Sermons on Tensions:

Authority Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 23, 2011

Who has authority for faith and practise? The state? The Word? The message explores the continuing tension between government and church.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Throughout their long history as a people of faith, Baptists have consistently opposed any diminution of the rights of the individual to seek ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Whole World PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 2, 2024

This sermon explores human nature, divine providence, and the tension between them in the context of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Good morning, dear family in Christ. It is a blessing to be gathered here once more in the house of the Lord, united by our shared love for Christ and our desire to draw nearer to Him. Today, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of a remarkable passage of scripture. We turn our hearts and ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Topics: World, Him

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

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

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 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

The Dangers Of Unresolved Family Issues Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 8, 2025

The story of Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom reveals how hidden sins and parental inaction can sow the seeds of long-term destruction.

THE DANGERS OF UNRESOLVED FAMILY ISSUES By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Samuel 13-14 Supporting Texts: Ephesians 6:4, Genesis 37:3-4, Colossians 3:21, Hebrews 12:15, Matthew 5:23-24 INTRODUCTION: The house of David, though anointed and chosen, experienced a deep and painful family crisis ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Strife Among Brethren Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 29, 2025

Strife among brethren causes more destruction than external enemies and weakens the testimony of God’s people.

STRIFE AMONG BRETHREN3 By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Judges 12 Judges 12:4–6 – “Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

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

Informed Prayer

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 2, 2009

Sermon explores the "intolerable tension" between what is and what ought to be as motivation for prayer. How the word informs our prayers is also addressed.

Informed Prayer Daniel 9:1-19 9-20-09 Intro Jer 29:1-14 “Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive -- to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 9:1-19

Denomination: Charismatic

Mental Health In The Psalms: 30 Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jun 1, 2024

You and I need to seek the Lord in the middle of the night when dark thoughts and stress and tension are overwhelming because He is the only source of joy.

MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PSALMS: 30 PSALM 30:1-12 #mentalhealth [Gather kids up front first] INTRODUCTION 1… VeggieTales: God is Bigger than the Boogeyman… youtube.com/ watch?v=LK72_--ZsM4 CHILDREN’S SERMON INTRODUCTION 2 We are continuing today a series of three sermons (this is 2 of 3) where we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Conquest: A House Of Cards? Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 1, 2021

The three "onlys" in Joshua 1 provide the tension that drives the plot of the book. Will Joshua be brave? Will the people obey? And will Yahweh be with Joshua, as He was with Moses?

Let's start this morning, simply by rereading from the beginning of Joshua through verse 9: (1) And then, after the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, Yahweh said to Joshua son of Nun, the one serving Moses, saying, "Moses my servant has died, and so then, Rise!, Cross! over this ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:10-18

Trust Your Storm-Stilling Savior

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jun 24, 2024

“Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there.” Whoever composed that word picture understood the ongoing tension that believers face between fear and faith.

“Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there.” Whoever composed that word picture understood the ongoing tension that believers face between fear and faith. Fear knocks on the door of our hearts every day, doesn’t it? And it is true that when faith answers, fear cannot stick ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Lutheran