Sermons on reluctance:

Unusual & Unstoppable Prayer Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 30, 2010

Martin Luther said, "Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness;" but if we want to lay hold of God’s willingness, we must keep on asking God to keep his word, expecting Him to work in unusual and unstoppable ways.

Mark Ashton, in his book, A Voice in the Wilderness, talks about a small boy who was writing a letter to God. Christmas was approaching and he wanted to ask God for certain Christmas presents he badly wanted. He began his letter with these words: “I’ve been good for six months now.” But then ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

God's Favorite House Part 7: To Know God As A Friend Series

Contributed by Randy West on Mar 13, 2002

Intro: Some people are very reluctant to develop new relationships, because of past experiences, but while our relationships in this life can cause our greatest grief, pain and sorrow they can also be the source of our greatest joy and pleasure and withou

God’s favorite house part 7 The house of a friend “TO KNOW GOD AS A FRIEND” Proverbs 18:24 Intro: Some people are very reluctant to develop new relationships, because of past experiences, but while our relationships in this life can cause our greatest grief, pain and sorrow they can also be the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:24

Denomination: Church Of God

Giving That Feels Good Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Feb 5, 2007

Giving is a topic that most preachers would rather avoid. Most often we are reluctant to preach on "giving" because of our measly offerings. It’s understanding the "God-principle" behind our giving that helps make preaching on "giving" much easier.

GIVING THAT FEELS GOOD (Based on Dr. Kregg Hood’s book: "Take Got At His Word") A. I was given a FREE BOOK written by Dr. Kregg Hood three years ago entitled: Take God At His Word. 1. I opened it up and read the FORWARD and quickly realized that it was about "GIVING." a. I did what ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Aligning My Will With God’s Series

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jan 21, 2018

The amazing story of Jonah reminds us: 1) Don't run from God, 2) When life gets you down, look up, 3) Respond to God's second chance, and 4) Get God's heart for people. Like Jonah, we need to give up the "reluctant prophet" role and stay in God's will.

Jonah 3:1-10 Aligning My Will with God’s Prophets with a Purpose – Week 2 Do you ever feel like some people are beyond hope, that they are incapable of change? Or maybe you’ve felt like God wanted you to do something, but you resisted that urge? If so, you can identify with the prophet Jonah. ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:2-3, Jonah 3:1-3, Jonah 2:1-2, Psalm 139:7-10, Jonah 1:1-3, Jonah 3:1-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Be A Son, Not A Dog - Matthew 7:7-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 15, 2024

For our relationship to God to be what it should be, it’s crucial to understand God’s generosity and eagerness to bless us. This is a whole sermon on the generosity of God. It’s an especially important message for folks who tend to think of God as reluctant to bless them or answer their prayers.

Matthew 7:7-12 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

Love Returned Series

Contributed by Josh Foster on Feb 20, 2014

Renewal, Restoration, Retrieval – the attitude is so important. It’s done in love- not reluctance. It’s done with mercy – not judgment. It’s goal is restoration – not conviction. It’s done with risk – not with guarded defensiveness.

Covenant Connections: A Covenant of Love ~ Love Returned Scripture Text: Hosea 3.1-5 INTRODUCTION I think it’s important to study and investigate and probe the deep-questions of life; …but I-also-know that a person can get lost-in-the-questions! It’s-kinda-like pulling out ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 3:1-5

Denomination: Nazarene

Character Study Of Gideon Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 22, 2025

Gideon’s journey from fear to faith demonstrates how God works through weakness. He was reluctant at first, but through God’s power, he became a great leader. His story challenges us to trust God completely, even when we feel inadequate.

CHARACTER STUDY OF GIDEON – JUDGE WHO DEFEATED THE MIDIANITES By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text:. Judges 6:14 "And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?" – Supporting Texts: Judges ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-40, Judges 7:1-25, Judges 8:1-35, Hebrews 11:32-34

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Steps For Exercising The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 27, 2009

Sometimes we are reluctant to know our gifts. Moses was pulling back from using the gifts God had given him not realizing that God had already given him all he needed. Are we obedient to God so that He can use us as a perfect vessel for His glory?

