Sermons on Gradual Growth:

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

Nurturing Your Heart For Spiritual Growth SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 11, 2023

Man's behavior stems from the heart

Today, we will discuss the importance of guarding our hearts and how our conduct stems from the condition of our hearts. In Proverbs, it is written, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" (Proverbs 4:23, NIV). Let us delve into this verse and explore its meaning. To ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23

Topics: Spiritual Growth, Heart

The Cause Of Decline

Contributed by Gene Cullum on Dec 7, 2006

A Gradual Decrease in the Sensitivity of our worship of God...

1st Free Will Baptist Date 2-26-06 "THE CAUSE OF DECLINE" PASTOR Gene Cullum I Kings 22:51-53, II Kings 1:1-4 & 17 Notice how far Israel has drifted, and how there is a gradual decrease in the sensitivity of their worship of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 22:51-53

Denomination: Baptist

The Choice Between Church Growth And Church Health Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Dec 3, 2001

How do you handle sin in the church?

December 2, 2001 1I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you, something so evil that even the pagans don¡¦t do it. I am told that you have a man in your church who is living in sin with his father¡¦s wife. 2And you are so proud of yourselves! Why aren¡¦t you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Getting Serious About Spiritual Formation

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Feb 27, 2025

Spiritual growth is a journey requiring patience, faith, and surrender. Jesus' parables remind us that becoming more like Him is a gradual process. This message explores the challenges of spiritual formation and how we can trust Christ to complete His work in us.

Scripture: Galatians 4:19 - "My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!" Introduction • Growth often requires patience, care, and persistence. Example: a garden, a dream, or a relationship. Growth requires attention and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:19, Colossians 1:27, Hosea 11:8-9, Philippians 2:13, Philippians 1:6, Mark 4:19, Hebrews 12:11, John 15:2, Revelation 2:4, 1 Peter 2:9, Romans 8:13, Galatians 5:16, Joshua 1:8, Hebrews 10:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

No One Likes A Slow Working God Series

Contributed by Troy Luttrell on Sep 2, 2014

Lesson: We are saved instantly, but the process of growing in our faith comes gradually.

Background: • It is very common for man to make multiple attempts to break a record, or to complete a major feat in life. For some of you, it may have take 2,3,4….times before you passed you drivers test. No matter how good our intentions are, it usually takes man longer to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Disciple's Heart: Spiritual Growth (Part Three) Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Oct 20, 2004

Where does God do the work of making us more like Jesus?

Having considered in the previous week the fact that a disciple is one who has allowed Christ to touch his heart; we began last week to think together about how a disciple is also one who is allowing Christ to trans­form his heart. The key to this process of allowing Christ to transform our hearts, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

How God Uses Circumstances For Our Growth

Contributed by Bill Burnett on Feb 27, 2003

How does God use circumstances to help us fulfill and release God’s dreams for our lives

HOW GOD USES CIRCUMSTANCES TO HELP US REACH OUR DREAMS Going To The Next Level Series We’ve been talking about dreams for the last four weeks. I believe that every person in this room has a dream hidden in you somewhere. It is our desire that we help you find and release God’s dreams for your ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:8-28

Denomination: Foursquare

Hanging Around God: The Start Of The Growth Cycle

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 18, 2000

Hanging around God both exposes our spiritual need and helps us to address that need; it both diagnoses our problem and starts us on the road to recovery; it is a growth cycle that can be described in several phases...

1. I do not deny that I am a fan of Frozen Custard....lemon custard sounds bad but is delicious! 2. Interesting watching the groups of people who go there...groups of teens/adults...alike...birds of a feather flock together... 3.Ever wonder, which comes first? (1) people choose to hang around those ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Our God Guides/Gives Gospel Growth

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Jun 3, 2006

Easter 7(C) - Our gracious God guides and gives Gospel growth from one place and going into many places.

OUR GOD GUIDES/GIVES GOSPEL GROWTH May 28, 2006 - EASTER 7 - Acts 16:6-10 * * * * * * * * * * Dear Fellow-Redeemed and Saints in the Lord: Today we continue with Paul on another missionary journey. We have looked at the fact that the gospel message ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Your Spiritual Growth: Sunday Morning Is Not Enough

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Oct 14, 2006

This is a message on growing to be like Jesus through being a part of a small, accountable discipleship group.

Your Spiritual Growth: Sunday Morning Is Not Enough --Ephesians 4:7-13 Our Sunday evening small, disciple group ACTS, Academy for Christian Training and Service, small group is using Bishop Reuben P. Job and Dr. Norman Shawchuck�s devotional guide entitled A GUIDE TO PRAYER FOR ALL WHO SEEK ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-13

Denomination: Methodist

Three Ways To Hinder Your Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by Hal Seed on Oct 3, 2008

The Parable of the Soils describes four ways to respond to God. Three of them hinder spiritual growth. In this parable Jesus is saying, "You must take responsiblity for your personal spiritual growth."

[This sermon is contributed by Hal Seed of New Song Church in Oceanside, California and of www.PastorMentor.com. Hal is the author of numerous books including The God Questions and The Bible Questions. If you are interested in The Bible Questions Church-wide Campaign, please visit and watch Hal’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Obstacles To Individual And Church Growth - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jerry Flury on May 21, 2004

It’s God’s will for believers to grow individually and corporately as the Body of Christ. We must be aware that while God does want us to grow Satan wants us to atrophy. He will throw many obstacles in our path. Three are pride, partiality, and prejudice.

OBSTACLES TO INDIVIDUAL AND CHURCH GROWTH PART 1 1 THESSALONIANS 3:12 – 4:1 INTRODUCTION: Jesus Christ said that He came that we might have may have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10). It is God’s will for believers to grow individually and corporately as the Body of Christ. Peter tells us ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Obstacles To Individual And Church Growth - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jerry Flury on May 28, 2004

Pacifism and Passivism can be serious stumbling blocks to our progress as members of the Body of Christ. If we are to grow both need to be eliminated from of our lives and our church.

OBSTACLES TO INDIVIDUAL AND CHURCH GROWTH PART 2 1 PETER 2:9-15 INTRODUCTION: Last week we considered three obstacles that hinder Christian growth. Today I want to examine another pair of obstacles that impede individual and corporate growth and spiritual development – Pacifism and Passivism. Both ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-15

Denomination: Baptist