Sermons on Turning Away:

No Turning Back: Following Jesus In A World That Pulls You Away

Contributed by Antonio Manaytay on May 27, 2025

This sermon revisits the old hymn, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, which is a powerful testimony of faith in Jesus.

My dear brothers and sisters, We live in a world of constant pressure—to perform, to conform, and to compromise. Standing firm for our faith in this world can feel not just difficult—but dangerous. Some of you feel it in the workplace, in school, in your own homes. Some of you feel it online, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Pentecostal

Drift Away

Contributed by Ed Warfield on Mar 1, 2008

When you neglect your spiritual walk for even a short time you begin to drift away from God.

Drift Away – Hebrews 2:1; Revelation 2:2-5 Intro.: Dobie Gray wrote a song called “Drift Away” in 1973 – verse 1: Day after day I’m more confused So I look for the light in the pouring rain You know that’s a game that I hate to lose I’m feelin’ the strain, ain’t it a shame READ: Hebrews 2:1, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:2-5

Denomination: Charismatic

Run Away! Run Away! Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 14, 2003

Fleeing Sin is a necessity for the believer in Christ

You probably wondered what the “Detour” signs are doing in the church. You’re pretty use to them by now up here in North Portland and probably pretty sick of them as well. They are here to remind us of the struggle that each of us has in doing more than just surviving life. They help us remember ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-36, Genesis 39:1-56

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Away In A Manger Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Dec 4, 2006

What are the Biblical truths taught by this favorite Christmas carol?

Today, we are going to think on the Biblical message found in the .words of that wonderful Christmas carol, "Away In A Manger." A great deal of mystery has surrounded this familiar song of Christmas. One tradition has it that it was written by Martin Luther as a song to be sung to his children. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

Why Prayers Are Not Answered

Contributed by James Dina on Jun 18, 2021

I cried to God and He has heard me, and attended to the voice of my prayer; Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy away from me.

WHY PRAYERS ARE NOT ANSWERED "I cry unto you, and you do not hear me: I stand up, and you didn't regard me" (Job 30:20) I prayed and cried to "the God that answers prayer" but He does not answer; Maybe He didn't hear me. That's the question that goes on in the ...read more

Scripture: James 4:3, James 4:6, Jeremiah 29:11, Job 30:20, Luke 11:9, Luke 18:1, Luke 9:54, Mark 11:25-26, Matthew 6:8, Philippians 4:6, Proverbs 28:9, Psalm 18:6, Psalm 66:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

"What Will You Do In The Face Of Fear?"

Contributed by Mike Hays on Jan 26, 2003

Habakkuk decides that even though the judgment of God is coming upon his nation he will not turn away from placing his absolute trust in Almighty God.

“What Will You Do In The Face Of Fear?” Habakkuk 3:1-19 Corrie Ten Boom was born in 1892 into a loving, Christian family in the Netherlands. Corrie was living with her older sister and her father in Haarlem when Holland surrendered to the Nazis. She was 48, unmarried, and worked as a watchmaker in ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Come Back Tomorrow Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 25, 2009

The problem of hunger in our world is mostly a matter of people like the synagogue official who would turn away the blind and lame from the healing power of Jesus.

October 26, 2009 Caritas in Veritate There are many meanings to what St. Paul calls “living by the flesh,” and some tie in most wonderfully with today’s Gospel and the Pope’s latest encyclical. We have considered one over the past few weeks–the idea that human development is most importantly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: Catholic

A Trash Talking Devil And A Truth Talking Savior

Contributed by C. Darron Killingsworth on Feb 26, 2014

A trash talking devil throws lies in your path to try to convince you to turn away from God, but the Truth Talking Savior has the final say!

II Chronicles 32 9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying, 10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 32:9-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Romans, Part 17 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 18, 2011

We are no longer in charge to the bonds this world has on us. You can be freed, if you’d only turn away from the sin and flee to Christ.

Romans, Part 17 Romans 6:1-7 Introduction - Continuing on in Chapter 6, we encounter specific instructions for our lives - Paul begins to outline the way we should live; expounding on Rom 5:20-21 - It is in these principles … we (Gentiles) should pay very close attention too - Read Romans ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Promises In The Night

Contributed by Aaron Kilbourn on Jul 9, 2008

When life gets too hard, instead of turning away from God, we should be reaching out for God’s hand that is reaching out for you.

Psalm 138 reads, “I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You. I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name, For Your loving kindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. In the day when I cried out, You ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Entangled And Overcome

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Aug 16, 2010

Peter writes of the possibility of turning away from Christ and the consequences. Peter knew first hand the process which leads to denial and has much to teach us.

Entangled and Overcome 07/05/09 AM Text: 2 Peter 2:20-21 Introduction Peter writes of the possibility of turning away from the truth of Christ and the consequences. Peter had first hand knowledge of the process which can lead to denial; he experienced them the night of Christ’s betrayal. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:20-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Clinging To The Lord In Hope Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on May 12, 2022

Life becomes 'bitter' and we lose hope with we turn away from the Lord, but the Lord restores hope by drawing us back to Him.

CLINGING TO THE LORD IN HOPE Ruth 1:1-22 What is wrong?—Life becomes ‘bitter,’ and we lose hope when we turn away from the Lord. What is true?—The Lord restores hope by drawing us back to Him. What to do—We must cling to the Lord in hope. Why? Because… I Hope in the Lord Leads to Obedience ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Warning Signs Before Destruction Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 22, 2025

In both the Old and New Testaments, God warns His people of impending judgment, often giving them opportunities to turn away from sin and avoid disaster.

Throughout the Bible, warnings precede destruction, serving as a call to repentance and a chance for redemption. In both the Old and New Testaments, God warns His people of impending judgment, often giving them opportunities to turn away from sin and avoid disaster. These warnings demonstrate ...read more

From The Ashes - Confession Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of confession as a means of acknowledging and turning away from sin, thereby experiencing God's forgiveness and grace, and rising anew from past mistakes.

Admitting failure is difficult. Confessing and coming clean when we are at fault is not an easy task. I’m sure many of you here today have a similar story like the one I just shared. Honestly, we probably all have numerous stories that sound eerily similar. Thankfully, the stories end differently ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-13

Topics: Confession, Forgiveness, Grace And Mercy

Sermon Series: From The Ashes

Repentance - 3 Of 14 Series

Contributed by Russell Metcalfe on Jan 28, 2021

Repentance is more than turning away—it is turning to! Isaiah says: "Let them return to the Lord, for He will have mercy—and to our God for He will abundantly pardon!"

Lent 3—March 15, 1998 Turning From—Turning To Isaiah 55:1-9; Luke 13:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 The word for this week is "repentance". Last weekend there was a blizzard over the Midwest and storms in the south. We got four inches of rain here; but it was a near-disaster ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-9, Luke 13:1-9, Psalm 63:1-8, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Denomination: Nazarene