Sermons on Faith And Growth:

Persecution & Growth (Acts 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 26, 2025

Do persecution and church growth sometimes go hand in hand?

Does the word of God continue to grow even under sometimes severe persecution? Let’s look at Acts 12. Was James murdered by Herod? Was Peter imprisoned? Are Christians still murdered for their faith in places like Nigeria, North Korea, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, China, India, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Principles, Practices, And Steps Of Church Growth

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 13, 2001

Jesus said, ``I will build my church and the gates of hell (all evil opposing forces) will not prevail against it!’’ (Matt. 16:18) Since, the church is Christ’s body, it is His work to see that it grows qualitatively and quantitatively. We can belief,

Using Principles, Practices, & Steps of Church Growth & Planting Principles, Practices, and Steps of Church Growth and Church Planting Learning Objectives 1. The students will be able to explain how the Holy Spirit helps the church grow. 2. The students will be able to state five mission ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Fruit Of Faith Is Joy

Contributed by William Baeta on Apr 6, 2013

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” John 20:29.

Theme: The fruit of faith is Joy Text: Acts 5:27-32; Rev. 1:4-8; Jn. 20:19-31 Man has a deep desire for certainty and he will go to great lengths just to be certain. For many people the only things that are certain in life are death and taxes. For the Christian, however, there are many certainties ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, Acts 2:22-32, 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Growth & Flourishing Of The Christian Mind

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 2, 2021

God works in mysterious ways, as they say. And how truly mysterious it is and difficult to comprehend. Just when you think you've discovered a way in which God operates, he surprises you with another.

God works in mysterious ways, as they say. And how truly mysterious it is and difficult to comprehend. Just when you think you've discovered a way in which God operates, he surprises you with another. At times he seems distant. At times it seems hopeless. At other times he is close. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:33, Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Goal Of This Journey

Contributed by Rodney Kelley on Sep 19, 2010

Our goal in life should be to follow Christ.

Intro. Sometimes as we get into the middle of the Summer, we get distracted. We lose sight of our true purpose, our Goal. We are to be consumed with Christ! Christ and His ways are the goal. It is great that God provides for us, it is wonderful that God has given us our families, our church, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

United For The Growth Of The Church And The Glory Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 8, 2014

Paul has finished telling the Ephesians about their riches and inheritance in Jesus and now begins teaching them about their responsibility to Jesus. True understanding of correct biblical teaching should lead to correct Christian living

Intro: The Christian life is not based on ignorance but knowledge. Knowledge of Jesus! We are never taught the Bible nor do we study the Bible merely to learn what it says but instead we learn it to live what it says. True understanding of correct biblical teaching should motivate us to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Individual Most Essential For Church Growth

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Dec 2, 2005

The characteristics of the Holy Spirit that make Him uniquely essential to help grow the church.

[Note: this sermon is largely based on Calvin Miller’s work: "A View From the Fields".] Any attempt to grow the church apart from the Holy Spirit will be disastrous! We can have the most clever programs conceivable, plan the most motivating promotions available, sing the sweetest songs and preach ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Thankful For A Growing Faith. Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jul 27, 2024

Those who are being persecuted need to keep the perspective as to why it is worth it to suffer. It is worth it because Jesus is worthy. It is worth it because God is on his throne.

This is the second letter of Paul to the Thessalonians. According to what we know about Paul’s timeline including his visit, arrival in Thessalonica, his exit, his first letter and second letter all happened in a very short time. Instead of us saying this is Paul’s second letter to the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Foundation Of Growth, Knowing Christ. Philippians 3:7-10

Contributed by David Cramer on Nov 10, 2024

A message about growing in our faith by getting to know Jesus better. Making a real commitment and not just going to church on a once-a-week basis.

The Foundation of Growth; Knowing Christ Philippians 3:7-10 Good Morning Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be. Today I will learn more of the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

6 Ways To Bring Personal Growth

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Oct 13, 2007

Growing in Christ is what it’s all about!Remember we have someone greater than Solomon to learn from!

Personal Growth Text: Proverbs 1: 5 5.A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, The famous football coach John Wooden once said, “What counts, is what you learn after you know it all.” Teddy Roosevelt said, “There’s ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Church Growth Or Church Set Up Series

Contributed by Brad Yock on Mar 14, 2011

"A survival guide"

What every Pastor, Church Leader and seminary student should know. What they don’t teach you in seminary, yet 8 out of 10 pastors fail as a direct result of a church expansion program. This is the most pro active, preventative advice available today. Empowering, enlightening and powerful. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:19

Denomination: *other

Christian Growth Through Spiritual Diet

Contributed by Dr. Nicholas M. Muteti on Jun 15, 2011

Did you know that a Christian must have a spiritual diet? I was blessed to discover it in 1 Peter Chapter 2. I like peter. Peter is quite often pictured on the pages of scripture eating, or sitting at the table. Here, in chapter 2, he is not referring the

CHRISTIAN GROWTH THROUGH SPIRITUAL DIET 1 PETER 2:1-3 Introduction, Attention, Personal- Six years ago, my wife and I took our youngest son for a regular physical check-up and the doctor told us, “Everything is fine with him, except his growth. Last time he was doing fine, now he is thinner. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

My Role In My Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Aug 8, 2007

This is the first in a series of sermons based on "The Pursuit Of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges.

My Role In My Spiritual Growth – Cleaning Up A farmer goes out and plows his field. He sows the seed. He cultivates the plants and fertilizes them. All the while he knows that the plants grow because of forces outside of himself. The farmer is utterly dependent on forces he can not control. He can ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Keys To The Path To Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 4, 2015

What are some of the keys to pursuing spiritual growth?

THREE MISTAKES CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GROWTH: 1. I’m already there. - “This is as good as it’s going to get.” - “I’m mature enough.” - “My life looks like the other Christians around me.” - We need to recognize that God has more for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Why Trying Is Not Enough For Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 17, 2015

Paul commands us to do more than try - we are to train.

WHAT DOES A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE LOOK LIKE? Christlikeness. - 1 Timothy 4:7a. - The goal of the Christian life is for us to literally become like Christ, not just claim allegiance to Him. - The mention of “godless myths and old wives’ tales” earlier in v. 7 is telling. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-10

Denomination: Baptist