Sermons on Rational Control:

Meekness: Gentle Strength In A Loud World

Contributed by Steve Klein on Feb 24, 2026

Jesus came in meekness to be King. He invites us to learn meekness from Him and to exhibit meekness continually in our everyday lives – when correcting or being corrected, in conflict, in submission to God, in humble service to our fellowman, and in the way we control our tongues to edify others.

Meekness: Gentle Strength in a Loud World Intro: Biblical meekness is "strength under control"—a powerful, gentle, and humble spirit that chooses restraint over retaliation. It is rooted in trust in God rather than self-assertion. It is an inward quality that God Himself highly values ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-29, 1 Peter 3:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fired Up: From Anger To Action

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Sep 26, 2025

Anger shows up—on the road, at home, at work. Psalm 37 teaches us not to “burn” (fret) but to trust, wait, and do good. The bible distinguishes anger that seeks justice from anger that seeks control. Trust God’s justice, practice meekness, and pursue peace in Christ.

Road Rage Let me ask you a simple question: “When was the last time you got angry?” Maybe it was this morning when that driver cut you off in traffic. Maybe it was last night when your teenage kid rolled their eyes at you one too many times. Or maybe you’re angry right now about something deeper - ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11, Ephesians 4:26-27, James 4:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Benefits Of Setting Limits

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 8, 2003

Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend have written a best selling book called Boundaries that helps us learn how to set God directed limitations. People who live without boundaries often lack self-control. Paul wrote to Timothy, "Discipline yourself for t

The Benefits of Setting Limits James 4:2-4 - "You want something but dont’ get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You udo not have, because you do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong ...read more

Scripture: James 4:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Things Don't Go As Planned

Contributed by Dean Morgan on Oct 10, 2011

I wish I could stand here today and tell you that if you serve the Lord you want ever have any problems in your life; I wish I could tell you that if you develop a close relationship with the Lord that you will always be in control of the circumstances th

TEXT: John 11:1-44 One of the first things that I notice about this story is the relationship between this family and Jesus. It wasn’t a strained relationship or an odd one but it was one of closeness and intimacy. They didn’t just have a casual acquaintance but a close encounter ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44, John 11:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Tongue Key To Holy Living Series

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Sep 5, 2011

None of us have the power to control our tongues. It is humanly impossible to do. But the Holy Spirit of God has all the power we need to use our tongues to glorify God and tell the world of all His mighty deeds. The question is..Do you want Him to?

THE TONGUE KEY TO HOLY LIVING JAMES 3:1 12 "Better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." That is a word of wisdom I heard many years ago...but one that I haven't quite mastered yet. Someone also once said, "A closed mouth gathers no feet" and I suppose this is also ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

The Danger Of An Unstable Father Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 24, 2012

1) An Unstable Father is Too Permissive (Genesis 6:1), 2) An Unstable Father Loses Control (Genesis 6:2), 3) An Unstable Father Tests God’s Patience (Genesis 6:3), and 4) An Unstable Father Reaps What he Sows (Genesis 6:4)

As human society develops, as civilization becomes more and more advanced, as people enjoy the blessing of families and children and all that goes with it, life is punctuated finally by death and it’s a series of obituaries brought about by sin. From the Fall into Genesis chapter 6, is development ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-4

Denomination: Other

Genesis 9 – Part 5 – But My Father Deserves My Disrespect! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 27, 2010

Noah gets drunk and gets naked in his tent. He behaves badly. He fails in terms of his witness to his family. He fails God in that he’s way out of control. BUT IT IS HAM’S DISRESPECT, NOT NOAH’S FAILURES THAT FEATURE IN THIS STORY.

Genesis 9 – Part 5 – BUT MY FATHER DESERVES MY DISRESPECT! So here’s the story again - Noah gets drunk and gets naked in his tent. He behaves badly. He fails in terms of his witness to his family. He fails God in that he’s way out of control. BUT IT IS HAM’S ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:22-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Baby Is Coming!