Opening illustration: Have you ever felt torn in two or more directions when considering how to serve in your church or what job to take? Since you probably can’t do everything you’re asked to do, how do you decide which opportunities for service are best suited for you? Many will be able to relate ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Humility

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Apr 24, 2020

Ministers are reluctant to preach on humility. How do we promote humility without sounding like we think we’ve attained it? Needless to say, my sermon title isn’t “Humility and how I found it.” We are all "works-in-progress".

Winston Churchill was reviling a political opponent at a press conference. A reporter interrupted him asking, “But surely, Mr. Churchill, you must admit that he is a humble, modest man?” To which Churchill replied: “He is a humble man, but then he has much to be humble about!” Ministers are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-7

Denomination: Congregational

Disability: Care And Honour

Contributed by Minister Dachi on Oct 11, 2022

When the Lord God called Moses in the wilderness, Moses was reluctant at first to heed the call. In fact, he tried to use his disability to excuse himself from service: “Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent. . . . I am slow of speech and tongue’” ...

Disabled people are differently abled people who were also made or Created by the Lord for His glory. We see many disabled people in and around the society, in our families and even in the ministries that we have today with the different talents and abilities to support the families, ministries and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13, Acts 9:32-35, Mark 3:1-6

What Are You Waiting For? Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Aug 30, 2021

Unknown? Overlooked? Talented? Gifted? Able? Yes!! It is time to quit riding the pine, get off the sidelines, quit being a benchwarmer and get in the game!

Bench Warmers Pt. 1 - What Are You Waiting For? I. Introduction We all love the superstar! The super talented athlete who dominates the field or the court. It is their jerseys that sell out. It is their highlights that are played nonstop on the sports shows. It is their name that garners millions ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-5, Jonah 1:12-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Get Out Of The Boat

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Oct 17, 2005

This sermon teaches us the importance of allowing our faith to be stretched.

Have you done anything in your faith walk recently that stretched you? We use the term “stretch” to refer to growth, development and learning. I must admit, it goes against human nature to be stretched. There is a popular story that illustrates our reluctance to be stretched. Ill- A man was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:28-32

Denomination: Baptist

God Of The How Much More Series

Contributed by Edmund Chan on Jan 2, 2006

Herein lies the greatest lesson Jesus ever taught about Prayer!

GOD OF THE HOW MUCH MORE Luke 11:1-13 Illustr. Some years back, during a family dinner, my mum swallowed a fish bone. My younger daughter, who was then three years old, walked over to her grandma and spontaneously prayed, “Lord Jesus, please help grandma’s fishbone…bless it to her body in Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Parable Of The Friend At Midnight Series

Contributed by L Lee on Sep 15, 2010

Importance of persevering in prayer.

Parable of the friend at midnight (Luke 11:5-13) And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; {6} for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' {7} And he answers from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-13

Denomination: Christian Church

Lingering And Looking Back

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Jan 7, 2020

We can learn from the mistakes of Lot, Lot's wife, and a man who wanted to follow Jesus. May we all forsake the world and all its enticements that hinder our faith and our relationship with God.

LOOKING BACK OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR CAN BE BENEFICIAL IN MANY HELPFUL WAYS. USUALLY, BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND CHURCH MINISTRIES WILL FILE A STATISTICAL REPORT ON ALL PROGRAMS, EXPENDITURES, AND RESOURCES. GAINING SUCH USEFUL INFORMATION HELPS ACCOUNT FOR EXPENDITURES AND TO JUSTIFY ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:15-26, Luke 9:61-62, 2 Peter 2:20-22, 1 John 2:15-17, Ephesians 4:22-24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Free Methodist