Sermons on rigidity: showing 121-135 of 1,331

For Every Rule, There Are Always Exceptions

Contributed by Craig Condon on Mar 14, 2015

The only way we can be transformed and freed is through faith in Christ. That faith will transform us and free us by giving us power to do God’s work in our world-and that is the true spirit of the Sabbath.

Have you ever noticed that every time you turn around, there seems to be another rule for you to obey? Have you ever noticed that some of these rules seem to be foolish? Well, I certainly have in both cases. To make matters worse, there are cases where no exceptions can be made to these rules, even ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Anglican

"the Value Of A Great Plan"

Contributed by David Henderson on Dec 3, 2019

Perhaps all of us can recall our first job. Whether we were working part time or full time we all shared at least one thing in common. We had a boss.

“The Value of a Great Plan” Nehemiah 1:11-2:11a Perhaps all of us can recall our first job. Whether we were working part time or full time we all shared at least one thing in common. We had a boss. Someone in charge. A leader. Whether we enjoyed working for them is another matter-the point is, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Pharisaical Values Contrasted With Christ's Love - Part 2

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Pharisaical Values 1.

Pharisaical Values 1. Religious leaders rejected Christ as their forefathers rejected the prophets who were before Him. They failed to recognize God's approved people. 2. The Pharisees held men of power in high esteem - even if they were politicians, financial men, or religious authorities. 3. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Lifestyle Characterized By Law Or Grace?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

People living by grace share many qualities with Jesus Christ who accepted all people everywhere * People living by grace are tolerant of others * People living by grace are forgiving * People living by grace see the law as a school master useful for b

A person living according to lawful orientations looks for guidelines to order everyones’ actions * A person living by the law is quick to judge others’ by his own rigid standards * A person living by the law often lacks love * A person living by the law is proud of his own accomplishments and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Contrasting Law Versus Grace

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 14, 2003

An evaluative look at whether we are living more by grace than by law.

A person living according to lawful orientations looks for guidelines to order everyones’ actions * A person living by the law is quick to judge others’ by his own rigid standards * A person living by the law often lacks love * A person living by the law is proud of his own accomplishments and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Patience!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Mar 30, 2014

The worldly way of getting the steam out of you and giving a ‘piece of your mind’ to the person who has hurt you will not reap the right results.

Patience…….Day 20 James 1:3,4 “…knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”(Memorize) Even after many years in the ministry, I still learn lessons the hard ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Church Of Laodecia: Death By Contentment (Revelation 3:14-22)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 19, 2024

The last of the seven churches listed in Revelation 2-3 had the reputation of being the church that made Jesus sick due to its religious indifference. Heed the lesson.

The downward slide that started in Ephesus with the loss of their “First Love” culminated with the total apostasy found in the last church mentioned in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, the church located in the city of Laodecia. The city had been founded in 253 B.C. by Antiochus II and named after ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:5, Matthew 24:12, Luke 10:2, Proverbs 21:2, 2 Corinthians 10:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From The Potter's House

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Feb 24, 2002

A look at the process of the potter and application of how God forms us to be vessels of honor.

I. Potter found the clay A. Psalm 40:2-3 2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-4

Denomination: Church Of God

A True Faith

Contributed by Jeff Simms on Jun 1, 2003

To call people to a true and living faith.

A True Faith Luke 11:37-44 Primary Purpose: To call people to a true and living faith When you think of a Pharisee, what comes to mind? You don’t think of someone fun and enjoyable to be around. Most of us think of someone like Jesus encountered: stern, legalistic, cruel, rigid and judgmental. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-44

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer--An Intimate Conversation Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 9, 2006

Prayer is a powerful spiritual discipline, which God uses to change us, and to enable us to experience the fulness of the abundant life.

Acts 2:42-47, Philippians 4:4-7, 1Thessalonians 5:16-17 “Prayer—An Intimate Conversation” INTRODUCTION Paul writes, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). This is a critical verse in our understanding of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Lutheran

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Contributed by Carl Allen on May 5, 2008

God is not the author of evil. God does not induce anyone to participate in that which is sinful and destructive. When God places some burden upon us, he does so to bring out the good rather than the bad. When Satan places some burden on us or some obs

Let us Not into Temptation Matthew 6:13 Intro To even begin to understand this particular petition the Lord included in the model prayer, we must recognize that there is a difference between the temptation that is initiated by Satan and the test to which God puts us. God is not the author of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatness Of The Liturgy Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 14, 2011

Is great worship spontaneous or not. The answer may surprise you.

Monday of 4th Week of Easter The Spirit of the Liturgy When someone wants to insult a group of people because of their slavish following of some ideology or ideologue, he can hardly do worse than to call them a “herd of sheep.” Sheep are stupid animals who need to be guided all the ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

A Sabbath For The Hungry, Healing For The Withered

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 8, 2015

Is it lawful to good on the sabbath days?

A SABBATH FOR THE HUNGRY, HEALING FOR THE WITHERED. Mark 2:23-3:6. Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled’ (Matthew 5:6). The hunger and thirst which He spoke of in that Beatitude is evidently spiritual, but it is amply illustrated in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:23-28, Mark 3:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

House Beautiful

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Oct 29, 2023

Why should we adorn the house of God? How should we? Should we?

We’ve come a long way, haven’t we, since the Puritans trashed the glorious medieval churches of England and Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Henry VIII ordered the dissolution of the monasteries, melting down altarware and images, largely to enrich the civil treasury. Under Oliver Cromwell, though, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 8:23-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Born Old

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 29, 2010

To experience new life, even in the senior years, means using old knowledge to gain new knowledge; to set aside pride in order to learn; and to be fully open to Christ.

We had been talking about a mutual friend. We had laughed a little at how rigid he was, how staid. We had commented that he didn’t like change; he could easily be "all shook up" when something didn’t go his way. I asked the other person in this conversation, "How long have you known John? Has he ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Baptist