Sermons on Team Tension:

"The Big Game"

Contributed by Ben Randall on Feb 4, 2007

A coach wants from his football team, what God wants from His church team. - With one exception. – We aren’t striving for a trophy that lasts for a year, but for the trophy that will last for eternity.

THE BIG-GAME! I. Today at 6PM EST, the Indianapolis Colts will meet the Chicago Bears on a field of battle in Miami, Florida. They will be contending for a trophy that tells the world that they hold the title of Super Bowl champions. – It is the “big day” for football fans. – We will watch teams ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Life Of Paul Part Iii Series

Contributed by Dan Carroll on Aug 26, 2016

After spending ten to thirteen years preparing Paul teamed up with Barnabas in Antioch where the church grew and opened to all people. Barnabas and Paul were sent out on the first outreach team.

INTRODUCTION • Paul was wild, crazy, zealous, lost, brilliant, passionate and super focused. • Last week we talked about how Paul was touched deeply inside and then how he was sent to the desert to be transformed and how he waited for his destiny to unfold, for thirteen ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Running The Race Series

Contributed by Steve Salmon on Oct 9, 2002

This sermon explores the tension between the accomplishments of the faithful and their character and discovers that Jesus fills the gap between righteousness and our character.

Running The Race Hebrews 12:1-12 SICC 9/22/02 CONFLICT INTRODUCTION The image of chapter 11 is a great one. The saints of old cheering us on so that we finish the race. If life is a race, it is a steeplechase not a track meet. Maybe even an extreme steeplechase. There are moving obstructions we ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It Takes Two Eyes To See God

Contributed by Daniel Lupton on Nov 2, 2009

There is beauty and harmony and power in the tension between Calvinism and Arminianism. Calvinism and Arminianism are like two eyes giving a fuller perspective.

That was from the award winning movie, SeaBiscuit. [We showed brief Seabiscuit excerpt before sermon] Our jockey could win many races with just one eye, but he couldn’t win the close one, the tough one. One eye still has vision, and because it sees what it sees, it feels like it sees everything. ...read more

Scripture: John 6:37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Already / Not Yet

Contributed by Andy Barnard on Dec 20, 2008

Understanding the tension of the Kingdom of God ‘already’ being here, while at the same time, ‘not yet’ being completely here.

1. Are we living in the last days? If we are, what does the Bible say about the last days? a. Is 2:2-4 2 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 2:2-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Question About Servanthood Series

Contributed by Alan Tison on Aug 5, 2006

Jessu continues asking questions of his disciples, this one deals with serving, the open illustration is a great tension building activity

This morning we are going to start our message off a little differently then normal. Since we are talking about servanthood, I thought it would be appropriate to wash one another¡¦s feet. In just a few moments men and women will be coming in with towels and basins, we will start from the outside ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Visit With Church Leaders Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jun 21, 2025

Acts 21:17-26 shows us how to handle tensions between cultural practices and the gospel’s advance.

Introduction I am currently preaching through the Book of Acts in a sermon series I am calling “Turning the World Upside Down.” Forty days after Jesus’ resurrection, he ascended into heaven. Just before he ascended into heaven, Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:17-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Put Me In Coach, I'm Ready To Play

Contributed by Jim Miller on May 19, 2003

This is a message designed to get your team off the bench (pew) and into the Game (ministry).

PUT ME IN COACH! 1 Samuel 17 Well, beat the drum and hold the phone - the sun came out today! We’re born again, there’s new grass on the field. A-roundin’ third, and headed for home, it’s a brown-eyed handsome man; Anyone can understand the way I feel. CHORUS: Oh, PUT ME IN, COACH - I’m ready to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:23-50

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let The Church 'move Up'

Contributed by Neal Gray on Feb 23, 2002

A CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE pastor preaches about the Apostle Paul’s "team" of helpers.

"A Wide Door for Effective Service: Let the Church ’Move Up’" Author: Dr. Neal Gray Passage: Colossians 4:7-18, KJV Purpose: Examine the Apostle Paul’s "team" of helpers. They give us hope that everyone can join in the ministry to proclaim and promote Jesus Christ--even you. INTRODUCTION This ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-18

Denomination: Holiness

The Hope And Struggle Of Being Christian

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE WITH SIN INVOLVING TENSION, CONFUSION AND CONTRADICTION BUT WITH THE SURE HOPE OF COMPLETE DELIVERANCE THROUGH CHRIST 1.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE WITH SIN INVOLVING TENSION, CONFUSION AND CONTRADICTION BUT WITH THE SURE HOPE OF COMPLETE DELIVERANCE THROUGH CHRIST 1. The Christian Life is a Constant Struggle Between Two Opposing Natures -- the old persisting sin nature and the new inner man a) Not ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Living In The Now But Not Yet Series

Contributed by Stephen Todd on Apr 1, 2004

How do we live with the tension that we have the promises of GOd yet they have not yet been completely fulfilled in us?

Philippians 3:12-16 Sunday, June 6, 2002 Tension - we don’t like to live with tension - we seek to resolve that which gives us tension. The problem is that sometimes our attempts to resolve the tension get us into more trouble. Now but not yet. Eschatology: there is a tension between what part ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Onward Christian Soldiers

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Sep 11, 2023

We are in a war between God & Satan; the God of peace & light versus the prince of darkness.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Ephesians 6:11-12; 17:6; Mark 16:16 INTRO. We sometimes sing the hymn that begins with these words: ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-12, Acts 16:11-15, Acts 17:6, Mark 16:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finding Your Focus

Contributed by David Dewitt on Aug 13, 2002

This is a leadership team devotional that I wrote reminding us to keep our focus on Christ

Finding Your Focus Matthew 14:22-36 March 5, 2002 Leadership Team Devotional Introduction I. Magnifying Glass II. The need for focus Focus can be our best friend or worst enemy, when we keep our focus on positive things it is a true friend, when we focus on the negative it becomes our worst ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-36

Denomination: Church Of God

Essentials For A Powerful Church

Contributed by David Dewitt on Jun 18, 2003

This was my June devotional for the Leadership team meeting that examines the powerful qualities of the Antioch church.

Essentials for A Powerful Church Acts 11:19-21 Leadership Board Meeting June 10, 2003 Introduction What does it mean to have a powerful church? What does a powerful church look like? Do we have a powerful church? AC 11:19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-21

Denomination: Church Of God

"The Wanderer" Series

Contributed by Joey Slayton on Dec 17, 2001

Collection of the All-Stars that God has chosen to be on his team of Faith (Hebrews 11).

God’s All Stars “The Wanderer” Abraham Hebrews 11:8-12 Appetizer 8 “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land that God ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-12

Denomination: Baptist