Sermons on Real Progress:

Surprised By Grace Series

Contributed by Robert Walderman on Aug 4, 2009

Like a real, jaw-dropping surprise birthday party, Paul writes about the loving, behind-the-scenes preparations of God in foreordaining that, one day, we would be ’surprised by His grace!"

Preface: Today, I will be starting a sermon series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. I’ve entitled it, Highlights from Ephesians, and it is what I term a “broad-stroke” series. As the implies it is not verse-by verse but rather a look a some of the most significant verses from each chapter. One ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

It's Not About The Wall

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 5, 2010

The wall is finished, but the real work has just begun. It's not about the wall, it's about the Word and the Worship that will be shared within the walls. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

It's Not About the Wall Nehemiah 8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/NotAboutTheWall.html We've spent 18 sermons on the rebuilding of the wall. But it's not about the wall, it's about the Word, and the worship. In spite of all the dirty devil's efforts to prevent it from taking form, the wall was ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Breakthrough Spirituality Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 17, 2009

Have you ever felt like a spiritual hypocrite? Good news… Jesus understands… and he came not to condemn us… but to call us out… from outward religion to real life and relationship with God.

Breakthrough Spirituality Brad Bailey – February 25, 2007 (Much of the ‘commentary’ notes used in prep for this message are from or adapted from Don Williams, KingdomRain website study on Gospel of Mark Such commentary was never read but merely serves as ideas that were drawn on and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Freedom That Comes From Obedience Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 28, 2014

Another visit into the life of David to encourage people to examine their own lives for areas where they are pursuing false “freedom” and to pursue real freedom within God’s design for living.

Today is the 2nd installment in this series from the life of David. If you’re following the Scriptures, you’re going to notice we’re skipping more than we’re looking at. And, you’re going to notice that once again, David is like us – in his life there are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Commanded To Love Each Other Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 16, 2016

As disciples we are called to love one another, that is a command that is easier to say than actually do, for us to live in a way that the love of God is fully demonstrated requires real effort in our daily lives.

Disciples who Love Straight to the question: If you could only use one word to describe God what word would you choose? Would it be Almighty? Omnipotent? Creator? It’s Valentines Day and the word I am looking for is Love! The bible tells us simply and clearly that “God is ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Stream Of God’s Presence Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 20, 2015

We may spend some time with God each day, but how much of that is real quality time? Sometimes we can allow the busyness of daily life to crowd out quality time with God.

The Stream of God’s Presence We are continuing in our series on Supernatural Springs and this month our focus is on the Stream of God’s presence. The question as always to begin: How much quality time do you spend with God? We may spend some time with God each day, but how much of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Missed Christmas

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 27, 2014

Even many Christians will miss the real reason for the season. And we might be the cause for the world not to know Jesus. Will you take up the challenge to tell others about the birth of Christ in your very lives?

Opening illustration: Have you ever missed a great opportunity? The story is told of a small resort area along the east coast that was having an open town meeting concerning some financial problems they were facing. Among the two dozen or so people was one man no one seemed to know who was ...read more

Scripture: John 1:10-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jehovah Shalom - God Is Peace Series

Contributed by Paul Basehore on Feb 12, 2015

Fear is a self-preservation instinct -- it's designed to protect us from something that may cause us real or imagined harm. But Jesus says in Matthew not to fear death, but to fear God. What's the difference?

Jehovah Shalom - God of Peace Fear is a constant in our world. It’s so immersed in our culture that sometimes it’s actually considered a psychiatric issue, complete with fancy descriptive terms! I thought it may be interesting to read some of these to you tonight. Some seem normal, but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:28, Judges 6:11-24, John 16:33, Ephesians 1:4-6, Luke 2:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Hell And Being A Disciple Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 11, 2014

So what difference does it make? If Hell is real, what difference not only does it make in how you live your life today but what difference does it make in being a disciple of Jesus

Hell and Being a Disciple Luke 16: 19-31 Dan Kimball writes, “I am passionate about hell. That sounds odd – but I am not passionate about hell itself, but passionate about studying what it is because of the seriousness of what it is. I am passionate about it as I don’t want ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:18-31

Denomination: Methodist

Our Treasure In Christ

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jan 27, 2019

We live in an age of information, with great technological advancement. People have an opportunity to be more connected now than ever, but many are isolated and alone. They seek real peace and truth. This is found only in Jesus!

Our Treasure in Christ 1 John 1: 1-4 As I read these verses I thought of the present condition of our world. We live in the most advanced age the world has ever known: an age of information, technological advancement, and increasing global dependence and interaction. In an age like this, one ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Expect Contrary Winds And Wet Blankets.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 3, 2018

Grinch is real and thriving in many places. Life can become a wet blanket. Never allow the Grinch to knock you down and keep you down. This storm is a great faith opportunity. SHAKE IT OFF.

EXPECT CONTRARY WINDS & WET BLANKETS By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Our enemy desires to be a GRINCH and steal the joy of abundant life. He is a killjoy. Life can become a wet blanket. We must not allow other people to become a wet blanket to us. Life is full of difficult ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:14-30, Acts 27:10-31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God Saves A Tormented Heart Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on May 6, 2017

The story of a demon-possessed girl’s salvation in Acts 16 cautions us about dabbling in the occult, exposes the real motives of the purveyors of evil and teaches us that true salvation is accompanied by life transformation.

God Saves a Tormented Heart Series: Acts Chuck Sligh April 30, 2017 NOTE: A PowerPoint and ProPresenter 6 slide presentation is available for this sermon upon request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Adapted from a sermon by Jerry Shirley on SermonCentral.com. TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Acts ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

Finding God Above Our Heads Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jun 1, 2017

What was God's real goal for Christmas? Philippians 2:9-11 makes clear that Jesus came so that all knees would bow and all tongues would confess in worship of the God of grace!!

Intro: How many know how many more shopping days till Christmas? Today there are 13 shopping days until Christmas. The goal for many for Christmas has become finding the perfect gift at the perfect price. But what was God’s goal for Christmas? What was the real purpose for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

When Hearts Come Together

Contributed by Perry Greene on Nov 12, 2014

We have real challenges in life that we think we can control. The truth is that we are dependent on God. When our hearts come together with his we find the sanctuary we need.

1. When Hearts Come Together In November 2004, two North Carolina buddies, Dale Beatty and John Gallina, were wounded when their vehicle hit an anti-tank mine in Iraq. John received severe head and back injuries. Dale lost both legs below the knee. Neither man let their injuries stop them. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 61:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Workers And Bosses

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 1, 2019

Most of us are pretty good at knowing how to behave at church. But how does Christian faith apply in your workplace. The Apostle Paul gives some real wisdom for us in his letter to the Ephesians.

Imagine with me that we aren’t in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, but in the Greek city of Ephesus. And it’s not this morning. It’s the first century. And the routine of going to church is very different. There is no church building. We come to church in a house, the home of one of the few ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-9, James 1:7, John 8:36