Sermons on Punishment From God:

Does God Ever Withdraw His Favor?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 15, 2022

There is a belief in the church that when a Born-Again Christian sins or walks in disobedience, God withdraws His favor and blessings to punish them.

This belief is rooted in the Old Testament, where a relationship with God was conditionally based upon behavior. The Hebrew words translated as ‘favor’ are ‘ratson’ and ‘ratsah.’ The word ‘ratson’ is translated as favor, goodwill, acceptance, desire, pleasure. It most often represents God ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:7-11, Romans 5:3-4, Ephesians 2:4-7, Matthew 7:16-18, James 4:4, 1 Peter 5:6-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hide And Seek

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Dec 17, 2009

We, who were ceated for the express purpose of having fellowship with God, have a tendency to work incredibly hard at abandoning Him.

HIDE AND SEEK Matthew 10:26-27 What does it mean to "abandon," "forsake," or "leave alone" the omnipresent God, God who is everywhere. How is that possible? It is ONLY possible if God allows us to leave, allows us to turn our back upon God Himself. Yes, it is much like the parent playing "Hide and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:26-27

Denomination: Church Of God

Lessons From The Vineyard SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Oct 24, 2023

God's provision

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. I trust that the Lord has kept you well and that you are eager to join me in this beautiful journey through His Word. Today, we are going to take a leisurely stroll through the lush vineyards of Deuteronomy 6:10-12. We are going to pause, breathe in the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:10-12

Topics: Lessons, Vineyard

Maturing Through God's Discipline

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 3, 2025

Discipline is often misunderstood as punishment or harsh treatment, but God’s discipline is an expression of His deep love and care for His children.

MATURING THROUGH GOD'S DISCIPLINE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Hebrews 12:5-11 Supporting Texts: Proverbs 3:11-12, Revelation 3:19, Psalm 94:12, James 1:2-4 INTRODUCTION: Discipline is often misunderstood as punishment or harsh treatment, but God’s discipline is an expression of His ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Freedom From Insecurity

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Apr 29, 2011

A message about the security found in God and what a secure Christian looks like.

All right, open up your Bibles this morning to First Peter, chapter 2. We’re in the sermon series called First Peter; we’re just looking through this book. We’re going to topically walk through this book of First Peter. And again I want to remind you that every week, I want you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Banned From Facebook Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 15, 2012

Did you know you can get banned from Facebook? And according to this text, you can get "banned" from church too. But why would God ask a church to do that to someone in church? That doesn't seem very loving or kind. What is God trying to accomlish in this

(We opened with an approximately 2 ½ minute video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-CeW-5Do9o&feature=related). They ban people from Facebook? Did you know that? Well, I knew it… I just didn’t know how common it was. And – as we heard on that video - it’s shocking ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Breakthrough Comes From A Proper View Of God Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 3, 2020

Key Point: We overate ourselves and under-rate God.

Video Illustration: So will I – the song and video from Hillsong Sermon: Breakthrough comes from a proper view of God! Thesis: With the wave of coronavirus impacting everything from economy, to people’s health, disrupting peoples lives, causing shortages to food supplies, impacting businesses, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31, Psalm 91:1-6, Luke 12:7, Job 38:31-32, Isaiah 40:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Creation To Adoption

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Feb 21, 2009

This sermon surveys a biblical theology of God’s love from creation to redemption.

Sermon for Suites by the Lake – February 21, 2009 “From Creation to Adoption” We’ve just heard a few snippets of the creation story from the book of Genesis. I’ve titled this message “From Creation to Adoption” because in a short period of time, I hope that we will journey through the story of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting Past Your Guilt From Your Past

Contributed by Greg Griffin on Jul 7, 2005

Guilt holds you down, and guilt holds you back, and it doesn’t have to.

Getting Past Your Guilt From Your Past May 1, 2005 If we could somehow step on a scale today that measured the weight of our spiritual baggage, some of us would break the machine. So many people are groaning under the strain of the baggage in their spirits. That weight is called guilt. We all have ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

From Poverty To Spiritual Satisfaction Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Aug 3, 2008

Jesus presents a clear description of what it is followers are to be like internally and how they are to live outwardly in the Sermon on the Mount.

Sermon on the Mount- Pt 2 From Poverty to Spiritual Satisfaction Introduction Last week started a series on the SOTM- Mtt 5-7. SOTM- teaching/sermon spoken by Jesus Christ. It gives us- clear picture- mature Christian looks like. Best known of Christ teachings- least understood. Jesus establishes a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-6

Denomination: Charismatic

Lessons From Wiffle Ball

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on May 5, 2009

I loved wiffle ball as a child, some of those lessons apply to our walk with Christ

LESSONS FROM WIFFLE BALL (All my sermons use illustrations from sermon central and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted) When I was a young child I loved to play wiffle ball. We would set up a small “ball park” in the back yard and pretend we were great base ball players. You can do ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Learning From The Great Teacher

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 16, 2017

Have you ever tried to obey God but at the same time you thought that you did not have the understanding or the strength to do so? If so, you’re not alone. The writer of the passage we heard from Psalm 119 felt the same way.

Have you ever tried to obey God but at the same time you thought that you did not have the understanding or the strength to do so? If so, you’re not alone. The writer of the passage we heard from Psalm 119 felt the same way. The theme of that reading is growing and walking in faith and not ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:33-40

Denomination: Anglican

A Love Letter From A Pastor Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jul 17, 2011

Paul held the Philippian church in great esteem and loved them dearly, as their founding pastor he had a very special connection with these believers.

Sermon Brief Date Written: July 2011 Date Preached: July 10, 2011 Series Title: A Series in Philippians Sermon Title: Letter from A Pastor’s Heart Sermon Text: Philippians 1-4 [ESV] 4:1 listed 1Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Answering A Challenge From A Muslim Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 16, 2014

I recently received a challenge from a Muslim friend to read the Qur’an from the beginning and to stop when I find the first “contradiction” between it and the Bible. This is my answer to my friend.

I recently received a challenge from a Muslim friend to read the Qur’an from the beginning and to stop when I find the first “contradiction” between it and the Bible. His reasoning for this seemed good for this challenge: If you begin from the beginning of the Qur’an, than ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

From Crying To Crying Out

Contributed by Thomas Giddens on Oct 23, 2014

Things change when we turn from crying about our circumstances to crying out to God about them.

Isaiah 30:18-26 Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; You shall weep no more. He will ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:18-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God