Sermons on Racial Tension:

Bringing The Paralytic To Christ: A Witness To Compassion, Faith, Courage

Contributed by Philip Gill on Feb 26, 2003

We pray for a peaceful resolution to the tensions between the US and Iraq and support those working towards that end, but we must consider that for the longer term, military action could be the most compassionate, faithful and courageous response.

Bringing the Paralytic to Christ: a witness to compassion, faith and courage Then some people came, bringing to him a paralysed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:3-4

Denomination: Anglican

Earth Yielding Increase

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 24, 2009

For Worldwide Communion Sunday: How can we, like the Psalmist, be optimistic in the face of international conflict, national dispute, racism, church tension, our personal conflicts? The Cross is God’s reaching out to heal.

It was an awesome ruin. A hulk of stone, a pile of rubble. Smoke stains clearly visible. Jagged edges its roofline. What once had been a magnificent building lay now exposed to the open air, useless, a scar on the horizon. What terrible thing had happened here to create this ugly defacing of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 67:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Seeking Sinners Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 6, 2014

Jesus associated with sinners because their repentance brings great joy to heaven. The parables’ drama is built on the tension of an attempt to find what is lost. If the lost were important to Jesus, they should be important to His disciples.

LUKE 15: 1-10 [PARABLES IN LUKE] SEEKING SINNERS [Jesus, Friend of Sinners] Why seek sinners? Chapter 15 contains three linked parables that explain why Jesus associates with sinners. Jesus associated with sinners who recognized their need of salvation and because their repentance brings ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus On Trial

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Mar 25, 2021

Jesus stepped into a maelstrom and was brought before a court that was losing some of its power and was uncertain about its future given Rome’s growing power and the increasing fear and rising tension amongst the Jewish people.

I love the Gospel of Mark … well, I love all the gospels … but Mark reminds me of Joe Friday from the 1950s TV series “Dragnet.” Some of us older folks remember Sargent Friday’s famous signature line: “Just the facts.” Mark’s gospel is terse and to the point. He gives us “just the facts” and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:53-65

Denomination: United Methodist

What Does The Bible Say About Racism?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 18, 2020

Americans are a facing a deep, long-standing issue of racism. While 90 percent of Protestant pastors say their congregation would welcome a sermon on racial reconciliation, only 26 percent say leaders in their church have encouraged them to preach on the subject.

What is racism? • Racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or a group of people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized. • Racism is the belief that different races possess ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Galatians 3:28, 1 Samuel 16:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call To Live Together In Unity Post Election

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Nov 18, 2020

Nations are deeply divided over politics, the appropriate response to COVID-19, racial and ethnic justice, and many other issues. Not even the church is a safe place from the divisiveness. How do we live together in this “very good and pleasant” way that the psalmist celebrates?

Sermon: The Call To Live Together in Unity! Scripture Lesson: Psalm 133:1-3 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 133:1-3, John 8:31-32, John 13:35

Denomination: Methodist

The Real Absence Of Christ Series

Contributed by Michael Pahls on Jun 6, 2001

Explores the tension in our lives generated by the absence of Christ after his Ascension. There is, however encouragement and hope for us, both in the "already" of our present salvation and in the "not yet" of the coming consummation at Christ’s Return.

The Real Absence of Christ Part #1 For Ascension and Pentecost 2001 Acts 1:1-11 1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Pursuing Peace In Perilous Times

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 12, 2020

With demonstrations, riots against injustice around the world, tension among nations, natural disasters, and a global pandemic, we may get caught up in the news to the point that we lose our own peace of mind and heart.

First of all, what is peace? Garret Graff recently published a book providing an oral history of the attacks that took place September 11, 2001. Quoting one young lady, Chloe, who was born September 11, 2001 and had her 19th birthday this weekend: “Every single day since I was born, we haven’t ...read more

Scripture: John 21:19-22

Denomination: *other

#46 The Messiah Parade Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jul 11, 2021

As Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, crowds began to follow Him, news spread to Jerusalem of His coming, tension was in the air. As Jesus entered the city, they threw a Messiah Parade…the prelude to conflict with religious authorities and death.

#46 The Messiah Parade Series: Mark Chuck Sigh July 11, 2021 NOTE: PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chuckcsligh@gmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon in my archives TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Mark ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Hope In Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 22, 2021

Someone has wisely stated that if you could convince a man that there is no hope, he would curse the day he was born and then give up. Hope is essential for the mindset of mankind and for vision for the future.

Video Transition: From Wingclips.com - Apollo 13 - Jim Lovell commander of Apollo 13 “finding hope” In the midst of crisis - He talks about how he found his way home when everything went wrong! I used today’s historical story to highlight “How we find hope in times of crisis.” In our clip today ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-7, Psalm 62:5-6, Hebrews 6:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Holy Spirit’s Favorite Verse: Unpacking Psalm 110:1-3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 18, 2025

How can you sleep at night when the world is on fire? This psalm provides a pillow to rest your head on in times of chaos and fear.

Psalms 110:1-7 Of David. A Psalm. 1 Yahweh says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." 2 Yahweh will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies. 3 Your people will be willing on the day of your power, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 110:1-3

The Value Of Tongues, Keeping Perspective In The Church Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jun 9, 2006

In the church today there is tremendous tension and polarization over the issue of sign gifts, particularly tongues. Divisions and church splits over the charismatic movement have become all too common. Conditions in some of the churches today hardly diff

THE VALUE OF TONGUES Keeping Perspective In The Church 1 Corinthians 14:1-20 INTRODUCTION: in the church today there is tremendous tension and polarization over the issue of sign gifts, particularly tongues. Divisions and church splits over the charismatic movement have become all too common. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Mothers Day - Motherhood And Mary

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on May 4, 2020

Even the best mothers are concerned with the conflicting currents flowing through them. I am sure that mothers contend with more of a degree of tension when it comes to being a parent, a mother. Then the Lord brought to mind, Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. This is your special day. But for some reason, when pastors across the country are asked about their Mother’s Day sermon, the largest consensus admits that a Mother’s Day sermon is the hardest of all sermons to put together. I’m not exempt from that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:4-50

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Remember God Is Real - Titus 1:16 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 30, 2025

There is a sobering reality we must confront: many Christians profess faith in God with their lips but deny Him with their lives. This isn’t a problem exclusive to modern times—it has been a spiritual tension since the early church.

Go! And Remember God Is Real - Titus 1:16 Why Do Christians Often Live As If God Does Not Exist? Titus 1:16 (NLT): "Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good." Introduction: My ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:16, Psalm 10:4, Deuteronomy 8:11, Romans 5:8, Colossians 3:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

12. Saul's Disobedience: The Cost Of Impatience Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 27, 2025

We’ve all felt the tension—when God’s timing seems too slow, and the pressure to act now feels overwhelming. In those moments, we face a critical choice: Will we wait in faith or rush in fear?

Saul’s Disobedience: The Cost of Impatience May 14, 2024 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 13 We’ve all felt the tension—when God’s timing seems too slow, and the pressure to act now feels overwhelming. In those moments, we face a critical choice: Will we wait in faith ...read more

Denomination: Brethren