Sermons on Intentional Growth:

Overcoming Disappointment

Contributed by Ray Pritchard on Sep 8, 2003

It is better to rejoice over what you have than to weep over what you used to have.

Overcoming Disappointment Ezra 3 The year is 537 B.C. The place is Jerusalem. The Jews have just returned from a long captivity in Babylon. Some have been gone from their homeland for 70 years. Others have been gone for 50 years. They were sent into captivity as part of God’s judgment on ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:1-13, Ezekiel 1:10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Faith Looks Like Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 6, 2008

What does pure religion and undefiled before God, the Father, look like? James challenges us to discover for ourselves what that religion looks like.

JAMES 1:26, 27 WHAT THE FAITH LOOKS LIKE “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

Fanatics For The Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 24, 2007

God calls His people to take seriously the instruction of the Word. In fact, He calls us to be fanatics for the Faith.

JAMES 1:19-27 FANATICS FOR THE FAITH “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Baptist

Our Identity In God PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Understand and trust God's intentional design for our identity, and to recognize the power of forgiveness.

Good morning, church family! Today, we’re diving into an incredible story from Genesis 45, verses 1-15. It’s a tale that portrays the beauty of God's plan for our identity, the example of trusting God set by Joseph, and the power of forgiveness in shaping who we are. As we embark on this journey ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15

Topics: Identity, Reconciliation

Come Clean

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Jun 20, 2009

Do you long to reflect a life that doesn’t feel dirty and make you feel like a tramp? Do you want to approach God every day and offer him your life, pouring it out every day like fresh, pure water for God to enjoy? Our King deserves the best!

Let’s go back in time. Back to the days when a chip was something you ate, not a computer component. The days when spam was luncheon meat. We’re going back to the days you wished you could have the newest gadget. It was the cell phone Construction crews used which weighted 10 pounds and you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16

Denomination: Salvation Army

Created To Become Like Christ Series

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Mar 25, 2006

God’s plan from the very beginning has been to make human beings like Himself. This is His third purpose for your life, to make you like Jesus Christ.

CREATED TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST The 3rd Purpose of Your Life The Purpose Driven Life – Part 4 of 7 • Everybody needs a purpose and that’s why we’re spending 40 Days of Purpose, looking at God’s 5 main purposes for our lives. • Let’s just quickly review what we have looked at, First, You Were ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:29

Denomination: United Methodist

Purging Procrastination Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

Procrastination is something that many of us struggle with. There’s something in your life you know you need to do, and yet you keep putting it off. That is called procrastination. Procrastination is a spiritual issue. The Bible says that procrastination

Purging Procrastination Jonah 1:1-5, 17 A recent survey of Americans found that only 10% of Americans say they struggle with procrastination. Right! Of course 90% never got around to filling out the survey. Did you know there’s actually a Procrastinators Club of America? Formed more than 50 ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

Fellowship Known By Obedience Series

Contributed by Brien Sims on Jun 17, 2008

Once we have accepted Christ, we must continue to be obedient so that we can continue our fellowship in Him. Our reward for obedience is eternal life.

There is something that we should all take note of in the Book of First John. Fellowship, sharing our lives in Christ, doesn’t continue for nothing. Once we have accepted Christ, we must continue to be obedient so that we can continue our fellowship in Him. Our reward for obedience is continued ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Think Straight Be Straight Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 14, 2004

The church of Jesus Christ must make sure they are thinking straight and being straight in their lives.

1 Peter 1:1 – Think Straight Be Straight Thesis: The church of Jesus Christ must make sure they are thinking straight and being straight in their lives. Video Illustration: Movie Pay It Forward. Clip is from the beginning of the movie were a reporter becomes the recipient of a random act of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:11-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Spirit Of The Disciplines I

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jan 27, 2007

Conversion does not mean arrival. It signals the beginning of a journey of growth. We are to be like Christ, and this growth requires disciplines.

[Most of the thoughts in this sermon come from Dallas Willard’s book The Spirit of the Disciplines.] Eph 4:12 “…to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Matt 28:19-20 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Elements Of Love Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jun 14, 2010

Love is not simply a component of life but love is an intent, a purpose, that causes thoughts, words & acts of everyday life. This intent to love was the need of the Corinthians, & this is still our need today.

[LIVING IN LOVE SERIES] 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-6a THE SPECTRUM OF THE ETERNAL GIFT OF LOVE [Galatians 5:22-23] Perhaps you’ve seen this Peanuts cartoon: Linus announces to his cranky sister, Lucy, that he’s going to be a doctor. “You, a doctor?” She asks. “How can you be a doctor? You don’t love ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-6, John 3:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

"Are You Acting Like A Fool? Ecc. Pt 11 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 29, 2008

Solomon tells us in chapter 10 of his journal that we need to be wise and not a fool like many he has observed throughout his life.

“Are you acting like a fool?” Ecc. - Pt. 11 Opening Illustration: Some people say and do foolish things for example: Here are some twisted facts from various media sources (not true but reported as true): The following information is from the website legendsofamerica.com. On average, 100 people ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Makes Us Tick? Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 28, 2014

Another sermon from the whole letter to help people understand and be convicted of their personal responsibility for the Church’s effectiveness in the world today.

When I was a kid I loved to take things apart. Sure. That’s neat on the outside, and what it does it pretty neat, but what makes it work? What does it look like inside? Whenever something minor broke down, it spelled opportunity to me. Because that meant it either needed to be fixed, or ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Do I Accept Forgiveness

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 31, 2004

Questions about forgiveness and growth in grace are answered.

(As I begin this morning, I am letting you know that I will be making an invitation to come forward to the altar at the conclusion of the sermon.) In our text for this morning, many people are in a desperate place and only Jesus can truly save them. The woman who is dragged before Jesus and ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Church Of God

Passionate Pursuit Part 1 Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Feb 16, 2010

Our spiritual growth is a pursuit worth pursuing passionately.

In his bestselling “Purpose-Driven Life,” Rick Warren wrote, “If I asked you how you picture life, what image would come to your mind? That image is your life metaphor. It’s your description of how life works and what you expect from it. It determines your expectations, your values, your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist