Sermons on Run In Vain:

Wash My Feet, Wash My Heart

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Oct 16, 2008

Jesus understood full well that in a few short hours all those 24 feet that were so wonderfully cleansed would soon desert Him and run for their life and flee from His presence... And He knows it. They don’t know it. Only the feet of John would stay put.

Disaster struck me one day when I was a boy. I don’t know where in the world my little sister came back to the house real dirty and smelly. Some type of dark sticky slimy stinky substance was all over her and she was crying up loud. She had tried to get rid of it by using her dirty hand and as you ...read more

Scripture: John 13:2-5, John 13:1-20

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Armor Of God: The Sword Of The Spirit

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Aug 13, 2023

If we were to have every piece of armor we have talked about up to this point, we would be capable of withstanding the devil's attacks in our life. But God gives us more! He wants us to be able to send the devil running, not simply be able to withstand his attacks!

Alba 8-13-2023 THE ARMOR OF GOD: THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT Ephesians 6:17 When our son, Kevin, was just a little boy, we had some videos and he loved watching the Disney animated movie, Robin Hood. He also liked the movie Ivanhoe, which was another swashbuckling film. As a result Kevin liked ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rentless Love

Contributed by Patty Groot on Aug 4, 2025

Today’s passage is one of the most vulnerable, heart-wrenching moments in the entire Bible—not from a human being, but from God Himself. It’s raw. It’s emotional. And it’s all about the relentless love of God for His people—even when they run from Him.

I want to begin today by asking a question that might hit close to home for some of us: Have you ever loved someone who didn’t love you back? You gave and gave, and they walked away. You sacrificed, you showed up, you forgave—again and again—but they just… didn’t return it. Maybe it was a child. A ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-11

A Runaway Is Found, A Poor Decision Is Exposed

Contributed by Gregory Fisher on Jul 16, 2018

Abram and Sarai are desperate for an heir. So desperate, in fact, that they are willing to try anything...and, do. As life spins out of control the impact of their poor choices affects more than just their own relationship. But, God shows up as a searching and seeking God.

A Runaway Is Found, A Poor Decision Is Exposed, And Faithful People are Tested. Text: Genesis 16: 1-16 16 Sarai, Abram’s wife, hadn’t yet produced a child. She had an Egyptian maid named Hagar. Sarai said to Abram, “God has not seen fit to let me have a child. Sleep with my maid. Maybe I can ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-16

Denomination: Foursquare

A Great Cloud Of Witnesses: Faith-Living Vs. Me Centered Life Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Aug 25, 2024

How to walk "by faith" in a me centered world

Faith is a mystery to the world. It seems crazy. It seems stupid. But I’ll tell ya what’s stupid. I’ll ya what’s dumb. What’s dumb is trying to control my own life and manipulating events to make things I want happen. It just doesn’t work. And even if it does work, I’m not happy. I get exactly ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-12, Hebrews 11:32-38, Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Salvation Army

How Will You Finish?

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Oct 13, 2018

When we accept Jesus as Lord there is an excitement. We want to save the world. But over time the world beats so many of us into silence. This message is about how the Apostle Paul refused to let circumstances keep him from finishing his race.

The book of Philippians – The Back Story Roman Prison: The Tullianum (Keep) When we read scripture sometimes knowing the circumstances from which they were written can paint what we read in a totally different light. Paul’s letter to the Philippians is an excellent example of this. It’s common ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:21, Philippians 1:14-16, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Philippians 1:21, Psalm 18:1-2, Philippians 1:27-29, Philippians 2:14-16, Philippians 4:19, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Philippians 3:7-8, Philippians 3:13-16, Philippians 4:1, Philippians 4:4, Philippians 4:6-8, Philippians 4:9-13, Psalm 9:1-2, Philippians 3:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Examples Of Patience

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Jan 11, 2012

Patient endurance means to stay where you are, continue doing good, and being unmovable even when you really feel like running, hiding and giving up! A patient believer knows that God has not left him nor forsaken him. God’s help is on the way, and He wil

Intro: James is speaking to suffering believers in 1:3-4 when he told them, "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect & complete, lacking nothing.” Thrice in our text in Chap. 5, James told his readers of the ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-11

Denomination: *other

Dirty Praise

Contributed by Sean Dees on May 3, 2021

You can start filling your pit with your faith and praise, you can praise your way out, you can shout your way out, you can dance your way out, you can run your way out, you can fill your pit with praise.

