Sermons on Run In Vain:

The Abomination - Mark 13:14-23 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 13, 2024

Why does Jesus tell his people to run from the judgment? Can you outrun God’s judgment on you? And if it’s not directed at you, why wouldn’t God just protect you from it to begin with?

Mark 13:14 "When you see 'the abomination of desolation' standing where he does not belong-- let the reader understand-- then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:14-23, Matthew 24:15-28, Luke 21:19-24

Finding Your Way Back To God SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 11, 2023

Prodigals, those who rebel and step away from God's blessings, still exist today. They indulge in reckless living, ruining their lives. But when they reach total desperation and are willing to repent, God runs to meet them and welcome them home.

In this sermon, we will explore the parable of the Prodigal Son, which actually reveals the character and nature of our loving Heavenly Father. Jesus used this story to teach us about God's unconditional love and His willingness to embrace those who have strayed away from Him. It is important to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Topics: Prodigal Son, Repentance, God's Love

Second Chance (Jonah) Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 29, 2025

When you’re down, look up in prayer, speak up in repentance, and listen up to the lessons God is teaching you.

Jack Eppolito from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was hurrying his 11-year-old daughter to school. He turned right on red where it was prohibited. “Oh, oh,” he said, realizing his mistake. “I just made an illegal turn.” “It's all right,” his daughter replied. “The police car behind us did the same thing” ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17, Jonah 2:1-10, Jonah 3:1-10, Jonah 4:1-11, Romans 10:11-13, Genesis 12:1-3, Ephesians 1:11-12, Colossians 3:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Freedom's Threats Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 5, 2016

If we're going to enjoy our freedom in Christ, we must come together FOR the truth of the Gospel and work together IN the truth of the Gospel.

An Arab chief tells a story of a spy who was captured and then sentenced to death by a general in the Persian army. This general had the strange custom of giving condemned criminals a choice between the firing squad and the big, black door. As the moment for execution drew near, the spy was brought ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

To Go Down - A Lesson From Jonah's Life

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Oct 16, 2023

Have you ever tried to escape God's calling? Explore Jonah's journey, where rebellion led him down, and find the path upward toward God's grace and purpose.

To Go Down - A Lesson from Jonah's Life Introduction: Have you ever tried to run away from God? Have you ever felt like He was asking you to do something too hard, too scary, or too unpleasant? Have you ever wondered what would happen if you just ignored His voice and went your own way? If you ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:3, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 139:7-12, Isaiah 55:8-9, Acts 17:26-27, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Jonah 1:5, Romans 1:18-20, Revelation 3:20, Matthew 11:28-30, Jonah 2:2-3, Jeremiah 32:27, 1 John 1:9, Lamentations 3:22-23, Jonah 2:1-9, Jonah 2:10, Jonah 3:1-2, Jonah 3:3-4, Jonah 3:5-10, Jonah 4:11, Matthew 12:39-41, John 1:46, Philippians 2:5-8, John 17:5, Romans 5:8, Matthew 12:40, Romans 6:4, Philippians 2:9-11, Ephesians 2:4-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon # 31- Who Is On The Throne? Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Dec 3, 2024

When the King of Nineveh heard the preaching of Jonah and knew that God’s judgement was impending, he got off his throne and humbled himself before God, the King of kings. God must be enthroned in our hearts too and we must allow Him to rule over our lives.

We read in Jonah 3:6, “When the king of Nineveh heard about it, he got up from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth, and sat down in ashes.” (GNB) When the King of Nineveh heard about the impending judgement as preached by the prophet Jonah, he immediately got up from his throne, took ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:6, Jonah 3:4, Luke 22:3-4, Matthew 26:15, Matthew 26:21-22, Matthew 26:25, Matthew 27:2-5, Acts 26:9, Acts 22:7-8, Philippians 3:7, Philippians 3:14-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Drawn To Jesus-4 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 7, 2014

4 of 5. John recalled the manner by which Jesus’ disciples first became convinced that He was Messiah. Some will become Jesus' disciples. But What draws/attracts those disciples? Disciples are drawn to Jesus thru their…

DRAWN TO JESUS—IV—John 1:35-51 Attention: My being drawn to the field of biological oceanography.—always fascinated with the ocean & with animals. I had no desire to be a tax consultant or an accountant—I can’t even imagine how tediously miserable I would be as either ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-51

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of Sports

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 5, 2021

The spirit of sports plays a greater role in the Bible than most of us see. We will study how Paul uses sport terms to teach Christian lessons.

