Sermons on Cultivating Character:

How God Uses Adversity For Good

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 3, 2003

Paul teaches us that “experiences” may come into our life so God can smooth off the rough edges off of our character. The Lord is in the process of fashioning us more into the image of Jesus Christ. He is the potter and we are the clay.

1. Have you considered all the blessings that are available to you when you hear the word, “No”. Most of us like to get what we want, but are frustrated when we hear somebody say, “No” to our requests. Instead of growing resentful, angry or disillusioned when you come up against denials of your ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Developing Longsuffering”

Contributed by Matt Kyzer on Apr 30, 2003

Correct me if I am wrong, but everyone wants to “Develop Joy” right? And not to many of us would pass on the opportunity to live a life of “Peace”, however it’s this fourth characteristic that many have trouble developing within their Christian characte

“Developing Longsuffering” Job1:1ff Introduction: I pray that everyone is getting something out of this series on “Developing Character”. I hope that we are not just warming a pew, listening to good music, and leaving here unchallenged. My desire is that each one of us would take seriously the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Good Shepherd

Contributed by J Spurling on May 17, 2003

The parable of the Good Shepherd in John 10:7–21 will reveal to us who the key players are in God’s plan of salvation. Knowing the characters involved in the parable of the Good Shepherd enables us to recognize where we fit into the plan of salvation a

How many people know what Sunday June 1st is? Sunday June 1st is Ascension Sunday. It’s a day by which we can remember and celebrate the ascension of Jesus Christ. We have a time to celebrate His birth at Christmas. We recognize the coming of the Savior. We have a time to celebrate His ...read more

Scripture: John 10:7-21

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Jacob's Final Transformation Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2005

After Jacob gave his heart to God, and saw the Lord change his character, there was a point where God needed to break Jacob so that he would be fully devoted. God does that in our lives as well - what does it mean?

You give your heart to the Lord - saying "I’m yours, be my Lord and Savior." Then the Father begins a process of transformation. The Apostle Paul put it this way: "being transformed into His image with ever increasing glory" (1 Cor 3:18). That transformation process often involves the tearing ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:1-31

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Lesson Of The Wine

Contributed by Christopher Roberts on Oct 29, 2003

The little things in the Bible are easy to overlook, yet it all has meaning. In the miracles at the wedding in Cana, the 240,000 servings of wine can teach us about the difference between the Law and the Spirit, God’s Grace and God’s character.

I love weddings. I have only had the occasion to perform two weddings and those were both great and special occasions for me. I had so much fun. And weddings are supposed to be fun. I think we should take a lesson from 1st century Judaism on how to party. The usual festivities consisted of a ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

A Bold Request Series

Contributed by Dean O'bryan on Jul 2, 2007

Third in a four-part series from Ruth. Ruth in faith requests that Boaz take her as his wife. She models for us the sort of risks God will ask us to take if we press out in faith, knowing His character.

Trinity Baptist Church June 24, 2007 Ruth: God redeems A bold request Ruth 3:1-18 Marriage proposals come in all shapes and varieties. From the stories I’ve heard, many proposals don’t happen soon enough for one or the other person in the relationship! I have to admit -- before ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Aaron: Seond Fiddle To Greatness Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Jan 16, 2008

Everyone wants to be successful. It is very easy to have a good spirit when you are in first place. A type of humility may come rather freely when the laurels of victory are being worn, but real character is developed when a person is in second place or

Aaron: Second Fiddle to Greatness Exodus 4:14-16 Intro Everyone wants to be successful. It is very easy to have a good spirit when you are in first place. A type of humility may come rather freely when the laurels of victory are being worn, but real character is developed when a person is in ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Desperate Widow: A Parable About A Responsive God."

