Sermons on Barriers To Growth:

The Way Up Is The Way Down Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 8, 2005

Many people want to see changes taking place in their lives. The usual prescription given today is, "Just try harder!" But that doesn’t produce true, genuine, lasting life-transformation. In James 4:6-10 James teaches how God changes a person.

Scripture I once read a Peanuts comic strip where Lucy told Charlie Brown that she would hold the football for him to kick. But when he ran up to kick the ball, she pulled it away. Charlie Brown went flying through the air and fell flat on his back. Well, one day Lucy went up to Charlie Brown and ...read more

Scripture: James 4:6-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Requirements Of The New Covenant

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

The author of Hebrews has made the case that the New Covenant is superior to (and fulfills) the Old Covenant. What then are the requirements of this new covenant?

Before we continue our study of Hebrews this morning, I want to take a moment to comment on our Gospel lesson found in Mark chapter 12. I love that short little story about the widow who placed her two coins in the offering. I love the way that Jesus so graciously commends this woman—not because ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:11-24

Denomination: Nazarene

Don't Hunt With Your Head Down

Contributed by Don Campbell on May 22, 2023

My dad always killed more squirrels than I did because he was looking up in the trees. I was looking a bugs and other earth-bound creatures.

DON’T HUNT WITH YOUR HEAD DOWN John 4:1-42 INTRODUCTION A. Jesus told the disciples to lift up their eyes to the fields that were white unto harvest (John 4:35-38). The fields being white unto harvest then does not mean that every field is white unto harvest now, simply because millions are ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-43

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Follow Your Heart Series

Contributed by Andy Flowers on Mar 31, 2008

Series in Romans

Text: Romans 7:14-25 Title: Follow Your Heart Romans 7:14-25 14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Baptist

How To Jump Start Spiritual Growth - 2 Peter 1:9a Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 16, 2025

Is there anything more frustrating than those stubborn character flaws that you can't change? You’ve tried everything—prayer, accountability, discipline—but the changes never last. Peter shows us the surprising path to lasting change.

2 Peter 1:8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:9

"The Body Of Christ” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jun 28, 2010

Paul tells us how we can function as the body of Christ and thus, present the likeness of Christ to a lost world.

Once again, the Apostle Paul discusses the unity of the local church. Here he uses the picture of a body to speak about how we are to function in unity. From Paul’s discussion of how God sees His church as being like a body, we learn four things about how the body (the local church) is to function. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: Baptist

Life Signs Of A Healthy Church Series

Contributed by David Welch on Oct 19, 2009

Sermon 9 in the series dealing with the Biblical signs of a healthy church.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ “Life Signs of a Healthy Church” INTRODUCTION What determines whether something is dead or not? A medical doctor checks for VITAL signs. Pulse, blood pressure, oxygen levels, brain function Some remain alive but are pronounced brain dead because there is no longer ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Powerful Word Of God (Just Keep Sowing) - Mark 4:26-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 23, 2023

The kingdom began shockingly small, but, like a seed, had great power to produce imperceptible growth, automatic growth, and mysterious growth that will result in the glorious, eternal kingdom.

As the farmer can’t cause growth to happen, neither can man cause spiritual growth to happen. Our role is indispensable, however. Seed doesn’t grow unless it’s sown. We must not become discouraged in the work of sowing. Mark 4:26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Spirit Given Faith

Contributed by Kevin Heath on Aug 17, 2004

Is there a difference between every day faith and Spirit given faith in 1 Corinthians?

1Co 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says Jesus is a curse, and that no one can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Spirit. 1Co 12:4 But there are differences of gifts, but the same Spirit. 1Co 12:5 And there are differences of ministries, but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:3-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Being Still Series

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Dec 22, 2003

This sermon discusses the need for Christians to have a quiet time with God daily.

Being Still Gen 1:27, Rev 3:20, 1 Cor 1:9, Mark 1:35, Mat 4:4, Job 23:12, Psa 119:9, Psa 29:2, Psa 25:4 Pro 4:26, 3:6, Psa 37:4, 16:11, 2 Pet 1:3-4, Luke 22:39, Mark 1:35, Psa 119:18, John 7:17, Gal 6:9, November 14, 2003 I. I have been preaching about habits that we need to form. Jose ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9, Genesis 1:27

Denomination: Baptist

How Do I Accept Forgiveness

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 31, 2004

Questions about forgiveness and growth in grace are answered.

(As I begin this morning, I am letting you know that I will be making an invitation to come forward to the altar at the conclusion of the sermon.) In our text for this morning, many people are in a desperate place and only Jesus can truly save them. The woman who is dragged before Jesus and ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Church Of God

"The Power Of God" Series

Contributed by Allan Kircher on Jul 20, 2008

The church once again needs to discover we have an unchanging God and an unchanging kingdom.

“THE POWER OF GOD” Allan H. Kircher Second Chronicles 7:14 “ If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land. Time and time again we ask ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Baptist

A Prayer To Grow On Series

Contributed by Allen Calkins on Nov 24, 2009

It is essential that Christians remain committed to growing in the Lord in order to have the impact we are intended to have in the world.

A Prayer to Grow On Colossians 1:9-14 INTRODUCTION When it comes to matters of faith, how good is good enough for you? What is your goal in the Christian life? Is your goal to be the best believer you can be for the glory of God? Obviously, our Lord’s desire is for us to continue to grow and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

When Salvation Comes

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Nov 3, 2007

Salvation comes to us when we are willing to breakdown the barriers that separate us from God.

Luke 19: 1 – 10 / When Salvation Comes Intro: Randy Newman wrote a song some time ago called “Short People.” The lyrics go something like this: “Short people got no reason to live. They got little hands and little eyes and they walk around tellin’ great big lies. They got little noses and tiny ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Second And Third Post Resurrection Of Jesus In John's Gospel Series

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Apr 24, 2020

The barrier to faith for the disciples was fear and for Thomas Doubt. A word from Jesus overcame fear and doubt

Story: The late Dr Billy Graham told this story based in the 19th Century Auguste Comte (19 January 1798 – 5 September 1857), the French philosopher, and Thomas Carlyle, (4 December 1795 – 5 February 1881) the Scottish essayist met and started to have a discussion. Comte said he was going to ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Anglican