Sermons on initiative:

Promises

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Apr 6, 2005

Misunderstandings are often very difficult to untangle, because one misunderstanding often leads to another. This is what had happened to Paul as he was forced to make a change of plans. In Paul’s initial itinerary, he had intended to go immediately from

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: C.S. Lewis in his biography tells of the suffering he endured because he kept a promise he had made to a buddy during World War I. This friend was worried about the care of his wife and small daughter if he should be killed in battle, so Lewis assured him that if that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Leader And Prayer Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 20, 2015

Nehemiah was probably chosen for his position at court for his reliability, for his quick wits, for his initiative and probably for his grasp of palace politics but clearly he also had a deep spiritual maturity that shows itself as he turns to prayer.

Have you ever looked at the great Christian leaders of our time and wondered what it was that gave them their success? Were they just natural leaders? Had they worked hard at their studies of management and leadership as so many young leaders today are taught to do? Or were they perhaps just the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

The Way Of Jesus #1: I Have Begun Following Jesus...

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jan 8, 2017

The Way of Jesus is an initiative of my denomination, Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada. As prep, we're doing a 7-part series. The first message is on the first marker of the Way of Jesus: I have begun to follow Jesus, depending on the God's Spirit.

The Way of Jesus #1 - “I have begun following Jesus, and am depending on the Spirit of Jesus in my journey”. - January 8, 2017 It's the new year, still, but I don't want to talk about New Year's resolutions. I don't want to talk about the effort involved in adjusting our lifestyle, changing bad ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:2-5, Matthew 19:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Should I Follow Jesus? Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 11, 2020

Some of world’s greatest discoveries were initially rejected. We can reject the very thing that would be the best help for us - make the biggest difference - but we convince ourselves we do not need it. What about Jesus?

Why Should I Follow Jesus? Mark 12:1-17 Introduction Some of world’s greatest discoveries were initially rejected. “This is typical Berlin hot air. The product is worthless.” Rejection letter sent to Felix Hoffmann who invented aspirin. Heinrich Dreser was standing by his ‘star’ painkiller - ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Looking For God In The Wrong Places

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 20, 2017

The sermon focuses on the unimpressive sign the angels point to: a baby in a manger. Not much that's flashy about that. What are the ways that God comes into our lives that don't initially look impressive but are important and meaningful.

That’s All You’ve Got? Taken at face value, the angel’s sign is pretty unimpressive. - Luke 2:12. - Luke 4:17-21; Luke 4:41; Luke 5:14; Luke 13:18-21; 1 Corinthians 1:26-30. - We get entranced by the Christmas story and the swaddling clothes and manger and don’t see it for what it is. In fact, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean To Be Commissioned?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Feb 6, 2023

Isaiah’s perspective on God in the initial four verses gives us a feeling of God’s significance, power, and mystery. Isaiah's case of perceiving his sin before God urges us to admit our own wrongdoings.

Isaiah 6:1-13 The image of absolution that Isaiah gives advises us that we are pardoned as well. At the point when we perceive how incredible God is, how guilty we are, and the degree of His absolution, we get the strength to accomplish His work. How does our idea of the significance of God match ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Three Christian Qualities

Contributed by Major Gerardo Balmori on Apr 2, 2011

God, by His mighty power and work within us, is able to do far more than we would dare to ask or even dream of - initially beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes (Ephesians 3:20 Living Bible)

Mayor Gerardo Balmori The Salvation Army I. INTRODUCTION: God, by His mighty power and work within us, is able to do far more than we would dare to ask or even dream of - initially beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes (Ephesians 3:20 Living Bible) A. ENTHUSIASM - WHAT EXCITES ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

Back To Basics: The Bible - Book Of Books Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 14, 2010

The pages of the Bible show us God taking the initiative, giving us information about himself and revealing His purposes for us His creation. How we view the Bible is crucial because it holds the key to knowing for certain that God exists. There may be

What is the Bible? Bible means “book.” But what kind of book is the Bible? Some think it is a record of religious striving toward encounters with God an essentially human book. Traditionally, the Christian church has seen the Bible as more than this, the Bible is viewed as the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:89-96

Denomination: Pentecostal

Seeing God’s Encouragement When We Are Discouraged! Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Mar 30, 2014

A LOOK AT THE LIFE OF PAUL AS HE ENTERS INTO THE TOWN OF CORINTH. HE COMES INTO THIS TOWN DISCOURAGED – AND SEEING HIS CIRCUMSTANCES, WHO COULD BLAME HIM. YET, WHAT PAUL DOES NOT INITIALLY SEE, AND WHAT GOD BRINGS TO HIS ATTENTION IS THAT THERE IS MUCH

SEEING GOD’S ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE ARE DISCOURAGED! Acts 18:1-17 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2  There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

O Jerusalem!

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 12, 2019

How does true love operate? Does it leave people with their demons, unhealed and hurting themselves? Does true love sacrifice even for people who initially reject it? Let’s find out by looking at Luke 13:31-35.

How does true love operate? Does it leave people with their demons, unhealed and hurting themselves? Does true love sacrifice even for people who initially reject it? Let’s find out by looking at Luke 13:31-35. Luke 13:31 Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, “Go away, leave ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Temptation Scheme Series

Contributed by Boomer Phillips on Nov 18, 2021

The devil is always trying to gain a foothold in our life, and he begins his initial onslaught of attacks with the temptation to sin. Temptation "can" be overcome! We must overcome it, so we can refrain from committing sin.

Satan is looking to pound on our weakest areas . . . When we leave an opening by yielding to temptation, he’ll take advantage. - Kent Crockett(1) In Ephesians 4:27, the Apostle Paul warned, “Do not give the devil a foothold” (NIV). The devil is always trying to gain a foothold in our life, and he ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-15, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Denomination: Baptist

God Restores Elijah / Preparation

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 3, 2020

In this first-of-two talks we look at some of the initial things that helped Elijah recover from depression. They are things we can also do. They paved the way for God to address the root cause of the problem: Elijah's sense of failure.

INTRODUCTION We’re now onto the second talk in our series called ‘Bible Stories for Grown-Ups.’ In these talks we’re going back to some of the famous stories in the Old Testament which we may have heard as children, perhaps at home or at Sunday School. The idea is to take a fresh look at them as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Light Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Jul 7, 2024

Our words and deeds should not mimic the world’s futile search for significance but should instead reflect a passion for God so strong and divinely initiated that our good deeds point to the sinless One who holds the keys to both death and life.

The Light of the World John 8:12; Matthew 5:14-16 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 How can one cast a shadow of significance upon a world that is filled with constant change, ever evolving thought processes and constant innovation? In a world of quantum computers that ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Discovering Intimate Allegiance Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 22, 2009

This morning I want to begin with the question: Who is your god / God? That’s a question that we may initially begin to answer quickly… but then may find ourselves realizing it’s more dynamic than simply providing a statement… the answer is reflect

This morning we’re continuing in our series “The Call” … focused on seeking to capture or recapture the dynamic of God’s Call to our lives. I believe… The Call of God seeks to penetrate our independence and isolation. This morning I want to begin with the question: Who is your god / God? ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Letting Go Of The Leash Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Sep 30, 2013

Today we will see what life looks like when God gives a people over to their sin. Human history is not evolution but devolution: man initially walked with God and sin caused a fall and that man will become progressively more wicked until a final rebellio

Lynne and I often like to go to the running trail near our house. She will sometimes take our two little dogs and walk them while I run. These dogs are two small dachshunds who think they are German shepherds. They constantly pull against the leash to try and go the ways they want to. The one ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:23-32