Sermons on Smart Goals:

When Failure Is A Step Toward Success Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 29, 2006

Sometimes it must get worse before it gets better; short-term failures can be steps to long term and greater successes. We must aim toward a long term vision, not merely achieving short-term goals.

When Failure is A Step Toward Success (Exodus 5:1-7:13) 1. Misunderstanding can lead to creativity. "Bell was inspired to start development of the telephone when he read an account, written in German, describing an invention which he thought had the function of a telephone. After demonstrating ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How The Church Must Live According To The Gospel Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Aug 7, 2008

We’re to please God, not ourselves and we’re to love one another; to seek their welfare above our own. The Christian life is always one of growth, of ongoing training, as we press on towards the goal of eternal life.

I think Christians often struggle with knowing how to respond to the pressures we feel to lower our standards of behaviour. And there are two extremes that we come across among Christians. One extreme thinks we should forget those old fashioned mores and get with the times: after all, this is a new ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

A Prayer For The Church Family Series

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Apr 2, 2007

This prayer serves as a model for us in prayer, both in praying for ourselves and praying for others in the family of God. This three phase prayer builds, each phase upon the previous, culminating in a request that God’s ultimate goal be reached in us.

A Prayer For The Church Family Ephesians 3:14-19 One of the best ways to discover a Christian’s chief anxieties and ambitions is to study the content of their prayers and the intensity with which they pray them. We all pray about what concerns us and we are evidently not concerned about matters we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Man's Control Dissipates Power Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Sep 29, 2003

Man’s effort to control and secure the forces of life generates greed and idolatry. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Man’s system simply does not work – if the goal is a good, Godly life of abundance and peace.

Man’s Failing Control Dissipates Man’s effort to control and secure the forces of life generates greed and idolatry. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Man’s system simply does not work – if the goal is a good, Godly life of abundance and peace. Some things just don’t ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fruit Is Success Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 6, 2021

Fruit is what we give back to God for the gift of salvation. Salvation is what we accept from God, but fruit is what we achieve for God. Salvation is a gift from God, but fruit is a goal we reach for God.

Two young brothers, Nathaniel and John Chapman, entered the Black Bear Tavern, the largest building in Pittsburgh back in 1788. They were looking for a place to sleep in this little village on the Western Frontier. All of the rooms were filled, so they had to sleep on the floor in the corner of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:8

Fruitful Frustration Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

To be human is to experience frustration. It is not sinful to be frustrated, for Jesus was sinless, but He did not escape frustration. He may have had more than His share even, for the more ideals and goals you have, the more you will be frustrated.

Joe Bayly had a change to stay in the luxurious Hilton Hotel in Chicago. It was going to be a treat of a retreat, but then he was hit again by the x-factor. That is what he calls Murphy's Law-the law that says, if anything can go wrong it will. The hot water in his room would not work. He was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

The Approachable God Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 8, 2021

To find the Child-that was the goal. Anything that takes us off the path that leads to Christ is not part of God's plan. The job of the angels and the star was finished when the shepherds and the wise men bowed before the Christ-child.

Lucy is expounding on the meaning of Christmas and she says, "this is the time of the year that we show kindness and good will, when we accept others and welcome them into our home." Charlie Brown says, "why can't we be kind and accepting all through the year and not just at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

B.c. / A.d. Series

Contributed by John Daniel Johnson on Jan 5, 2020

Have you ever wanted to change the world? This morning my goal is for us to learn how Jesus changed the world. Because of Jesus, we’re going to learn how the world was forever changed from BC to AD.

Scripture Reference: John 1:1-19 Preached at Mount Zion Baptist Church on December 22, 2019 Delivered by Rev. John Daniel Johnson Introduction: It is hard to believe that in a just a few more days that 2019 will be forever placed in history, and we’ll be having a new year called 2020. I don’t ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Passing Through Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Aug 8, 2021

The "crisis" at the border is not a Republican or Democrat problem, a conservative or liberal, progressive or libertarian problem … it is a “human” problem … and my goal today is to get you to stop thinking of this as a political issue and start looking at it from a Christian perspective.

Since this service started, 60 immigrants have showed up at our southern border. By the end of this service, 190 more will have joined them. Roughly 250 people show up at our southern border every day in the hopes of either legally or illegally entering our country. We have a big problem. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 17:26-27, Acts 10:34-35, Revelation 7:9-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Breakthrough With The Presence Of God Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 31, 2020

Breakthrough will only come in our lives when we enter into God’s presence – God’s presence should be the goal of every Christian. Fears flee and hope rises up as we are surrounded in His love and power

Breakthrough with God’s Presence Thesis: Breakthrough will only come in our lives when we enter into God’s presence – God’s presence should be the goal of every Christian – to experience Him everyday and in special moments. When His presence comes into our lives everything else fades away! Fears ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13, John 15:1-17, Genesis 3:1-5, Revelation 21:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being Independent Together

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 1, 2021

Being independent of this world while being dependent upon God is a Christian's life's goal? This idea is similar to the thoughts which led to the thirteen U.S. colonies declaring their independence from Britain.

Being Independent Together Scripture: John 8:36; Exodus 1:11a; 3:7-8; Romans 12:2 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36) Today, in the United States, we are celebrating the Fourth of July holiday. Independence Day (July 4th), is a U.S. federal ...read more

Scripture: John 8:36, Amos 3:3, Romans 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Message Of The Church Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 4, 2019

Having shared much in regard to establishing a firm foundation for the church, Paul emphasized the priority of the church - sharing the Gospel, above all else. Grace brings salvation, and then enables us to live for Christ. Transformed lives are the goal of the church.

The Message of the Church Titus 2: 11-15 Paul had already provided much insight for Titus in regard to establishing a firm foundation upon which to build the church. He had instructed him to ordain elders in every city, those who would be able to aid in the leadership and ministry of the church. ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Abiding In Christ Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 23, 2016

The ultimate goal of every believer should be Christ-likeness. The closer we walk with Him, growing in grace, the more like Him we become. In order to live victorious, fulfilling Christian lives, we must abide in Christ.

Abiding in Christ 1 John 3: 18-24 Living a Christian life requires much more than church attendance during weekly services. Being known as a Christian is literally to be known as a follower of Christ, one who strives to live life as Christ lived. Being a Christian isn’t merely ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

Our Inheritance Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 19, 2015

1) The Ground (Ephesians 1:11–13a), 2) The Guarantee (Ephesians 1:13b–14a), and 3) The Goal of our incomparable inheritance in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:14b).

History is rife with stories of murder, extortion and robbery by siblings taking family possessions by force. They rationalize that they either deserve it or will eventually inherit it, so why not take it now? They imagine what they can do with the money and possessions to achieve their ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-14

Denomination: Other

How To Tell A Horse From A Cow Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 13, 2018

Christians need to be of one mind and one love. But too often we're so focused on ourselves that we can't reach that goal. So how do we change our self-centered way of thinking?

OPENING: A city boy had never been on a farm before and he asked a farmer: “Mister, why doesn’t this cow have any horns?” The farmer cocked his head for a moment, then began in a patient tone, “Well, cattle can do a powerful lot of damage with their horns. Sometimes we keep ’em trimmed down with a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