Sermons on Intellectual Growth:

The Individual Most Essential For Church Growth

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Dec 2, 2005

The characteristics of the Holy Spirit that make Him uniquely essential to help grow the church.

[Note: this sermon is largely based on Calvin Miller’s work: "A View From the Fields".] Any attempt to grow the church apart from the Holy Spirit will be disastrous! We can have the most clever programs conceivable, plan the most motivating promotions available, sing the sweetest songs and preach ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Facing The Giants: Evidence Of Christian Growth Series

Contributed by Jonny Hunt on Aug 28, 2006

In these verses is a list of virtues that should be growing in the life of the believer. They are best translated by referring to moral excellence, practical wisdom, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and unselfish love.

Sherwood Baptist Church has one of the most dynamic media ministries of any church in America. They have produced Facing the Giants, arguably the best feature-length movie ever made by a local church. It’s a God-glorifying, excellently created sports film in the tradition of Hoosiers, Remember ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Gives The Growth, Not Church Leaders

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Sep 16, 2006

A short homily given at a mid week communion service, encouraging us to fix our eyes on Jesus and not upon leaders, forms of worship or types of evangelism. It’s all about Jesus!

1 Corinthians 3: 1-9 St. Paul had some words of rebuke for the Christians at Corinth; and when I hear St. Paul rebuking a church I always have to ask myself some questions. The questions are: How does this apply to me? How does this apply to my local church? How does this apply to the national ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Denomination: Anglican

Christian Growth Through Spiritual Diet

Contributed by Dr. Nicholas M. Muteti on Jun 15, 2011

Did you know that a Christian must have a spiritual diet? I was blessed to discover it in 1 Peter Chapter 2. I like peter. Peter is quite often pictured on the pages of scripture eating, or sitting at the table. Here, in chapter 2, he is not referring the

CHRISTIAN GROWTH THROUGH SPIRITUAL DIET 1 PETER 2:1-3 Introduction, Attention, Personal- Six years ago, my wife and I took our youngest son for a regular physical check-up and the doctor told us, “Everything is fine with him, except his growth. Last time he was doing fine, now he is thinner. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Mustard Seed Growth In Our Lives.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Nov 11, 2011

The mustard plant grows from insignificance to the largest of garden plants quickly. What are we doing to grow in our right relationship with God and others. The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard plant growing.

Mark: 4:30-32 The parable of the mustard seed. Read Mark 4:30-32 The kingdom of God, is like! Jesus in his wisdom gave all these explanations of what the kingdom of God was like, and he did it in parables by painting pictures with words. Now the people he was talking to knew what a mustard ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-32

Denomination: Salvation Army

How To Stunt Your Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Dec 5, 2011

Paul confronts the Galatians about how they lost their first love for God and for the servant God had sent because of their following a false message.

• How discouraging is it to invest so much into something only to see it go in a dangerous direction after you are no longer there to influence it. a) Business you once owned b) A child after he/she moves out of the house c) Church you once were a member of(or pastor of) • Paul is ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:8-20

Five Anti-Growth Attributes To Avoid

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jul 17, 2011

Peter urges us as believers (especially new ones) to be nourished and grow closer to Jesus, and he highlights five anti-growth attributes that will keep us from doing so! Avoid the evil, cling to what is good!

Text: 1 Peter 2:1-3 1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Opening Prayer Paul wrote about the 'fruit' of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The "Rapid Growth" Towards Christ-Likeness!

Contributed by Herbert Armstrong Bosantog on Nov 5, 2012

I learned that DISCIPLESHIP is not MANDATORY! DISCIPLESHIP should not be MOTIVATED by FEAR. Let me ILLUSTRATE my LIFE, when I was in the ENGINEERING, I was DOMINATED by FEAR! I wasn’t STUDYING to LEARN, rather I was STUDYING because of FEAR of FAILING,

INTRODUCTION: It’s about 2 yrs. have passed when I DENIED myself, CARRIED my OWN CROSS and FOLLOWED Jesus CHRIST! I encountered a lot of TRIALS that TESTED my FAITH, endurance, patience, self-control, humility & forgiveness. I learned to FOCUS in PURSUING my CALLING and not to ENTERTAIN ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-34

Denomination: *other

Always Evaluate Your Spirtual Growth Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Nov 11, 2013

Until Jesus returns, the Christian must continue to grow in faith.

We continue to learn from the First Letter to the Thessalonians; please open your Bibles there… What have we noted so far? In Chapter 1 we noted what the right motives are for the Christian life! In Chapter 2 we noted 2 things, how to effectively share the Gospel and the importance of being ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Education And Service Promote Growth In Faith Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 12, 2015

Our catechesis must constantly reinforce the truths accepted in the early proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.

Thursday of 24th week in course 2015 Joy of the Gospel Today the Franciscans celebrate the feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis. The few saints who have legitimately borne the marks of Christ’s passion live out in a physical and spiritual way the long hours of Christ’s passion and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:14-18

Denomination: Catholic

Two Keys To The Path To Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 4, 2015

What are some of the keys to pursuing spiritual growth?

THREE MISTAKES CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GROWTH: 1. I’m already there. - “This is as good as it’s going to get.” - “I’m mature enough.” - “My life looks like the other Christians around me.” - We need to recognize that God has more for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Grow Up -- Stages Of Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 12, 2015

Message six from 1 John dealing with spiritual growth stages.

“Grow Up” Stages of Spiritual Growth 1 John 2:12-14 Like any personal letter, John wrote for a number of reasons. However a clear theme winds its way through he whole letter. How do I attain and maintain an intimate relationship with the God who is LIGTH and LOVE? I. GOD IS LIGHT ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:12-14

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

United For The Growth Of The Church And The Glory Of God Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 8, 2014

Paul has finished telling the Ephesians about their riches and inheritance in Jesus and now begins teaching them about their responsibility to Jesus. True understanding of correct biblical teaching should lead to correct Christian living

Intro: The Christian life is not based on ignorance but knowledge. Knowledge of Jesus! We are never taught the Bible nor do we study the Bible merely to learn what it says but instead we learn it to live what it says. True understanding of correct biblical teaching should motivate us to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Why Trying Is Not Enough For Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 17, 2015

Paul commands us to do more than try - we are to train.

WHAT DOES A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE LOOK LIKE? Christlikeness. - 1 Timothy 4:7a. - The goal of the Christian life is for us to literally become like Christ, not just claim allegiance to Him. - The mention of “godless myths and old wives’ tales” earlier in v. 7 is telling. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Partnering In The Growth Of The Kingdom Part 4 Series

Contributed by David Welch on May 22, 2018

Message 10 in our exposition of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians continuing the discussion of building the kingdom.

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch “Serve as Partners for the Kingdom of God” I Corinthians 3:10-4:5 NOTE: Since we failed to complete the material from last week’s message I will not reproduce it all here but only include some new thoughts not in last week’s notes. If you want the whole ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance