Sermons on Gradual Growth:

Broken Cisterns

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 6, 2000

There is a Fountain of Living Waters who never disappoints.

(read Jeremiah 2:9-13) In his commentary on the book of Jeremiah, Andrew Blackwood says this: “Many Palestinians were dependent upon cisterns, laboriously carved from the rock. Cistern water at best is flat and tasteless; it is easily contaminated with various types of growth that produce ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:9-13

Denomination: Orthodox

What Do We Do With The Weeds?"

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

When the end comes, it will become clear who those people are whose faith is truly in Jesus, and it will become clear who those are who have been just playing a religious game.

When I was a kid, weeding the garden was one of my least favorite activities. It was often hot out there and my back would hurt from bending over. Worst of all, I thought it was monotonous work, so often I did not pay real close attention to what I was doing. And, sure enough, I would sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43, Luke 9:62

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Ready For A Pentecostal Experience Series

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Dec 8, 2000

Following the Instructions of Jesus as they await the dawning of a Christian Pentecost

As we begin this fourth lesson in Acts, we have now moved past Dr. Luke’s introduction and into the beginning of the early church. We have seen the importance of the resurrection in the redemptive history of the church. We have read how Jesus appeared to ver 500 of His followers following ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:12-26

Denomination: Pentecostal

By The Sweat Of Your Brow

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 14, 2000

Christians need to be hard-working people.

BY THE SWEAT OF YOUR BROW Gen. 3:19 “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” INTRO.- Sweat and dirt. Those don’t sound very inviting or interesting to me. DO THEY TO YOU? God ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Life Tumbles In

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 30, 2000

Job wanted to know: What is the benefit in being good? Where is God? What should my response to God be?

The most difficult part of being a pastor is regularly walking into situations which are filled with tragedy and brimming with raw emotion. The added pressure for a pastor is that there is a silent expectation in some people’s minds that you are supposed to have some answers — or at least some ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:6-22

Denomination: Methodist

How To Benefit From The Bible Series

Contributed by Jim Mooney on Dec 30, 2000

God’s word is the source of our Chrisyian faith, this sermon will instruct Believers on how to get the most from it.

HOW TO BENEFIT FROM THE BIBLE Growing Up Rather Than Giving Up - Part 5 James 1:19-27 Our lives are to be governed and controlled by the word of God, The Bible. Yet there are many in churches through out America the are governed and controlled by their fears, doubt, unbelief, wrong emotions and ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Road To Ruin

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 1, 2001

Samson was on the road to ruin because he fraternized with the enemy, wasted his strength and was deluded by pride.

The story of Samson begins much like the story of the other judges of Israel. The nation was in misery because of the domination of a rival country that was oppressing them. That nation was the Philistine nation. (Interestingly, the word Philistine is where we get our word “Palestinian,” so this ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:4-21

Denomination: Methodist

How To Avoid Being Blinded To The Truth Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 23, 2001

How to avoid being blinded to the truth of the Holy Spirit

Gal. 3:1-5 Theme - Avoid being blinded to the Spirit by relying on works of the flesh. What happens to people who prefer to live by the letter of the law rather than by the Spirit of grace? While the Bible urges us to perfection, you do not become holy through the keeping of the law. Paul saw ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ministry In Jerusalem

Contributed by David Dewitt on Oct 31, 2001

This is an inductive study of the Jerusalem ministry of Jesus with a focus on major themes and structural elements.

The Jerusalem Ministry Narrative I. Divide and Title A. Segmental Divisions 19.28-21.4 Jesus enters and claims the Kingdom 21:5-38 Jesus predicts the destruction of Jerusalem B. Paragraph Divisions 19:28-44 The Entry 19:45-48 Jesus clears the Temple 20:1-8 Religious leaders question Jesus’ ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

Paying Our Spiritual Debts

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 4, 2001

Debt can be a good thing, spiritually; we owe debts to those who have shaped us, both negatively and positively, and pay that back by sharing in mutual respect and by offering the good news to a generation yet to come.

How do you feel about debt? Do you like debt? Do you take pleasure in interest payments? How many of you say, “Oh, Mr. Greenspan, please don’t lower the interest rate again. I want to pay more. I love debt.” Can I get a show of hands? I thought not. You don’t like debt. I don’t like ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-17

Denomination: Baptist

Pockets Filled With Potential

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Dec 5, 2001

One year into a stewardship campaign we can learn from Paul’s advice to the Corinthians. Finish what you started a year previously.

INTRODUCTION An elderly man won $1,000,00 in a lottery. His family was worried about him because he had a bad heart. They were afraid that when they told him he’d won the $1,000,000 he might drop dead of shock. So they went to their minister hoping that he would find the best way to break the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:10-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Familiarity With Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Kyle Meador on Dec 7, 2001

If our children are going to recognize God as loving and forgiving, they must see us practicing an expression and an experience of forgiveness ourselves.

What Parents Owe Their Children: A Familiarity with Forgiveness As a parent, one of the most worrisome thoughts I’ve ever heard is this: As my children grow up and try to figure out who this mysterious person called “God” is, they will in large part base their impressions of who God is on who I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-31, Matthew 6:14-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mighty God

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Dec 9, 2001

What does the title "Mighty God" tell us about Jesus?

This morning, we continue our Advent sermon series, in which we are studying the names of Christ found in the prophecy of Isaiah chapter nine: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

Constantly Abiding

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Dec 20, 2001

Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

I.“Abide in Me”—Experience Life (verses 1-8) verse 2, “no fruit” verse 2 “fruit” verse 2 “more fruit” verse 5 “much fruit” Where are you and I? Are we still acting like people that are not saved. Are we just barely growing so that we are still struggling with swearing or lying or stealing etc.? ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Whom Do We Truly Love; And How Do We Show It

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Dec 29, 2001

Genesis 29, showing how Jacob is matured in a Godly manner through over 14 years of service to Laban his father-in-law.

Whom do we truly Love, and how do we show it DBF 12/30/01 A. Jacob’s love for Rachael First Meeting with Rachael First meeting with Laban B. Jacob’s Labor for Rachael Diligence of Jacob Deception of Laban Genesis 29:1-30 Remember your first love, Oh the beauty and wonder of it. Oh that he or ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:1-30

Denomination: Baptist