Sermons on Personal Development:

Josh's Journey Through Silence: Spirituality In The Making

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jan 4, 2021

This is a narrative sermon that illustrates how people often struggle with spirituality due to life's situation. It follows this narrative for developing a sensitivity to those who struggle to find meaning on their spiritual journey.

Following the pastoral prayer, the minister of music prepared to lead the people in a hymn of praise. As the pastor reflected upon the worship service and the sermon he was to preach his mind drifted to the text for his sermon. It was the first passage of scripture he had heard read from the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Show Thyself Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Nov 2, 2009

This week we are using Saul who became Paul as a model of several competancies to emotionally healthy spirituality. These are things that we need to develop to show our true colors of who we are in Christ.

Back to School Show Thyself Acts 11:19-26 November 1, 2009 Last week we looked at issues of emotional awareness and the need to know ourselves. We need to know what we are feeling, why we are feeling these things, how we should deal with things, being reflective in order to accurately assess ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26

Denomination: Church Of God

Be Strong And Courageous

Contributed by Perry Greene on Oct 27, 2013

When the Hebrews reached the land of promise, Joshua is repeatedly told to "be strong and courageous." This lesson looks to ways that we can develop the strength and courage we need in trying, challenging times.

1. Feeling Overwhelmed -- Abraham Lincoln: "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of those about me seemed insufficient for the day." 2. Creation -- Noah -- Abraham -- Moses -- Wilderness -- Joshua and ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Passion For The Love Of God!

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 7, 2021

Do you have a passion for Jesus? If you haven't acted upon it, it is time to. If you don't have a passion then you need to develop it.

Passion for the Love of God! Revelation 1:1-6; Jeremiah 1:1-10 Michael H. Koplitz I’m sure most of you have heard of the old adage that two things are guaranteed in this life. I’m sure that if I asked around the sanctuary this morning, each of you would tell me what those two things are. The old ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-6, Jeremiah 1:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

How The Holy Spirit Works As A Change Agent

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The Holy Spirit catalyzes change in people, situations and organizations. A catalyst is someone that precipitates change without being altered in the process. The Spirit has a clear view of every person’s heart and mind so that He knows what changes are n

1. The Holy Spirit catalyzes change in people, situations and organizations. A catalyst is someone that precipitates change without being altered in the process. The Spirit has a clear view of every person’s heart and mind so that He knows what changes are necessary. Paul wrote, "And he who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Purpose Of The Church- Discipleship Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jul 25, 2003

The church is not to stop once we get a person in the door and on the church roll. Our work just begins at that point

INTRODUCTION • Talk about the goal of a baseball team. Get people across home plate. Don’t push the details of the analogy. • Does a team cheer and quit when it gets a person to 1st base or 3rd base? They will cheer because they expect to bring that person around the bases to score. • At the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Benefit Of Godly Elders

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 3, 2003

Here is an example of how multiple gifts, abilities and perspectives can synergistically work together for a greater total effect than the sum of several individual’s efforts. Without elders, the church can easily be led astray by one person’s agenda, per

Why Elders Are Important - Acts 15:1-29 Illustration:Peter Drucker offers insightful guidance to the church when he calls leadership a peak performance by one who is "the trumpet that sounds a clear sound of the organizations’ goals." His five requirements for this task are amazingly reliable and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Four Soils Series

Contributed by Charles Salmon on Feb 18, 2002

Sermon on the parable of the sower. One’s response to the Gospel depends on the personal inclination of his will.

The Four Soils Mark 4:1-20 INTRO.: Why do different people respond differently to the same message? Why do some reject the Gospel of Christ and others accept it and live Christian lives? Jesus provides an answer to this question in the passage before us. We will become more effective and joyful ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

40 Days Of Purpose: Week 4: You Were Created To Become Like Christ

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 30, 2004

“God’s ultimate good for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ.” -Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

A. INTRODUCTION MEMORY VERSE “Your attitude shall be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). Review: - Week one: You are here for God’s purpose. - Week two: You were planned for God’s pleasure: worship. - Week three: You were formed for God’s family. Your work: - Continue to work out your ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

Confirmation

Contributed by Roger Haugen on May 14, 2002

Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" At a young person’s confirmation s/he has the opportunity to say with Peter, "You are the Christ."

Confirmation Sunday Matthew 16:13-18 19 May 2002 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Clean Hands

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Dec 31, 2002

In every person’s makeup there are certain ideas about God which we hold as truth unchallengeable; our beliefs, which are not up for discussion. Psalm 24 ought to be that.

December 29, 2002 In every person’s makeup there are certain ideas about God which we hold as truth unchallengeable; our beliefs, which are not up for discussion. Psalm 24 ought to be that. It was written to be sung antiphonally in worship. The soloist states the first phrase, the congregation ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Other People's Pain

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Oct 25, 2007

Is it possible to really feel another person’s pain? When are we willing to allow our selves to feel others pain. How did Jesus demonstrate the feeling of pain?

Other People’s Pain My mother and father both said it. I never believed it and I think I told them so. They would always say it just before “IT” happened…. They would say “this is going to hurt me a lot more that it is going to hurt you!” Has anyone said that to you? Just as they told ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Congregational

Evangelization Of An Ethiopian

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Dec 10, 2007

Forgiveness and salvation are universal needs. Those needs are not met in one’s personal moral properties or position in life, but only through faith in the person and work of Christ Jesus the Lord.

Evangelization Of An Ethiopian Text: Acts 8: 35-38 Intro: Prior to the story that we have just read, we are told of the death of Stephen, one of the first deacons of the church of Jerusalem. Before his death, Stephen preached a scorching sermon to the religious leaders of his day, concerning ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:35-38

Denomination: Baptist

Three Ways To Make Your Life More Meaningful

Contributed by Kenneth Anthony on Dec 10, 2006

Sermon explores three ways to make a person’s life more meaningful: know who you are, know what you are to do, and make the most of your time.

Three Ways to Make Your Life More Meaningful Introduction Short sideline passes; long bombs, and sometimes long over-the-middle pass plays are common after the “Two Minute Warning” is given in a professional football game. Here game clock management is as important as yardage gained. Despite ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-19

Denomination: Orthodox

The 12 Apostles: John Son Of Zebedee

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 22, 2015

Here is the mysterious person who leaned on Jesus at the last supper, the only one of the 12 to die a natural death, and who was vouchsafed with the greatest prophetic insight of any person in Scripture.

THE 12 APOSTLES: JOHN SON OF ZEBEDEE INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Rabbi Levy was walking home from synagogue one Sabbath when he saw Issy, a leader in his congregation, going into ‘The Chinese Crab’ restaurant. 2. As he looked through the window, Rabbi Levy saw Issy order a plate of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:13-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God