Sermons on Turning Away From God:

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Turn Our Focus Away From Pain And Toward Positive Thoughts

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

How to turn your sorrow into joy with the Spirit’s empowerment, enabling and enrichment.

Illustration: Dr. Henry Pope tells a story of one his students who learned how to change her perspective. It seems that one young girl while attending college spotted a young man who seemed very handsome and someone she would like to get to know. One day she was sitting in the library and spotted ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:10-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Seems Far Away

Contributed by Marty Hopkins on Sep 26, 2005

A message for those who have serious questions for God as to why things happen the way they do.

“When God Seems Far Away” (Habakkuk chapter 1) I have a message this morning that I think every person here can identify with. And as I prepared this message, I really wrestled with what to say and how to say because I don’t want anything to be taken wrong or misunderstood. I just want you to ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

But If From There PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

God wants to be found and is always close to us, and we must continually seek a deeper relationship with Him through wholehearted pursuit.

Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, it's truly wonderful to see all of your smiling faces today as we gather to worship and seek the Lord together. Have you ever felt like God is distant or hard to find? Well, I have some incredible news for you today: God wants to be found and He is closer ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:29

Topics: God's Presence

God's Word Never Passes Away

Contributed by Christopher Martin on Nov 7, 2006

A sermon for the 2nd last Sunday of the Church Year-B preached 11/16/2003 @ Forest City LCMS Mission, Forest City, Iowa

2nd Last Sunday of the Church Year, Series B. Mark 13:24-31 “God’s Word Never Passes Away” Forest City Mission 1st Service, Nov. 16, 2003. A little over a month ago when I was talking with a friend of mine from college that’s also studying to be a pastor, I was telling him about the plans we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Four Words That Could Change Your Christmas: Rebel Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Dec 4, 2011

Your Christmas can be counter-cultural; not by turning away from something but by turning to someone.

ADVENT CONSPIRACY* FOUR WORDS THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR CHRISTMAS: REBEL Matthew 2:1-15 Big Idea: Your Christmas can be counter-cultural; not by turning away from something but by turning to someone. Supporting Scripture: Isaiah 55:2, Mark 12:29-31; Acts 4:12; Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15 SERMON ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-15

Denomination: Nazarene

The God Who Rolls Away Reproach Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 26, 2025

No matter how long you’ve carried shame, God has the power to roll it away permanently.

THE GOD WHO ROLLS AWAY REPROACH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Joshua 5:8-9 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 54:4, Psalm 34:5, 1 Samuel 1:6-7, Luke 1:25, Zephaniah 3:19 INTRODUCTION: Reproach refers to shame, disgrace, mockery, or dishonour placed upon a person because of prolonged affliction, ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:8-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

From A Bad Start To A Fresh Start

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jul 13, 2012

God provides a way out and a way back but it is not without a price. God requires that we confess our sins and then go further - to repent of our sins to turn away from them and not return to them then we have demonstrated true repentance.

From A Bad Start to a Fresh Start Genesis Chapters 4 to 9 Scripture Reading - 2 Peter Chapter 3 Have you ever tried to make something wonderful and it turned out all wrong? Maybe it was a special cake for a special occasion that went flat when someone slammed a door and the cake deflated. ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When God Leaves The Table Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 9, 2019

When God hides His face from a society, that society becomes more and more degraded.

When God Leaves the Table (Romans 1:24-32) 1. Scientists at NASA have developed a gun built specifically to launch dead chickens at the windshields of airliners, military jets and the space shuttle, all traveling at maximum velocity. The idea is to simulate the frequent incidents of collisions ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:24-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rot From The Top Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Apr 8, 2010

The American dream is turning into a nightmare

The American Dream is Looking More Like a Nightmare Rot From the Top, Part 2 January 17, 2010 A Over the last 2 years, we have seen the interesting links between biblical prophecy & events happening in our world today. 1 One of the amazing predictions is the formation & order of empires that will ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Better Way Is Aways God's Way!

Contributed by Tony Abram on Sep 1, 2009

BETTER WAY IS AWAYS GOD’S WAY! In this sermon outline we point out how that the sufferings of the cross paid for a better way for us. Jesus had joy in providing a better way. He is the Way, Truth and the Life!

BETTER WAY IS AWAYS GOD’S WAY! In this sermon outline we point out how that the sufferings of the cross paid for a better way for us. Jesus had joy in providing a better way. He is the Way, Truth and the Life! Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so ...read more

Stay Away From Worldliness : King Ahaz Life

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jan 18, 2013

I. EXORDIUM: Are you worldly? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show worldliness will not benefit you. IV. TEXT: 2 Kings 16:2-4 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) Ahaz was twenty years old when he became kin

I. EXORDIUM: Are you worldly? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show worldliness will not benefit you. IV. TEXT: 2 Kings 16:2-4 (New Living Translation, Second Edition) Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. He did not do ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 16:2-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Shouldn't We Stay Away From Them?

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 25, 2000

Trying to avoid contact with those who don't share our faith in Christ is a mistake that Christians have often made throughout the centuries

(Jim and Sue are sitting in the living room after dinner. Jim is reading the paper; Sue is knitting -- or something.) JIM: (Starts to put down the paper.) Well, Sue, I'd better go to bed. I want to get to the office early tomorrow morning. SUE: Oh, Jim, I'm so glad you like your new job. Isn't it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Shackles Have Been Taken Away

Contributed by Ron Johnson on Aug 12, 2006

Many people have been shackeled by their own sins, wrongdoings, and misdeeds.

Many people are shackled by sin. We’ve done things we shouldn’t have done. We’ve wronged people and never made things right. We even see sin in others, but can’t see our own sin. Some people are conniving, manipulating, and blinded by their own faults. There’s a soap opera that reveals a lot ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-3

Denomination: Methodist

The Things Death Cannot Take Away From Us

Contributed by Brett Crosson on Feb 17, 2020

Death is a difficult time. But we have the Lord on our side.

John 11:35 Everyone here today will suffer some form of loss. A job...a relationship...and even a loved one through death. Along with every loss comes PAIN This pain must never be denied or suppressed In the midsts of pain, we must remember the many advantages of being a Christian. But ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Be Wise: Don't Run Away Series

Contributed by Brad Rigney on Dec 17, 2005

This sermon looks at how Jonah was wise in following God but then was unwise by running away from God. It is part of a series on Living Wise.

Be Wise: Don’t Run Away Jonah 1 Intro.: A. WE started this year with the Challenge: Living Wise in 2005. Eph. 5:15- calls us to live not as unwise but as the wise. Vs’ 16-21 go on to give us some parameters for Living Wisely: 1. Redeem your Time 2. God’s Will 3. Spirit – Filled 4. Edify ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Adventist