Sermons on tendency to wander:

Spiritual Schizophrenia Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jul 13, 2001

James calles it doublemindedness -- we call it playing both sides of the fence -- what will help our human tendency to live a "double life"?

July 15, 2001 7So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you hypocrites. 9Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7-12

Denomination: United Methodist

Love Overcomes

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jan 16, 2006

Christ’s love in us overcomes the world, the fleshly tendency for self-centeredness and the devil’s attempts to demean, demoralize and defeat us.

Interpersonal Do’s and Don’ts John 13:34-13:35 Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you. By this will all men know that you are my disciples because you have love for one another." (John 13:34,35) Illustration: Let us consider one another ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Appearances Can Be Deceiving Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 7, 2009

God doesn’t judge from ouward appearance... but too often we do. What can we do to avoid that tendency?

OPEN: How many of you have ever watched “American Idol”? (Nearly ½ the congregation raised their hands). Ok, how many of you have ever seen “Britain’s Got Talent.”? (A few hand went up) That’s understandable since “Britain’s Got Talent” is aired in Britain. It’s the English cousin of our “American ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fear Not

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 11, 2009

Sermon confronts the tendency to fear during a time of economic downturn. God’s words of comfort to Abraham in Gen. 15:1 are examined.

Fear Not Genesis 15:1 2-8-09 Gen 15:1 “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.’” Have you ever taken a bold step of faith; then suddenly thought, “What have I done?” That’s where Abraham ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1

Denomination: Charismatic

Calling God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 7, 2008

Uses a cell phone to illustrate the basics of effective prayer. Addresses the tendency of people to rely on repetition and ritual to get God’s attention.

OPEN: (a deep voiced man was positioned in a side room with microphone and monitor. This opening illustration goes on for a couple of pages but worked well to set up the rest of the sermon) "Our Father who art in heaven..." "YES?" (look up and around suspiciously then bow and say) "Our Father ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do You Think God Is With The Crowd Or With The Remnant?

Contributed by David Leach on Dec 28, 2013

Throughout the history of mankind the tendency of the vast majority of God’s people has always been to turn away from God.

Do you think God is with the crowd or with the remnant? Isa 1:9 Unless the LORD of hosts Had left to us a very small remnant, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been made like Gomorrah. Throughout the history of mankind the tendency of the vast majority of God’s people has always ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Judge Not Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jul 11, 2022

This sermon focuses on the human tendency to judge others and the forms of judgement that have no place within God's Kingdom or his people.

If you want to follow along, we are going to be looking at Matthew 7:1. We will be looking at only five verses today. While you are looking that up, I was looking on the internet this past week for illustrations to open my sermon, and I came across one that I thought was very good. Not only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5, Galatians 6:1-2

Denomination: Christian Church

Making A Name For Ourselves Fails The Test Of Joy

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 17, 2025

We have a tendency to believe our own publicity, and feel best about ourselves when we own the deeds to lots of stuff.

Friday of the Sixth Week in Course 2025 “Let’s make a name for ourselves” hints that the first reading, from Genesis, is really talking about the results of human pride. Migrating people from the far reaches of Asia are imagined coming together in the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9, Mark 9:1

Denomination: Catholic

Loving The Light PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 2, 2024

This sermon explores God's immense love, our tendency towards darkness, and the call to live in the light of truth, urging self-reflection and transformation.

Good morning, beloved family of God. How wonderful it is to gather together in this sacred space, united by our shared faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ. As we open our hearts and minds to the Word of God today, let us remember that each time we come together in His name, we are fulfilling ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Topics: Jesus' Response, Nicodemus

The Call Of Matthew

Contributed by Michael Worker on Jun 22, 2007

Illustration of Accepting Jesus when he calls as a parallel to young people accepting Jesus when they grow up in the church and not needing to wander off into the world.

Matthew. The Disciple. The man who wrote the gospel of Matthew. Matthew followed Jesus the very first time that he was called. Today we have two ladies, Sandy & Grace, who have grown up as a part of this congregation who are making their choice today to follow Jesus. They too are following ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:14

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Beauty And The Beast

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Jan 20, 2003

This sermon deals with our tendency to sin and Jesus’ ability to free us from Sin and its control. It is patterned after a writing by Max Lucado

Beauty and the Beast Rom 7:15, Mat 27:26-31, Mat 25:40, Psa 51:5, Isa 53:6, Jer 17:9, Rom 3:10, 23, Heb 12:14 Pro 10:16, Isa 50:6, Gal 3:13, January 15, 2003 I. I am sure that most you know the story of the beauty and the beast. I know that since my kids got the animated video that I know ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:15, Matthew 27:26-31

Denomination: Baptist

Will You Sell Your Birthright?

Contributed by Deborah Prihoda on Oct 17, 2006

We have been entrusted with a great treasure in our lives and we must guard against our tendency to take the Holy Spirit for granted.

Will You Sell Your Birthright? Text: Genesis 25:24-34 INTRODUCTION ILLUSTRATION: TV Program - Antique Roadshow Stand in line Heirlooms = junk Junk = heirlooms TRANSITION: We have a treasure hidden in our lives that we take for granted and if we aren’t careful, we allow the enemy an inroad to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:24-34

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Thunder Boys Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on May 5, 2013

A beautiful summers day can turn violent when a sudden thunderstorm erupts. James and John had a tendency to erupt like a sudden storm.

Last week we looked at Peter and discussed how he seemed to be the best friend of Jesus. Jesus pinned all of his hopes and dreams on Peter. However, there were two others who were within an inner-circle with Peter. These three were allowed to be a part of teachings and miracles that the others were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:54

Denomination: Foursquare

The Eye Of Green

Contributed by Matt Stacy on Sep 30, 2019

The congregation will be challenged to address envious tendency in their own lives and focus on being content and thankful for what God has provided, trusting in His provision.

Introduction: Have you ever heard it said that someone was “green with envy?” Where does that come from? Shakespeare. Angry Red. The original Word means Corruption. That person is soul-sick. Envy is a poison. We should avoid envy like the plague. It has no place. Point 1: The Warnings 1. There ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:22, Galatians 5:20-23

Denomination: Salvation Army

A Hopeless Situation Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 9, 2021

Thanksgiving is a necessity in the life of a believer, for without it there is a tendency to dwell on the dark side of life. It is real, but it is not eternal. It is not an adequate foundation on which to build a life of faith.

The early settlers of the New England Colonies knew what it was to suffer and to endure great difficulties. They had frequent days of fasting and prayer on which they would bring their distresses before God. Constant dwelling on the sorrows of life led them to be gloomy and discontented. Some ...read more