Sermons on Worldly Pursuits:

Proper Planning Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Dec 15, 2009

This section warns against self-centered planning. Worldly living is not displayed only by a disbelief in God, sometimes it’s apparent in the disregarding of God as we plan our life & our daily activities.

JAMES 4:11-17 PROPER PLANNING [Luke 12:16-21] It is too easy for Christians to make plans and set goals, expecting God to fall in line behind them. It is easy to plan our lives as if we controlled the future and had unlimited authority over the factors that affect our life. And so, in reality ...read more

Scripture: James 4:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Banquet Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 25, 2016

Jesus' challenge to the host in Luke 14, that he should not invite those who could serve his needs but those whose needs he could serve, challenges the worldly approach to human relationships.

Luke 14:1-14 "The Banquet" INTRODUCTION The word "Stewardship" has gained an ugly reputation in Christian circles. It is frequently associated with congregational pleas for more money. The word has lost its wholistic dimension. Stewardship, or if you prefer, good management is no longer ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

The Root Of Your Problem Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jun 24, 2014

When we follow worldly wisdom, the evidence will be demonstrate in the quarrels and fights that occur in our churches and in our other relationships. The problem is solved when we humble ourselves before God and before others.

“A new movie, “Fight Church,” raises the unusual question: “Can you love your neighbor while kneeing him in the face?” (Source: ABC news, abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/church-fight-club-pits-pastor-pastor-23188184 The documentary, by directors Daniel Junge and Bryan ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Handle Your Guilt Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 22, 2019

Many today want to put aside any mention of shame as inappropriate. Paul, though, speaks of godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. What's the distinction and how can sorrow be a good thing?

SMILEY RELIGION: “God wants me to be happy.” - 2 Corinthians 7:8. - Today so many presume that God’s job is to make them happy. The only way they think about God is that He is there to answer our prayers and bring good things into our lives. - Biblical ideas like carrying your cross, losing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Motivation Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

The Christian not motivated by the heavenly hope will soon be a worldly Christian, for he will not be able to pull away from the value system of the world, since he has no higher value system that makes it look shabby in comparison.

In the 15th chapter of Gibbon's Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire, he says that the promise of heavenly bliss was one of the five major causes for the growth of Christianity in the Roman Empire. The leaders of Rome mocked the idea of immortality, and they did not live this life with any ...read more

Marriage–avoiding Fornication

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Jun 26, 2024

Practical instructions for righteous behavior. The assembly at Corinth was having problems with division, worldly sinful behaviors within and how to cope with non-believers. Satan was still deceiving them as he continues deception today.

We have studied, in past weeks, practical instructions for righteous behavior in the assemblies of God. Apostle Paul wrote letters to a mixed assembly of Jews and Gentiles at Corinth; new converts, being young in the faith, and older, more seasoned members in the faith of Jesus Christ. The assembly ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:1-9, Genesis 2:24, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Twenty-Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C: Dishonest Steward Or Shrewd Manager

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Sep 18, 2025

Baptized believers should use the worldly resources they possess to serve God's eternal kingdom by being generous and helping the poor, and do it in a way that involves street smarts, enterprise, and proactive initiative.

There’s an old story about Moishe, a medieval Jewish astrologer who prophesied that the king’s favorite horse would die soon. Sure enough, the horse died a short time later. The king got angry at Moishe, certain that his prophecy had brought about the horse’s death. He summoned Moishe and commanded ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Catholic

God’s Kingdom Economy Series

Contributed by Apostle Dr. Ruben L. Broadnax Jr. on Oct 25, 2024

"This sermon introduces God's Kingdom economy, contrasting worldly financial systems with Kingdom principles. It emphasizes financial victory through alignment with God’s Word and explores how Kingdom living leads to freedom and provision."

In a world dominated by financial stress, economic uncertainty, and the unending pursuit of more, God's people are invited to embrace a different reality—God’s Kingdom economy, which operates on principles that are higher and more stable than the world's systems. Jesus makes this clear when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Other

The Important Step Series

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 7, 2002

4 of 4 of the series, In Pursuit: The Jesus Walk.It’s time to make a decision! Are you pursuing Christ or are you going to follow someone or something else? This is the most crucial decision of your life! And it requires commitment to follow through on

THE IMPORTANT STEP 1 John 2:6 Read before service: John 15:1-8 (NIV) 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:6, John 15:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Good Life

Contributed by Chris Surber on Aug 3, 2007

Whatever you have, learn to be content with what God has entrusted to you. Remember, it isn’t wrong to earn more to live in security and provide for your family. It is the love of money that is dangerous. It is the constant pursuit of the good life tha

The Good Life, Luke 12:13-21 Introduction By the time I met my father in law he had been a used car salesman for more than thirty years. For the bulk of that he owned a buy here pay here lot. He could always get a great deal from him, but you just had to know that any car you got from “Big John” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Christian Church

Twelve Treasures Yet Realized

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Feb 4, 2006

So many people are looking for treasures in all the wrong places. Some are looking for it in the pursuit of wealth, riches or material possessions. Recently, we have seen an escalation of real estate prices as the country gets swept up in the mania of esc

Twelve Treasures Yet Realized (Col. 2:6-12) "In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col. 2:6) Song: Jesus is all the world to me. My life, my joy my all. He is my strength from day to day. Without Him I wouild fall. When I am sad to Him I go. No other one can cheer me ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joseph's Story

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Dec 18, 2016

The Christmas story from Joseph's perspective. What was it like to sacrifice all that he had known in his pursuit of righteousness to take on scandal, scorn, and shame? Perhaps we are called like Joseph to follow God no matter what the cost.

Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph’s Story My mother and father raised me to be a good man, a just man, a righteous man. I loved God and followed his law to the utmost. I memorized scripture. I studied Torah at synagogue. I sought to treat people honorably. As I grew up, my dad taught me how to be a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

How We Pray Is Important

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on Sep 23, 2012

I pray we will fail in our pursuit of happiness and that as our focus transforms from the selfish to the holy we will become more and more in tune with His Spirit, with His mission to reach and serve the world around us for His Son.

For the last two weeks we’ve been talking about prayer. The first week we discussed Daniel and how he showed us through his story that prayer matters. We discovered that prayer matters because it helps us to rely on God’s mercy. Because it helps us to confess sin and ask for mercy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Will Christians Go Through The Tribulation Period? (V) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Feb 3, 2021

Message examines weaknesses in the Pre-tribulation Rapture position. Previous message examined the strengths of that position. This series does not advocate for pre, mid, or post. Instead the series is an open pursuit of an answer to the question: Will Christians go through the Tribulation Period.

Introduction Today we will resume our study of end times. We have been seeking the answer to one question: Will Christians go through the tribulation period? We have had four session on this subject. The first session focused on hermeneutics, the method we would use to interpret Scripture. In ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:14, Revelation 19:9, 2 Timothy 4:1-8, 1 Peter 1:13, 2 Timothy 3:12, John 16:33, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 19:14, Daniel 9:24-27, Acts 14:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Pathway To The Blessed Life

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Oct 13, 2021

From the pursuit of education, career, spouses, children, possessions, and all, we all aspired to enter a life experience in which we live happily ever after! That is the aspiration upon which this great republic was formed. The Psamist shows the way!

Sermon - Pathway to the Blessed Life Psalm 1 “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6, Genesis 1:27-31, Jeremiah 17:7, Romans 12:2

Denomination: Methodist