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Dec 3, 2009

Has God changed your plans lately? Did you fully expect one thing to happen only to find your plans were changed by circumstances beyond your control? It just might be that God is orchestrating your life the same way he did in the lives of Joseph and Mar

The Baby is coming! Luke 2:1-5 It was October 1, 1984 I was sound asleep when suddenly I awoke at 3:00am to the sound of running water. I was 27 years old at the time and my wife Fran was just 21. We were expecting our first child and our due date was October 3rd 1984. We had taken prenatal ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Persian Beauty Contest Series

Contributed by Greg Van Heukelom on Dec 15, 2020

People today like to watch the show ‘The Bachelor’ or ‘The Bachelorette’ and yet the reality is this Persian contest was set up only for one person, the King. A big question for today: HOW can God use a pagan King and Esther---unfaithful (to the Jewish) laws. And yet God is in CONTROL

Persian Beauty Contest Esther 2 18 Oct 2020 Hello! I'm Pastor Greg of Calvary Reformed Church. This video is the second video in a series of Esther, an Old Testament book about a Jewish young lady who becomes Queen of Persia. Persia, in the 400 BC’s, was one of the greatest capitals of ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Does God Love Us? Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 7, 2016

John 3:16 is your invitation to come to Christ … because God already gave. He has given you a clear pathway to lay down your sin and be made new ... why not accept it? Why do we continue to allow our shame to control us?

How does God love us? John 3:16-21 Introduction - The gospel of John screams of the faith that we should have in Christ -- It is the clearest example of living life FOR the one who redeemed you and I Last time: - Nicodemus has come to talk to Jesus one evening -- Nicodemus as a Pharisee ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Influences

Contributed by Richard Seim on Jan 7, 2019

We find ourselves influenced from so many directions. In this age of social media, there are a plethora of negative influences demanding our attention and agreement. What influences us is under our control to a large degree. Let see what God tells us about INFLUENCES in Psalm 1.

I. WE HAVE THE CHOICE OF SPIRITUAL EMPTINESS (1, 4-5). 1. We can choose the influence of ungodly people and/or things (1). 1) We can align ourselves with ungodly counsel (follow their advice). 2) We can pattern our conduct after ungodly examples. 3) We can strengthen our own ideas through ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6, John 14:15, John 15:10

How To Handle The Storms Of Life

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Mar 24, 2020

It was a storm on the Sea of Galilee, never beyond Jesus' control. But the storms of life can be equally violent; bringing us to a place of helplessness and hopelessness. I'm here to tell you that the one who calmed the storm then is still the One who calms the storms in your life today!

Introduction: Have you ever been in a storm? No, I mean a REAL storm! One where the lightening flashes and you feel the electrical charge from miles away? Or where the thunder crashes so loud, it seems every window is about to shatter? Or the rain falls so heavy that you can’t see a foot in front ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Do You Have Oil?

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 7, 2019

An awesome message about the widow whose sons were to be enslaved & Elisha's insight to multiply her little bit of oil, her "nothing," into a vast supply that met her current and future needs! We control how many blessings we receive!

DO YOU HAVE OIL? 2 Kgs. 4:1-7 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: LIFE INSURANCE 1. A very nervous airline passenger began pacing the terminal when bad weather delayed his flight. During his walk he ran across one of those insurance machines. 2. It offered $100,000 in the event of an untimely death ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Worthy Is The Lamb! (Revelation 5)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Feb 8, 2024

The Lord Jesus Christ has all things and events under His Divine and Sovereign control. He has the final word on how everything will conclude. No amount of evil on the world's part will stop Him from His mission to "make all things new".

I sometimes think that when we study the book of Revelation, we tend to focus upon the impending judgments of the wicked and the horrendous consequences that follow. While God's wrath is certainly a major theme of the book, we must remember that the book of Revelation is also a book of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14, Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Peter 1:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Dangers Of Relying On False Idols Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 2, 2025

False idols (or false gods) are worthless & unable to follow through with anything, but they appear to be attractive because they make us feel what WE crave (to be in control). Are we in love with our false idol, or our false god, and also don’t want to give it up?

Isaiah, Part 19 The Dangers of Relying on False Idols Isaiah 46:1-13 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons, we are so glad you are here today! - Last week, we reviewed the importance of what God has done: -- He made a way, provided escape, delivered hope, & gave us a redeemer -- FACT: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 46:1-13, Hebrews 13:8, James 2:19, Genesis 6:5, John 14:6, Psalm 10:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational