Sermons on Barriers To Growth:

Moving Toward Perfection

Contributed by James May on Feb 10, 2008

Spiritual growth and maturity, and the ability to handle the meat of the Word should come as naturally to the Christian as it is for a newborn baby who grows into maturity.

Moving Toward Perfection By Pastor Jim May Have you developed a good set of spiritual teeth this morning so that you can handle the meat of God’s Word; or are you still trying to live on milk alone? As I look at the church of today, much of what I see is just milk. It’s as though people are ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Caritas In Veritate Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 11, 2009

The Pope’s new encyclical fits well with the Exodus account of a people oppressed and needing growth and development, but enslaved by a culture of death.

Caritas in Veritate Monday of 15th week in Course July 13, 2009 It is providential, perhaps, that we have in today’s readings all the elements for talking about the role of faith in society. Here we have an oppressed people, enslaved by an unjust system, whose children are being systematically ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-22

Denomination: Catholic

Fiiled With Jesus Series

Contributed by Chris Mccall on Jan 23, 2012

As you look at the vision for a local church, it must have interwoven thru it the threads that promote growth into the fullness of the nature & character of Christ.

2011 Anniversary Series Pt 3 Filled with Jesus Ephesians 3:16-19 NLT As you look at the vision for a local church, it must have interwoven thru it the threads that promote growth into the fullness of the nature & character of Christ. As you hear all the things Paul is describing & ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Nearsighted? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 25, 2010

Are you serious about growing in the Lord, are you nearsighted? If you actively pursue growth, you are on the road to great spiritual blessing.

Are You Nearsighted? (2 Peter 1: 5-11) 1. One of my favorite riddles is this one Q: What did the near-sighted porcupine say when it backed into a cactus? A: Pardon me, honey! 2. If you are near-sighted, you see objects that are near, but distant objects are blurry or unclear. To put is simply, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Counts Is Your Life. Is It Green And Blossoming?

Contributed by Colin Thornby on Dec 5, 2010

Real change and growth means working with God to allow God to change your life, which requires acknowledging brokenness and sin.

John the Baptist tells it like it is. God’s kingdom is here and now, and you need to change your life. You’ll remember that we’re looking at Matthew’s Gospel through the lens of the question ‘how do we deal with change?’. This reading is all about change. Change ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: *other

Living Creatively

Contributed by Gerald Manning on Oct 9, 2021

Living Creatively is letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in you, harvesting a crop of real life, eternal life.

Galatians 6:1-8: (THE MESSAGE) "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Are You A Baby In Christ Or A Child Growing In The Grace Of God? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 20, 2015

Are you a Baby in Christ or a Child Growing in the Grace of God? We can experience real joy through our spiritual growth.

Are you a babe in Christ or a Child Growing in the Grace of God? Straight into the question: Are you perfect? In Matthew 5:48 Jesus says “you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Did Jesus really say that? Did Jesus really mean what he said? Over the years ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:11-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Challenging Gift Of Prophecy

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 27, 2022

Jesus exercising the gift of prophecy did not always bring about immediate growth in the population of the kingdom of God, and it will seldom do that for us.

Thursday of the 3rd week in Lent When one commits himself to Christ in Baptism, three gifts come along with that commitment. Just as Jesus was, the Holy Spirit anoints the Christian to be priest, prophet, and leader. Jesus Himself was a priest according to the order of Melchisedek, not Levi or ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:36-38, Ezekiel 18:31-32, Jeremiah 7:23-28, Luke 11:14-23

Denomination: Catholic

Holding Hands In The Church

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Aug 31, 2020

When it comes to the church, church growth is naturally related to church health. Healthy churches, like healthy people, must grow.

When it comes to the church, church growth is naturally related to church health. Healthy churches, like healthy people, must grow. In his book, The Purpose Driven Church, Pastor Rick Warren says that if our church is healthy, attendance will be the least of our problems. He writes that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Holy Habit #6: Brotherly Kindness Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jul 25, 2025

“Loving one another is not optional in the Christian life. It is the evidence of it.” (John Piper) This is where all our spiritual growth leads.

HOLY HABIT #6: Brotherly Kindness 2 Peter 1:5-7 Introduction “Loving one another is not optional in the Christian life. It is the evidence of it.” (John Piper) This is where all our spiritual growth leads. The Holy Habits of 2 Peter 1 begin with faith and end with love. That journey transforms ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Perfect, Establish, Strengthen, And Settle You PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 4, 2023

This sermon explores how God's abundant grace, eternal glory, and promise of spiritual growth are experienced profoundly during trials and tribulations.

Welcome, beloved congregation, to this sacred assembly where we gather in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am overjoyed to see your eager faces, ready to receive the Word of God. This is a place of warmth, of love, of fellowship, and above all, a place where God's Word is proclaimed and His ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10

Topics: God, Grace

God Is A Name Changer PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 5, 2023

This sermon explores the transformative power of encountering God, using Jacob's struggle and name change as a metaphor for personal spiritual growth and identity.

Welcome, dear friends! It's wonderful to see each of you here, gathered in fellowship, ready to open your hearts to the Word of God. It is a privilege to share this time with you, a moment we set aside to seek the wisdom of our Creator, to bask in His love, and to learn from His teachings. Today, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:28

Topics: Encounter, God

Adversity PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 16, 2024

This sermon encourages embracing life's trials as opportunities for growth and transformation, urging faith, patience, and prayer for wisdom during these challenging times.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I greet you with the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is always a joy to gather with you in this sacred space, a place where we can pause, reflect, and find solace in the midst of life's storms. Today, we find ourselves standing at ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Topics: Adversity

Relationships: Make Us Or Break Us PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 14, 2024

This sermon explores the importance of relationships in our spiritual journey, their role in our growth, and how to reflect God's love through them.

Good morning! It is a joy to stand before you today, to share in the fellowship of God's love and to speak on a topic that touches the very core of our existence - relationships. We are, after all, relational beings, created by a relational God. We are not solitary creatures, but ones made for ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:26

Topics: Relationships, Shaping

Back To The Basics PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 2, 2024

This sermon encourages embracing, guiding, and rejoicing in God's Gospel, emphasizing its role in spiritual growth and our duty to help the needy.

Greetings, beloved congregation. We come together today on this blessed day, bound by our shared faith, and united in our love for the Lord. We are here to reflect, to learn, to grow, and to be nourished by the Word of God. As we gather in this sacred space, let us remember that we are not alone in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Topics: Redeeming The Lost