words. (Pay attention). In the last days there will be a lot of people who have a form of Godliness but there won’t be any power in it. Have nothing to do with them.” In the last days there will be a lot of people sportin’ a brand of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-40, 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christian Survivors; Living Godly In A Godless World Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jan 5, 2001

Christian Survivors; Living Godly in a Godless World -- How to have faith when the pressure to give up is intense.

Christian Survivor – Part One Living a Godly Life in a Godless World (How to have faith when the pressure to give up is intense) James 1.1-8 January 7, 2001 1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 2My brethren, count it ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

What Do Christians Think About God? Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 17, 2001

Five key concepts Christians believe about God made understandable to seekers.

Back in the mid 1960s TIME magazine’s cover stated that God was dead. Yet God stubbornly refuses to show any signs of rigor mortis. Over 30 years after TIME magazine’s obituary of God, 95% of Americans said that they still believe in the existence of God. But when it comes to defining exactly what ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, John 4:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Christians Think About The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 17, 2001

Four freedoms the Holy Spirit brings explained for people investigating the Christian faith.

Robert Duvall wanted to make a movie called The Apostle back in 1983 (Newsweek 4/13/98, 60). He wanted to make The Apostle because he felt that the motion picture industry had mostly ignored the work of the Holy Spirit in American religion. According to Duvall, "Filmmakers hardly ever depict ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13-14, John 16:7-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational