Sermons on Barriers To Growth:

Embracing The New Year With A Fresh Start SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

In Philippians 3:12-16, Paul provides three key principles to guide us as we step into the new year: Letting go of our past, setting our priorities straight, and living fully in the present.

Today marks the beginning of a new year, a time when many of us reflect on the past and look forward to the future. As we enter this new season, it is important to approach it with the right attitude and mindset. In Philippians 3:12-16, the Apostle Paul provides us with three principles to guide us ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Topics: New Year's Day, Personal Growth

Baggage - Let It Go Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon will guide us on how to let go of negative emotions and behaviors, replacing them with kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, as a way to grow in our relationship with Christ.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” - Ephesians 4:31-32 Far too many people walk around carrying heavy baggage from years of mistakes, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:31-32

Topics: Letting Go, Spiritual Growth, Forgiveness

Sermon Series: Baggage

Jesus In The Wilderness PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 12, 2024

This sermon explores drawing closer to God through repentance, personal growth during trials, and recognizing God's presence in our lives, using the baptism of Jesus as a guide.

Welcome, dear friends, to another treasured time together in the presence of our Lord. We gather here today, united in spirit, ready to receive the divine wisdom that is so generously poured out from the pages of our beloved Scriptures. I am reminded of the words of the great Charles Spurgeon who ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

Topics: Hearing, Wilderness

Deep Wells And Missing Water Pots

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Apr 23, 2007

Jesus knows how to get our attention through ordinary things in order to make spiritual truths come alive to us. Jesus is willing to cross all barriers in order to help us to come to spiritual understanding.

April, 2007 Deep Wells and Missing Water Pots John 4:1-15 INTRODUCTION: The woman at the well was a little sarcastic with Jesus. You might say she seemed like a person with a “chip on her shoulder.” Why would He even speak to her let alone ask her for a drink? She was a despised Samaritan, a ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-15

Denomination: Methodist

When God Calls Us To Leave The Safety Of Our Comfort Zone

Contributed by Jose Wallace on Dec 4, 2013

Luke 5:4-6 1. Simon and his comfort zone 2. Fear barrier 3. Prayer with someone else 4. Detach and accept the calling Conclusion – Acceptance of the unknown-through faith in Christ

Introduction: (Read Luke 5:4-6) In 2005, I was deployed to Taji, Iraq. I was a platoon sergeant at that time, and we had only been in theater roughly two weeks. Our arrival led the insurgency to be hot and heavy during those early weeks. Insurgents knew that we had not yet fully set up our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:4-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reaching Critical Mass Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jul 13, 2021

Based on the Mario Murillo book. This message focuses on five keys to revival: a faithful prayer core, an attitude of humility, travailing in prayer, shattering the barrier of our old nature, and surrendering what takes priority over God.

In the first chapter of Acts, Luke shares how Jesus ascended into heaven, and then afterwards he turns our focus toward a room. “It is the Upper Room in Jerusalem, and it is just weeks after the resurrection of Jesus. One hundred twenty believers are praying and waiting. All they know is that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Baptist

The God Who Pulls Down Strongholds Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 20, 2025

Strongholds are real, but they are never greater than the Almighty God. The enemy may try to erect barriers against your progress, your family, your ministry, or your destiny, but none of them can withstand the power of God.

THE GOD WHO PULLS DOWN STRONGHOLDS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 1:10, Psalm 18:2, Judges 6:25-26, Isaiah 54:17 INTRODUCTION: Life is a battlefield, and every believer is engaged in spiritual warfare whether they realise it or not. Strongholds ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Elisha Meets Jehoshaphat – Jehoshaphat Battled Himself Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 16, 2022

Desperate people lower their barriers they have erected between themselves and God when the problem is too big for them. Three kings reached out to Elisha for help, but Jehoshaphat was compromising, God intervened miraculously. Compromise examined.

ELISHA MEETS JEHOSHAPHAT – JEHOSHAPHAT BATTLED HIMSELF SERIES – MESSAGES ON ELISHA – HIS LIFE AND MINISTRY Number 7 PART 1. JEHOSHAPHAT AND ELISHA (Open up at 1Kings chapter 22). Ahab and Jezebel reigned in Israel (Samaria) and Jehoshaphat was king in Judea. The kingdom divided after Solomon. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 22:42-43, 1 Kings 22:4, 1 Kings 22:29-38, 2 Kings 3:1-7, 2 Kings 3:8-10, 2 Kings 3:11-12, 2 Kings 3:13-14, 2 Kings 3:15-18, 2 Kings 8:17-18, Romans 12:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Which Way Are You Going?

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 16, 2005

Different types of growth that should take place in our lives and in the church. 1- Ingrowth 2-Outgrowth 3- Upgrowth

INTRO.- ILL.- One time a young Bible college student was witnessing in the suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. As he approached one house, there was an elderly man sitting on the porch. He said to the man, “Are you a Christian?” The man said, “No, I’m a Smith. The Christians live two doors down.” The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:44-45

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Slimey Pits Series

Contributed by Dennis Lawrence on Mar 1, 2004

Like Jeremiah, we end up in some slimey pits in our lives, but God wants to use these for our growth.

Slimy Pits Purpose Driven Life #25 Cornwall February 7, 2004 Jeremiah was a prophet to the ancient people of Judah. What is a prophet, you might ask? He was someone who got messages from God and took them to people. Jeremiah got messages from God and did his job and took them to the people that ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 38:1-13, Psalm 34:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thanksgiving Declaration

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Nov 25, 2002

The need for giving thanks is vital to Chrisitan growth, but those who have much seem to find it more difficult to be thankful.

Thanksgiving Declaration Eph 5:19 - 20, 1 Thes 5:16-18, Psa 100:1 - 5, Rom 1:21, Th 5:18 November 18, 2002 I. On Sept 16, 1620 Two ships sailed from Plymouth England, The Speedwell and the Mayflower. The Speedwell had a lot of problems as they started among them were many leaks springing in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Romans 1:21

Denomination: Baptist

Waiting For God Takes Guts

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 14, 2003

Too much safety is a "bad" thing... We need guts to grow and growth is what’s demanded by our Lord

Too much comfort is dangerous. Literally. Apparently researchers at the UC Berkeley did an experiment some time ago that involved introducing an amoeba into a perfectly stress-free environment: ideal temperature, optimal concentration of moisture and constant food supply. The amoeba had an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Laid Back Ping-Pong Prayer Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 26, 2008

Spiritual growth involves playing a sort of ping-pong with God, a casual back and forth exchange between God and the believer.

Laid Back Ping-Pong Prayer (Matthew 6:7) [Note: I did not get through this entire sermon in my 30 minute time slot, so a "part two" will follow] 1. Memorial Day is an interesting holiday. 2. Wikipedia tells us this about Memorial Day: 3. "Memorial Day is a United States Federal Holiday that is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Escaping False Paradigms Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 9, 2008

Spiritual growth involves playing a sort of ping-pong with God, a casual back and forth exchange between God and the believer.

Escaping False Paradigms of Prayer (topical) 1. A young boy was observed by a minister in church praying very fervently; but much to the preacher’s surprise, he was also heard to say from time to time: "Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo." So preacher approached the boy after he had apparently finished his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I'm Pressing On

Contributed by John Putty on Apr 5, 2011

A sermon encouraging others to leave their doubt, unbelief and negative talk behind and take personal responsibility for their spiritual growth in 2011.

I'M PRESSING ON: A 2011 new year message to CWC! Philippians 3:13-15 Intro: The Old Hymnal, “Higher Ground” is a spiritual declaration of one determined man Johnson Oatman, Jr.put to music! Some refuse to believe that our personal faith plays a role in our spiritual growth and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God