Sermons on Barriers To Growth:

Building Community - The Importance Of Unity Series

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 1, 2001

Unity in the church is important because it reflects the character of God, it exemplifies what Christ came to do, and it is necessary to the health and growth of the church.

Does it seem to you that people are angrier than they used to be? The unspoken rules of civility that help us all to live together in a society are either unknown or ignored. Violence is seen as an acceptable way of addressing conflicts. People seem less tolerant, more willing to lash out at one ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:16-18, John 17:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

How The Holy Spirit Uses Our Feeble Efforts In Powerful Ways

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit uses our feeble efforts to share the gospel in order to break down the barriers of opposition that stand in the way of people coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

1. The Holy Spirit uses our feeble efforts to share the gospel in order to break down the barriers of opposition that stand in the way of people coming to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Peter addressed the crowd on the day of Pentecost and said, "Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Race Relations Emphasis Sunday Series

Contributed by Johnny Small on Feb 5, 2002

Learn to reach beyond racial barriers to demonstrate the power of Biblical unity. This is the 5th in the series of Taking Up Your Cross in Today’s World. February 10, 2002

Race Relations Emphasis Sunday February 10 ,2002 Good evening cousins. That’s right we are not only Brothers and Sisters in Christ, but we are also blood relatives, even though it may be distant relatives. Today is Race Relations Emphasis Sunday. We will discuss how we are all related ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28, John 4:7-21

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven's Home Is Not One-Size-Fits-All Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jan 7, 2006

Heaven offers two grace filled experiences that interpret and set the agenda for all activities in Heaven: Heaven has removed all barriers, Heaven has removed all pain.

1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Performance Trap

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 12, 2011

A sermon on grace and how we distort God's grace in our culture, USA. (Material adapted from David Seamands' book, "Healing Grace" chapter 2 "Barriers to Grace")

HoHum: A treadmill is one of the most effective tools for burning calories, despite the fact that the person exercising stays in the same place. Similarly, so it is with people who try to work their way to righteousness. We understand that grace is what saved us but believe they must pay God back ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Source Of Peace Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 20, 2009

Jesus had broken down the barriers between the diverse elements of the church. We have one faith, one Lord, and one baptism. From the cross flows the river of peace.

Ephesians 2:11-22 “The Source of Peace” INTRODUCTION When we think of heaven, we conjure up many images. The Jews imagine a place of feasting and celebrating. Our Teutonic and Scandinavian ancestors couldn’t quite conceive of heaven being a party place, so they pictured a place of peace that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Failure Not Final Sermon Vii: Seize The Chance To Be Free From The Burden Of Failure Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Mar 11, 2020

As we Christians encounter individuals longing to be free from the burdens of sin and the barriers that divide us, seize opportunities that have been put in our pathway by the Lord to be instruments of peace.

SEIZE THE CHANCE TO BE FREE FROM YOUR BURDEN Philadelphia is a good place to visit for remembering how our land of the free came into being and then moved forward to become the home of the brave - due to the sacrificial efforts on the part of so ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-35

Philip & The Ethiopian Eunuch

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 22, 2021

God works strategically so that all races are included. God is working to populate heaven with all kinds of color. The Holy Spirit wants us to move past the barrier of the races.

We love to tell the “before and after” stories. Weight loss - I lost 100 pounds! Before and after for dental cosmetics commercials. Rogaine – I have hair! Or look at this one: meet my wife’s first husband (show picture of younger me) -:). Acts loves to tell “before and after” stories as well. Only ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-8, Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 27 A Basis For Overcoming Fear Series

Contributed by Thomas Fortini on Feb 8, 2021

God calls us to go from faith to faith, unfortunately we tend to go from fear to fear! Psalm 27 will provide a basis for us to overcome the barrier of fear!

Topic: Sunday Sermon Series – Encouragement from the Psalms Text: Psalm 27 Title: Psalm 27 – A Basis for Overcoming Fear Intro: We are living in a season, at least in my lifetime and pastorate of an unprecedented fear! It has been an amazing thing for me to witness! I can remember on the Sunday ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14

The Marks Of Maturity: A Leadership Checklist Series

Contributed by Larry Osborne on Jun 13, 2007

Spiritual growth and maturity is often accelerated under difficult circumstances. In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians (see 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10), he describes what spiritual growth looks like in the midst of “severe suffering.”

1 Timothy: Doing Church God’s Way North Coast Church Message #4 July 29-30, 2006 Dr. Larry Osborne The Marks of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Unity In The Church Series

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jun 8, 2011

The church is growing and God is adding people however to truly be effective we must have unity. Growth without unity is a disease that has infected the body. Cancer is a growth in the body, but it is against the body and not working in unity, we cannot

“Unity in the Church” By Pastor M.L. Maughmer, Jr. Ephesians 4:1-6 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Apostolic

Harden Not Your Heart PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 1, 2023

This sermon encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness and provision during times of struggle, using disappointments as fertile ground for spiritual growth.

Good morning, dear family in Christ. We're gathered here today, not as strangers, but as brothers and sisters united in our shared love for our Lord Jesus Christ. As we open our hearts and minds to the Word of God, let us remember that we are not alone in our struggles, our disappointments, our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:17-19

Topics: Remove, Stones

Following God’s Mission For Kingdom Expansion Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on May 11, 2023

The persecution forced the church to decisions that would unlock the full potential of the Church in terms of scope, efficiency, and effectiveness. The Church at Jerusalem became the Church on the move. We are a part of that movement.

Sermon: Following God’s Mission For Kingdom Expansion Scripture: Acts 8:1-8 “Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8, Acts 8:12-13, Acts 8:18-21, Acts 8:25-31

Denomination: Methodist

God Wants Our Church To Grow! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 24, 2017

God wants our church to grow! 1. So He stresses that no one is saved without Jesus (vs. 1-2). 2. He seeks to save the lost (vs. 3-8). 3. He stretches us to reach new people (vs. 9-16). 4. He sets-up divine appointments for us (vs. 17-23).

God Wants Our Church to Grow! Acts 10:1-23 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Feb. 16, 2014 *Does God want our church to grow? There is no doubt about it. The Scripture makes this truth clear in many places. For example, 1 Timothy 2:3-4 says that: "God our Savior" desires all men to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Importance Of Personal Bible Study Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 3, 2021

We focus this morning on the one spiritual habit that will move the needle for your growth – adopting a personal habit of reading the Bible.

Gideon’s video to begin the message in the second and third worship service. I am grateful for the Gideon’s worldwide ministry because these volunteer men placed copies of God’s Word in hands of students and in hotel rooms. These businessmen are a part of our church and churches all over the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16-21

Denomination: Baptist