Sermons on Barriers To Growth:

Part 1: God Won’t Do It Without You: Discovering Your Irreplaceable Role - Ephesians 4:11-16 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 22, 2026

Ephesians 4 says every believer is a “joint of supply”—a vital channel of God’s grace to others. Sit on the sidelines and the whole body suffers. Step in, and you help the church attain “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

For free audio or video download of this message, visit https://www.treasuringgod.com/sermons-by-scripture or my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson. God’s Purpose Statement for Your Church If you were asked to draft a purpose statement for your church, what would you ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Count The Cost Of Discipleship Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of discipleship, emphasizing that while salvation is a free gift, it requires total commitment and surrender of one's life to Jesus.

Welcome church! How many of you here today have ever been students before? Probably most, if not all of us have been students at some point in our lives and so we have some understanding of what it takes from our time in elementary, middle, and/or high school. Whatever type of student you were in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Topics: Cost Of Discipleship, Eternal Life, Faith Growth

Plant Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon emphasizes the importance of preparing one's heart as fertile soil, so the seed of the Gospel can take root and grow, urging individuals to consciously adjust their lifestyles to foster a growing relationship with God.

As the congregation arrives, offer them each a seed of some sort to take and keep in their hands during the worship experience. Consider the size of the seed that you want. Choose one that is large enough to not drop and lose. Begin your message by giving a personal story about a time you planted a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, Matthew 13:18-23

Topics: Gospel Seed, Heart Condition, Spiritual Growth

Sermon Series: Rooted

The Heart Of Heaven (Come Close) Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon introduction sets the stage for a series on Following Jesus, aiming to help listeners either connect with Jesus for the first time or deepen their existing relationship, using the analogy of how perspective changes with distance.

I’m excited to be kicking off this Following Jesus series. Over this series, we’re going to lean into 4 key themes found in the Bible and in the Following Jesus book. It’s our desire and goal that over the next few weeks you’d either connect with Jesus for the first time or you want to deepen your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:50-51, Luke 15:11-24, Luke 19:1-10

Topics: Following Jesus, Spiritual Growth, Divine Perspective

Sermon Series: Following Jesus

Revival: Stronger Than Ever - Where To Turn In Your Darkest Moment Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores where to turn during our darkest moments, using a personal anecdote from the pastor's childhood as a metaphor for finding oneself in unexpected and challenging situations.

One of my most vivid childhood memories is of an afternoon in sixth grade, when a friend and I decided to swing on a newly-installed bar hanging over the walkway on our way out of school. The bar was about 8 feet off the ground, just low enough for the two of us to reach if we jumped. So on the ...read more

Topics: Overcoming Challenges, Faith In Crisis, Personal Growth

Sermon Series: Revival: Stronger Than Ever

Worship: An Attitude Of The Heart

Contributed by R Davis on Oct 18, 2000

Main Idea: Selfishness, pride and bitterness are all attitudes that will keep us from celebrating God’s presence in worship Interrogative: What are the barriers that will keep us from celebrating God’s presence in worship Intro: This past week on vacation, my wife and I carried my mom to visit

Main Idea: Selfishness, pride and bitterness are all attitudes that will keep us from celebrating God’s presence in worship Interrogative: What are the barriers that will keep us from celebrating God’s presence in worship Intro: This past week on vacation, my wife and I carried my mom to visit ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

The Power Of The Cross - Number 1 Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 25, 2012

The Cross of Jesus Christ... 1. Can put real hope in our hearts (vs. 12-13). 2. Can break down barriers between us (vs. 11-15). 3. Can save us from God's holy hostility (vs. 15-17). 4. Can give us instant access to Almighty God (vs. 18). 5. Can make Heaven our home (vs. 19).

The Power of the Cross - Number 1 Ephesians 2:11-19 Sermon by Rick Crandall Series: The Book of Ephesians Grayson Baptist Church - May 27, 2012 (Revised March 21, 2024) Note: This sermon was prepared for Memorial Day in the United States. Lord willing, I also will submit a very similar sermon for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Forgiveness Of Sins Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Nov 3, 2004

This sermon explores one part of how God removes the barrier of sin, brings us into fellowship with himself, and grants us eternal life. This teaching is summed up in the Apostles’ Creed in which we affirm our belief in "the forgiveness of sins."

