Sermons on Pitfalls In Ministry:

Excuses, Excuses

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 19, 2022

If you had the chance to go back to the time of Jesus and follow him as a disciple, would you take it? Jesus pointed out that there were people who saw his ministry and saw John the Baptist's ministry, but made excuses rather than commitment, so they missed out.

I love preaching through the life of Jesus. There is something about his teachings and the things that he did that just stretches me again and again. Any time I start to think I have it all figured out, I just need to take another look at Jesus, and I know there are more wonders still ahead for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:31-35

Can God Still Use Me After I've Gotten Off To A Shaky Start?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 12, 2004

The beginning of Elisha’s solo ministry provides some insights into the mistakes that many of us make early in our walk with God.

- vv. 23-25. - This is simply a problem passage. It’s very difficult to explain - it seems so unnecessary and unbecoming to a prophet, especially when you compare Jesus’ statements on forgiveness. - How do we make sense of it? KEY THOUGHT: God works through imperfect people. - The tendency ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:11-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Time To Rebuild

Contributed by Tom Doubt on Jul 14, 2003

Every new project or ministry has several hands in it: hand of God, hands of outsiders, hands of believers, and hands of opposition.

A Time To Rebuild Nehemiah 2:17-20 Dr. Tom Doubt, Senior Pastor Four Mile Creek Baptist Church July 13, 2003 BACKGROUND: A. Parable: There once was a thriving little church in the country. Internal squabbles developed that tore the church apart. Attendance dwindled until the church died. It ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

"An Anointed Experience..."

Contributed by E.t. Cummings on Sep 18, 2003

In this sermon, God designed purpose is to get the believer to understand his purpose in ministry and his plan to accomplish his planned tasks.

As we discover the church of today, the church really doesn’t know how to experience the anointing because many sermons have been preached, many stories have been told, and many books have been written, but to give you the true meaning of anoiting, many people can’t tell you because they have the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Ask To Serve Series

Contributed by Kyle Meador on Nov 28, 2000

Ministering to others begins with praying to God for his guidance, power and blessing in opportunities to make his grace known through ministry.

Ever notice how you pick up little habits from people without even noticing it? When I first became a Christian, the preacher at the University Church was a positive, encouraging gentleman named Harold Jones. He would always speak about the ‘wonderful love of Jesus’ and bob up and down on his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:25-28, Matthew 22:39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lesson 6 (Prayer Partners): Praying With Jesus

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jun 17, 2002

Learn to become a partner with Jesus in His intercessory ministry. As a man, He knows your needs. As God, He is mighty in deliverance!

Prayer Partners Series By Elmer Towns Lesson 6: Praying with Jesus A. INTRODUCTION 1. The Intercession of Jesus: to keep us from sin. “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

Four Spiritual Checks - #4 The Nobility Of Serving God Series

Contributed by Mark Thornton on Oct 3, 2001

This is the last of a series on Paul’s Trustworthy Sayings. This message demonstrates the value of serving God and encourages people to get involved in ministry.

INTRODUCTION. (ILLUS.) -- Like many teenagers, I didn’t exactly know what I wanted to do with my life when I was a high-school senior. I knew that I wanted to serve the Lord (possibly in ministry / full-time service) but I didn’t know what or where. I hadn’t decided on pursuing pastoral ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: *other

Living Life With A Purpose

Contributed by Steve Hereford on Oct 25, 2001

What is your purpose in life? Is it the same for every believer. Join Pastor Steve as he examines the evangelism ministry of the Thessalonian church.

INTRODUCTION Today we are looking at 1 Thessalonians 1, verses 8-10 in what I believe to be the purpose of every believer in Jesus Christ. Many times Christians fumble around misunderstanding their purpose but as we will see in this text — we have one purpose. Some Christians believe that our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Focus Of The Gospel -- Exalting Christ Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

FOCUS ON EXALTING CHRIST AND YOU CAN COUNT ON SUPERNATURAL BOLDNESS IN FRUITFUL MINISTRY -- - ONE THAT WILL GLORIFY CHRIST - AND EFFECTIVELY IMPACT OTHERS

BIG IDEA: FOCUS ON EXALTING CHRIST AND YOU CAN COUNT ON SUPERNATURAL BOLDNESS IN FRUITFUL MINISTRY -- - ONE THAT WILL GLORIFY CHRIST - AND EFFECTIVELY IMPACT OTHERS I. SUPERNATURAL BOLDNESS IN FRUITFUL MINISTRY COMES FROM FOCUSING ON EXALTING CHRIST (:19-21) A. The Power of Intercessory Prayer ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Are You Status Quo Oriented Or Harvest Oriented?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Are You Status Quo Oriented or Harvest Oriented? Criteria for being more harvest oriented in all aspects of your ministry outlook

Characteristics of Maintenance Minded People Characteristics of Harvest Oriented People (Matt 9:36-38) Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send forth workers into His harvest fields. Illustration:How Do You Look at It? A shoe manufacturer who decided to open the Congo market sent two salesmen to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:36-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Manage Conflicts

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit gives us God’s secret wisdom to handle any conflict in our personal lives or ministries.

1. The Holy Spirit gives us God’s secret wisdom to handle any conflict in our personal lives or ministries. Paul wrote, "We speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began...but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit." (I Cor. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Jesus Instructed His Apostles Through The Empowering Spirit

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Jesus instructed His apostles through the Holy Spirit because He wanted them to continue the ministry that He began.

1. Jesus instructed His apostles through the Holy Spirit because He wanted them to continue the ministry that He began. Our Lord did not expect His disciples to invent their own agendas. Christ’s ministry showed people how to have a great influence through the demonstration of Godly characteristics ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:16-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shaped For Serving God Series

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Dec 14, 2004

This is my version of Rick Warren’s Sermon for the 40 Days Of Purpose. It deals with all of us being prepared to do ministry.

Shaped For Serving God 11-7-2004 Purpose Driven Church Part 5 1 Samuel 17:32-40 John 13:1-17 There was a young man in his late teens, that was pretty much considered as a nobody by his family because he was the youngest of eight sons. He had the job of taking care of the sheep. No ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Joy Of Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 3, 2003

The sacrifice of Christ made our salvation a full and free gift; our personal sacrifice is the joyful response that makes ministry possible.

February 2, 2003 1Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities. 2And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem. Nehemiah ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Preach The Word Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 10, 2001

PAUL’S FINAL CHARGE TO HIS YOUNGER PROTÉGÉ: FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY BY PREACHING THE WORD (REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE MESSAGE IS POPULAR)

BIG IDEA: PAUL’S FINAL CHARGE TO HIS YOUNGER PROTÉGÉ: FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY BY PREACHING THE WORD (REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE MESSAGE IS POPULAR) I. (:1) THE EYEWITNESSES OF THE CHARGE: PAY CLOSE ATTENTION! (Maintaining sound doctrine is serious business) A. The Seriousness of the Charge – ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible