Sermons on Textual Criticism:

Seeing Jesus' Transfiguration Is Critical! Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 21, 2014

The Disciples seeing Jesus transfigured before their very eyes revealed not only the promise of the Law, the fact that EVERYTHING the Father puts into motion is fulfilled, but it shows us that Jesus really IS the Son of God!

Seeing Jesus Transfigured is Critical Mark 9:1-13 - Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant” -- Key verse: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - IMP: What God says to us here ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Corrosive Talk - Complaining And Criticizing Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 24, 2016

In this sermon, we explore what the Bible says about complaining and criticizing, and then look at how we can stop complaining and criticizing.

Introduction: A. Today, we are continuing in our series called: “Speak Life – Speaking Words that Heal, not Hurt.” 1. The Bible tells us that words have the power of life and death. 2. God’s desire is for all of us to learn how to control our tongues so that our words ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Mother's Faith For Critical Times

Contributed by Spencer Miller on Apr 16, 2013

In these critical times, violence everywhere, immorality everywhere, wars and rumors of wars, the faith of a good mother is a powerful weapon against the wiles of the devil.

Introduction: Motherhood is a ministry; the moment the Lord commanded us to be fruitful and multiply was the very moment that the ministry of motherhood began. In life, we generally come across various forms of relationships like father-son, husband-wife, love, friendship and others, but the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

Criticizing Leaders (Numbers 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 14, 2024

When is it appropriate to criticize church leaders, and when not? Let's look at Numbers 12.

What does God think about a critical attitude towards His leaders? Is it all too common in our churches? Let’s look at Numbers 12. Why did Miriam and Aaron denounce Moses? Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Staring Down Your Critics Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 19, 2024

Behold the glory of the Lord and be bold in your service for the Lord.

There is an old Peanuts cartoon, in which Linus has just written a comic strip of his own, and he wants Lucy's opinion. In the first frame, he tentatively hands Lucy his comic strip and says, “Lucy, would you read this and tell me if you think it is funny?” In the next frame, you see Lucy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18, 1 John 3:2-3, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Exodus 34:29-30

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Dead Dog Syndrome - A Man After God's Own Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 24, 2005

Shimei suffered from a spiritual illness that can plague even the most godly man or woman. He suffered from a "critical spirit." What can we do make sure we don’t fall prey to the same sickness in our lives?

OPEN: An older couple were on a trip across country and they stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch. As they got up to leave, the woman forgot and left her glasses on the table. They were several miles down the road before she realized she didn’t have them and to make matters worse, her husband ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:5-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Dead Dog Syndrome

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 17, 2002

Shimea suffered from a spiritual illness that plagues many Christians. How did it reveal itself and how can we be healed?s

THE DEAD DOG SYNDROME 9/98 ILLUSTRATION: There’s a story about a crazy old woman who was known to be crazy because she would walk down the streets talking to herself. One of her best known pastimes was talk to Jesus... and Jesus would talk back. One day a new preacher came to town and thought ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:5-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fire Of The Contentious

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 27, 2022

A contentious spirit is like fire which burns up all that is good, and puts families, friends and co-workers at odds. This spirit finds a small fire of strife, kindles it and keeps feeding the issues which cause distrust, hatred or malice.

Fire Of the Contentious The Negative Influences of a Person Who Seeks Strife The King James Bible tells us “As coals are to burning coals, and wood to a fire; So is a contentious man to kindle strife.” (Proverbs 26:21) “Contentious” (?????? ma?ôn) means to be argumentative, a person who is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 26:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dead Dog Syndrome Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Nov 10, 2022

The Dead Dog Syndrome (a critical spirit) can infect us or the people around us and is destructive in whatever direction it is focused.

[the title for this sermon comes from another contributor, but the content is my own] THE VERY RELATABLE LIFE OF KING DAVID DEAD DOG SYNDROME 2 SAMUEL 16:5-14, 19:15-23, PSALM 3:1-8 #kingdavid INTRODUCTION... A Little Quiz (p) I would like to begin this morning with a little quiz. I need you to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:5-14, 2 Samuel 19:15-23, Psalm 3:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Caught In The Act

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Jan 22, 2018

Examining this event from Jesus' life and ministry in John 8, we can learn to live as he lived and love as he loved ... no condemnation, no compromise, full of compassion.

We’re glad you’re here as we continue our Summer teaching series entitled: LIVE-LIKE-THAT. Through this series, we’re examining different events in the life and ministry of Jesus as well as his teachings from the Gospels to get a glimpse into what is looks like to begin living out our faith in ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do What You Can

Contributed by Don Brockus on Oct 6, 2007

It is my opinion that although the gospels of Matt., Mk., Lk., and John record some similar details regarding the alabaster jar, the critical reader will conclude that three separate anointing occur.

Do What You Can! (Mark 14:3-9) (Mark 14:1-9; Matthew 26:7-13; Luke 7:36-40; John 12:3-8, cf. [confer]) Introduction In our pericope (Pericope is an English word with Greek origins for: a passage from a written work) this morning, I have chosen Mark 14:3-9. It is my opinion that although the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Is There Direct Evidence That Proves The Historicity Of Jesus?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jun 9, 2024

You may not like the answer....

You may not like the answer, but it is - NO! There is no direct empirical evidence (i.e., primary or reliable secondary sources) or absolute proof that Jesus existed. Unfortunately, to the chagrin of atheists and agnostics, there is no audio or video evidence of any person alive today who was there ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Criticism Gets To The Top Lesson 26 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 28, 2017

Ten lessons about criticism

A. BE CAREFUL WHO AND WHAT YOU CRITICIZE: NUMBERS 12:1-16 1. Is this a family squabble? “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses” (12:1). They were Moses’ older sister and brother. 2. Were they influenced by public opinion? “When the people ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 12:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Don’t Be A Bumper Car Christian

Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 25, 2016

Life is a lot like “bumper cars.” Do you want to bump those who bump you? That may be a fun strategy for bumper cars, but it’s a terrible strategy for life. Jesus shows us a better way!

DON’T BE A BUMPER CAR CHRISTIAN Jn. 13:34-35 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: CHURCH BULLETIN 1. An English teacher was at church reading a poster on the wall (not our church) which ended with “Donations Excepted.” 2. She couldn’t resist and marked through the word ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Playing God PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 24, 2025

The sermon urges us to surrender judgment, embrace mercy, and let God transform our critical spirit into kindness and grace toward others.

Some of us carried a quiet critic into church today. He rode in the car with us, sat beside us during worship, and has opinions about everything from traffic to the tempo of the first song. He’s subtle—civil even—but he speaks in sighs, shrugs, and silent scores. We know his voice: the whisper that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-2

Topics: Criticism, Judgment