Sermons on Intellectual Growth:

Church Growth Spreads (Acts 8)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 20, 2025

Does persecution often create church growth?

Does the church often grow faster in times of persecution? Let’s look at Acts 8. Did the church in Jerusalem scatter due to severe harassment? Who was one of the principal persecutors? Saul was in full agreement with Stephen’s murder. At that time, the church in Jerusalem began to be subjected to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Persecution & Growth (Acts 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 26, 2025

Do persecution and church growth sometimes go hand in hand?

Does the word of God continue to grow even under sometimes severe persecution? Let’s look at Acts 12. Was James murdered by Herod? Was Peter imprisoned? Are Christians still murdered for their faith in places like Nigeria, North Korea, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, China, India, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Nurturing Your Heart For Spiritual Growth SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 11, 2023

Man's behavior stems from the heart

Today, we will discuss the importance of guarding our hearts and how our conduct stems from the condition of our hearts. In Proverbs, it is written, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" (Proverbs 4:23, NIV). Let us delve into this verse and explore its meaning. To ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23

Topics: Spiritual Growth, Heart

Mental Discipline

Contributed by Rick Thiessen on Apr 7, 2008

Jesus called us to love God with all our MINDS... when we fall for mushy thinking about God, morals and religion, we’re not exercising mental discipline. Jesus called people to earnest seeking and intellectual honesty.

SE030208 THE D WORD 1. Mental Discipline Many of us, when we think of the “D” word, we think about physical discipline and what comes to mind is the epidemic of flabby bodies today. But the truth is there’s another flabbiness epidemic in our day – but it’s of the MIND. Flabbiness is being driven ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Whats Right With Doubt

Contributed by Chris Surber on Apr 15, 2009

Just as Thomas doubted, we all must deal with doubt. Here are some specific steps to dealing with doubt.

“What’s Right With Doubt?” John 20:19-31 Introduction The sorcerer had fallen out of favor of the court, and the king sentenced him to death. On the day of the planned execution, the sorcerer told the king that if he would allow him to live for one year, the king could become famous around the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Christian Church

Can You Be Intelligent And Not Believe In Evolution?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 30, 2000

A consideration of the intellectual difficulties with the theory of evolution.

It was voted by the Associated Press to be the top story of 1999: the Kansas Board of Education’s decision to de-emphasize some aspects of the teaching of evolution in Kansas’ schools set off a firestorm of controversy. >>>”Events began in 1995, when the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27

Denomination: Baptist

Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time Year C- Mote And Beam

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 27, 2025

We get impatient with others who represent aspects of ourselves that we have pushed away

Doctor Jesus is like an ophthalmologist and a psychologist in our Gospel today. He is speaking about projection. We get impatient with others who represent aspects of ourselves that we have pushed away.1 We are aware of all the mitigating factors that go into our own mistakes but not those ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:39-45

Denomination: Catholic

The Supremacy Of Divine Wisdom Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 15, 2025

In this sermon, we will explore into the Bible's teachings on the supremacy of divine wisdom over human wisdom.

In the vast expanse of human experience, two forms of wisdom have been pitted against each other: human wisdom and divine wisdom. While human wisdom relies on earthly knowledge and understanding, divine wisdom originates from God Himself, transcending the limitations of human comprehension. In ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 9:10, Isaiah 55:8-9

The Choice Between Church Growth And Church Health Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Dec 3, 2001

How do you handle sin in the church?

December 2, 2001 1I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you, something so evil that even the pagans don¡¦t do it. I am told that you have a man in your church who is living in sin with his father¡¦s wife. 2And you are so proud of yourselves! Why aren¡¦t you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Hanging Around God: The Start Of The Growth Cycle

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 18, 2000

Hanging around God both exposes our spiritual need and helps us to address that need; it both diagnoses our problem and starts us on the road to recovery; it is a growth cycle that can be described in several phases...

1. I do not deny that I am a fan of Frozen Custard....lemon custard sounds bad but is delicious! 2. Interesting watching the groups of people who go there...groups of teens/adults...alike...birds of a feather flock together... 3.Ever wonder, which comes first? (1) people choose to hang around those ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How God Uses Circumstances For Our Growth

Contributed by Bill Burnett on Feb 27, 2003

How does God use circumstances to help us fulfill and release God’s dreams for our lives

HOW GOD USES CIRCUMSTANCES TO HELP US REACH OUR DREAMS Going To The Next Level Series We’ve been talking about dreams for the last four weeks. I believe that every person in this room has a dream hidden in you somewhere. It is our desire that we help you find and release God’s dreams for your ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:8-28

Denomination: Foursquare

Obstacles To Individual And Church Growth - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jerry Flury on May 21, 2004

It’s God’s will for believers to grow individually and corporately as the Body of Christ. We must be aware that while God does want us to grow Satan wants us to atrophy. He will throw many obstacles in our path. Three are pride, partiality, and prejudice.

OBSTACLES TO INDIVIDUAL AND CHURCH GROWTH PART 1 1 THESSALONIANS 3:12 – 4:1 INTRODUCTION: Jesus Christ said that He came that we might have may have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10). It is God’s will for believers to grow individually and corporately as the Body of Christ. Peter tells us ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Obstacles To Individual And Church Growth - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jerry Flury on May 28, 2004

Pacifism and Passivism can be serious stumbling blocks to our progress as members of the Body of Christ. If we are to grow both need to be eliminated from of our lives and our church.

OBSTACLES TO INDIVIDUAL AND CHURCH GROWTH PART 2 1 PETER 2:9-15 INTRODUCTION: Last week we considered three obstacles that hinder Christian growth. Today I want to examine another pair of obstacles that impede individual and corporate growth and spiritual development – Pacifism and Passivism. Both ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Obstacles To Individual And Church Growth – Part 3 Series

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jun 9, 2004

Israel called to be holy experienced many of the same obstacles that we experience as we seek to grow in Christ and to be used by Him. In Numbers we see Israel filled with discontentment, dissension, discouragement, and defiance – all deadly obstacles.

OBSTACLES TO INDIVIDUAL AND CHURCH GROWTH – PART 3 LEVITICUS 20:22-26 Introduction: Paul told the Corinthian church that the things that happened to Israel in the wilderness were lessons to be used to help the church in its spiritual growth. Called to be holy, the nation of Israel experienced many ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 20:22-26

Denomination: Baptist

Three Ways To Hinder Your Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by Hal Seed on Oct 3, 2008

The Parable of the Soils describes four ways to respond to God. Three of them hinder spiritual growth. In this parable Jesus is saying, "You must take responsiblity for your personal spiritual growth."

[This sermon is contributed by Hal Seed of New Song Church in Oceanside, California and of www.PastorMentor.com. Hal is the author of numerous books including The God Questions and The Bible Questions. If you are interested in The Bible Questions Church-wide Campaign, please visit and watch Hal’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-15

Denomination: Baptist