Sermons on Holding Back:

Back To School-The Final Exam Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 10, 2023

Many schools, where I live, begin the academic year in August. Not very many students understand, though, that there is a final exam at the end of this year in spring. In the same way, we believers will have a final exam when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

(Based on a message preached August 6, 2023 at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO; not an exact transcription). Introduction: Have you noticed that some things change? We have one student who’s going away to college next week, and school’s going to start before long. I’m sure you’re all excited, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

He's Coming Back

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Apr 29, 2025

Focuses on the events after the resurrection. The angels says this same Jesus who ascended is coming back again.

Note: I study a lot when preparing. There may be some notes that I missed to notate. He’s Coming Back Theme: To show that the Lord will come back again one day. Text: Acts 1:6 - 11 Introduction What a season to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In just a few days will celebrate ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:6-11

Denomination: Church Of God

Don't Look Back

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 5, 2025

Life leaves us with memories—some warm us, and some wound us. If we spend our time looking back, we risk missing the new thing God is doing right in us.

Intro: Danger of Looking Back Memories light the corners of our minds, but they can also weigh heavy on our hearts. They can warm us — or they can wound us. The truth is, some people are walking around half-dead because their past has become a prison. The question for us today is this: Are we ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14, Isaiah 43:18-19

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Reset To Fruitfulness / Get Back On Track PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 4, 2024

This sermon explores God's fundamental plan for humanity, our faltering faith, and His unwavering forgiveness and future promises, as illustrated in Genesis 9.

Good morning, beloved. It's a joy to gather with you in the house of the Lord. Today, we are turning to the pages of Genesis, to the ninth chapter, to reflect on a narrative that is as old as time itself, yet as fresh as the morning dew. It's a story that reminds us of God's fundamental plan, our ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:1-15

Topics: God's Plan

Getting Past Defeats: My Soul Looks Back Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 16, 2007

Montgomery Hills Baptist Church: To live large means dealing with the pain inflicted on us. Some of it comes from our arrogance, some from scapegoating. But God is able to work through that pain toward the accomplishment of His purposes.

There is at my house a photograph I treasure. In that picture I am about three years old, and my father is holding me in his arms. My father is wearing the cap of a Shell Oil service station attendant. Nothing especially remarkable about that, except for what I hear in my memory whenever I see ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

Big Enough To Forgive Series

Contributed by Doug Johnston on Jan 2, 2002

David discovered that sometimes personal offenses are best forgiven, not paid back by holding grudges, getting angry, or giving paybacks.

When David met Shemei the first time (2 Samuel 16:5-8), Shemei: +Kicked him when he was down. +Threw rocks at him, +Yelled at him, +Said God was judging the King, +Probably reminded David who Shemei’s dad was The second time they met (2 Samuel 19:22-23), 1. David kept his focus on God clear 2. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Leaving A Positive Legacy Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Nov 30, 2003

First message in Matthew - about not letting your heritage hold you back and leaving a positive heritage behind you!

Leaving a Positive Legacy Matthew 1:1-17 November 30, 2003 Introduction I have a question for you, and you need to be real honest here, okay? How many of you skip the genealogies when you read the Bible? It¡¦s okay, I¡¦m not going to embarrass you in front of everybody! You know, I tend to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

Being Defined By God's Grace Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Oct 11, 2012

The world tries to label you. Those labels will hold you back. Let yourself be defined by God's grace. It is liberated.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • How do you define yourself? • Do you define yourself by your vocation (I am a teacher)? By your accomplishments (I am in the Hall of fame)? By a title (I am A CEO)? • How do you define yourself? • What kinds of labels do we use on one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Love Declares War

Contributed by Casey Jones on Feb 22, 2018

God's love is so powerful that it can break through the barriers that hold us back from growing closer to Him.

1) Reading the Song of Solomon a) We don’t normally talk about Song of Solomon at church. i) It’s sort of the black sheep of the Bible. It can be embarrassing to read, you know. ii) You see, this seems to be a beautiful love poem written from a man to a woman (1) From Solomon to his wife iii) It’s ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 4:7-10, Song of Songs 2:10-13, Revelation 19:7-9

Denomination: Church Of God

Why Do We Worship Together?

Contributed by Darrin Fish on May 7, 2014

Coming together to worship reminds us that God is at work And that God will ultimately bring peace and security to us and to His world,

Why Do We Worship Together? Psalms 122:1-122:9 Today every one of us got out of bed and got ready and came to this church • We did this with the intention of spending our morning singing hymns and songs, • We came to pray together, to listen to God’s word, • And we also ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1-9

Denomination: Christian Church

Don’t Settle For Good And Miss God!

Contributed by Robert Webb on Jun 2, 2018

Are you slipping and sliding around in the same old mud? We must hold nothing back, and never hold something so close to our heart that keeps us away from the promises of God

Following God requires a life of obedience. Being obedient does not just happen all at once. Our life journey is a process and we are all in different places in our journey. If you are like I am I get frustrated with the process at times when there are delays. Have you ever been stalled in traffic, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our First Love

Contributed by Michael Cansler on Nov 22, 2025

Have we lost our first love?

Our First Love. Isaiah 29: 13-14 We need to understand who Isiah is delivering this message to Nation of Israel has been delivered from bondage of Egyptians 12 tribes of Israel that came from 12 sons of Jacob The 12 tribes split b/c of not agreeing on things and became Northern and Southern ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 29:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Revisit Your Ministry

Contributed by J. Edward Brown Iii on Dec 28, 2013

Look back to the beginning at what God has actually called you to do.

Introduction; Ephesians 4:1-3 reads, I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation by which you are called, 2. With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; 3. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:28

Denomination: Baptist

Be About God’s Business

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Apr 10, 2018

A MESSAGE FOR FATHER'S DAY

BE ABOUT GOD’S BUSINESS LUKE 2:40-52 A THING THAT USUALLY EXCITES ANY FATHER, IS WHEN A SON COMES UP AND TELLS HIM THAT HE WANTS TO LEARN THE FAMILY BUSINESS. IT MAKES A FATHER PROUD TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE FAMILY BUSINESS TO INCLUDE “AND SON”. TWICE IN THE SCRIPTURES WRITERS RECORD THE WORDS ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:40-52

Denomination: Baptist

Moving Forward--Letting Go Of The Past

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jun 10, 2013

This sermon deals with our need to let go of past things in our lives in order to move forward in God. Lot suffered because he would not let go.

Moving Forward--Letting Go Of The Past. Calvary 6/9/2013 Genesis 19:1-26 Luke 9:57-62 Is there anybody here who has held on to something that had a special meaning to you and nobody else quite understood why you just would not throw it away? I had a blue and gold football jerseys, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:1-27, Luke 9:26-27, Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed