Sermons on reluctant: showing 76-90 of 3,160

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

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

No More Excuses!

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Oct 9, 2024

Jesus shows us the importance of radical obedience through the encounter with three would-be disciples that offered excuses for not wanting to immediately go with Jesus.

IN THE WALT DISNEY MOVIE, “ALICE IN WONDERLAND,” ALICE FINDS HERSELF AT A FORK IN THE ROAD. AS SHE CONTEMPLATED HER DECISION, SHE NOTICES A CHESHIRE CAT UP IN THE TREE. UNDECIDED ON WHICH ROAD TO TAKE, ALICE THEN ASKS THE CHESHIRE CAT, “WHICH ROAD DO I TAKE?” THE CAT RESPONDS, “WHERE DO YOU WANT ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62, Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 6:21

Denomination: Free Methodist

Take The First Step

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Jan 18, 2022

Just as Jesus stepped forward to claim His identity, so must we take the first step to follow Him

JOHN 2:1-11 Today we heard about the first miracle that Jesus performed in his ministry. It was one that he really did not want to do, but who can disobey your mother? During his ministry, Jesus performed thirty-seven miracles: • He turned water into wine • 26 times he healed people • Twice he ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11, John 1:46, Deuteronomy 11:6-8

Denomination: Episcopal

When Human Barriers Come Down, Heavenly Blessings Come Down! Series

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Jan 20, 2008

We all have built-in prejudices that God must break down before we be truly effective with the Gospel. We see Him doing just that in our text.

When human barriers come down, HEAVENLY BLESSINGS come down! Acts 10:1-34 Have you ever noticed that the guy driving slower than you is always a jerk, whereas the guy driving faster than you is always a maniac? By fallen nature, we’re all prone to justify ourselves and to condemn those who ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-34

Denomination: Baptist