Sermons on Ruts Are Traps:

Overcoming Demonic Powers

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 7, 2004

Multitudes who start down the road of permissiveness are soon trapped in a lifestyle of enslaving addictions and shameless practices that rob them of self-respect, satisfaction, and hope. Essentially, Satan has them in his power, just as he had the maniac

Overcoming Demonic Powers (Mark 5:1-5:20) Jesus knew that some of the greatest battles are fought with demonic powers. The Bible promises us victory in advance if we appropriate Christ’s truth. "Greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world." (I John 4:4) When Jesus healed the demon ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dumb Dogs Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 14, 2013

Jesus is not impressed with the outward trappings of self-righteousness. He is impressed with a heart full of simple faith, which we find most often in the hearts of those we least expect. So like Jesus feed the "dogs" and touch the "dumb."

Dumb Dogs (Mark 7:24-37) I like this thought posted by Mike Atkinson in his daily email humor list some time ago. "If you can start the day without caffeine; if you can get going without pep pills; if you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains; if you can resist complaining and boring ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Where's Your Worth? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 2, 2013

Where do you find your "self-worth"? Is it in God, or in yourself? The Pharisees looked for their importance in themselves and ended up robbing God of His glory to gain their own. How can avoid the traps that ensnared these highly religious leaders?

OPEN: "Sometime, when you're feeling important Sometime, when your ego's in bloom Sometime when you take it for granted, You're the best qualified man in the room. Sometime when you feel that your going, would leave an unfillable hole, Just follow this simple instruction, and see how it humbles ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of A Renewed Mind Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 25, 2025

The mind is a battlefield where thoughts, decisions, and actions are birthed. A renewed mind is key to living a victorious Christian life. Without renewing our minds, we remain trapped in worldly patterns and unable to fully embrace God’s will.

Title: THE POWER OF A RENEWED MIND By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Supporting Texts: Ephesians 4:23-24; ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23-24, Philippians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Colossians 3:2, Proverbs 23:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Honour God By Doing Good

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 4, 2023

The Pharisees wanted to use the Sabbath to trap Jesus and accuse Him of wrongdoing. Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath to honour God and do good, which is the true purpose of the Sabbath. He obeys the will of God and does what is right despite the opposition.

Matt 12:9-21 Honour God By Doing Good Matt 12:9-21 ESV Parallel Passages: Mark 3:1-5 and Luke 6:6-11 9He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:9-21, Isaiah 42:1-4, Matthew 7:3-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lessons From A Pit Series

Contributed by Kevin Broyhill on Sep 26, 2024

In Psalm 40, David felt trapped and overwhelmed, and he saw no way out. This psalm is a reminder that no matter what kind of pit we find ourselves in, God is able to rescue us and give us a new song of joy!

Lessons from a Pit! Psalm 40 Introduction: Psalm 40 = David describes one of the most difficult times in his life – ordeal was so excruciatingly painful he compares it to a horrible pit (v.2)… a hole that he had fallen into and couldn’t get out… felt trapped and alone. “Horrible” = (lit) ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Divorce & How To Maintain Relationships

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 1, 2002

Jesus gives us insight into the heart of God, revealing how to save relationships that are faltering and how to avoid the trap of divorce. Learn how God truly envisioned marriage and learn about keeping commitments. Also learn how to avoid legalism.

A very recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau states that today in the United States, more people than ever are deciding against the idea of getting married. 4.3 million couples are instead living together without the commitment of a marriage vow. The most often cited reasons? Because failed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-12

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Hypocrisy Will Be Exposed

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

THE FALSE CLAIMS AND EMPTY TRAPPINGS OF HYPOCRISY WILL BE EXPOSED AND CONDEMNED FOR WHAT THEY ARE This was true for the fig tree that Jesus cursed This was true for the nation Israel who rejected their Messiah This is true in our lives when we fail to produce the normal fruit of a Christian li

THE FALSE CLAIMS AND EMPTY TRAPPINGS OF HYPOCRISY WILL BE EXPOSED AND CONDEMNED FOR WHAT THEY ARE This was true for the fig tree that Jesus cursed This was true for the nation Israel who rejected their Messiah This is true in our lives when we fail to produce the normal fruit of a Christian ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How's Your Karma?

Contributed by Stephen Becker on Nov 3, 2007

A look at Israel’s history of (sinfully) worshipping the pagan gods of those people around them, its implications, and how Israel kept doing it again and again. The sermon compares this with how our contemporary society falls into this same trap (karma,

HOW’S YOUR KARMA? An Exploration of the Danger of New Age Mysticism in American Society Based upon the teaching of Isaiah 1:10-18 Stephen H. Becker, M.Div. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church—Elk Grove, CA November 4, 2007—23rd Sunday After Pentecost A few months ago I did something that really upset my ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Watch, Pray, Stand Luke 21:36 Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Mar 15, 2014

Recognize the signs, rather than being caught in the Worldview of the day. Pray Always, rather than allowing addictions to dominate your consciousness. Stand before the Son of Man, rather than falling into the traps of the devil. Watch, Pray always, Stand

Luke 21:34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:34-38

Denomination: *other

God Is Able

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jul 20, 2011

Do you believe that your God is able to meet your needs and care for your life? Is your God trapped in a box that you attempt to keep Him in? Normal is what you do everyday- God is bigger than that!

God is able Ephesians chapter 3:14-20 Introduction- The title of the sermon this morning is God is able. I purposely did not finish that sentence. I want you to finish it this morning. God is able…to meet all my needs according to His riches in glory. God is able… to change ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-20

Denomination: Nazarene

The Circle Cycle

Contributed by Steve Ely on Oct 22, 2013

We continue to see the same spiritual scenery. We continue to fall into the same traps and trip over the same obstacles. We find ourselves rounded out. In a cycle of circling. Why? And more importantly how do we line out?

The Circle Cycle I had witnessed it then in the lives of countless young people as I crisscrossed the nation and now after 6 years of working with our incredible congregation that God has and continues to gather is that so many of us, even after sitting in powerful worship services, hearing ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 6:6-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

- Debate In The Temple Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 23, 2015

The Pharisees try to trap Jesus by questioning his authority, by asking about taxes paid to Caesar, the resurrection and which Law is greatest. Jesus rebuts all their attacks. But the battle isn't over. Satan continues his attacks on us today.

Sermon by Rev George Hemmings During my time at Ridley, one of the highlights was the debates. Sometimes there’d be big debates in class, as we tried to wrap our heads around big theological ideas. But the really great debates were the ones the student body organized. Two small teams of ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Do We Have A Ton Of Stuff And A Ounce Of Faith?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 1, 2017

Life can tend to become a trap of habits and thinking patterns that define us. We have opportunities before us. Leave your comfort zone and do more than you ever dreamed... Bend your back and get to work.

DO WE HAVE A TON OF STUFF WITH AN OUNCE OF FAITH? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Text: Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:30-34, Matthew 11:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Dangers Of Greed And Materialism

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 26, 2025

Greed and materialism are dangerous traps that can lead to spiritual decline, broken relationships, moral corruption, and eternal loss. True contentment comes from trusting in God, not wealth. We must guard our hearts and pursue righteousness over riches.

THE DANGERS OF GREED AND MATERIALISM By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Luke 12:15 – “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Supporting Texts: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, Matthew 6:19-21, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15

Denomination: Assembly Of God