Sermons on Growing:

Lost Our First Love

Contributed by Mark Engler on Sep 28, 2017

The application to this is if we put Jesus first in our lives and if we continue to strive for Him, continue to draw ourselves close to Him, He will improve us and make us more like Him everyday.

Lost Our First Love ME I love Jesus and I love being a minister of Christ. I honestly believe being a minister is the most important thing I could do on the face of the earth. I love to preach and teach God’s word and I’m glad He led me here to MVC. Honestly though, He chose a tremendously ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Maturing Through God's Discipline

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 3, 2025

Discipline is often misunderstood as punishment or harsh treatment, but God’s discipline is an expression of His deep love and care for His children.

MATURING THROUGH GOD'S DISCIPLINE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Hebrews 12:5-11 Supporting Texts: Proverbs 3:11-12, Revelation 3:19, Psalm 94:12, James 1:2-4 INTRODUCTION: Discipline is often misunderstood as punishment or harsh treatment, but God’s discipline is an expression of His ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Develop Unwavering Faith In God Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 28, 2025

True faith is not a blind leap but a confident assurance based on God’s character and His promises. It grows as we learn to depend on God daily, nurture our relationship with Him, and obey His instructions.

HOW TO DEVELOP UNWAVERING FAITH IN GOD By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Hebrews 11:1 Supporting Texts: Romans 4:20-21, James 1:6-8, Matthew 21:21-22, 2 Corinthians 5:7 INTRODUCTION: Faith is the foundation of every believer’s walk with God. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him or ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1, Romans 4:20-21, James 1:6-8, Matthew 21:21-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I Want The Church To Grow-But Do I Want Any More People? , #5 Series

Contributed by Jeremy Houck on Feb 19, 2003

I want the church to grow because Jesus Does but do I want people who are not immedieatly receptive to the Gospel?

I recieved this idea from my mentor Jerrie Barber. I Want the Church to Grow-But Do I Want Any More People? , #5 Luke 9:51-56 Introduction: Review I want the church to grow because it was in God’s plan, Jesus taught that it would, Jesus commanded sowing which produces growth, and growth is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-56

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Want The Church To Grow But I Don't Want Any More People Series

Contributed by Jeremy Houck on Feb 19, 2003

I want the church to grow because it is God’s desire but I really don’t want people I am afraid of to worship here.

This idea came from notes I recieved from my Mentor Jerrie Barber. I Want The Church to Grow But I Don’t Want Any More People Acts 6:1-7 During the summer of 1993 I was working with a missionary congregation in South Georgia. We were having a Men’s meeting to discuss how our summer had gone and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Like A Child

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 9, 2006

Grow up and be like a child. Look up always to the Father for security and help. Acknowledge His greatness and our need of Him. Never grow beyond our dependence on God, no matter how successful we become.

Matt 18:1-4, Mark 10:14-16 Jesus says we are to receive the Kingdom of God like a little child. He was saying this to reprimand the disciples. He was correcting their wrong thinking. The disciples thought that power and authority would be the things that mattered most in God’s kingdom. They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

What Are We Going To Do? We Have Great Opportunities Before Us?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 6, 2019

There grows a tendency to lazy idleness in the church and in the families today. Apathy will destroy any spiritual grow. The harvest is before us... what role do you have? That's the preacher's job?

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? THERE STANDS BEFORE US A GREAT HARVEST… By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:2, 2 Kings 13:13-19, John 4:35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Baby Steps

Contributed by Chris Thron on Oct 18, 2000

Just as a mother encourages her child to walk, God encourages us to grow spiritually.

Therefore if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why do you subject yourself to regulations as if you still belonged to this world? You say, "Don’t touch this! Don’t eat that! Don’t handle that!" You are entirely preoccupied with perishable things. Your commandments ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Did Jesus Know When To Let The Disciples Assume Their Own Responsibilities?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

There comes a time for every parent to let their children grow up and assume their own responsibilities.

There comes a time for every parent to let their children grow up and assume their own responsibilities. No parent wants to let their children depend on them for the rest of their lives. Neither do parents want their children to leave prematurely and face the cold world on their own. Jesus knew ...read more

Scripture: John 17:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Traditional & Cultural Factors

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 13, 2001

Traditional & Cultural Factors in Growing and Planting Churches How To Evangelize a People Using Their Traditions

Traditional & Cultural Factors in Growing and Planting Churches How To Evangelize a People Using Their Traditions Learning Objectives 1. The students will explain how to evangelize a people group with a knowledge of their traditions. 2. The students will discuss in a short paper how to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What A Long, Strange Trip It Is: Christian Maturity Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Jun 20, 2002

This message tells how mature Christians grow after their born again. 1 of 12

What A Long Strange Trip It Is: Christian Maturity Book of James Series 1 of 12 June 16, 2002 First Baptist Church, Chester, IL Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: Let’s look at some of these pictures and see if we can guess who they are. (Will show pictures of some of our older members of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

#2why Heavens Are Brass And The Earth Iron?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 21, 2002

We draw the conclusion that the heavens are not brass and the earth is not iron, but we are growing to move in faith.

#2 WHY ARE THE HEAVENS BRASS AND THE EARTH IRON? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: Deut. 28:23 Psa. 107:15,16, 17 Deut.28:23, And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth under thee shall be iron. Psalms 107:15 Oh that men would praise the Lord for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:15-17, Numbers 28:23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

They Devoted Themselves

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 28, 2002

The early church devoted themselves to the Lord in certain ways which caused the church to grow.

THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES Acts 2:42-47 INTRO.- ILL.- A Methodist church tried to get a man to attend, but he never did. "Why don’t you come?" the minister asked, and the man finally admitted it was because he didn’t have proper clothes. So a member of the congregation took him to a clothing store ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dislocated Saints

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 9, 2002

It is the responisbility of mature Christians to help growing Christians in their spiritual growth. This message identifies that need.

DISLOCATED SAINTS Galatians 6:1 INTRO: This scripture speaks of a Child of God being overtaken in a fault. The Greek word for “overtaken” carries the idea of being surprised by the fault itself. The Christian was hurried into sin. He sinned before he knew it. It was not a deliberate sin. That ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1

Denomination: Baptist