Sermons on Turning Away:

Please Don't Chase The Dove Away

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Aug 28, 2023

This phrase refers to the Holy Spirit, often symbolized as a dove, and the warning it carries against actions that grieve the Holy Spirit and lead to division within the church. Our unity is a powerful force that can bring about significant change in the church and in the world.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (James 2:1) "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons." (Proverbs 16:18) "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 16:16-19, Ephesians 4:30, Isaiah 63:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sorrow Turned To Joy - Jesus Valedictorian Speech

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Apr 21, 2024

In John 16, Jesus explains to the disciples that they will face sorrow, especially as he will be leaving them. But he encourages them that in the future, this sorrow will be turned to Joy when they see him again.

Good Morning. As we begin, I want to refresh you on a term you probably haven’t heard in quite a long time, the Valedictorian Speech. If you remember it, it’s a talk where someone stood in front of you, as you prepared to graduate from something, and gave you the final words you would hear before ...read more

Scripture: John 16:16-22

Denomination: Anglican

Turning Your Cave Into A Cathedral! (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Thomas Fortini on Feb 22, 2021

No matter what you are going thru, you can turn your cave of fear, distress, or depression, into a cathedral of prayer and praise!

We are turning again to the book of Psalms for our encouragement and instruction today. Why? 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-6

Finding God In Narnia: In A Land Far-Far Away Series

Contributed by Marty Boller on Nov 3, 2005

#2 of 8 Narnia teachings. Geared to help you draw out and apply the powerful scriptural truths found in C.S. Lewis’ classic: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

This sermon uses a “tour guide” to take your listeners through the Land of Narnia. My wife, Sandy, dressed as a typical tour guide with a winter coat & hat. I began the teaching with a review of the 3 major points shared in our first week’s teachings…only to be ‘interrupted’ by the Narnia tour ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wrong Turns, Wrong Roads, And Dead Ends

Contributed by T. Michael Crews on Dec 2, 2006

An Exposition of 1 Sam. 28:3-25

Wrong Turns, Wrong Roads, and Dead Ends 1 Sam. 28:3-25 A man and his wife had just moved to town, and he was coming home from his first day at work. As he’s driving down the highway, his cell phone rings, and it’s his wife. “George, I just had to call you and tell you to be careful. I just heard ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 28:3-35

Denomination: Baptist

People Who Turn The World Upside Down Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 21, 2025

Acts 17:1-15 teaches us what characterizes people who turn the world upside down.

Introduction Years ago, I saw an advertisement for the “perfect” pastor. Here is what it said: • The perfect pastor preaches exactly 10 minutes. • He condemns sin roundly but never hurts anyone's feelings. • He works from 8 AM until midnight and is also the church janitor. • ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"I Ran Away But I Couldn't Stay" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 26, 2003

That fish gets all the attention, but this book contains a message about the character of God. In these few pages we find a story that reveals to us the power and compassion of God...and along the way, like Jonah, we learn that obedience isn’t optional.

Jonah—A Sermon Series by Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Outline of Jonah: Ch 1, The Prodigal Prophet Ch 2, The Praying Prophet Ch 3, The Preaching Prophet Ch 4, The Pouting Prophet Message #1, “I ran away but I couldn’t stay” -chapter 1:1-3 ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-3

Denomination: Congregational

Who Will Roll Away The Stone? (Easter Sunrise 2015)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 6, 2022

We seem to need the evidence of the stone being rolled away before we will believe. Is our fear creating distance between who we are and who God wants us to be?

WHO WILL ROLL AWAY THE STONE? Text: Mark 16:1- 20 Did you notice who saw Jesus first? Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome were wondering who would roll the stone away. That stone can be thought of as a metaphor---a barrier between belief and unbelief. As ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Where Do We Turn In Troubled Times? Series

Contributed by E. True Neilson on Dec 15, 2014

At first glance the book of Numbers reads a bit like an operations manual. It’s got numbers of soldiers, lists of names, and a bit of repetition. Tucked between those lists and numbers are some stories of real people, dealing with real issues of faith!

WHERE DO WE TURN IN TROUBLED TIMES? Numbers 22 ***This message tagteam preached with Doug (layperson in our church) -In 2006 there were two movies made about the Battle of Iwo Jima. WW2 -Both movies were directed by Clint Eastwood. -The first movie was called Flags of Our Fathers and was released ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Nonviolence

Contributed by Daniel Keeran on Mar 27, 2018

This is a review of nonviolence in early Christian thought through the fourth century.

If nonviolence is indeed the teaching of Jesus in the New Testament, we would expect to find it in the earliest writings of Christians including and after the apostles and prophets of the Lord. What do we find? First Century There is no example or teaching in the New Testament that Christians can ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"I Hope He Didn't Mean It"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Feb 16, 2017

A sermon about being Jesus' radical church.

“I Was Hoping Jesus Didn’t Mean It” Matthew 5:38-48 A pastor tells the story of stumbling into his kitchen after a long day of work. He put down his groceries and pressed the voice-mail button. It was one of his church members: “Pastor, I’m doing the Scripture ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: United Methodist

Five Ways To Keep Mom From Running Away

Contributed by John Gaston on May 12, 2023

We should be a blessing to our Mothers by loving them unconditionally, verbalizing our love, giving them gifts, giving them the day off, and praying for them. This message contains many humorous anecdotes.

FIVE WAYS TO KEEP MOM FROM RUNNING AWAY 2 Tim. 1:5 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: “$150 a Week to Talk about Mom” 1. Three Moms were bragging about their grown sons. The first one told of the extravagant birthday parties her son threw for her. “Why he even hired a band for my last birthday.” 2. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Turning Your World Upside Down For Christ Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Jun 9, 2005

A study on our role in evangelism.

The mission of the church begins with Jesus Himself. “God had an only son,” David Livingstone wrote, “and He was a missionary…” His was not a self-appointed job. He was commissioned or sent by God to accomplish a purpose. Jesus multiplied His effectiveness by transmitting God’s commission to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Turn To God When You Need Revival Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 1, 2021

To speak of revival implies that there is something lost, something dead, something about faith that has lost it’s liveliness. Ezekiel’s audience certainly knew about that.

Call on the Lord When You Need Revival Ezekiel 37:1-14 Introduction Call on God when you Hurt for Others, Need Hope, Feel Alone…Need Revival! The word ‘Revival’ might conjure up different images for different people. Old fashioned tent meetings or gospel meetings; Worship characterized by ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Time, Our Turn, Our All Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Jan 11, 2009

This is our time to turn toward others and give it our all.

OUR TIME, OUR TURN, OUR ALL Colossians 4.5-6 S: External Focus C: Mission Th: Our Time, Our Turn, Our All Pr: THIS IS OUR TIME TO TURN TOWARD OTHERS AND GIVE IT OUR ALL. CV: “We will relentlessly reach out to people with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.” Type: Proposition I. Live ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:5-6

Denomination: Baptist