Sermons on Goal Of Growth:

How To Tell A Horse From A Cow Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 13, 2018

Christians need to be of one mind and one love. But too often we're so focused on ourselves that we can't reach that goal. So how do we change our self-centered way of thinking?

OPENING: A city boy had never been on a farm before and he asked a farmer: “Mister, why doesn’t this cow have any horns?” The farmer cocked his head for a moment, then began in a patient tone, “Well, cattle can do a powerful lot of damage with their horns. Sometimes we keep ’em trimmed down with a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Being Independent Together

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 1, 2021

Being independent of this world while being dependent upon God is a Christian's life's goal? This idea is similar to the thoughts which led to the thirteen U.S. colonies declaring their independence from Britain.

Being Independent Together Scripture: John 8:36; Exodus 1:11a; 3:7-8; Romans 12:2 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36) Today, in the United States, we are celebrating the Fourth of July holiday. Independence Day (July 4th), is a U.S. federal ...read more

Scripture: John 8:36, Amos 3:3, Romans 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fruitful Frustration Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

To be human is to experience frustration. It is not sinful to be frustrated, for Jesus was sinless, but He did not escape frustration. He may have had more than His share even, for the more ideals and goals you have, the more you will be frustrated.

Joe Bayly had a change to stay in the luxurious Hilton Hotel in Chicago. It was going to be a treat of a retreat, but then he was hit again by the x-factor. That is what he calls Murphy's Law-the law that says, if anything can go wrong it will. The hot water in his room would not work. He was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

The Approachable God Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 8, 2021

To find the Child-that was the goal. Anything that takes us off the path that leads to Christ is not part of God's plan. The job of the angels and the star was finished when the shepherds and the wise men bowed before the Christ-child.

Lucy is expounding on the meaning of Christmas and she says, "this is the time of the year that we show kindness and good will, when we accept others and welcome them into our home." Charlie Brown says, "why can't we be kind and accepting all through the year and not just at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

The Presence Of God Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 2, 2021

It is love that longs to experience all that can be experienced of the presence of God within time. The ideal of both the Old Testament and the New Testament is to enter the presence of God to the highest degree possible. The ultimate goal being to be in His objective presence.

A four year old attended a prayer meeting with his parents, and that night when he knelt to say his prayers before going to bed he prayed, "Dear Lord, we had a good time at church tonight. I wish you could have been there." The child was not critical of the church as being godless, he ...read more

Christmas Hangover Blues

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 27, 2023

Christmas busy-ness can leave us unfocused and exhausted. Joseph & Mary show us how to get back to work, reconnect with friends, and set new goals and work on them. Let's be transformed!

CHRISTMAS HANGOVER BLUES Matt. 2:19-23 INTRODUCTION A. SONG: “The 12 Pains (not ‘Days’) of Christmas,” by Bob Rivers; 1. “The first thing at Christmas that's such a pain to me, Is finding a Christmas tree.” 2. “The second thing at Christmas that's such a pain to me: Rigging up the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:19-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Responding To Persecution Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 8, 2023

Will we experience increased persecution in the days ahead? If so, will we respond in a way that facilitates the work of the Holy Spirit, or will we respond in the flesh, pursuing worthy goals in an unworthy manner? Message examines biblical revelation of how to respond.

Intro Persecution: Will we experience increased persecution in the days ahead? If so, will we be prepared and equipped to handle it well? These are questions that naturally arise as we read our text today. It’s found in Matthew 5:10--12: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 6:22-26, John 3:19-20, 1 Peter 2:1-24, 1 Corinthians 4:11-18, Acts 5:41, Matthew 5:44, 2 Timothy 4:1-6, Matthew 13:1-21, Hebrews 10:26-29, Mark 8:34, 2 Timothy 2:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

David’s Prayer Of Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Nov 17, 2023

Here we are just days from our national day of Thanksgiving. I am saddened that history is being rewritten and the first explorers that had the goal of taking the Gospel message to a needed people are be portrayed as conquerors and white supremacy.

“David’s Prayer Of Thanksgiving” Psalm 138:1-8 Here we are just days from our national day of Thanksgiving. I am saddened that history is being rewritten and the first explorers that had the goal of taking the Gospel message to a needed people are be portrayed as conquerors and white supremacy. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Return From Exile Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Apr 14, 2023

If there had only been an Ezra, only part of the job would have gotten done. If there had only been a Nehemiah, only part of the job would have gotten done. God needed both men to accomplish the goal.

April 15, 2023 Today we are combining the books of Ezra and Nehemiah into 1 story – Return from Exile The 70 years were up. It was now time for God to act. He moved the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia, to allow the Jews to return home. The Exiles returned to Judea in 3 separate waves over a ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 1:1-3, Ezra 7:6-9, Nehemiah 2:1-10

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Guiding Light: Finding My Purpose!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 3, 2024

I have been a pastor 45 years... I am sad to say as a whole few know their spiritual purpose. If we do not know our purpose how will we ever accomplish God's goals?

THE GUIDING LIGHT… HOW DO I DEFINE MY PURPOSE? (This is a two part lesson) By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) I use a compass, hourglass, shofar. TODAY’S LESSON HAS SEVERAL MAIN CHARACTERS : *DAVID (The King of Israel); *JOAB (The mighty general); ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2-3, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, James 1:22-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Question Of Eternal Life

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Feb 19, 2025

He had a dream of obtaining his life goal of eternal life. He had the desire to attain it. He had every opportunity to receive it placed right in his lap...but he ended up with nothing.

The Question of Eternal Life Matthew 19:16-30 America has been called the land of opportunity. Many people have come here over the years in the hope of building a better life than what they had in the country of their origin. My ancestors came from England on my mom's side and Sweden or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Methodist

Becoming A Water Walker

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Jul 30, 2010

A challenge to chruches to step out in faith bsed on thoughts from John Ortenberg's Book.

Becoming a Water Walker (All my sermons use illustrations from www.sermoncentral.com and the scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted) (This sermon was based on John Ortenberg’s Book and credit was given to the author) It takes great deal of FAITH to build God’s Church, especially ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Approved Sufferings

Contributed by Jedidiah Jedidiah on Aug 19, 2025

The Bible frequently presents suffering not as a sign of God's rejection, but as a tool He uses for spiritual growth and refinement. The common reaction of men is to reject suffering as a natural human tendency. The Bible acknowledges this, but also provides a different perspective.

God Approved Sufferings The Bible frequently presents suffering not as a sign of God's rejection, but as a tool He uses for spiritual growth and refinement. The common reaction of men is to reject suffering. This part of the statement reflects a natural human tendency. We instinctively avoid ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:11

" Must" For The Growing Church

Contributed by Joel Santos on Sep 30, 2004

If we are to see our churches growing like the early church, we must be like the Jerusalem church. Certain characteristics should be present in our churches today before growth takes place.

The whole process of growth is caused by God. A farmer plows his field, sows the seed and fertilizes and cultivates the plant--all the while knowing that, in the final analysis, he is utterly dependent on forces outside himself. He knows he cannot cause the seed to germinate nor can he produce the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Overcoming Challenges To Your Leadership

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 3, 2003

The apostles were blessed by God with great growth in their fellowship as a result of their Spirit applied solutions to a prickly problem. Dr. Luke wrote, Then the word of God spread and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem.

1. Remember that there are plenty of cycles of ups and downs in every relationship, ministry and group. While the first century church grew in maturity they were faced with the tensions between Grecian and Aramaic speaking Jews. The differing tribal perspectives meant that Grecian Jews felt that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational