Sermons on Running Away From God:

Run With Perseverance!

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Aug 1, 2025

Today in our sermon we will consider what it takes to overcome adversity and finish our "race" of faith. For the theme of our sermon let’s use just three words from our text. “RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE!”

For four years, Derek Redmond had dreamed of winning the 400 meter sprint at the 1992 Summer Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain. He could see himself standing on the medal platform receiving the gold for his native Great Britain. Derek breezed through the qualifying heats and made it to the medal ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Cool Runnings - Which Way Will You Run? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 15, 2005

The message out of Isaiah is "There is a right way and a wrong way to get what you want out of life." What had Judah done wrong... and what could they do to change their destiny?"

OPEN: (Show 5:30 minute clip from “Cool Runnings” – the section where bobsled team crashes in their final run... but they refuse to admit defeat. They pick up their damaged bobsled and carry it across the finish on their shoulders. Make sure to include the section where the team shouts their ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-31, Isaiah 40:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Run To The Roar Series

Contributed by Mark Batterson on Oct 17, 2016

Chase the Lion is a 3 part series from Mark Batterson, pastor at National Community Church in Washington, D.C. The sermon is based off of the book, Chase the Lion. You can download a sermon kit at ChaseTheLion.com/churches

On September 11, 2001, four airplanes were hijacked by terrorists bent on evil. Two of the planes crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City. One of them crashed in a field in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania. And one plane crashed into the west side of the Pentagon, not far from where my ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:20-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Habits Of The Man Of God: 2 Timothy 2 & 3

Contributed by Ken Henson on Jan 17, 2015

The Man of God runs away from sin, & runs toward God. The Man of God handles opposition with kindness and gentleness. The Man of God studies the Scriptures continuously.

Video: “Slap Her!” My favorite line in this video is when the child says why he won’t slap the girl. He says “Why? Because I’m a man!”. What does it mean to be a man? What does it mean to be a man of God? Ladies, the Bible has plenty to say about what it means to ...read more

Denomination: *other

Cave Men

Contributed by Johnny Carver on Feb 28, 2004

This message shows the dangers in becoming burned out as a Christian. Even though you are greatly used of God is can happen.

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1:21 Title: "Cave Men" Introduction: LET'S GET THE PICTURE: The Great prophet of God who had dazzled the people of the land with a ministry filled with signs & wonders has become a "Man on the Run." * Here he is in a CAVE. He has run away from the very wickedness that he had ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

Seeking Jesus Away From The Glare Of Others: Nicodemus And Jesus

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on May 25, 2024

Nicodemus comes to Jesus under the cloak of evening to ask some very important questions that lead to life. His questions mirror many of our own .

Today’s passage is a remarkable dialogue between our Lord Jesus and a key leader among the religious higher-ups, who, generally speaking, were very hostile to Jesus. Nicodemus had a different response though to Jesus, he had a different spirit about him. He took his role of spiritual leadership ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17, 1 John 1:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Calls, Which Way Do You Run?

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jun 15, 2002

Jonah’s experience helps us understand God’s grace again. Hiding and running from God never pays, coming home to his will is the only way.

When God calls, which way do you run? Jonah is a classic Bible story. Someone has pointed out that in the first chapter Jonah ran away from God. In the second chapter, he ran back to God. In the third chapter he ran with God, but in the fourth chapter he ran ahead of God. Jonah was a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:39-41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

To Obey Or Not To Obey

Contributed by John Gail on May 21, 2016

sermon from Jonah chapter 1 that looks at the disobedient intentions of Jonah and compares them to today's Christion

TO OBEY OR NOT TO OBEY Text: Jonah 1:1 - 17 Jonah’s instructions were crystal clear. There were no excuses that he didn’t get the message or that he didn’t understand what was meant by the instructions or that he was confused by what he was being told to do. God told Jonah to ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Running After What? Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2007

what it is that is really worth running after?

Running After What? Hearing God Through Hebrews 12 Heb 12:14-17 Mar 18, 2007 (4th week of Lent) Intro: I am not a morning person. In fact, I describe myself as an “anti-morning” person. Ask any of the other members of the team that went to Bolivia with me in January, they’ll tell you: “Steve ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From A Church 8 Years Away From Death

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Feb 10, 2019

Is our church focussed on what it's members prefer? Or we are fishers of people who get out of bed on a cold dark night because that is what fish prefer?

“To say that the room was tense would be a massive understatement. It was eight years before the death of the church, but few in that room could have predicted the church’s demise. The church had bounced back a bit during the past year. Since most of the members would not allow any {change to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 26:16-20

Denomination: Anglican

Time To Come Home

Contributed by Dr. Casey Adams on Oct 9, 2018

This message urges the believer to refrain from running from God and accept his will for your life.

Acts 3:19 Come with me on a journey. Today we meet the man they call Jonah. Jonah was one of God's prophets during the period of the Divided Kingdom. He was God's instrument to carry out God's Will on earth. He had the great privilege to have been chosen to be God's servant, in bringing God's ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:19

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Followers That Turned Away

Contributed by William D. Brown on Mar 9, 2008

Followers of Jesus that turned away from following Him

John 6:49-71 “followers of Jesus that turned away from Him” 3/9/08 Today we’re going to talk for a little while about the fact, that some of the people that followed Jesus turned away from Him and followed Him no more, listen as I read today’s text found in John 6:49-71 Here we find Jesus talking ...read more

Scripture: John 6:49-71

Denomination: Baptist

Time To Run: Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2007

the main message of the empty tomb is the power of God. that very same power of God at the resurrection is for me and for you.

Time To Run: Hearing God’s Heart Through Hebrews 12 Heb 12:1-4 Resurrection Sunday, Apr 8, 2006 Intro: Many years ago, when I was in Junior High, I did a run. I joined the track team. Now, here is a picture of me in junior high… that is one chunky grade 9 kid… if it isn’t clear enough ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Keep Running The Race Series

Contributed by David Welch on Apr 30, 2018

Message 11 from Philippians

"Keep Running the Race” Paul’s letter to the Philippians offers some key elements to “Maintaining the Joy of the Lord No Matter What”. I. ADOPT THE RIGHT AXIS -- SUPERIOR PERSPECTIVE The Exaltation of Christ in Everything Passion to Praise Jesus II. MAINTAIN THE RIGHT ATTITUDE -- SUPERIOR PATTERN ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:15-17, Hebrews 4:12-13, 1 Peter 2:11-12, Philippians 3:20-21

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The God Who Wipes Away Shame Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 7, 2025

The God we serve is not only powerful to forgive sin, heal sickness, and deliver from bondage; He is also the Restorer who transforms shame into testimonies. He specialises in turning the lowest moments of life into platforms for His glory.

THE GOD WHO WIPES AWAY SHAME By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 61:7 – “Instead of your shame you shall have double honour, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs.” Supporting Texts: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:7

Denomination: Assembly Of God