Sermons on Restraining Sensual Indulgence:

Hands Holding Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 5, 2008

For World Communion Sunday: God restrains us from destructive behavior; but even if we ignore that, His hand continues to hold us back.

You may have noticed that I am a creature of habits. I do what I do according to the clock and by the book. If it is time for staff meeting, I will be here, seldom early, sometimes late because of traffic, but I will be here. It’s on the calendar, so I do it. I am a creature of habits. If it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Free To Serve Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 7, 2009

This message encourages listeners to use their freedom, not to indulge themselves, but to serve others and so satisfy the law and heal their relationships.

Free to Serve! (Galatians 5:13-15) A pastor in Kansas City, Kansas, was organizing opportunities for people in his church to do small acts of kindness as a demonstration of Christ’s love in the community. He phoned several neighborhood grocery stores and Laundromats for permission to do specific ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Specks, Logs And Improving Our Vision

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 26, 2025

We all know that the Internet has given us lots of opportunities to be tempted to sin, hasn’t it? Is the temptation itself sinful?

Eighth Sunday in Course 2025 Some people don’t have the deuterocanonical book of Sirach in their Bibles, so I’ll read some of the first reading. Sirach was written in Hebrew, but over the years those versions were mostly lost, but survive in Greek. The book is mostly a compilation of proverbs, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, Luke 6:39-45, Psalm 92:2-3, Psalm 92:13-15

Denomination: Catholic

In Harmony With Heaven Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 31, 2021

Happiness is a by product of a life in harmony with God. If you seek it as an end in itself, you inevitably fall into the deception of the world that says self-indulgence is the proper path.

Russell Delany, professor of philosophy and evangelism at the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, has said that our great need today is: Not for better legislation, but for better legislators. Not for better business, but for better business men. Not for better banking, but for better ...read more

Scripture: James 4:6-10

A Hopeful Preparation: Advent Week #2 Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Dec 4, 2013

If we restrict or restrain the entry of God into our lives, we cannot help but limit the power of God’s grace.

A HOPEFUL PREPARATION SERMON #2 OF THE ADVENT SERIES “HOPE IS ON THE WAY” MATTHEW 3:1-12 & ISAIAH 11:1-10 Big Idea: If we restrict or restrain the entry of God into our lives, we cannot help but limit the power of God’s grace. ADVENT INTRO Advent is the season of waiting leading ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Nazarene

Where Are The Visionaries?

Contributed by Raymond Williams on Feb 20, 2021

The vision carried out in modern preaching of today, is not so much a stimulation but to act as a restraining force to stem the tide of wickedness and destruction.

The majority of the sermons of Rev. Raymond Williams comes from the sermon notes he preached from and are not always fluid. Where is the Visionaries Today? Proverbs 29:7-18; Text verse 18: Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Another ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:7-18, Exodus 32:1-35

Denomination: Nazarene

Born To Excel But Tied Down

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Sep 23, 2025

God created you to excel, but invisible limitations can keep you from fulfilling your divine purpose.

BORN TO EXCEL BUT TIED DOWN By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 49:3-4 Key Verse: “Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 49:3-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lovers Of Pleasure More Than Lovers Of God

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 23, 2025

Pleasure in itself is not sinful. God created us with the ability to enjoy life, but the problem arises when pleasure becomes our priority and passion, while God becomes secondary or even ignored.

LOVERS OF PLEASURE MORE THAN LOVERS OF GOD By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV) "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

7 Woes On Religious Leaders (Matthew 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 17, 2024

Why are we afraid to preach Matthew 23? Why does the Revised Common Lectionary leave it completely out? Are we afraid to let our churches know that we church leaders are weak, and fail, and also need to repent? Let's find out in Matthew 23.

Jesus warned about hypocrisy among religious leaders and accompanying woes. Have we ever heard this taught? Is it just too painful to admit that we church leaders can sometimes be just like the Pharisees? Let’s learn some hard lessons from Jesus in Matthew 23. Hypocrisy Do we practice what we ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Imagination Commanded Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 6, 2021

True worship comes from within, and is dependent upon a sanctified imagination. The Second Commandment is a call to forsake the dependence upon the sensual and climb to the higher level of spiritual worship.

Back in the 60's eight wrestlers took their own lives because world champion 37 year old Gohlam-Rexa committed suicide. Three of them left notes saying they could not stand the death of their idol. Almost every time a well-known person takes their own life some of their worshipers do ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-5

Showing Restraint Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Nov 5, 2011

As those who are called to live our faith we need to restrain our tongues. To do so takes the use of heavenly wisdom.

You Can Listen to the Full Sermon Here:- http://www.nec.org.au/index.php/listen-to-a-sermon-series/practical-faith/ Message James 3:1-18 “Showing Restraint” I’ve been sitting in the food court of Chermside Shopping Centre when a child will throw themselves on the floor yelling and screaming and ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Worship In Spirit And In Truth Series

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Apr 11, 2016

Is your testimony dry and dusty? Is your worship forced or restrained? Have we come to God as honest sinners in need of living water?

Worship in Spirit and in Truth John 4:19-26 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, ...read more

Scripture: John 4:19-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Freed To Serve

Contributed by Mike Hays on Jan 12, 2004

Through Christ we are free, not to indulge our sinful nature, but to willingly lay down our lives in service to our King.

Freed To Serve Galatians 5:13-15 It is time that we get back to our old friend, the book of Galatians, and pray that we might glean from this powerful little book the lessons the Lord has for us this morning. We’ve taken a four week break from our study of Galatians as we journeyed through the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Believe In Holy Living

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 20, 2014

Because God is Holy, we must hold onto His gift of holiness which he gave us through His Son Jesus Christ. We must perceive it and understand what it is then believe on it and receive it! Once we have it we need to make sure that we hold onto it.

Illustration: Give out the gifts to the staff before preaching. Make a big deal about then 5-10 minutes into sermon have them come back to the front at different times and say they don’t want my gift and throw it at me. This illustration is what some people do with the gift of holiness that ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grieving And Quenching The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Sep 25, 2025

Grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit hinders His work in a believer’s life and blocks the flow of God’s power, joy, and guidance.

GRIEVING AND QUENCHING THE HOLY SPIRIT By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Key Verse: “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30, KJV) Supporting Texts: Isaiah 63:10, Acts 7:51, Galatians 5:16-17, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Denomination: Assembly Of God