I. It all started with a dream! A. Joseph was loved above all Jacob’s children; so much so that he was given a coat of many colors that set him apart from the others. Because of his father’s love and favor for Joseph he was hated by his brothers. 1. Let me say here that favor will ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:19-27

Just Like Us (Part Five) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Mar 11, 2019

Last week we looked at Elijah. We saw how he was bold and courageous in taking on the 450 prophets of Baal but then Queen Jezebel threatens his life and he runs away. We can be bold and courageous in one situation and fearful and pessimistic the next. Today we'll look at Joshua and David.

JUST LIKE US (part five) Last week we looked at Elijah. We saw how he was bold and courageous in taking on the 450 prophets of Baal all by himself. And God comes through and delivers the victorious miracle. But then Queen Jezebel threatens Elijah's life and he responds by running away. The ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:6-11, Joshua 9:14, Acts 13:22, 2 Samuel 11:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mothers With A Mission Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Harvard Business Review reported that only 10% of family-owned business get passed down successfully to the third generation. Only 70% of family-owned businesses last one generation. If a family-run business struggles to survive for 2 generations, how much more your family’s faith in Jesus Christ?

Welcome and thank you for worshipping with us this morning. Keep Colossians 1 open before you, will you? You can find a link to our sermon notes in the chat and a communication card. For children’s and student resources, please visit our churchonline page at our website. Happy Mother’s Day to you! ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Build-A-Bear Jesus

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 18, 2019

We were created in the image of God. Now many are trying to create God into an image that is comfortable for us.

Build-A-Bear Jesus Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30, Luke 19:10, Genesis 1:26-27, John 2:15, Matthew 23:16-36, Matthew 11:20-24, John 3:16, Matthew 25:41, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Let God Help You Overcome Fear

Contributed by Todd Schäve on Jun 27, 2001

People sometimes seek to frighten us with fear to deter us from our purpose. But Jesus didn’t let the Pharisees’ false warning deter him from his hour. How about you? Are you trusting in the Lord and his purpose for you, or are you running away in fear all tied up in knots with concerns?

Let God Help You Overcome Fear People sometimes seek to frighten us with fear to deter us from our purpose. But Jesus didn’t let the Pharisees’ false warning deter him from his hour. How about you? Are you trusting in the Lord and his purpose for you, or are you running away in fear all tied up ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

Six Things God Has Called Us From To Do And Have

Contributed by Tony Abram on Apr 7, 2013

SIX THINGS GOD HAS CALLED US FROM TO DO AND HAVE! In this sermon outline we share 6 different calls from God to our hearts and live to give us strength to run the race and have the victory in our lives. Many times we are so busy we do not here God callin

SIX THINGS GOD HAS CALLED US FROM TO DO AND HAVE! In this sermon outline we share 6 different calls from God to our hearts and live to give us strength to run the race and have the victory in our lives. Many times we are so busy we do not here God calling. I. Called from labor to rest. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

How To Handle Hard Times

Contributed by Dr. Ezra Aniebue on Dec 25, 2009

Don’t allow any hard time to break you, to cause you to quit, give up and lose hope. Instead learn the principles that will make you harder than your hard time. When you are harder than your hard time, you will send your hard time packing and running from

Hard times are real. Difficult situations are not new. The book of Eccl.1: 9 says, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” The hard time that you are experiencing now, or that you will ever ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Breakfast With Jesus"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 14, 2010

Simon Peter felt like a failure. On the last night of Jesus’ life on earth, Peter made an impossible commitment: “I will never run away and leave you.” But only hours later, Peter shouted, “I told you, I don’t even know him. Leave me alone!” Now, Christ h

John 21:1-19 “Breakfast with Jesus” by: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN Simon Peter felt like a failure. On the last night of Jesus’ life on earth, Peter made an impossible commitment: “I will never run away and leave you.” But only hours later, Peter ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: United Methodist