Sermons on rivalry:

Blessed By Grace

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 6, 2014

God treats you with GRACE. He comes to ASSURE you, of His presence and promise. He wants to BLESS you.

Isaac has twin sons, Jacob and Esau. Right from the beginning, Gen 25 tells us they were very different. • Esau a skilful hunter, always out in the open country, and Jacob staying in the tents, a homemaker. • There was rivalry between them, right from the start. Genesis records two ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I Was Baptized By... Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Aug 11, 2017

Division is one of the worst things we can bring to church.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Here we are again, today we are going to examine another one of the great complaints we find in the pages of the Bible. • I have always been intrigued by those who for various reasons, feel they are not good enough to be I a church. • I mean when you read the book of 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

On This Rock

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 23, 2017

Matthew 16:13-20 What does this passage actually say and not say to us?

Prelude, Purpose, Plan Protestants, Orthodox and Catholics largely agree on perhaps 95% of the most important teachings of Christianity. Why do we drift from the message that Jesus taught into partisanship and graceless rivalry? For instance, how do we deal with the claim by Rome of exclusive ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Heavenly Wisdom Not Earthly Wisdom Series

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Nov 25, 2012

These verses put our hearts in the dock. God wants to cast out earthly unspiritual wisdom. He wants us full of his heavenly, considerate, merciful wisdom.

(This illustration comes from Simon Coupland’s Book Spicing up your speaking): Robert Greene wrote a self-help manual for people who want to be amongst life’s winners. He called it ‘The 48 laws of Power’. Here are some of his 48 laws: Never put too much trust in friends; learn how to use enemies. ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18

Denomination: Anglican

Desires, Motive, And The Christian Mind Series

Contributed by Vince Miller on Aug 28, 2018

Our desires are the heart of the mind and can lead us to great things as well as destructive patterns.

Well, I have to tell you, men, I do believe that us reigning in our desires and guiding our motivation are very important. I just want you to think - just for a moment about 1 area in your life where you lack self-control. Just 1 area. Whether it's - you eat too much. Whether it's you drive like a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26

Denomination: Baptist

Community

Contributed by Hiram Withers on Jan 13, 2019

To begin developing unity in the church you must start with developing a comminuty.

Sadly, there are many people who claim to know Christ, but then turn around and claim that they don’t go to church because they do not believe in organized religion and of course my first thought is asked him if he liked it better was disorganized? When you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. ...read more

Harvest Law

Contributed by Robert Butler on Jul 15, 2020

God rewards us as we participate in his deliverance and establishment of his kingdom

Today, we move to the book of Obadiah. The only one chapter book in the Old Testament. It's a story of a distant cousin rivalry. They were warring cousins much like the hatfields and the McCoys. Their feud begins at the moment His brother, Essau also falls prey to his brother’s swindle for a ...read more

Scripture: Obadiah 1:1-21, Luke 6:38, Galatians 6:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blueprints For Purpose Series

Contributed by Pastor Dempsey Daniels on Nov 30, 2003

Sermon in the series Blueprints

Series: BLUEPRINTS Sermon 3: Blueprints for Purpose Mark 9:37-41 When Christianity began there were no denominations. All believers were one! They were called by many names believers for their faith, brethren for their love, disciples for their knowledge, saints for their holiness, servants for ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:37-41

Denomination: Baptist

You Might Be A Great Servant If...

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 13, 2006

This sermon examines the life of John the Baptist as a model of servanthood and challenges the listener to look for those qualities in himself.

Introduction: One of the features of the Bible that I love is how people basically haven’t changed much in the past 6,000 years. Jn 3 shows that well. First, open to Mk 9:33ff, a scene 2 years later. Just kind follow along with me there. The disciples are on the road to Capernaum, having an ...read more

Scripture: John 3:22-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Darkness Or Light

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 23, 2010

Jesus & Beelzebub. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Reading: chapter 11 verses 14-36 Ill: Dedicated on March 13th 1904 a large statue of Christ; • Was erected high in the Andes on the border between Argentina and Chile. • It is called “Christ of the Andes,” • The statue symbolizes a pledge between the 2 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:14-36

Denomination: Brethren

The Bad Judge Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 2, 2014

God dedicated 57 verses to a wicked judge who ruled as king in Israel for about 3 years. Why would He do that? Is it possible the story of this evil man has something to us about how we should think as Christians?

OPEN: In Clay County, Kentucky there was a judge named R. Cletus Maricle. He was one of the rare judges I could find online who had been permanently disbarred. You might ask: “Jeff, why was he disbarred?” I’m glad you asked. R. Cletus Maricle was disbarred because he and 7 other ...read more

Scripture: Judges 9:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Darkness Or Light Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Sep 25, 2018

Darkness or Light - Luke chapter 11 verses 14-36 – Sermon by Gordon Curley. PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Slander (vs 14-28) • Accusation (vs 14-16). • Refutation (vs 17-22). • Application (vs 23-28): (2). An interruption (vs 27-28): • A blessing (vs 27) • A response (vs 27) (c). A History Lesson (vs 29-36): • (illustration #1). Jonah (vs 29-30 & 32) • (illustration #2). ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:14-36

Denomination: Brethren

Marks Of Maturity Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Feb 4, 2023

Yet, here are nine beautiful graces of the Spirit-controlled life - a picture of beautiful harmony, of a selfless and purposeful life. And this can be you! When the Holy Spirit controls your life, He will produce inside you these nine beautiful characteristics.

What would you like to change about yourself? And what have you done to change? Some of you have read self-help books, while others have joined a gym. Some of you are pursuing a degree, and others become religious. Today we begin a summer teaching series for those who want to change. This is a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26, Romans 8:11, 1 Peter 2:2, Colossians 3:12

Denomination: Baptist

Be Careful Of Divisive Spirits

Contributed by Nettie J Pennington on Jun 22, 2023

The goal of a divisive person is to cause conflict. "I urge you, my friends: watch out for those who cause divisions and upset people's faith and go against the teaching you received. Keep away from them" (Rom. 16:17, GNT)!

People that participate in divisive arguments have an unhealthy interest in creating strife. However, a mature, faith-filled person recognizes that participating in contentious discussions will not end the matter. With the knowledge of God and the wisdom of the Lord, we understand that calmer ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:17, Titus 3:10, 2 Corinthians 10:5

Denomination: Other

Reconciliation

Contributed by Wesley Bishop on Mar 16, 2004

This sermon is about reconciliation.

He was the subject of a 1975 Bob Dylan song. There was a movie of his life released in 1999. This high school drop out wrote an autobiography that was read by hundreds of thousands. Gunshots pierced the night in Paterson, New Jersey on June 17, 1966. Two men and one woman lay dead. Later two ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan