Sermons on Gradual Growth:

Five Anti-Growth Attributes To Avoid

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jul 17, 2011

Peter urges us as believers (especially new ones) to be nourished and grow closer to Jesus, and he highlights five anti-growth attributes that will keep us from doing so! Avoid the evil, cling to what is good!

Text: 1 Peter 2:1-3 1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Opening Prayer Paul wrote about the 'fruit' of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Mustard Seed Growth In Our Lives.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Nov 11, 2011

The mustard plant grows from insignificance to the largest of garden plants quickly. What are we doing to grow in our right relationship with God and others. The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard plant growing.

Mark: 4:30-32 The parable of the mustard seed. Read Mark 4:30-32 The kingdom of God, is like! Jesus in his wisdom gave all these explanations of what the kingdom of God was like, and he did it in parables by painting pictures with words. Now the people he was talking to knew what a mustard ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-32

Denomination: Salvation Army

How To Stunt Your Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Dec 5, 2011

Paul confronts the Galatians about how they lost their first love for God and for the servant God had sent because of their following a false message.

• How discouraging is it to invest so much into something only to see it go in a dangerous direction after you are no longer there to influence it. a) Business you once owned b) A child after he/she moves out of the house c) Church you once were a member of(or pastor of) • Paul is ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20

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

Why Deacons Are Vital To Church Growth

Contributed by Mark Stevens on Jan 7, 2017

When the Apostles felt overwhelmed they created an office....DEACONS, and the church GREW!

Acts 6:1 “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” We see, here, the church growing to a large number. As long as the church was small and they ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Education And Service Promote Growth In Faith Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 12, 2015

Our catechesis must constantly reinforce the truths accepted in the early proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.

Thursday of 24th week in course 2015 Joy of the Gospel Today the Franciscans celebrate the feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis. The few saints who have legitimately borne the marks of Christ’s passion live out in a physical and spiritual way the long hours of Christ’s passion and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:14-18

Denomination: Catholic

Always Evaluate Your Spirtual Growth Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Nov 11, 2013

Until Jesus returns, the Christian must continue to grow in faith.

We continue to learn from the First Letter to the Thessalonians; please open your Bibles there… What have we noted so far? In Chapter 1 we noted what the right motives are for the Christian life! In Chapter 2 we noted 2 things, how to effectively share the Gospel and the importance of being ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

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

Grow Up -- Stages Of Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 12, 2015

Message six from 1 John dealing with spiritual growth stages.

“Grow Up” Stages of Spiritual Growth 1 John 2:12-14 Like any personal letter, John wrote for a number of reasons. However a clear theme winds its way through he whole letter. How do I attain and maintain an intimate relationship with the God who is LIGTH and LOVE? I. GOD IS LIGHT ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:12-14

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The "Rapid Growth" Towards Christ-Likeness!

Contributed by Herbert Armstrong Bosantog on Nov 5, 2012

I learned that DISCIPLESHIP is not MANDATORY! DISCIPLESHIP should not be MOTIVATED by FEAR. Let me ILLUSTRATE my LIFE, when I was in the ENGINEERING, I was DOMINATED by FEAR! I wasn’t STUDYING to LEARN, rather I was STUDYING because of FEAR of FAILING,

INTRODUCTION: It’s about 2 yrs. have passed when I DENIED myself, CARRIED my OWN CROSS and FOLLOWED Jesus CHRIST! I encountered a lot of TRIALS that TESTED my FAITH, endurance, patience, self-control, humility & forgiveness. I learned to FOCUS in PURSUING my CALLING and not to ENTERTAIN ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-34

Denomination: *other

Partnering In The Growth Of The Kingdom Part 4 Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 22, 2018

Message 10 in our exposition of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians continuing the discussion of building the kingdom.

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “Serve as Partners for the Kingdom of God” I Corinthians 3:10-4:5 NOTE: Since we failed to complete the material from last week’s message I will not reproduce it all here but only include some new thoughts not in last week’s notes. If you want the whole ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Church Growth Spreads (Acts 8)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 20, 2025

Does persecution often create church growth?

Does the church often grow faster in times of persecution? Let’s look at Acts 8. Did the church in Jerusalem scatter due to severe harassment? Who was one of the principal persecutors? Saul was in full agreement with Stephen’s murder. At that time, the church in Jerusalem began to be subjected to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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