Sermons on Intentional Growth:

The 165-Degree Life Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Nov 12, 2024

King David leans into thankfulness by offering intentional sacrifices, praising God through song, and reorienting his heart about God’s sovereignty while praying for God’s favor. We absolutely can do the same!

LAYERS OF THANKSGIVING 2024: THE 165-DEGREE LIFE 1 CHRONICLES 16:1-36 #layersofthanksgiving INTRODUCTION… How Pop-Up Turkey Timers Work home.howstuffworks.com/pop-up-timer.htm [adapted] This morning we are going to talk turkey. Millions of people throughout the United States sit down to a big ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:1-36, Colossians 3:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Is With Us

Contributed by Larry Grant on Dec 18, 2021

If our greatest need had been military, God would have sent a soldier. If our greatest need had been justice, God would have sent a judge. If our greatest need had been legislation, God would have sent a politician. But, our greatest need was salvation and therefore God sent a Savior!

Matthew 1:20-23 NKJV “God With Us” The Bible teaches us that Mary and Joseph were a God-fearing couple. They were not perfect in any way, and yet God used them for His glory! Our lesson in St. Matthew begins at an Angel of the Lord that St. Luke lets us know is Gabriel, who after revealing to Mary ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Magnify The Lord

Contributed by Larry Grant on Jun 22, 2025

When I magnify something, I can see it better. When I magnify, I can understand it better. When I magnify, I have a deeper appreciation for how and what it does.

Psalms 34:1-4 (NKJV) “Magnify the Lord” June 22, 2025 David insisted that despite the difficulties and dangers of his life, his experience with God has given him something to brag about. I wonder today, if we can put ourselves in David’s position, when the words of this text were written, no ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Serve Others, Serve Christ PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 8, 2025

True greatness is found in serving others with everyday acts of kindness, recognizing and loving Jesus in the overlooked and ordinary people around us.

Some of the most breathtaking moments with Jesus arrive in ordinary clothes. A paper cup of water handed to a weary worker. A brown-bag sandwich shared on a bench. A text sent at midnight that says, “I’m here.” He has a way of walking into our Mondays and Market Streets, our waiting rooms and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:35-40

Topics: Intentional Service, Service, Intentionality

Nurturing Your Heart For Spiritual Growth SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 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

Paul’s Agenda For You Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 28, 2013

God’s direction for your life can be summarized in several ways; our text suggests we are to engage in several processes to fulfill God’s intent for our lives.

Paul’s Agenda for You (Colossians 1:9-14) 1. Some people are just tough: KILAUEA, Hawaii, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- A Hawaii surfer who was attacked by a shark said the encounter ended when he managed to punch the carnivorous fish in the eye. Jeff Horton, 25, said he was sitting on his surfboard off ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Church Growth Or Church Set Up Series

Contributed by Brad Yock on Mar 14, 2011

"A survival guide"

What every Pastor, Church Leader and seminary student should know. What they don’t teach you in seminary, yet 8 out of 10 pastors fail as a direct result of a church expansion program. This is the most pro active, preventative advice available today. Empowering, enlightening and powerful. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:19

Denomination: *other

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

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

Lose Some Weight!

Contributed by Tony Searles on Nov 19, 2006

A little play on words here, but with a serious intent. The message encourages us to gain victories over the flesh, so that our Spirit man can flourish in the Lord, and gain strength; while our flesh "loses weight"!

Stand & Read - 1 Cor. 3:1-7 “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to babes in Christ. [2] I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, [3] for you are still fleshly. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-7

Denomination: Other

Spirituality - Part Of The Life God Blesses Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on May 14, 2007

Spirituality is a term that is much used and equally misunderstood in our time. In the broadest sense, when we define spirituality, we think of that person who is intent on the qualities of soul, whose life is not centered on physical matters such as owni

Series - “Preparing to Prosper” “God loves to bless His children!” That is the declaration of the Bible, a promise that we can live by. In this series of messages, my aim has been to teach how we position ourselves to stand in the flow of God’s blessing, to live in a way that is prosperous, not ...read more

Scripture: John 3:3-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

The Growth & Flourishing Of The Christian Mind

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 2, 2021

God works in mysterious ways, as they say. And how truly mysterious it is and difficult to comprehend. Just when you think you've discovered a way in which God operates, he surprises you with another.

God works in mysterious ways, as they say. And how truly mysterious it is and difficult to comprehend. Just when you think you've discovered a way in which God operates, he surprises you with another. At times he seems distant. At times it seems hopeless. At other times he is close. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:33, Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Salvation Army

When Your Plans And God’s Plans Don’t Match

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Oct 14, 2022

There are so many things that we do not know about each other, but then we learn.

For instance: • I have known for sometime that Keith played sports and he was very good at playing baseball. • I found out that Jenney was a cheer leader in junior high and high school. • I found out that Clyde was a pilot. • I found out that Carlos was a finish carpenter. • I found out that ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Contentment Challenge

Contributed by Todd Leupold on May 30, 2007

Preached to a church immediately preceeding the announcement of it’s Senior Pastor’s resignation over moral issues. It is only by knowing the true condition of my heart that I can be intentional and effective in aligning it with God’s heart!

THE CONTENTMENT CHALLENGE 1 Timothy 6:3-21 September 4, 2005 Motive Check: “Gone Nutty” – Intro. from the movie, Ice Age Have you ever been like that about something before? Something you so much desire to attain or keep that nothing, not even a catastrophe (or the onset of the Ice Age) will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:3-21

Denomination: Baptist