Sermons on Growing Deep:

The Kingdom Like Malformed Mustard

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Mar 27, 2009

Like an unexpectedly huge mustard plant, the kingdom will grow and comfort, in unexpected ways.

Like Malformed Mustard Mark 4:30-32 The kingdom of God is like a VW Beetle. It is one of the smallest cars you will ever see. It is not very comfortable or powerful. It is not very stylish or practical. It is very cheap and not impressive in any way. There is no status with owning one. And yet, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-32

Denomination: Mennonite

What Do You Do When The Lights Go Out?

Contributed by Paul Green on May 1, 2024

Are you experiencing a dark time in your life? Are you unable to make sense of what is happening? There are times in every Christians life when, despite our faithfulness, we’re suddenly plunged into deep, deep darkness. And we’re left asking the question – why? What do we do when the lights go out?

Five-year old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn’t want to go in alone. “It’s dark in there and I’m scared.” She asked again, and he persisted. Finally, she said, “It’s OK, go; Jesus will be in there ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 112:4, Matthew 5:14, John 8:12, Isaiah 50:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

God The Gardener

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on May 6, 2012

God wants us to grow. Like plants, if we actually want to grow, we’ve got to be pruned. God’s discipline is always loving. Accepting it is the key to becoming who God means us to be.

In Hampton Court near London (start video-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxzG6C-jrwE), there is a grapevine under glass; it is about 1,000 years old and has but one single root which is at least two feet thick. A formidable root. Some of the branches are 200 feet long. Without careful tending, ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Introduction To Spiritual Disciplines Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Apr 9, 2021

Week 1 of a new series helping us to grow in Christ through Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritual Disciplines: Introduction 1 Timothy 4:7-8 John 10:10, 15:5 April 11, 2021 Do you have any bad habits? Is there anything about you that you would like to change? That’s a pretty loaded question. I’m not going to ask the person who is sitting next to you, either! Today and for the next ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, John 15:5

Denomination: Baptist

The Skill Of Living Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jul 10, 2014

In the Old Testament one of the meanings for wisdom was skill. This sermon begins a trec on learning the skills for proper living.

In his book "Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life", the author Charles Swindoll tells a story about the 19th Century agnostic Thomas Huxley. Huxley was in Dublin and was rushing to catch a train. He climbed aboard one of Dublin’s famous horse drawn taxis and said to the driver -“Hurry, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:1-4

Denomination: Foursquare

Let God Have His Way

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 22, 2018

The longer we're a Christian, God expects the seed of the Gospel, planted in our lives, to grow and grow in its influence until the the Word, the nature of Jesus, and the will of God hold complete ascendancy over our lives!

LET GOD HAVE HIS WAY Job 8:7 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Whether you’re a basketball fan or not, you’re probably familiar with the name Larry Bird – the former basketball great of the Boston Celtics. 2. During a retirement party for Larry Bird in Boston Garden, former Celtics coach, K. C. Jones ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Unity And Diversity In The Church Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 18, 2000

So how can a diverse body like the church achieve the sort of unity that God desires? By growing up. By becoming more like Christ as we grow into him. So speak the truth in love, and grow into Christ who is our head, Do your part in bringing the church to

Paul has spent the first three chapters of this letter explaining the mystery of God’s eternal purpose for the world as it’s being worked out in history. He’s given us all the theory, he’s even given us the prayer he prays for his converts, and now he goes on to speak about the practicalities of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Anglican

The Christian And His New Bicycle

Contributed by John Beehler on Mar 20, 2001

We all start off as children but we must grow.

The Christian and His New Bicycle 1. Bike story 2. Lincoln quote - fool some of the people.... 3. 1John 2:6 :Whoever claims to live in Him, must walk as Jesus walked” a. Sunday School debate - insert the word “try” b. pick sport - not the best but we still play. “TRY” c. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Spiritual Inventory Series

Contributed by Richard White on Jan 9, 2002

Need to know our assets and our deficits in order to grow

A SPIRITUAL INVENTORY 2 Cor. 13:5-9 Illustration: Businessman who falls asleep in church. EXAMINE: to give an honest account of where you were, and where you are, and what is important to you. To do this spiritually; measures prayer time, Bible reading, witnessing, scripture memory, life ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Strive For Excellence In Pleasing God

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

GROWING DISCIPLES MUST STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IN PLEASING GOD A.

GROWING DISCIPLES MUST STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IN PLEASING GOD A. Our Present Level of Obedience Should Be the Foundation For Striving For Excellence in Pleasing God (:1-2) (rather than the excuse for settling for mediocrity or the mountaintop for sliding to the valley) 1. Growing Disciples Need ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Myth Of Self-Importance Series

Contributed by Don Walker on Jan 25, 2001

As healthy family relationships are established, individuals and society grow stronger.

Don’t You Believe It: The Myth of Self-Importance Exodus 20:12 Morning, January 21, 2001 Pastor Don Walker Over the last two weeks we’ve been dealing with the topic of ¡§Don¡¦t You Believe It.¡¨ The basic idea is that our society accepts a number of myths as truth. They have become accepted ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: Baptist

A War, A Warning, A Plan, & A Promise

Contributed by Dan Cale on May 18, 2004

This sermon deals initmately with the spriritual warfare that affects the growing church.

A War, A Warning, A Plan, & A Promise Ephesians 6:10-20 Fallujah, Najaf, Baghdad, Ticrit, - these names that a year or more ago you probably would not have recognized now are blazoned on our memories. Each day we hear these names as bombs explode, grenades are thrown, and men and women are injured ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: *other

More Weeds Than Seeds

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 14, 2005

We are the seeds from which the kingdom of God on earth will grow.

More Weeds Than Seeds - Matthew 13: 24 - 30, 36 - 43 Intro: At our house in Houston I planted flowers that Barbara called weeds. – They were, in fact, black-eyed Susans – Nobody likes weeds – dig, spray, fertilize – still there. – Sometimes it appears there are more weeds than seeds in our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Most Christians Fail To Become Good Christians

Contributed by Ronnie Thrower on Mar 22, 2002

Why do we fail to grow and mature as we should

WHY MOST CHRISTIANS FAIL TO BECOME GOOD CHRISTIANS Text: Acts 15:35-40 II Timothy 4:6-11 Have you ever seen somebody get saved and join the church or maybe some family joins the church and the first thing you think is, "Boy, these are going to be good people." After they have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-11, Acts 15:35-40

Denomination: Baptist

Purpose #3: You Were Created To Become Like Christ Series

Contributed by Dan Borchert on Dec 9, 2003

Deals with Purpose #3 specifically growing during difficult times

Romans 8:28-29 Purpose #3: You Were Created To Become Like Christ Growing through tough times Introduction A. Sometimes life is easy B. Sometimes we learn, grow, and laugh the whole entire time C. Let me give you some good advice, enjoy those times! D. Those times will not always be there E. Those ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-29

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance