Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 9, 2025
[159]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GOOD SEED IN THE THORNY GROUND
This poem was written for a recent message in a series I am currently doing on the Parables of the Kingdom from Matthew 13. It relates to the third soil type in the parable known as The Sower, {{Matthew 13:22 “The one on whom seed
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Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 13, 2003
based on 2 ratings
| 2,396 views
Lane Adams once compared the process of spiritual growth to the strategy the Allies used in World War II to liberate islands in the South Pacific. First, they would “soften up” and island, weakening the resistance by shelling the enemy strongholds with bombs from offshore ships. Next, a small
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One of the things all the gurus of preaching say is a necessary trait for successful preaching is to be vulnerable, transparent – to show the people you’re preaching to that you share their struggles. Allow me to be transparent for a moment.
There is a good reason why this passage has become
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Presbyterian/Reformed
Contributed by Scott Malone on Mar 1, 2005
based on 8 ratings
| 4,601 views
Jim Cymbala, in his book “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire”, details the miraculous growth of the Brooklyn Tabernacle because of its dedication to prayer. In 1972 he was asked to pastor part-time a small church in a shabby two-story building on Atlantic Avenue in New York City. The location was bad. The
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Baptist
Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006
based on 2 ratings
| 5,301 views
Megachurch Marketing: 30,000 people attend Houston’s Lakewood Church every weekend to hear Pastor Joel Osteen. 7 million more catch his Sunday sermons on TV, which costs $15 million a year. Osteen’s book, Your Best Life Now, has sold 2.5 million copies. The flourishing Lakewood enterprise brought
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Contributed by Jim Erwin on Dec 12, 2007
based on 5 ratings
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Marriage License: A Learner’s Permit
It’s a wise groom who has to be dragged to the altar. He knows what love is. It’s death. If lovers don’t know this, they are headed for trouble. Never will you have your way again. You can’t be happy if this other person isn’t. No matter who wins the argument,
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Baptist
Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 21, 2008
Is Islam the Fastest-Growing Religion? Guess Again
by Dinesh D’Souza
Many people think Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world. Not true. Islam is growing fast, but Christianity is growing faster. Indeed there are twice as many Christians as Muslims in the world today and the gap is
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Independent/Bible
Contributed by Kelly Mitchell on Oct 7, 2012
based on 1 rating
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Pick One
The purpose and intent of the church, according to Ezekiel 36:23 is to be used to prove the Lord Holy to the nations. I can only think of two ways which God can use the church to prove the He is Holy to the Community:
1 - When He provides great happiness, peace, and success because of
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Baptist
based on 1 rating
| 4,024 views
As the Spring arrived this year, I watched as the new growth literally exploded from the ground. I began to think about the trees, which had looked so dead, but which were now budding and bringing forth blossoms, leaves and eventually fruit. I thought about the flowers which would bloom and
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Methodist
based on 1 rating
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I wanted to tell you men about a story that some of you may be able to relate to. I used to love to squirrel hunt. As a matter of fact I preferred it over just about any other kind of hunting. Well one day when I was about 19 while attending Southwest a friend of mine said that he had found the
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Baptist
based on 1 rating
| 2,419 views
John Bevere in his book “The Bait of Satan” says, “Our response to an offense determines our future (page 4).
i. Paul understood this principle clearly and this is why he warns this church against the spirit of offense and those who practice it.
ii. John states, “Many are unable to function
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Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Jul 9, 2008
based on 1 rating
| 3,370 views
MARY'S FRIENDS
Unsaved people in our society who accept Jesus as Savior have an average of 12 unsaved relatives and friends, all of whom are potential disciples. Let me tell you a story I heard in 1980, when I was in Fuller Seminary studying church growth. It happened in the First Baptist Church
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Pentecostal
Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008
based on 34 ratings
| 4,765 views
Spiritual Health Checks
(True Devotions)
Rick Warren wrote, "The key for churches in the 21st Century will be church health, not growth." When a congregation is healthy, it will grow spiritually and enjoy the benefits of a live, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. A healthy Christian
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Evangelical/Non-Denominational