Sermons on Refused To Shine:

The Light That Leads The Way

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 2, 2015

Only by wading into the life that Christ offers and letting it wash away our sins, our false identity, our injustice and selfishness, our commitment to violence will we be recognized and worship the One who is coming in Bethlehem.

John 1:6-8, 19-28 sets the stage for Christ’s ministry. John the Baptist was the witness to the light of Christ. He was the light that would lead people to Christ. Jesus would fulfill the expectations the Jews had regarding the long-expected Messiah, but not in the way many Jews expected. He ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-28

Denomination: Anglican

Evangelism (Becoming The Light In A Dark World)

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Jul 5, 2025

Evangelism calls us to shine brightly as lights in the world, reflecting God’s love through our actions, stories, and relationships. Let’s explore how to overcome obstacles and illuminate our communities.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, Colossians 3:17, James 2:17, Revelation 12:11, Proverbs 27:17, Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Timothy 1:7, Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 10:32-33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blocking The Door To Heaven

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 10, 2002

In religious leaders’ refusal to accept God’s way not only did they not go through the door but also blocked the door to heaven for others.

In Matthew 23:13 Christ pronounced judgment upon the scribes and Pharisees when He said, "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." Christ condemned ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Good Enough Is Not Good Enough Series

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Jun 13, 2005

The promise of this beatitude is that those whose lives are marked by a refusal to want anything second best or second rate, are the ones whose strivings are satisfied.

Good Enough is Not Good Enough Ezekiel 47:1-12 June 5, 2005 Today we are continuing the sermon series on the beatitudes and have come to the fourth: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase in “The ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Noah - Proof That Miracles Can Happen When Your Life Is Committed To God

Contributed by Byron Maynard on Apr 21, 2005

Noah was careful who he used as role models. Noah refused to give up. Noah was sustained throughout the entire process by God.

Noah - Proof that Miracles Can Happen When Your Life is Committed to God Genesis Chapters 6 - 9 Introduction: First of all, in this story we have to ask the question can we ignore God without consequence? And second, if we do obey God, how will he work a miracle in our life? Noah, whose ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ultimate Insult Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Nov 25, 2001

People refuse to accept God’s authority. We don’t want to be tenants in God’s Vineyard. We want to be the owners.

"Stick and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me!" You’ve no doubt heard that little rhyme, and you’ve probably even used it at times. When I was growing up it was the standard playground retort to an insult. But of course we all know that those words were simply a bluff. They had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:9-19

Denomination: Anglican

The Reward Of Faithfulness Series

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 18, 2000

Daniel’s colleagues faced a dilemma - compromise their faith in God or die - but refusing to do so, God stood by them in their hour of peril.

The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the burning, fiery furnace is a favourite in the Old Testament and it has enjoyed its popularity since the earliest days in the Christian church when the first generation of Christians in Rome were being persecuted for their faith. The story was ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Rowing Rowers Reach Reason Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Jun 7, 2008

The sailors in Jonah refused, at first, to rid the boat of this troubling person, but later did so. They serve as a type of a person ridding oneself of sin.

JONAH 1:13 ROWING ROWERS REACH REASON I. RESPECT: A. Response: B. Resourceful. C. Resilient. II. RISKS: A. Resistance. B. Retention. C. Ruination. III. REMEDY: A. Recognition. B. Removal. C. Restoration. With Jonah’s confession over, the sailors decided that they would not ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

To Forgive Is Divine

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 19, 2009

Pride and dishonesty are the main obstacles to forgiveness. But you will never be free if you refuse to forgive. You really don’t have a choice.

“To Forgive is Divine” (Matthew 18:21-35) Pastor Sean Harder April 26, 2009 As we look at Scripture today, the themes of humility and honesty are at the forefront of the first half of Matthew 18, and forgiveness in the second half appears to be a product of these virtues. Therefore pride and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

"All Rise - A Christmas Message"

Contributed by Ken Harris on Dec 16, 2007

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to love and support one another, during this Christmas Holiday Season, by refusing to sneer and judge fellow believers.

16 December 2007 U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Ord Military Chapel Seaside CA BIG IDEA: Believers are encouraged to love and support one another, during this Christmas Holiday Season, by refusing to sneer and judge fellow believers. REFERENCES: John 7:5 (NIV) For even his own brothers ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Most Important Birth

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 19, 2006

The most important birth was Jesus’ birth. Let’s consider: 1- the time came 2- the birth happened 3- the inn refused

INTRO.- ILL.- Four expectant fathers were in Minneapolis hospital waiting room, while their wives were in labor. The nurse arrived and announced to the first man, "Congratulations sir, you’re the father of twins." "What a coincidence" the man said with some obvious pride. "I work for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dressed For The Wedding

Contributed by William Mouser on Oct 25, 2005

Jesus’ parable of the Wedding shows God’s judgment on those who refuse his invitation, and his grace on those who do.

Dressing for the Wedding Matt. 22:1-14 Today when you enter various restaurants, you are confronted by a sign that says “No shirt, no shoes, no service.” A sign like this is also a sign of the time, I suppose, for it would not be necessary to post such a sign, except that there are a number of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Recognizing Our Neighbor And The Wrath Of God Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 2, 2015

In an age when people refuse to recognize our neighbor and treat him/her with dignity, we need a holy intercessor to help us.

It is our misfortune, or, better, the design of Divine Providence, that we live in an age and society that does not recognize the neighbor whom we should love as we love ourselves. An inconveniently conceived child, as I was nearly seven decades ago, is not recognized as a human being, let alone ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:23-37

Denomination: Catholic

Unforgiveness Is The Cancer Of The Soul

Contributed by Richard Futrell on Oct 7, 2010

Unforgiveness is the cancer of the soul. It’s a spiritual prison, enslaving the one who refuses to let go, to leave behind, to forgive.

Intro Unforgiveness is the cancer of the soul. It’s a spiritual prison, enslaving the one who refuses to let go, to leave behind, to forgive. We in stubborn blindness don’t see the good God is doing when He teaches us to forgive. Instead, we see ourselves as losing out in some way, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Lutheran

What Is Failure? Success?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Dec 16, 2014

Come let us consider what is failure? You can fail and still succeed. Failure is refusing to get up and try again.

WHAT IS FAILURE? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; I. I HAVE OFTEN TRIED TO DEFINE SUCCESS? A. I have asked many spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15-21

Denomination: Assembly Of God