Sermons on Progress As Slavery:

Climbing Higher

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 9, 2010

Satan wants to keep us from making progress in our spiritual life. With the Lord’s help, though, we can keep on climbing. To avoid sin’s tragedy, learn Satan’s strategy.

Opening illustration: Pastor Dale Kurtz laughed so hard that his sides ached. He was watching a frustrated squirrel trying to climb the metal pole supporting a bird feeder. The squirrel repeatedly got part way up, then slowly slid down the pole in a heap. In describing this incident, Kurtz wrote, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Living Life On Purpose

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Sep 13, 2010

A PURPOSE WILL: ❶ Motivate you ❷ Keep your priorities straight ❸ Develop your potential ❹ Give you ability to live in the present ❺ Help you evaluate your progress

2 Timothy 4:6-8KJVFor I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Lordship Of Jesus Christ

Contributed by Mark Baker on Apr 2, 2006

When Peter stood and proclaimed this message on the day of Pentecost he didn’t have all of the revelation of the New Covenant that was to be revealed as time progressed. He stood up with the knowledge that Jesus was Lord and Christ. Glory!

Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’’ What an awesome Scripture! Assuredly means it’s a sure thing, it’s a done deal. It doesn’t get any surer than that. When Peter stood and proclaimed this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Body Of Christ Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 7, 2015

1) Progression (Ephesians 4:12), 2) Purpose (Ephesians 4:13–15), and the 3) Power (Ephesians 4:16) of God’s divine pattern for the building and function of His church.

A free-lance missionary visited a pastor asking for financial support. “What groupare you associated with?” the pastor asked. The man replied, “I belong to the invisible church.” The pastor then asked, “Well, what church are you a member of!” Again he got the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:12-16

Denomination: Other

A New Year A New Commitment Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Jan 4, 2011

New Year’s resolutions are easily broken. New Year’s expectations are a work in progress throughout the entire year. Jesus taught us what is most important in our lives in His Sermon on the Mount.

The trouble with turning over a new leaf is that once you’ve done it twice, you’re right back where you started. What was the greatest blessing for you last year? The whole year, January through December, on what one day did you find your greatest blessing? It may have been the day your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Christian Church

The Blessed Ones

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 26, 2013

The first set of four beatitudes focus on our vertical relationship to God, the second set of four on our horizontal relationship to people. Each of the eight builds upon the other so that there is an amazingly beautiful and compelling progression.

Opening illustration: How good are you at making enemies? No, I didn’t ask how good you are at making friends. That’s easy. Just be a good Joe, an easy spender, a tolerant sort of fellow who never offends anybody. But how good are you at making enemies? If you are a child of God and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Appointed To Affliction Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

As far as possible the Christian is to live peaceably with all men. The ideal is progress without persecution, but the world will not tolerate the Christian conviction, and so there will be tribulation, and we must be prepared to face it if we stand for the truth as we ought.

One of our neighbors had a common but nerve wracking experience. Her little girl did not come home from school at noon. She got worried and went out to look for her, but she was no where around. The mother was just sick with worry as the worst possible thoughts went through her mind. She sought ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4

Through The Promises Of Jesus 2nd Coming Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 28, 2019

Joy is found in believing the Promises of God from the Bible and as we progress to the New Year there is a sense of expectation about the future for most. But there should also be an expectation and excitement about the possibility of Jesus second coming in 2020.

Opening video illustration – If Jesus returned today – by skit guys. Series: Find Joy in the Journey in 2019 Thesis of series: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers. We ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-4, Revelation 22:12-13, Revelation 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

7 Miles? A Dead Fish Can Travel Down Stream! (Part #2)

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 20, 2020

We study when men become baskecases. From Jerusalem to Emmaus is about 7 miles. Doubt, fear and failure can grow and hinder spiritual progress. We need to let Jesus walk with us.

7 MILES? DEAD FISH TRAVEL DOWN STREAM! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (Basket case#2 Losing hope…) WE ARE WALKING SAD… WE HAVE LOST HOPE… WE KNEW WE HAD FOUND THE ANSWER! BUT OUR DREAMS HAVE BEEN DASHED… WE INVESTED OUR EMOTIONS AND ACTIONS AND NOW LOOK… WE ARE BASKET ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-21, Luke 24:24-32

Denomination: Assembly Of God

No More Used To Be’s

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Nov 29, 2023

God is a progressive God, both in thinking and action! And at times in life it may not seem like we have been created in His image and characteristics! However, God both wanted and created us, to be the same way!

No More Used to Be’s Ephesians 2:4–7, NKJ “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us...raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bouncing Back (Part Two)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 30, 2021

Last week we looked at the story of Joseph. He bounced back from multiple situations: sold into slavery, a false accusation, betrayal, etc. But he wasn't the only one who bounced back from multiple hardships; Paul did too.

BOUNCING BACK (part two) There are many personal stories of people who bounced back from a bad situation. We're bouncing back from the pandemic with vaccinations and loosening COVID restrictions. People have bounced back from having COVID. Churches have bounced back from having to shut down ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, 2 Timothy 3:10-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Salvation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 1, 2022

In the Bible, temporal salvation is often a rescue from such circumstances as enemy attack, slavery, calamity and sickness. Eternal salvation is deliverance from death (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 5:7; James 5:20) and hell (Matthew 10:28; Jude 1:23).

In the Bible, temporal salvation is often a rescue from such circumstances as enemy attack, slavery, calamity and sickness. Eternal salvation is deliverance from death (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 5:7; James 5:20) and hell (Matthew 10:28; Jude 1:23). Eternal Salvation Eternal salvation is often referred ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23, Hebrews 5:7, James 5:20, Matthew 10:28, Jude 1:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Three Seekers

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 17, 2022

Traveling over a 1,000 miles thru hostile tribes, broad rivers, & trackless deserts, only by night, risking death or slavery, three SEEKERS risked everything to meet Jesus. The Holy Spirit led them until they came face to face with God!

THE THREE SEEKERS Mt. 2:1-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR #1 1. This week I heard about a minister who delivered a sermon in twenty minutes one Sunday morning -- about half the usual length of his sermons. 2. He told his congregation, “Sorry my sermon is so short, but my dog, who is fond of eating ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Contrasting The Carnal And Spiritually Minded

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Use the following check list of criterion to evaluate your own spiritual progress in putting away the old sinful nature and putting on Christ’s characteristics into all areas of your heart, soul, emotions, mind and behavior:

Carnallv Minded People Focus on selfish interests that concentrates only on their own individual concerns at the exclusion of the needs of others They are habitually jealous of what others have. They are suspicious of others or inclined to believe the worst of everyone and everything. They are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:8-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trade In "I've Arrived" For "Let's Grow!" Series

Contributed by Darrell Stetler Ii on Feb 8, 2005

A lot of people plateau because they think once they become a Christian, that’s it -- they’ve arrived. If you want to make progress, trade in that attitude for one that says, "I’m going to grow!" *HANDOUT INCLUDED*

Trade-offs for a happy 2005. Everything plateaus when until you’re willing to make the trade-off. <ILLUS> Mt. Climber up Mt. Everest – started out with cameras, tripods, exotic foods, etc. Discarded them one by one. He had to make the trade-off to keep on climbing upward. Trade in “I’ve ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:17-18

Denomination: Holiness