Sermons on Reluctance:

Will You Grow Up!

Contributed by Mike Hays on Jan 27, 2001

God desires for us to grow and mature in our faith, but we are slow to learn and reluctant to press on.

"Will You Grow Up?" Hebrews 5:11-14 Our teenage and early adult years are often characterized by decisions that reveal our inexperience, lack of maturity, and desire for what we want and when we want it. Oftentimes people will describe these years as mostly marked by a lack of responsibility ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:11-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Character Study Of Jonah Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 23, 2025

Jonah’s story is a powerful example of God’s mercy, human weakness, and the necessity of obedience. His journey from rebellion to reluctant obedience and his struggle with God’s grace teach us that God’s will must be done, and His mercy extends to all who repent.

CHARACTER STUDY OF JONAH – PROPHET SENT TO NINEVEH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Jonah 1:1-2 "Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me." Supporting ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17, Jonah 2:1-10, Jonah 3:1-10, Jonah 4:1-11, Matthew 12:39-41  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Role Of The Holy Spirit In Witnessing Series

Contributed by Doug Warren on Jan 10, 2010

To help alleviate our reluctance to witness, let us remember the role of the Holy Spiit in our witnessing endeavors.

Intro: We often are reluctant/fearful to share our faith because we depend too much on our own abilities and say "I just can't do that". Remembering the role of the Holy Spirit in our witnessing efforts will help us witness with confidence: I. He is the CULTIVATOR OF HEARDENED HEARTS. 1. We ...read more

Scripture: John 16:7-11, John 16:7, John 16:7-16

Denomination: Baptist

What Can You Give?

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Mar 9, 2006

The most precious thing we can give to Christ Jesus is the one thing we are most reluctant to give. Ourselves!

Mark 8: 31 – 38 – What Can I Give You? Intro: I remember a number of years ago watching a television program called “What’s My Line?” --- The program was in black and white, so that tells you how long ago it was. The whole premise of the show was a panel of celebrities tried to guess the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Let Jesus Change You" (Sermon 1) Series

Contributed by Jeff Minor on Jan 7, 2013

We want to see Jesus make changes to the world and are reluctant when we discover those changes may start with ourselves.

“Let Jesus Change The World” Part 1: Let Jesus Change You 2 Corinthians 5.19 Introduction 1. None of us would be opposed to Jesus making a few changes for the better. Changes at work, changes in your finances, or bigger noteworthy changes. 2. What if these changes started with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"we're Fit To Be Tithed!"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Apr 11, 2020

A lot of us are reluctant to preach on giving. Churches are often criticized for their financial appeals, yet giving is an act of discipleship, devotion, and worship.

A minister wanted to impress his congregation with the need to increase giving. He described extensive repairs required to overhaul the sanctuary. Just as he was about to ask the ushers to come forward for the offering, a piece of plaster fell from the ceiling and hit a man square on the head. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Denomination: Congregational

One Can Make A Difference

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jun 24, 2014

Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance but laying hold of His willingness. Prayer is a dialogue. Dare to ask God for make things happen.

Have you heard of the phrase: “One person can ONLY do so much”? • This is only true without God. With God, we have to take the word ‘ONLY’ away. “One person can do so much!” • With God’s help, one person can make a lot of difference. I came ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:20-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Is Your King Hiding? Series

Contributed by David Wilson on Oct 3, 2013

Saul's reign will be marked with insecurity and fear. From the begining he was reluctant to rule God's people and his fear defined his reign.

TEXT: I Samuel 10 Review of chapter 9: Saul was out looking for donkeys, not a throne, when he meets Samuel and is overwhelmed by the news that he, himself, is to be the king. He protests that he is unworthy, from an insignificant tribe and family. Samuel and Saul sat up all night talking ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

When God Calls Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jul 11, 2015

Are we reluctant or willing when God commissions us? Jonah is a great study in God's heart verses our own when it comes to mercy and grace.

Join me in a look at Jonah. 2 Kings 14: 23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, became king in Samaria, and reigned forty-one years. 24 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Problem Solving 101

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Oct 8, 2010

Do you have problems that are almost impossible to fix, your Father in Heaven can help. This sermon shows that even the Apsotles were reluctant to ask for His help.

PROBLEM SOLVING 101 (All my sermons use illustrations found at www.sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted) (Small portions of Max Lucado’s “Every Day Deserves a Chance” are used in this sermon.) Ever had a problem and just thought to yourself, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What's Next?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 26, 2001

Now I realize that whenever the subject of death comes up, many people try to avoid discussing it, reluctant even to think about it. But not all people are that way.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2016) TEXT: Revelation 21; Psalms 90:10 A. Have you ever tried to picture what it will be like right after you die? After you breathe your last breath? After you heart beats its last beat? What do you think ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Necessity Of Prayer

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 31, 2006

God acts when man pray. The asking is critical to the task at hand. We are not dealing with a reluctant Father, but a God who is willing to respond. Prayer accomplishes God’s will.

James 5:17-18, 1 Kings 18:41-46 The Necessity of Prayer James 5:17-18 17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. Elijah ...read more

Scripture: James 5:17-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Kingdom Keys - Jonah Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Aug 14, 2023

God's will is one of love and will be accomplished even when we are reluctant and defiant. The story highlights God sovereign nature and his willingness to provide multiple chances for redemption

So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried and failed. Our hope as leaders is that all of us will pick up God’s word and come to understand the true nature of God. After all, the bible is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:4, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

That They May Believe Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Feb 1, 2011

Exodus 3:1-4:17 records the calling of Moses. The burning bush experience was one of revelation of God as the Great I AM to a reluctant leader. The key to understanding this passage is: TRUST!

Exodus 3:1-4:17 records the calling of Moses. The burning bush experience was one of revelation of God as the Great I AM to a reluctant leader. The key to understanding this passage is: TRUST! God believed in Moses as His man – and Moses needed to learn to trust God wholly – and the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fifth Sunday In Lent Series

Contributed by Reginald Knight on Mar 21, 2021

With today’s gospel reading comes the shift to the beginning of the Passion and the response which Jesus makes as he is told that there were some Greeks waiting to see him, points us in the direction of the cross – a place to which Jesus himself is reluctant to go.

FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT – Year B By: Rev. Reginald Knight ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus’ John 12:21 ‘All who see the sacred sign, Press towards heaven’s portal,’ Words from the Hymn written by John Allan Warner (1851-1928) #410 Hymnal. With today’s gospel reading comes the shift to the beginning of ...read more

Scripture: John 12:21

Denomination: Anglican