Sermons on Smart Goals:

The Better Life

Contributed by Michael Trask on Oct 18, 2005

We Americans have made it our goal to seek "The Good Life". We do that by earning and spending. But God would rather give us "The Better Life" that comes from earning and giving.

One of the main things I think that we and all other people in America are searching for is the good life. Am I right? I mean, we all want to have a good home, a good car or two, good vacations, good children, good friends, good food, and so on. Who wouldn’t want such a good life? ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Living With Purpose

Contributed by Benjamin Sharpe on Aug 16, 2002

God has a specific goal and purpose for his Church and for each individual Christian. Satan’s intention is to cause the Church and the individual Christian to deviate from that destiny and, in so doing, to thwart the will and design of God.

Luke 4:1-13 Living With Purpose The temptation of Jesus was for the purpose of distracting him from his ultimate goal and purpose in life. And that goal, that destiny, was to go to the cross as the atoning sacrifice for humanity. Satan’s intent in the wilderness was to defeat God’s purpose for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Message Of Jesus

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Nov 16, 2009

1. Salvation is more than just me being forgiven for my sins. 2. The goal of the Christian life is not just salvation, but transformation. 3. We are transformed in order to be God’s transforming agents in the world.

Several years ago, Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks did a comedy skit called “The 2013 Year Old Man”. In the skit, Reiner interviews Brooks, who is the old gentleman who has lived for over 2000 years. At one point, Reiner asks the old man, “Did you always believe in the Lord?” Brooks replied: “No. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21

Denomination: Methodist

The Making Of A Man Of God Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Apr 18, 2009

My goal here is to lay a foundation for our understanding of who Joshua is, by pointing out a few references to him prior to his assuming the leadership of the nation and the events or situations that led to his spiritual development

The making of a man of God Exodus 17:8-14 Surprised to see an empty seat at the Super Bowl stadium, a diehard fan asked the woman sitting next to him who’s it was. “It was my husband’s,” the woman explained, “But he died.” “I’m very sorry,” said the man. “You know, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

Go Forth Into The World

Contributed by Craig Condon on Mar 9, 2015

Our chief goal must be salvation and faithfulness. We must point people to Christ, and not to ourselves. We have to offer Christ’s love and compassion. We are to witness to people and rejoice by being faithful.

There is a story about two missionaries who were going door to door. They knocked on the door of one woman who was not happy to see them. She told them in no uncertain terms that she did not want to hear their message and slammed the door in their faces. To her surprise, however, the door did not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-20

Denomination: Anglican

Doing The Holy Hug Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 4, 2013

The "holy kiss" was a common way to show love and acceptance in the early church. What was that "kiss" intended to accomplish for God and how can we (who often don’t do that) accomplish the same goals?

OPEN: For the next 4 weeks, we’re going to be looking at what the Bible says about kissing (pause). You know, the Bible is just FULL of kissing. There are stories where sons kiss their fathers. Friends kissing friends/ brothers kissing brothers. People kissing false idols. Kissing between a woman ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:3-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Is A Lonely Number. Synergism.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 19, 2017

Elijah jump to the conclusion he was the only one serving God. Not so, one city had 7,000 faithful. When we focus on the obstacles we tend to lose sight of the goal. Pull together...

ONE IS A LONELY NUMBER! THE POWER OF SYNERGISM! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I WAS AT DIARY QUEEN looking at a bunch of bananas? Study them? While the bananas all together they are safe. WHEN A BANANA GETS BROKEN AWAY FROM THE BUNCH IT IS IN GREAT DANGER OF BEING SKINNED AND ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:12, Matthew 5:25, Genesis 2:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Called For A Change

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 17, 2018

God has chosen us in and by Jesus to become fully devoted followers of Jesus and to make fully devoted followers of Jesus. We are challenged within ourselves; by God; and from outside of ourselves to accomplish these two goals.

1. Good to be chosen – Sports/Jobs/Mates/Friends/Elected Politicians – “Chosen by People” 2. God has called us by the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2.14) 3. The gospel call challenges us to transformation in our lives – 1 Thessalonians 1.4-10 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I'm Pressing On

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jan 7, 2017

This is a New Year message focused on our decision to move beyond our past to press towards the goal within our future. It asks the reader to consider the impact of past failures on our present and future plans.

I’m Pressing On Scriptures: Philippians 3:8-14; 4:13 We have entered into a new year that represents a year of change for our lives. This year represents the first year of the rest of our lives. This statement will make more sense shortly. The title of my message this morning is ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Should It Be All About Me

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jan 21, 2019

This is a message on giving. The goal is to help us discover how making the world all about us keeps us from loving God and loving each other. It involves evaluating what tithing is all about.

Should It Really Be All About Me 1/20/2019 Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 and 1 Timothy 6:3-10 Luke 12 Do you know anyone who thinks the world revolves around them. They actually believe the purpose of all that God has created is to make and to keep them happy. Our society constantly ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:3-10, Luke 12:13-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Wesleyan Quadrilateral In Theological Reflection

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 26, 2021

What is theological reflection, as a modern concept? Theological reflection is the process by which we come to understand reality as it truly is. The goal ultimately is to see God, the universe, the inspired word, and ourselves, as God sees it.

Introduction What is theological reflection, as a modern concept? Theological reflection is the process by which we come to understand reality as it truly is. The goal ultimately is to see God, the universe, the inspired word, and ourselves, as God sees it. This will naturally entail a limited ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16, Philippians 3:11, Hebrews 4:12-14, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Salvation Army

Looking Beyond Your Situations Series

Contributed by Norman Bernad on Aug 5, 2021

When we started reading the Gospel of John we come across and see that John wrote this as an evangelistic work. His purpose and goal in writing this account was so that people would come to faith and believe in Jesus.

Looking beyond your situations (Ungal Sulnaliki appal parunikal) Psalm 130 1. John: 5:1-11 2. 1 John 5:4-5 Our circumstances can drive and direct our life, unless we learn to live above them. Most of us live in disappointment, depression and stress when we allow circumstances to control our ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:4-5, John 5:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Power Of Negative Thinking

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 5, 2021

If we would listen and take seriously the negative message of the prophets, we would be a much more powerful and positive force in achieving the goal of keeping God's people faithful to Him and His Word.

Abraham Lincoln told of how he and his brother were plowing the corn one day. He was driving the horse, and his brother was holding the plow. The horse was lazy, but suddenly it took off so fast that even with his long legs Lincoln could hardly keep up. On reaching the end of the furrow ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:1-17

Paul's Paradoxical Personality Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

Paul took seriously the obviously impossible goal of being all things to all men. The result is, he had the potential for pleasing everybody, but also for aggravating everybody ,and Paul was quite good at both.

A lion, a fox, an a hyena were moving through the jungle collecting their dinner. When they were done they had gotten a large pile of animals. The lion said to the hyena, "Why don't you go over and divide the pile into three equal parts." The hungry hyena said, "Sure." He ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:17-26

No One Left Behind: Togetherness

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 10, 2019

It should be our goal that NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND. Are we praying for a spirit of unity, synergy, and togetherness in our family and church. Are we all pulling together? Judging others will limit any personal growth possible.

NO ONE LEFT BEHIND --- TOGETHER By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is a series. TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (MSG) So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Psalm 133:1-3, Galatians 6:2

Denomination: Assembly Of God