Sermons on Rationalize:

When Sin Entered In-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Dec 7, 2010

2 of 7. Genesis chapter 3 precisely documents the original appearance of sin. What is significant about the entrance of sin? 21 considerations regarding the entrance of sin. Sin entered in with ...

WHEN SIN ENTERED IN-II—Genesis 3:1-24 Attention: “Sin is any personal lack of conformity to the moral character of God, or the law of God. Then sin is a disposition of the heart, it is a bent.”....“It is...any violation of the character or law of God, the moral character or the law of God.”.... ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Fairy Tale Ending / Grab For The Gusto

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on May 18, 2012

You only go around once in life, so you've got to grab for all the gusto you can." Some of you may remember that television commercial. But, what exactly is gusto?

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: Proverbs 31:10-31; Psalm 1:1-6; James 3:13-4:8 and Mark 9:30-37. You only go around once in life, .....so you've got to grab .....for all the gusto you ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7-8, Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Anglican

Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Sep 30, 2022

The story of King Saul’s utter demise unfolds in 1 Samuel 15. The man who stood head and shoulders above all the people is imploding like a skyscraper building with the walls blown out.

The bigger they are the harder they fall. It is dramatic to see a skyscraper building brought to the ground. Dynamite blows out the walls and the building collapses to the ground. What once filled the skyline becomes reduced to a pile of rubble. The story of King Saul’s utter demise unfolds in 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:22

Denomination: Baptist

The Deceptive Power Of Compromise

Contributed by Don Baggett on Nov 10, 2007

When a Christian compromises his godly values and rationalizes that the ends justify the means, he opens the door to all kinds of trouble, not only in his own life, but in the lives of many others.

Compromise is not always bad. I heard one preacher say that he torn the word compromise out of his dictionary. I thought, “You must not be married!” However, if we compromise our godly values, we open the door for trouble in our lives. This is true because God loves us, and when we start in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 9:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Why Isn't Life Fair

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 25, 2005

People are troubled by the fact that life doesn’t seem to be fair. Peace and encouragement don’t come from rationalizing life, but from focusing on the love, presence and power of God in our lives.

THE SEVEN SERVICE JUNE 30, 2002 Matthew 5:45 “Why Isn’t Life Fair?” INTRODUCTION Growing up with brothers and sisters, a big issue for us was fairness. We always counted the number of presents, at Christmas time, in order to make sure that they were equal and thus fair. The value of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:45

Denomination: Lutheran

Recovery Through Repentance

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Sep 7, 2011

Backsliding begins with a rationalization of one's behavior, and a relativistic approach to determining right and wrong in one's life. This message deals with the result of this faulty thinking, while offering the only solution to one's backslidden condit

Recovery through Repentance Text: Jer. 2:13; 3:22 Intro: Backsliding on God, whether that of an individual, or that of a nation, does not take place all at once; but it is a gradual process. This spiritual malady usually begins with little departures from the truth of God’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Scientific Brilliance Of Genesis 1: A Second Helping

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 22, 2022

One of the first sermons I wrote and posted for this site dealt with the scientific brilliance found in the first chapter of Genesis. There are other scientific standards found in this opening chapter of the inerrant and all-sufficient Word of God, and they are worth exploring and affirming.

When I read the first chapter of Genesis, I do not see the development of an ancient myth or legend. I do not see the fruit of an overactive imagination of an anonymous sage trying to explain to his "backward" clan or tribe of how they came to be. I do not see any collection of ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:16-18, Hebrews 11:3, Romans 1:20, Revelation 4:11, Psalm 19:1, Psalm 104:30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 11, 2021

We look at the fall of King Saul. We see how he rationalized his sins by selective obedience, shifting blame, and subterfuge. Then we study the true nature of obedience and end with an enlightening story.

TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE 1 Sam. 15:1-30 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: KNOWING IS NOT DOING 1. United Press International (UPI) reported that termites had eaten through a large stack of documents entitled, “Control of Termites” in the mail room of the University of California at Berkley. 2. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Eating With The Troops Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 4, 2009

The early church "gathered together to break bread." Why was this activity so critical to them and what can it mean to us?

OPEN: There’s an old saying: “An army marches on… (its stomach).” What that means is: if an army doesn’t feed its men it’s not going anywhere. Without food the troops eventually can’t march, they can’t maneuver, and they can’t fight. So one of the logistical problems for armies has always been - ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Indwelling Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Mitch Davis on Jun 21, 2007

When coming across scriptures that cannot be rationalized man has a tendency to NOT accept what the Bible explicitly reveals. Note the contrast of wisdom between God and man when dealing with the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit Theme: Knowing whether the Holy Spirit personally dwells within the believer. INTRODUCTION A. Because Christians live in the flesh it is no wonder that we have difficulty understanding the things of the spirit. 1. The Bible teaches that the natural man cannot ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don’t Check Your Brain At The Door!

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 15, 2019

Christian faith is more rational than atheism because it recognizes the minute information we possess and the insuperable complexity and design of the universe and life forms. We rest our intellect on the intellect of God. What could be wiser?

“DON’T CHECK YOUR BRAIN AT THE DOOR!” Acts 17:11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE CHECKER (I was told this by a friend) 1. I went shopping at Walmart earlier today and got a sack of chicken legs. Right before the young lady rang them up, I asked her if they were front or back legs. 2. She paused ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:11, John 5:24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Samaritan Woman At Jacob's Well Series

Contributed by Jimmy Davis on Sep 19, 2001

Picture # 4 in the series: The 14 Candid Snapshots of the Maturing Christian as found in the Gospel of John. The Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well is a picture of a rational sinner who can come to Christ. A skid row prostitute can become a child of God.

Picture # 4: The Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well is a picture of a rational sinner who can come to Christ as a new creation.(John 4:1-42). In this picture, we’re going to see that a skid row prostitute drug abuser can become a child of God, and then immediately become an evangelistic witness for ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Denomination: Baptist

5) We Believe In A Personal God! Series

Contributed by Brandon Max on Dec 14, 2021

Our God - is a Personal God. That means we can relate to Him and interact with Him on a very personal level. By definition, a “Person” is generally regarded as an individual who can Think, Feel and Act rationally as a living, conscious being.

THINGS MOST SURELY BELIEVED AMONG US We Believe In A Personal God Text: Luke 1:1 "Forasmuch as many have taken in hand - to set forth in order a declaration… of those things which are most surely believed among us." INTRODUCTION Brethren, this [the Bible] covers all “Those things which ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 135:15-17, Exodus 3:14, Psalm 104:24

Denomination: Baptist

On The Cutting Edge

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 28, 2025

The Holy Spirit, wielding the Word like a scalpel, cuts away our games and pretensions and rationalizations and shows us what we are really like. Jesus is the reason why the knowledge of our sinfulness does not lead us to despair.

My Dad was in the foreign service when I was a kid and my family was stationed in Argentina for a couple of years. We lived in a city called Rosario, about 4 hours north of Buenos Aires. The weather was fabulous, the schools were good, the streets were safe, and there was a club with an Olympic ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Teaching Obedience To The Next Generation

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 22, 2021

Saul hides behind his religion. Mafia hitmen rationalize, “Yes, I kill people but I’m really good to my mother.” We are incredibly good at self-deception. People hide behind their religion to evade obedience

Today, I want to speak to parents and grandparents on raising children who have a stalwart character all their lives. Let’s look at one of the most interesting kings of ancient Israel, King Saul. Today’s Scripture The word of the Lord came to Samuel: 11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:10-23

Denomination: Baptist