Sermons on Understanding Others:

Manipulation By Guilt Vs. Straightforward Requests Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 26, 2016

Manipulation is a dishonest method to control others, get our way, or make others think an idea was theirs; it stands in contrast to making honest straightforward requests. Manipulation by guilt is perhaps the most common form of manipulation.

Manipulation by Guilt Vs. Straightforward Requests (topical) 1. A lot of persuasion — even in church — can be based upon emotion and a lack of logic. “Pastor Smith was winding up his sermon about the dangers of alcohol and the need for temperance. He shouted, 'If I had all the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Holy Days

Contributed by John Scott on Jun 30, 2014

We are not to let others judge us for not participating in Holy Days or judge others who are participating in Holy Day's celebrations. Christ is the one we need to over come our sins. Christ is our righteousness.

1. There was a man who we use to worship with who felt like we should have been more a part of Advent and Holy Week. A. He threatened that he would not worship with us unless we went through the observation of Holy Week activities. B. Many in the very traditional church will celebrate a calendar ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon On The Grass Is Not Always Greener...

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 10, 2024

The Grass Is Always Greener On The Other Side is a singular, speculative, but focused idiom that suggests the indeterminable fallacy that other people or places in one’s imagination always appear to be in a better, or more acceptable cachet than oneself.

Kasper Schmeichel, a Danish football goalkeeper once remarked: “The grass is not always greener on the other side. It is about recognizing what you do have and being grateful for what you do have.” Philippians 4:11-12 reminds us: “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:11, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Ezekiel 17:24, Genesis 3:22

Called To Serve

Contributed by Michael Bates on Sep 14, 2023

Every Christian is called to serve in the ministry. Only a select few are called into full-time pastoral ministry, but many others are called to serve God in other capacities. This short sermon explores that calling a little further.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 4:10-11: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11, Luke 10:12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lessons From The Life Of Abraham (1of 5)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 27, 2022

Make no mistake about it; some folks lives are more exciting than others. But many live a less exciting life than others. In fact, some people call our age the “Boredom Boom!”

This boredom has driven some people: • To quit their jobs • To quit their marriages • To quit their churches • To turn to drugs and alcohol • To run away from home • To experiment with homosexuality When some people have been exposed to every kind of evil there is, they then ask, “IS THERE ANYTHING ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Spur One Another On Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 15, 2025

The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. We are called to live in community, to stir one another up, to encourage one another, and to keep each other’s faith burning bright until Christ returns.

Go! And Spur One Another On Introduction: There’s a story told about a coal left on its own. A group of men were sitting around a fire one evening when one man, who had stopped attending church, was visited by his pastor. The pastor didn’t say a word. He simply picked up a glowing coal with the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Acts 2:46-47, Romans 13:11, Acts 3:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Courageous Love Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Apr 14, 2024

God loves us with a brave and sacrificial love, and this love should overflow from our hearts into the lives of others. To love courageously means putting others' needs before our own and being moved with compassion.

Hey guys! You know how we all love superhero movies, right? The hero always sacrifices for others, fights the bad guys, and saves the day. Well, guess what? We have a real-life superhero, and His name is Jesus. He showed us the ultimate love by giving up His life for us. And He wants us to be ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-24, Luke 10:30-35, Philippians 2:5-8

Topics: Divine Inspiration, Selfless Love, Spiritual Courage, God's Love

Christ Is Supreme And Sufficient! Series

Contributed by John Boquist on Jul 18, 2008

We need to be aware of false teaching which mixes other elements with the finished work of Christ.

Introduction This sermon is an introduction for the next several Sundays as we go through the book of Colossians. The theme of the book is the sufficiency of Christ for all things. This is one of four Prison Epistles written by Paul from Rome about AD 60-62. (The others are Ephesians, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Wicked Troubles Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Jul 13, 2012

Sometimes we bring our troubles on ourselves (and on others). That is the case of the wicked as these proverbs note.

Introduction Troubles; we’ve all got them. Sometimes we keep quiet about them; sometimes we moan loudly. We write songs about them. Indeed, much of the world’s great literature, music and art have sprung from troubles. But sometimes we bring our troubles on ourselves (and on ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:25-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Is A God Of Goodness

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 30, 2022

Any time people are special in our lives, we want to tell others about them.

This is why we Christians tell others about the GOD OF THE BIBLE AND HIS LOVE AND GOODNESS. The reason some do not talk more about the God of the Bible than they do is because they really do not know Him well enough to talk about Him! Illus: Dr. Odell Belger said that he arrived his first year in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Show His Image Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 23, 2012

Our text teaches us three ways we are to show others the image of Jesus.

Opening video illustration: From the movie Amistad. In the scene two slave prisoners are in the jail cell and looking through the Bible and seeing the image of Jesus. The one slave is pointing out Jesus to the other one. Series: Imitators Summary of first two messages: Sermon1: Reflect His Image! 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith Like A Child

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 29, 2022

We need to consider how our waning faith can become a hindrance to others. Jesus provides a warning about hindering other believers who have the faith of a child. It is also a warning about hindering children from coming to Christ.

Back when I was in college, one of my favorite songs was “Faith Like a Child” by Jars of Clay. Listen as I share some of the lyrics to this song: “Dear God, surround me as I speak; the bridges that I walk across are weak. Frustrations fill the void that I can’t solely bear . . . Sometimes, when I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Tradeoffs Series

Contributed by John Tung on Feb 12, 2009

There are tradeoffs in life in general and in spiritual life: A. Some things need to be denied in order for other things to be gained B. Some things need to be lost in order for other things to be found C. Some things need to be carried in order for ot

I. Introduction Is being a Christian supposed to be a joy or a burden? Is being a Christian supposed to be something that brightens our life or weigh us down? Some people think that being a Christian means it creates a heavy burden and weighs them down. I want to show you today that that is not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Get Over Yourself Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 18, 2005

To be effective in ministry, let us not focus too much on self but rather be concern for the welfare of others.

To be effective in ministry, we need to learn one thing – don’t take yourself too seriously. Don’t be too bothered about how people see you or treat you. Get over yourself. Don’t get stuck inside your own ego, because over time it will become your prison. It is amazing that while Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:33-50

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Kingdom Conduct Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Aug 13, 2004

We are called to act like we are citizens of heaven as we deal with each other in the church

INTRODUCTION • The church at Thessalonica was facing a lot of difficult times. The church today is facing many struggles also. • Many people are struggling with various faith-related issues in their lives. There is a lot of conflict and turmoil in many of our lives. • There are a lot of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