Back in the days of depression the mighty Babe Ruth was asked to take a salary cut for the first time in his career. He didn't go for it, but insisted on his customary $80,000 contract. "But Babe," protested an official of the Yankee Ball Club, "These are trying times. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

How To Motivate People

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

When it comes to getting people motivated reactionaries love to use fear, guilt and shame. However, fear, guilt and shame are only effective in motivating most people in the short run. Actually, the Bible says, "The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever

HOW TO MOTIVATE PEOPLE ACCORDING TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL PERSPECTIVES AND THEIR TRADITIONAL VALUES Paul wrote, "Weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice." (Rom. 12:15-18) When it comes to getting people motivated reactionaries love to use fear, guilt and shame. However, fear, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life After Easter: Bewildered Or Bewondered?

Contributed by Ryan Sato on Apr 2, 2005

After the resurrection, the followers of Jesus were in a harried state. Some of them were on the run, others were simply trying to make sense of what had happened. In the midst of our life circumstances, how does the Resurrected Christ make himself real

Opener: I hope you had a bad Easter….I know you think I should be saying “I hope you had a good Easter”…but for today’s sermon, it might be better for you if you had a bad Easter. Because when you think back to the first Easter, the disciples weren’t gathering together early on Sunday, excited ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Devil's Trophies (Part I) Series

Contributed by J. Martin on Jun 12, 2005

The Bible advises that we should run away from the devil in order to avoid becoming fair game. The Bible also provides the experiences of some characters that, without caution, got themselves caught by the devil and became his trophies. The question thu

Nowadays, our society marks its victories with a symbolic object known as a trophy. According to the dictionary, a trophy is “an object, reminder of a success or victory; an award given in a contest; spoils obtained from a war to credit triumph.” I remember being sent to a dealership in Austin, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Supplicating Supplicant Suffers Shame Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Jun 3, 2007

He came running to Jesus, fell at the Master’s feet, and professed great spiritual hunger. When asked about his lateral dealings with his fellow man, he assured Jesus he was spotless and holy regarding these issues of his life.

MARK 10:17-22 A SUPPLICATING SUPPLICANT SUFFERS SHAME I. THE SUPPLICANT: * MARK 10:17, 20 A. Show. Mark 10:17 B. Sincere. Mark 10:20 C. Successful. Mark 10:20 II. THE SAVIOUR: ** MARK 10:18, 19, 21 A. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

Denomination: Methodist

Living With A Sense Of Urgency

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Mar 17, 2003

Being only days away now from something known as “March Madness,” the pace and intensity of college basketball games begin to reach a new level. There’s a sense of urgency as teams begin to prepare for a run that will eventually result in four unbeaten

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: Being only days away now from something known as “March Madness,” the pace and intensity of college basketball games begin to reach a new level. There’s a sense of urgency as teams begin to prepare for a run that will eventually result in four unbeaten teams, one of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-11

Fleeing Fugitive Faces Frightened Fellows Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Mar 6, 2008

Ceasing their prayers, the frightened sailors took up a time honored ritual of casting lots. When the lots fell to Jonah, he knew he had to confess. He ran from God-but he could not run now: it was time for the truth.

JONAH 1:7 FLEEING FUGITIVE FACES FRIGHTENED FELLOWS I. FAILURE: A. Fates. B. Faith. C. Fanaticism. II. FINDINGS: A. Facts? B. Fortitude? C. Focus? III. FIXATION: A. Foreigner. B. Feelings. C. Forlornness. The scene before us in these first seven verses of Jonah, Chapter One ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

Stopping To Refuel Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 28, 2008

One thing we know is that when we are running on empty, physically, emotionally and spiritually, all of us need to refuel. That’s the actual prayer the apostle Paul shares in our Scripture today, “That you would be filled with the fullness of life and the

Stopping to Refuel When You’re Running on Empty I Kings 19:1-12 and Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT) Video- “Re-Fuel” order from Sermonspice.com One thing we know is that when we are running on empty, physically, emotionally and spiritually, all of us need to refuel. That’s the actual prayer the apostle ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Methodist