Sermons on Ruts Are Traps:

Escaping The Rat Race

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 6, 2003

Message given to a college group about escaping the trap of materialism.

Escaping the Rat Race Luke 12:13-34 Thursday, November 6, 2003 Introduction You just heard that I’m a pastor here in town, and in the interest of helping you find a decent church, I want to offer you 10 signs that the church you’re looking at is a bad one: 10. The church bus has gun racks. 9 . ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-34

Denomination: Wesleyan

You Can't Take It With You

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Dec 10, 2005

Materialism is a terrible trap to get caught in. Avoid it!

INTRODUCTION • We are closing in on Christmas, are your credit cards smoking from all the use they are getting?  • Do you ever look around your with amazement at all the stuff we have? • It is funny to see all the television ads trying to get us to see that we need something else to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Walls Will Fall

Contributed by Charles Cockroft on Jul 8, 2013

Walls keep people out and can trap people in.

The Walls Will Fall Hebrews 11:30 Jericho lay before the children of Israel. God had promised the children of Israel a land that flowed with milk and honey, but between them and *God's promise and *God's plan and *God's provision was Jericho. Jericho was strong and powerful, with walls all around ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Road May For Change

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 4, 2005

It is easy to fall into a rut, but the Christian life never needs to be boring. In fact, change is always a part of a life lived in a dynamic relationship with God

Romans 6:3-11 “A Road Map for Change” INTRODUCTION Road maps are at times difficult to read. They become almost incomprehensible if we don’t know where we started, where we are, and where we want to go. When we start to talk about a road map for change, we need to first talk about these ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:3-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Point Them To Jesus

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 22, 2020

Churches easily get struck in a rut and decline. John the Baptist serves as a model for vital ministry: focus on Jesus above all else.

Last week we started looking at the ministry of John the Baptist. He was a prophet. He cared for the spiritual health of his nation with all of his heart. He saw clearly what needed to be done and he spoke out what people needed to hear, boldly, without any sugar coating. His boldness was what ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-18

Offence: The Bait Of Satan

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 26, 2025

Offence is one of Satan’s most dangerous and subtle traps. It can cripple a person spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. But God gives us the grace to overcome offence through the power of love, humility, and forgiveness.

OFFENCE: THE BAIT OF SATAN By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Luke 17:1 Supporting Texts: Proverbs 18:19, Matthew 24:10, 2 Timothy 2:24–26, Hebrews 12:14–15, 2 Corinthians 2:10–11 INTRODUCTION: Jesus made it clear in Luke 17:1 that “it is impossible but that offences will come.” This truth ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Danger Of Unfinished Rebellions Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 7, 2025

Every leader must remain spiritually alert—because the end of one battle does not mean the end of all warfare. After victory comes the responsibility of vigilance.

THE DANGER OF UNFINISHED REBELLIONS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Samuel 20:1-26 Supporting Texts: Ecclesiastes 8:11, Proverbs 29:1, Matthew 12:43-45, Romans 16:17-18, Hebrews 12:15 INTRODUCTION: In the aftermath of Absalom’s failed rebellion and David’s restoration, a new problem ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 20:1-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

You Better Beware Satan Is Trying To Destroy And Kill You

Contributed by Levi Wright on Feb 27, 2007

Sermon on how Satan sets traps to destroy and kill the children of God.

Banner of Praise Ministries Rev. Dr. Levi Howard Wright, Pastor & Founder “You Better Beware.... Satan Is Trying To Destroy And Kill You” Peter 5:8-11(Contemporary English Version) 8 Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Messiah Who Gives Caution Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jul 29, 2009

We need to heed Jesus’ cautions and steer clear of the traps of life.

A Messiah Who Gives Caution Text: Matt. 6:19-24 Introduction 1. Illustration: Several years ago at a Promise Keepers conference, Dennis Rainey placed animal traps on stage. They were big ones too. Bear traps and even an African safari large animal trap that took two men to open. There were a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Methodist

Would Jesus Celebrate Christmas Series

Contributed by Andy Barnard on Dec 20, 2008

Celebrate Christmas like Jesus would. viz. without the religious trappings.

Would Jesus celebrate Christmas? Christmas is possibly the most religious time of year. It is a time when people who don’t usually think much of Jesus, find themselves humming Carols and they even go to church. Christmas is classified as a religious holiday. holiday noun 1 an extended period of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:16-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Self Pity: An Enemy Of Joyous Living

Contributed by Keith Crouch on Aug 30, 2005

A message to encourage us not to become trapped in a life described by self pity.

Self Pity: An Enemy of Joyous Living Luke 15:25-32 I. We See the Curse of Self Pity (v. 28-30) A. Self Pity destroys our happiness. “..but he became angry and would not go in….” v. 28 • The older brother was angry and would not go in. B. Self pity will destroy our usefulness for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Little Fox Of Sinful Speech

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on May 14, 2012

The little fox of sinful speech traps many believers and ruins their witness.

Song of Solomon 2:15 KJV Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. Ephesians 4:29 KJV Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 2:15

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Vital Link Of Prayer And Praise Series

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Mar 1, 2010

Life is hard. Sometimes we are dealt a difficult hand. But earnest prayer leading to real praise will lift us out of life’s ruts.

Sermon Notes The Vital Link of Prayer & Praise Philippians 4:4-9 (Based in part on "The Answer to Your Problems" by Jay McPhearson) Introduction: Ever face a problem you thought would top them all? In Budapest, a Jewish man went to his rabbi and complained, "Life is unbearable for my family & ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Living Dead Series

Contributed by Daniel Sorensen on Nov 6, 2006

Jesus calls us out of our ruts and wakes us from behind the wheels of our dead lives to a new life just as he called Lazarus from the tomb.

Every day we are confronted with instances that make us question our life. For some it is being confronted by the boss, for others it is dealing with family. It can be not doing well in school or friendship which have taken a sour tone. When things go bad in our life we very often turn ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-44

Denomination: Lutheran

The Woman Caught In Adultery

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Apr 15, 2013

Taking a look at the dynamics involved in Jesus' encounter with the religious leaders and with the woman caught in adultery. The religious leaders set the trap, Jesus turned it back on them and in the end the woman was released from her trap.

The woman caught in adultery John 8:1-11 1) Setting the trap (Vs. 1-6a). Unlike today, the sin of adultery was a serious crime in biblical day-punishable by death. We don’t know how she was caught in the act. Perhaps it was a set-up. And the Pharisees could’ve brought her to Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11, Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