Sermons on Willful Decision:

Four Gospel Pictures From The Parables Of Jesus

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 24, 2021

But did we allow that consuming power of God's love reshape our lives? Did we make a decision to give our whole lives to Jesus Christ the savior of all? That is the question I want you to ask yourself today.

"Kenneth Clark, internationally know for his television series Civilization, lived and died without faith in Jesus Christ. He admitted in his autobiography that while visiting a beautiful church he had what he believed to be an overwhelming religious experience. "My whole being," ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 21:28-32, Luke 15:11-32, Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Salvation Army

Jesus Before Herod Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 20, 2023

Herod is presented as a frivolous person, who desired to see some amusing tricks performed by one whom he probably regarded as some kind of magician. To such a person Jesus had nothing to say.

LUKE 23: 6–12 JESUS BEFORE HEROD [JESUS’ LAST DAY SERIES] [Luke 9:7-9; 13:31; Acts 3:11-22] Pilate was astute enough to realize in some fashion that it was he who was on trial, not Jesus. In some way, Jesus is in control of His own trial and Pilate seems cognizant of that. But, in spite of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

Who Do You Submit To: Consensus Or Authority? Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Nov 18, 2008

This message examines the basis for how we make moral decisions.

The postmodern worldview has plunged our culture into an authority crisis. This crisis is not confined to the area of religious faith but is visible in every single area of life. Parental authority, marital authority, political authority, academic authority, and ecclesiastical authority are all ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Inttersection Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Jul 8, 2014

Change, Crucifixion, Surrender

Road Trip #1 – Intersection Galatians 2:20 (p. 811) July 13, 2014 Introduction: Rick Rusaw is the lead minister at Life Bridge C.C. in Littleton CO. He was president of the North American Christian Convention a few years back. He’s a graduate of Cincinnati Christian ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Learning From Peter

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 29, 2011

the failure of Peter at the trial of Jesus was predictable. Let's look at the decisions and non-decisions that brought about this event in his life. We can learn a lot.

Passage: Matthew 26:69-75 Intro: The more time we spend looking at this powerful event, the more contrast we see between spirit and flesh, God’s character and Satan’s. 1. we will look this morning at one of the really sad stories in the Passion week. 2. why is it here? Because it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:69-75

Denomination: Evangelical Free

From Failure To Forgiveness

Contributed by Terry Hovey on May 9, 2025

David made a seemingly insignificant decision that was really a critical error, and it impacted the whole nation of Israel.

From Failure to Forgiveness 1Chr 21 There are certain decisions that we make in life that become hinge points on which the rest of our lives turn. Key decisions we’ve made that not only change the course of our lives but may also have great effect on the lives of others as well. And this is what ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

All Or Nothing

Contributed by Steve Heartsill on Oct 25, 2000

When it comes to choosing God, it is really a "all or nothing" decision.

ALL OR NOTHING! Luke 14:31-35 A woman walked into her bathroom at home. As she did, she saw her husband weighing himself on the bathroom scales, sucking in his stomach. The woman thought to herself, "He thinks that he will weigh less by sucking in his stomach." So, the woman rather ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

Choose Wisely

Contributed by Les Buttolph on Nov 14, 2024

As Election Day 2024 approaches, we face worldly decisions. Joshua confronted Israel with the spiritual decision to serve the Lord. Like Israel, we must choose wisely.

I doubt there’s anyone here that doesn’t know Tuesday is Election Day. You may have already voted early. We can look forward to Tuesday’s TV or radio news coverage about the voting turnout, and the partial results all day, then into the night when the results are projected and winners announced. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:16-18, Galatians 5:13-26

Denomination: Methodist

Knowing God's Will Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Sep 6, 2009

If you’re serious about knowing God’s will, then don’t say no to God’s will.

Knowing God’s Will Romans 12:1-5 Rev. Brian Bill 9/6/09 An older lady came out on her porch every morning, and would raise her arms to the sky and shout, “Praise the Lord.” One day an atheist moved next door and over time he became very irritated with this worshipping woman. So every morning ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Filling Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 24, 2021

Being controlled by the Spirit is not a dramatic or decisive one-time experience but it’s a daily, ongoing habit. There’s a kind of fullness of the Spirit that comes just simply obeying God and using the means of grace: Bible study, and prayer, and fellowship, obeying his will, etc.

Today, I want to answer this question, “How can I tell if the Holy Spirit is controlling me?” We are not alone in asking this question as the renowned theologian Jonathan Edwards addressed the questions in his work, Religious Affections. In the book, Edwards moves through twelve “uncertain signs” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

Martha, Martha

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 12, 2019

The docility of Mary is the opposite of willfulness of her sister Martha (Self-will run riot)

Recently I read about a Sunday school class for three-year old’s. Their lesson for the day was the story of Jesus’ visit to the home of Mary and Martha. Afterwards, the teacher asked, “What would you do if Jesus were coming to your house today?” One little girl quickly replied, “I would tell my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, Genesis 18:1-10, Colossians 1:24-28

Denomination: Catholic

What's It Going To Be

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Mar 9, 2002

This is an evangelistic sermon that identifies the most important decision in life.

Sunday Evening March 10, 2002 Pleasant Green Baptist Church, Hobbs NM WHAT’S IT GOING TO BE? Deuteronomy 30:11-20 Introduction: 1. Life is full of decisions. Each day we make decisions, some important and others not so important. 2. At times we allow all of the little decisions to “stack up” and ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

Darwin Awards 2003

Contributed by David Swanger on Mar 15, 2003

Incredibly dumb spiritual decisions that some people make.

THE 2003 DARWIN AWARDS (Mark 8:13-21) Introduction: 1. Have you ever known someone who just did not get it? Please do not answer that out loud. a. In out text, Jesus’ disciples do not get it and Jesus questions their lack of understanding. b. They had been with Jesus. They had listened to him ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:13-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Following Jesus

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 6, 2007

A look at the real life results of a decision to follow Jesus.

When I was in elementary school, we didn’t have Upward basketball. The only league we had was the Westerville Parks and Rec. And for me the Westerville parks and rec league presented a problem. The problem was that I wasn’t allowed to play until the 4th grade. For those of you who don’t know, I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Holiness

Election 2016

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Jan 30, 2018

how Christians should make decisions before they vote

We are just weeks away from the presidential election, and I know there are many out there who agree with me that I wish it was over. But it is not, and the rhetoric is only going to get worse until election day. For many reasons, this is one of the most important elections in this century. The ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal