Sermons on Barriers To Growth:

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

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

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

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

Filled With Jesus

Contributed by Chris Mccall on Oct 21, 2011

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.

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 & then see where it is he wants it to bring us ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"unshakeable - Forging Strength In The Fires Of Adversity"

Contributed by Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr. on Jul 29, 2024

In a world filled with challenges and trials, we are called to stand firm in our faith, finding joy and growth even in the midst of hardship.

Focal Scripture: James 1:2-4 (CSB) "Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

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

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

Holy Habit #6: Brotherly Kindness Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jul 24, 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

Sermon On Cognitive Development

Contributed by William Meakin on Jun 27, 2025

Cognitive development is regarded as an integral factor of life, primarily referring to the growth of a child's ability to think, reason, and understand.

Morihei Ueshiba, a Japanese martial artist once remarked: “Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks. Also learn from holy books and wise people. Everything - even mountains, rivers, plants and trees - should be your teacher.” Isaiah 1:18 reminds us: “Come now, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:7, 2 Peter 3:18, Proverbs 18:15, Hosea 4:6

Broken Walls PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 3, 2023

Explore the themes of personal growth and rebuilding in our spiritual lives, drawing parallels from the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Good morning, Church family! We've got a powerful message to share with you today, and I'm excited to dive in together. You know, Desiderius Erasmus once said, “By a Carpenter mankind was made, and only by that Carpenter can mankind be remade.” Now ain't that the truth? We're all works in progress, ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:11-19

Topics: Rebuilding, Broken

Growing Pains PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 30, 2023

Explores the early church's approach to community grievances, growth, and the importance of prayer and preaching, offering guidance for our faith journey today.

Good morning, my dear friends in Christ. We are here today, gathered in His love, to share, to learn, and to grow in faith. We are here to listen to His word, to understand His teachings, and to seek His guidance. Our scripture today is from Acts 6:1-6, "In those days when the number of disciples ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-6

Topics: Serving, Roles, Church

The Christian Journey PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 31, 2023

Encourages shifting focus from material possessions to spiritual growth, trusting in God's provision, and resisting materialistic mindsets for spiritual maturity.

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters, to this time of shared reflection and fellowship. We are gathered together in the presence of our Lord, bound by our common faith and the love that He has so generously bestowed upon us. We find ourselves in a world that often seems to value the material over the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25

Topics: Strength, Lord

Gratitude PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 14, 2023

This sermon explores gratitude in scarcity, generosity in giving, and spiritual growth through gratitude, using the miracle of feeding five thousand as an example.

Good morning, dear friends, and welcome to this blessed gathering. Isn't it a delight to be in the house of the Lord, to sit at His feet, and to learn from His Word? We're here today, not by mere chance or coincidence, but by divine appointment. God, in His infinite wisdom and unending love, has ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Topics: Gratitude