Sermons on Shrinking Back:

Blessed Are The Flexible

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Aug 19, 2013

It is very easy for us to become set in our ways. This is true not only for individuals, but also for churches. We quickly fall into certain routines, and after we do a thing for a certain period of time, it becomes sacred.

Blessed Are The Flexible Mark 2:13-3:6 13 And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them. Levi (Matthew) Called 14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Holy Fight

Contributed by David Welch on Apr 22, 2019

This message explores the command to contend, fight, persevere. It focuses on four areas of contention. Contend for the faith, purity, unity and effective ministry.

April 21, 2019 Pastor David Welch “A Holy Fight” Introduction I don’t know about you, but my parents frowned upon fighting. Turn the other cheek. Walk away. This morning I am here to encourage fighting. Not because I like fighting but because the Bible instructs us to fight. In case you hadn’t ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 1:28-29, Jude 1:3, 1 Timothy 4:6-10

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Because He Lives

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Apr 16, 2022

On Easter Sunday we celebrate the central event of the Christian faith, the resurrection. We can live now and forever because He lives!

Because He Lives I. OPENING ILLUSTRATION: When It Was Dark I’m not quite sure how to say this. Many in the church have said that our faith is based on verifiable historical facts. It was a faith built upon evidence. Scholars like Josh McDowell wrote books like "Evidence That Demands A ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Purpose, Please Stand Up

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 12, 2025

Purpose rises when God’s word defines us, God’s anointing empowers us, and we step into the valley knowing the battle belongs to the Lord.

There are moments in Scripture when God doesn’t whisper purpose—He shakes it into the bones of His people. And one of those moments erupts in 1 Samuel 17 when a young shepherd boy, overlooked by his family and underestimated by everyone else, stands on a battlefield and shouts a question that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:29, 1 Samuel 17:45, 1 Samuel 17:47, Ephesians 2:10, 1 John 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Building God's Kingdom Together For Eternal Life PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2025

The sermon calls us to seek God’s kingdom first, embrace repentance, and live out our faith together, trusting God to provide and guide us.

If you came in today with a to-do list longer than a week and a heart full of what-ifs, you’re in the right place. The King is kind, and His words are clear. He speaks to grocery-getters and diaper-changers, to students and seniors, to the weary and the wide-awake. He leans close and whispers a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 28:19-20

Topics: Kingdom Building, Unity, Discipleship

Breaking The Ancestral Covenant PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2025

This sermon calls us to identify and renounce generational idols, embracing wholehearted devotion to God so that His freedom and love transform our families.

Friends, every family has a box in the attic—old photos, faded letters, a quilt stitched by steady hands. Alongside those treasures come other hand-me-downs we don’t frame or display: patterns, pressures, and quiet preferences that keep tugging at our hearts. Maybe your household treasured hard ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:7-10

Topics: Ancestral Covenant, Breaking Covenant

Surviving Persecution And Affliction PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 14, 2025

Following Christ means embracing sacrifice and perseverance, trusting God’s presence and strength through hardship, and finding lasting hope and purpose in Him alone.

If you’ve ever watched a seasoned craftsman at work—hands steady, eyes kind, voice calm—you know the comfort of a good example. He doesn’t rush. He doesn’t grandstand. He lets you stand nearby, sleeves rolled up, and learn the rhythm of the work. That’s how Paul speaks to Timothy in this passage. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-12

Topics: Satisfaction, Christ

A Life Of Worship PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 19, 2025

Worship is offering our whole, everyday lives to God, allowing His mercy to transform us so we bear fruit and reflect Christ in all we do.

Friends, welcome. I’m so glad you’re here. Some of you showed up with a smile, others with a sigh, and the Lord receives you just the same. He gathers us like a good Father gathers children at the table—hungry, hurried, hopeful. Grace has a way of finding us in the in-between: between loads of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Topics: Fruitfulness, Lifestyle

Generosity PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 21, 2025

God’s grace empowers joyful generosity, enabling believers to give willingly and abundantly, even in hardship, as an expression of trust and partnership in God’s work.

Friends, welcome. Some of us walked in today with a full heart and a thin wallet. Others with a strong budget and a weary soul. God sees both. And right in the middle of our ordinary lives—with bills to pay, kids to raise, parents to care for, and newsfeeds that rattle the nerves—God offers a grace ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-4

Topics: Generosity, Giving

Far Above PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 23, 2025

Christ unites us into a new family, breaking down barriers and calling us to live as peacemakers who embody his grace and belonging.

Friends, if your heart feels a little frayed at the edges today, you’re in good company. The week has been loud. Headlines tug at our attention, to-do lists steal our sleep, and relationships can feel like tightropes over troubled waters. Still, underneath the noise, our souls whisper a simple ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:15

Topics: Living Above, Abundant Life

The Question Of Mary: How Will This Be? Series

Contributed by Bob Hostetler on Jul 7, 2001

A call to receive the grace of God to meet your need

The Questions of Christmas (2) The Question of Mary How Will This Be? Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26-38 The biggest surprise of my life happened in the summer of my sixteenth year when a tall, lithe, beautiful brunette-- whom I had asked out the summer before and been refused-- started going ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Samaritans

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jul 22, 2001

When it comes to having people as a part of his kingdom: 1. God breaks all the rules. 2. God wants everyone to know him. 3. God wants us to open our eyes.

Times are changing, and it is rocking our country to the core. Cultural shifts are happening so fast that most of us cannot keep track of them. The country that our grandparents loved and grew up in no longer exists. It used to be that you graduated from high school and worked for one company ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-26

Denomination: Methodist

Turning Chains Into Courage

Contributed by Dana Chau on Mar 19, 2002

Learn how right focus can turn obstacles and roadblocks into opportunities for courageous service for God.

This morning, we’ll continue with chapter 1, verses 12-18a, and we’ll look at how Paul turns his chains into courage. We will look at two observations from this text and one main principle with two areas of application. Observations: The first observation I like to make is from verse 13: "As a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-18

Denomination: *other

Turning Chains Into Courage

Contributed by Dana Chau on Mar 19, 2002

Learn how right focus can turn obstacles and roadblocks into opportunities for courageous service for God.

This morning, we’ll continue with chapter 1, verses 12-18a, and we’ll look at how Paul turns his chains into courage. We will look at two observations from this text and one main principle with two areas of application. Observations: The first observation I like to make is from verse 13: "As a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-18

Denomination: *other

Fasting And Prayer

Contributed by Gerry Pratt on Apr 24, 2002

An in-depth guide to fasting and prayer, in the Christian’s life.

We are living in a society that ranks “eating” as the number one passion. A. We could take the whole time just naming these places...pizza, roast beef, fried chicken, hamburgers, Greek food.....and-on-and-on. 1. We have been programmed to eat at set times. a. There may be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