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 23, 2007

Jesus gathers his disciples for a teaching on prayer....to pray and not grow faint. He uses a persistent widow, a shadey character, a dishonest judge to make a point about the goodness of God. The message is not about the "way to have peace with God" bu

In Jesus Holy Name October 21, 2007 Text: Luke 18:1-8 Redeemer “A Desperate Widow: A Parable About A Responsive God” During the past Sundays our Sunday morning Gospel lessons have been moving us through the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 14 Jesus told his disciples about the “cost of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

The Twelve Men Who Shaped The World – Session 5, John, The Beloved Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Jul 30, 2006

Three words summarize our next guest. Those words are “love”, “witness”, and “believe”. The Renaissance painters all portrayed the Apostle John as doe-eyed, pale-skinned and effeminate. This they did to accentuate the “love” part of John’s character. In d

Three words summarize our next guest. Those words are “love”, “witness”, and “believe”. The Renaissance painters all portrayed the Apostle John as doe-eyed, pale-skinned and effeminate. This they did to accentuate the “love” part of John’s character. In doing so, they ignored the other parts, for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rahab's Faith; A Saving Faith Series

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Oct 23, 2008

Rahab is an example of the grace of God at work. Her salvation was not based on her character: she lived in a doomed city, practiced a sinful profession, engaged in rebellious activities, & lied about her actions. But she acted upon faith, & was spared th

Letting your Faith do the Walking Part 14 Rahab’s faith; A Saving Faith Joshua 2:1-24; Hebrews 11:31 Introduction In Paris there stands a monument called the “Arc de Triumph” it stands 165 ft. in height & 145 ft. wide. It is so big that a daredevil pilot once flew his plane through it’s pillars. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:31

Denomination: Baptist

The Heartbreak Of Frustration Series

Contributed by Stephen Colaw on Nov 29, 2005

Part 3 of 3. God will never waste a hurt. When we are frustrated by life we can be encouraged in the knowledge that God will develop our character through our trials and use them so that we may minister in our world

The Heartbreak of Frustration Scripture: I Corinthians 6:19 Theme: When our hearts are broken by frustration, God will use that pain to teach us faithfulness, brokenness and perseverance, shaping us into what he wants us to be so that he can use us for His glory. Seed: Devotional by Oswald ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Peter's Incredible Zeal Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Dec 28, 2005

Many people read the Bible and read of Bible characters and stand in awe of what they could do and how they could live. We must never forget that people like Peter, were real people, with real problems, simply living their faith.

Introduction Just about every kid has a period in their lives where they love superheroes. The kids idolize the superheroes ability to do the impossible, to fly, their incredible strength or their x-ray vision. When I was growing up, I loved superman. I wanted to be just like superman. I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33, Matthew 16:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Adam Series

Contributed by Ricky Nelms on Jul 16, 2010

We are doing a series of messages on Bible Characters entitled "Close Encounters." We’re going to be looking at different men and women in the Bible who, despite thier problems, sins, terrible mistakes and circumstances, turned out to have close encounte

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS SERIES 1 – ADAM Today, I want to begin a BRAND NEW series of messages entitled “CLOSE ENCOUNTERS” And over the next few weeks, we’re going to be talking about the people of the Bible who had CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD And the reason that I’m going to be preaching this series is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

David, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ricky Nelms on Jul 24, 2010

This is Part 2 of looking at the life of David. This is part of the sermon series "Close Encounters" where we're looking at the lives some of the great Bible characters. The outline is: 1)David's Sin With Bathsheba, and 2)David's Sin In Numbering The P

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS SERIES 7 – DAVID, PART 2 This morning, we are continuing with our sermon series on CLOSE ENCOUNTERS You say, “Pastor, you’ve been preaching on this for a long time, how much longer are you going to preach on this?” Until we have CLOSE ENCOUNTERS Because ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:36

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Call To The Altar Of Fire

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Sep 20, 2010

Combing 1 Kings 18 & Gen 49 this is a message showing that God is calling His people back to the altar of fire, warts and all. 1 Kings 18 shows the rebuilding of the altar, and Gen 49 shows the character of the tribes called back.

The Call to the Altar of Fire Text: Genesis 49: 1,2 Jacob has twelve sons and he prophesies over them what it would be like for them in last days. I believe this text can be spiritually applied to the body of Christ in the last days. The literal Hebrew is the "end of days". I want to combine it ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 49:1-27

Denomination: Pentecostal