Sermons on Refusing To Be Divisive:

What If

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jun 16, 2024

What if we really sought God's will and not ours?

What If Mark 3:24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:24-25, 1 Corinthians 12:12

Denomination: Baptist

The Ripple Effect

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 13, 2023

Conflict between the old and the new can lay the foundation for growth, even if the self-examination and change can be painful.

One afternoon when I was 14 or 15, my father and I down in a bottom of a large hole in the side yard digging a septic tank. We were digging with a trowel and a pair of pruning shears, because the ground was so laced with tough, springy ivy roots that you couldn’t use a shovel, you had to scrape ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

United Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 28, 2023

As a church, we are in the process of transitioning from traditional Sunday School classes to home-based community groups. In this process, we are going to take a few weeks to consider what it means for us to be a biblical community. We begin with the consideration that we are united.

Introduction Series on biblical community in preparation for the launching of community groups next month we will look at a variety of passages, but most of our time together will be in the book of Ephesians Background Diversity There were cultural, ethnic, and religious divisions in the city - ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

Rusted Iron

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 22, 2023

We have decided we are at peace and have no need to be sharpen for spiritual battles. We are entertainers.

"Iron shapeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of a friend. " Proverbs 27:17 I could not find a royalty free image of this verse, but they all contained an anvil, a piece of iron heated red hot and a hammer. None of the images showed anything smooth and easy like massage ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:17

Denomination: Baptist

Petty Wars (Judges 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 12, 2025

Should we be involved in petty disputes over non-essential trivia? Let's begin in Judges 12.

Did Israel fall into petty squabbles and national division? Are many of the differences of opinion between churches similar disputes over unimportant non-essentials of our common faith? What are the essentials that unite us? Let’s look at Judges 12. Was there ever intertribal war between a branch ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Twentieth Sunday In Ordinary Time- Year C-- Fire

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 15, 2025

Fire, judgment, separation, crisis, – can bring a new opportunity for growth in faith.

Lodgepole pinecones are very compact, and they will only open to disperse their seeds under intense heat, as in a forest fire. We hear a similar idea today in our Gospel that fire means judgment, which results in separation, creating a crisis, but which also means opportunity. So, fire, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-53

Denomination: Catholic

How God Leads Through Prayer Lesson 2 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 18, 2025

When prayer is wrong.

A. WHEN PRAYER IS WRONG 1. Can’t pray to make something right, that is wrong. 2. Can’t pray to force your will on God. 3. Can’t pray to make the impossible happen. Can’t make yesterday, not happen. 4. Can’t pray for God to do what He expects us to do. Save the unsaved without our obedience. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10, Exodus 15:13, Psalm 118:25

Denomination: Baptist

Trying Times - "Make Noise And Finish Course" Series

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Jun 18, 2013

Modern church in trying times, praising God despite division.

Trying Times - “MAKE NOISE AND FINISH COURSE” by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (5/29/2013, 6/1/2013, 6/15/2013, 6/18/2013) “And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 10:9-10

Denomination: Friends

No More Than I Need Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 10, 2014

Abram rescues Lot and refuses the booty

• You remember the famous “wax on, wax off” movie? • Miyagi: Now, ready? Daniel: Yeah, I guess so. • Miyagi: [sighs] Daniel-san, must talk. [they both kneel] • Miyagi: Walk on road, hm? Walk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Defense Of Peter

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 20, 2019

The gospel: a message which refuses to be stifled.

PETER’S DEFENSE. Acts 5:27-32. The first time that Peter and John had been arrested was after the healing of a lame man when they were asked, ‘By what power or by what name have you done this?’ (Acts 4:7). ‘Jesus Christ of Nazareth,’ Peter boldly replied, ‘whom you crucified, whom God raised ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:27-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Immanuel: With Us The God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 16, 2023

A sign refused - a sign offered nonetheless.

IMMANUEL: WITH US THE GOD. Isaiah 7:10-14. The northern kingdom of Israel/Ephraim, along with her ally Syria/Aram, intended to force the Davidic kingdom of Judah into their alliance against the Assyrians (Isaiah 7:1), by setting up a puppet king - a ‘Son of No Good’ (Isaiah 7:6) - in Jerusalem. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Last Words To Titus Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Mar 28, 2021

Paul gives Titus his last words on the false teachers, divisive people in the church, his ministry team, and faithful friends.

Last Words to Titus Titus 3:9-15 Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 03-28-2021 Forest I love the way that Forrest Gump told stories. As he experienced the fantastic events, he would describe them so matter of fact that people thought he was making things up. But when he came to the ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Limits Of Peace Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Aug 21, 2007

The cross of Christ not only brings peace, but also division. When faced with opposition and division, disciples of Christ stand firm while loving and respecting their opponents.

Luke 12:49-56 “The Limits of Peace” INTRODUCTION The night sky was cloudless and filled with stars. Shepherds watched their flocks, while they huddled around a campfire. Suddenly, they were surrounded by a multitude of angels. They were told not to fear because the angels brought them good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Lutheran

Christians Are Supposed To Be Different!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 17, 2011

If we don't handle bitterness & hostility differently than the way the world handles them, then we have not learned what it means to be a Christian.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK A. I'm preaching this morning on the subject of "forgiveness," & this seems to be one of the most difficult subjects for many people to deal with. You see, I'm ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lion Called Jealousy

Contributed by Jim Kane on Mar 10, 2002

How do we seek to build unity and stop divisiveness?

A decade ago I was working part-time at an apartment complex where Susan and I lived while I was completing a degree at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. It was an interesting job and I worked with, and for, some interesting people. In May of 1992 things came to a head at this place. I ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Church Of God