Sermons on Rational Development:

Teaching Obedience To The Next Generation

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 22, 2021

Saul hides behind his religion. Mafia hitmen rationalize, “Yes, I kill people but I’m really good to my mother.” We are incredibly good at self-deception. People hide behind their religion to evade obedience

Today, I want to speak to parents and grandparents on raising children who have a stalwart character all their lives. Let’s look at one of the most interesting kings of ancient Israel, King Saul. Today’s Scripture The word of the Lord came to Samuel: 11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:10-23

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Clarity Of Mindfulness

Contributed by William Meakin on Feb 9, 2025

The clarity of mindfulness can be associated with a state of mental sharpness where one can think clearly, focus attentively, and process information efficiently without feeling bewildered or enraptured, essentially allowing for rational decision-making and a clear understanding of situations.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, an American educator once remarked: “Mindfulness is about love and loving life. When you cultivate this love, it gives you clarity and compassion for life, and your actions happen in accordance with that.” Acts 17:29 reminds us: “Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7, Colossians 3:2, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 12:2

A Philosophy Of Life Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 13, 2012

Rather than going through life bumping around for direction, we need to develop a Biblical philosophy of living life.

A Philosophy of Life (Proverbs 20:28-30) 1. This week our friends in the UK celebrated the 60 year anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. 2. During that reign, the values of her society and ours have changed rapidly. The UK and the US have gone from a Leave It to Beaver perspective to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:28-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Love Your Neighbor, Tell Your Story Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Sep 23, 2007

This is the second in a series of 8 sermons that focus on Natural Church Development’s "8 Quality Characteristics" of Healthy churches. This is on the characteristic: "Need-Oriented Evangelism". We focus on building the quality, God provides the growth.

Love Your Neighbor, Tell Your Story John 9:25 and context Some titles just make you want to read the book: They Like Jesus ... Not the Church It is a book that delves into the attitudes and perceptions of 20-30 year olds about the church (US!!!) 1) The Church is an organized religion with a ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Throw In The Towel Vs Shake It Off.

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

Seems we can develop the eternal babyhood of believers. We must change and grow and develop. Problems come and go... we must shake the problems in the fire. Quit reacting and start acting by faith.

HOW EASY IS IT TO THROW IN THE TOWEL? MATURITY--- SHAKE IT OFF By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com The farmer had an old mule named TOM. TOM was like a family member. Tom pulled the wagon to town. They plowed with TOM. With age TOM went blind. He was still a good mule and obedient. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:3-5, Luke 6:37, 2 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Samaritan Woman At Jacob's Well Series

Contributed by Jimmy Davis on Sep 19, 2001

Picture # 4 in the series: The 14 Candid Snapshots of the Maturing Christian as found in the Gospel of John. The Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well is a picture of a rational sinner who can come to Christ. A skid row prostitute can become a child of God.

Picture # 4: The Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well is a picture of a rational sinner who can come to Christ as a new creation.(John 4:1-42). In this picture, we’re going to see that a skid row prostitute drug abuser can become a child of God, and then immediately become an evangelistic witness for ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Denomination: Baptist

Missing Parts Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 31, 2018

Does your Christian faith and practice have some missing parts? Are there important gaps in your knowledge or practice of the Christian life? If so, you are not alone!

Missing Parts (Acts 18:18-28) 1. Instead of a sandbox for our grandson, we bought a wrapping paper storage container. The idea is that it is portable and we can clamp on the lid to keep out cats or rain. Only one problem: one latch was missing. 2. We, too, can have missing parts. But ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:18-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Hope That Endures: Finding Strength In Trials Romans 5:3-4 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 23, 2024

Romans 5:3-4 speaks of a truth that is challenging yet deeply encouraging: the idea that our problems and trials are not wasted—they serve a purpose.

Hope That Endures: Finding Strength in Trials Romans 5:3-4 Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) – “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4, James 1:2-3, Hebrews 12:1, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Romans 8:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Integrating God's Influence Into Life

Contributed by Dana Chau on Mar 22, 2002

Learn four steps each of us can take to develop godly character.

Last week, we identified the adversaries Paul overcame so that he could progress in his resolution to know Christ and to make Christ known to the world. These adversaries are arrogance, arrival, affections (plural), accomplishments of the past and apathy. Throughout the week, I got feedback ...read more

Denomination: *other

Building Ponderosa

Contributed by Harold Rose on Feb 13, 2003

The building of the Temple was a high water mark in the spiritual development of God’s people.

BUILDING PONDEROSA – 1 Kings 6:11 “Then the word of the Lord came to Solomon, saying: Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgements, keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you which I spoke to your father David ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 6:11

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Temptation Series

Contributed by Russ Witkowski on May 23, 2002

Fourth in a series on developing excellence in our Christian walk based on the life of Joseph

5/22/02 PURSUING EXCELLENCE IN YOUR WALK IV DEALING WITH TEMPTATION GENESIS 39:1-5 BY PASTOR RUSS WITKOWSKI “Excellent” - to throw beyond the usual mark, to surpass, a throwing beyond others, beyond (out of) measure; “Way” -journey, high-way. Definition of Spiritual Excellence: To live the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-12, Philippians 4:11-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Courage

Contributed by Kurt Heisey on May 31, 2002

Courage is a characteristic of God’s people, and we need to know how it is developed.

Courage VCC July 23, 2000 Going into Promised Land Numbers 13:26ff, 10 spies God has provision for eachof us, yet some wander in the wilderness for years and years because they don’t have the courage to go forth in faith and possess the land. Hebrew = “amats” which means to strengthen, secure, ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Safest Place To Be?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 27, 2002

We study developing the manner of faithfulness to the church, and how safe it is to go to church.

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE? Manners? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: HEBREWS 10:25 NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER, AS THE MANNER OF SOME IS: BUT EXTORTING ONE ANOTHER: AND SO MUCH THE MORE, AS YE SEE THE DAY APPROACHING. Read 1 Cor. 4:2 Moreover it is required ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25, 1 Corinthians 4:2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Help For Discovering Your Dreams Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Jul 22, 2003

Self-help exercises for developing a promising future, based on Daniel chapter two.

A friend of mine was recently given a business card from a "minister" who came into his store. It read: "Rev. ________, Associated Minister _______________ Church Rev. ________, a prophet of Jesus Christ, healer, and miracle worker: will bring marriages together, destroy devils, bring loved ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:1-49

Denomination: Baptist

Love In Overalls Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 23, 2000

How to love people enough to like them by developing the art of unconditional acceptance.

Love In Overalls (Message #12 of the Series: View From God’s Mountaintop) Matthew 5.1and John 13.34-35 October 22, 2000 ------------------------- This morning we connect two texts. The first is the prologue to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35, Matthew 5:1

Denomination: United Methodist