Sermons on Taking Offense:

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 12, 2025

Jesus wasn’t offering comfort or bling, but blood — a cross that kills self and births love, the heartbeat of true discipleship.

Prologue — The Little Athens of Palestine They had followed Him north — away from the dust and clamor of Galilee, away from the familiar crowds pressing for healing — into a region strange and foreign. The road climbed toward the foothills of Mount Hermon, where the air cooled and new sounds ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-34, Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 9:23-26, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:7-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

When Gratitude Takes Over

Contributed by Brian Williams on Oct 20, 2025

How is it possible in an over-stressed, over-busy, and over-distracted society, to be overtaken with gratitude? How does that change our outlook on life?

We live in an over-stressed, over-busy, and over-distracted society, which have overtaken our daily lives, as a result we often forget what truly matters. There are some things we want to forget — the painful, the awkward, the disappointing — but there are also things we want to remember: the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Take Off The Choker Hold

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Nov 23, 2023

I've learned that my words that come out of my mouth.. Control what comes into existence in my life..Have you?

Proverbs 18:24 NKJ. 24. A man who has friends must himself be friendly, ?But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.? You see, there are a lot of people in this world who say they want friends...but not everybody wants to be a friend...that’s what you find on facebook, twitter and the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:24, Psalm 139:7-10, Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Taking Christ Out Of Christmas

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 2, 2023

If Christmas has become a "cultural" holiday, This message looks at what happens when we try and take out all of the religious elements.

Have you noticed that every year, people seem more intent on secularizing Christmas? They wish you a “Happy Holiday” or “Seasons Greetings” and then have presentations at school that make no mention of the Manger or the Wise Men, let alone the Christ Child. Now, I may be a little overly sensitive, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Taking The Right Road To Peace.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Dec 16, 2022

“If I must choose between righteousness and peace, I choose righteousness.” The good news is that you don’t have to choose, because righteousness and peace always travel together! Righteousness produces peace.

Taking The Right Road To Peace. Isaiah 32:17–18 Theodore Roosevelt said, “If I must choose between righteousness and peace, I choose righteousness.” The good news is that you don’t have to choose, because righteousness and peace always travel together! Righteousness produces peace. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 32:17-18, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Cross We Take Up Series

Contributed by Mike Lewis on Dec 27, 2022

These men had taken up their cross to follow Jesus. And that is the title of our sermon this morning. The Cross We Take Up.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION THROUGH THE GATES OF SPLENDOR It was the summer of 1950 when Jim Elliot learned of the Auca Indians and many of the Quichua tribes living throughout the jungles of Ecuador. He was asked to consider a calling to preach the Gospel to these people. After learning their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-25, Romans 12:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are We Taking God Seriously?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 6, 2025

How many Christians do not treat their faith in a serious manner or take it for granted? Many get up and go to work or school, but they did not find time to talk to God?

How many Christians do not treat their faith in a serious manner or take it for granted? Many get up and go to work or school, but they did not find time to talk to God? Undoubtedly, many Christians have some type of insurance (life, home, auto, medical, dental, etc.), but they see their spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Job 28:28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Take An Easter Walk With Jesus

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Apr 24, 2023

What are some world-famous walks or hikes? The first one that probably comes to mind is the one that is in our neighborhood: a hike into the Grand Canyon.

What are some world-famous walks or hikes? The first one that probably comes to mind is the one that is in our neighborhood: a hike into the Grand Canyon. Another famous walk is the Inca Trail in Peru to the ruins of Machu Picchu. Still another walk on many people’s bucket list is the trek to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Taking Action Through Faith SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 12, 2023

Trust is Faith in ACTION!!! It is the manifestation of our faith in our thoughts and actions. It is far easier to have faith in God; there are unbelievers who have this. It is a lot harder to exercise trust in Him...

Today, we will explore the topic of trust and how it relates to our faith in God. Trust is not the same as faith; it is the active expression of our faith through our thoughts and actions. While it may be easier to have faith in God, it is much harder to exercise trust in Him. Trust requires us to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Topics: Faith, Trust In God

Take Up Your Cross Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of metaphorically taking up our cross as Jesus did, understanding that it signifies enduring difficulties in life, and seeking strength from God to persevere.

Good morning church, it’s great to see you all again as we continue in our series ALL-IN. Last week we kicked things off talking about the first of Jesus’ 3 commandments in our main passage from Matthew 16:24. To “deny yourselves” is the first command. And today, we’re going to take it one step ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, John 16:33

Topics: Cross Bearing, Perseverance, Self-Denial

Sermon Series: All In

Take Up Your Cross Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Jesus calls us to take up our cross, which means embracing the pain, loneliness, and partnership that comes with following Him. The journey may be difficult, but the reward is worth it.

Today, we're gonna talk about something taking up our crosses, and I've got a cool object lesson to help us understand it better. But first, let's dive into the message. You know, life can be pretty hard sometimes, right? Jesus actually told us that we'd face some tough times. Check out what He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, John 16:33

Topics: Discipleship, Spiritual Sacrifice, Divine Love, Redemption

No One Will Take My Place

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 28, 2025

God has a divine assignment for each of us, and He expects us to fulfil it. However, when people fail in their calling, God can replace them with someone else.

NO ONE WILL TAKE MY PLACE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 16:1 "And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1, Revelation 3:11, Matthew 25:28, Acts 1:20, Esther 4:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Following God Takes Courage…

Contributed by Gina Krause on Jan 12, 2026

A few months ago, I preached from 1 Samuel about the prophet, Samuel and then the first king in Israel, Saul. And Saul, he started off as a good King, full of the Holy Spirit and humble…but by chapter 15, he drifted far from God.

I Samuel 16:1-11 Following God takes courage… . A few months ago, I preached from 1 Samuel about the prophet, Samuel and then the first king in Israel, Saul. And Saul, he started off as a good King, full of the Holy Spirit, HUMBLE…but by ch 13, he drifted far away from God. In ch ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-11

Why I Take The Mark

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Feb 22, 2026

Ash Wednesday

“Why I Take the Mark” Genesis 3:19 • Today we gather at the beginning of Lent, a season of repentance, reflection, and renewal. • And on this day, Christians around the world willingly receive a mark on their foreheads — a smudge of ashes in the shape of a cross. • Christians will walk around ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:19

Denomination: Methodist

Take Up Your Cross Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Feb 25, 2026

In a world that tells us to put ourselves first, Jesus calls us to something deeper — a life of surrender, courage, and true freedom. What does it really mean to take up your cross today? Let’s explore that together

Introduction: Following Gets Real Up until this point in Mark’s Gospel, following Jesus has felt exciting. Crowds. Miracles. Teaching that stirs hearts. People are curious. Hopeful. Drawn in. But right here (Chapter 8) — everything changes. This is the moment where Jesus stops talking ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38