Introduction As we continue our series in The Apostles’ Creed I would like to examine today what it means to believe in the forgiveness of sins. Please listen as I recite the Apostles’ Creed: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:3-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Irreducible Cross

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Mar 23, 2005

As much as our culture, or we, might try, to remove it as a barrier...as much as the world might like to make it into only a symbol, and rob it of its eternal meaning, the cross is irreducible. It’s irreducible in time. It’s irreducible in eternity.

The Irreducible Cross TCF Good Friday sermon March 25, 2005 I found this quote a few weeks ago in an article on a very popular TV preacher. This guy sells tickets to his national tour, and fills 15-20,000-seat arenas with his positive message. In this quote, he describes his own church, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Moving Ahead When Opposition Comes Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 11, 2005

When we are on a mission from God and we run into barriers and things don’t seem successful - how do we react? Moses experienced this upon returning to Egypt. We learn how God works with us but keeps on task.

Sometimes we think that battling for the Lord ought to be easy. I mean, here’s a Guy who created the universe by talking! It’s like Bill Cosby said to his son once on The Cosby Show "I brought you into this world and I can take you back out!" We like have a powerful person on our side. The problem ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The King And The Peasant Girl - Christ And The Church

Contributed by Peter Bines on Sep 19, 2006

The Song of Songs is a poetic love story between a King and a lowly country girl, which uses exotic and striking language. It celebrates love and affection between a man and a woman that cuts across class barriers. But what did God intend in including it

Personally I’m not much of a gardener; at best you could call me a ‘weed exterminator.’ But I certainly enjoy walking round a beautiful garden. What are the ingredients needed for a successful garden? I guess, the soil must be suitable, and needs to be plenty of water, sun and shelter. For a garden ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 4:12-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Christmas: Immanuel - God With Us

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Dec 17, 2011

What I’m asking you to do is this: Imagine that the barrier has been removed, and that Jesus has come to be with us today in the flesh. We can see Him, & walk up to Him, & look in His eyes.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2017) TEXT: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23 Today is Dec. 24th, & tomorrow is Christmas Day. And for most of us this has been a very busy Christmas Season. But right now I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Surely There Is An End.thine Expectation Will Not Be Cut Off

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Jan 3, 2016

1. END OF BATTLE 2. END OF INJUSTICE 3. END OF CAPTIVITY 4. END OF AFFLICTION 5. END OF SORROW 6. END OF FEARS 7. END OF BARRIERS 8. END OF DELAYS 9. END OF SICKNESS 10. END OF SCARCITY

SURELY THERE IS AN END PROVERBS 23:18 For surely there is an end ; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. OUTLINE 1. END OF BATTLE 2. END OF INJUSTICE 3. END OF CAPTIVITY 4. END OF AFFLICTION 5. END OF SORROW 6. END OF FEARS 7. END OF BARRIERS 8. END OF DELAYS 9. END OF ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:18

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Light Of The World Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 8, 2021

Light has the ability to penetrate and permeate the darkness. When light is introduced, darkness has to flee. Darkness and light cannot inhabit the same position. There are times when barriers prevent light from reaching darkness, but once it does, the darkness is gone.

The Light of the World Matthew 5: 14-16 We are continuing our study of the Sermon on the Mount. This is the longest recorded message we have that our Savior preached. It was given to the disciples, the followers of Jesus, and reveals much practical application to the lives we live. In our last ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Every Healthy Thing Grows

Contributed by Chris Mason on Aug 27, 2001

When a plant is healthy, it grow. The church is the same way, when it is healthy it will grow. This sermon deals with two main growth principles: Quality and Quantity!

EVER HEALTHY THING GROWS INTRODUCTION *STORY: Science Project* Three containers with soil and bean seeds: One was given only water. The other was given coke and sun light. The third was given both light and water. The one with water didn’t grow. The one given coke and water grew, but very ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