Sermons on Smart Goals:

Make Kindness Thrive Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

A Christian is to be one who is daily creating chain reactions of kindness. Lucy Larcom said, "If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it." That was the practical goal Jesus was aiming at with this story of the Good Samaritan.

Back in 1991 Glamor Magazine had an editorial about a woman who drove up to the toll booth of the Bay Bridge in San Francisco and said, "I'm paying for myself and for the 6 cars behind me." One after another the next 6 drivers came up to the booth with dollars in hand only to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Finish What Is Started

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jun 21, 2024

This message is about completing the job that we start while also, as one body, helping others complete the job(s) they are doing for Christ. We are all running a race with the same goal ahead of us - crossing the finish line successfully.

Finish What Is Started Good morning Strangers Rest! The title of my message this morning is “Finish What Is Started.” Please note that I did not say “Finish what “you” started, but finish “what is” started. What you will hear this morning is that as a Christian we must finish the work together, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6-10, Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Winning Your Spiritual Battles: The Armor Of God As A Guide Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jan 29, 2024

It says in verse 10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Verse 10 is the end goal. If we obey all the instructions in verses 11-20, we will have the solution, which is to "be strong in the Lord."

"John Paton was a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Salvation Army

Kingdom Keys - Acts Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 6, 2023

We are the church. Our Goal is to share the good news of Jesus as King, create diverse communities that live counter culturally utilizing the egalitarian view of Jesus to govern through the trusting the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to move us forward.

So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried and failed. Our hope as leaders is that all of us will pick up God’s word and come to understand the true nature of God. After all, the bible is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-30, Proverbs 13:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Afraid Of The Dark

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Oct 31, 2023

For those of you who haven’t experienced Scriptural Gymnastics, the goal is not to turn to every verse we cover, but rather at the very most, write down the address of the verses, so you can go back and dig a little deeper.

o Purpose of today’s message: ? Give us hope and encouragement to move out of the darkness into His marvelous light! Although we won’t get absorbed into darkness today, I’d like to examine some aspects of it. Genesis 1:2- The earth was without form, and void, and darkness was on the face of the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Pleasing God In All Things

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 5, 2025

Pleasing God is not a part-time task; it is the goal of our entire life. From the way we talk to the way we live, serve, give, love, and obey—everything must be motivated by the desire to bring delight to our Heavenly Father.

PLEASING GOD IN ALL THINGS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Colossians 1:10 Supporting Texts: 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Hebrews 13:16, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:9, John 8:29 INTRODUCTION: In a world where people are often more concerned with pleasing men, building reputations, and seeking ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Hebrews 13:16, Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Making A Comeback Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Apr 10, 2001

God’s people in our text found themselves; defeated, discouraged and hopeless. Our goal today - is to study these chapters and learn what we as God’s people need to do to turn our defeats around, to learn how to make a Comeback (real people true stories - part seven).

"Joshua; Coming Back...." Real People - TRUE Stories Part 7 TEXT: JOSHUA 7 & 8 Every once in a while God’s people find themselves sliding down the dark corridor of defeat and failure. And when they do, 1 or 2 things usually happens - they either just keep on sliding down that dark shadowy ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can Reeds Thrive Without Water?

Contributed by David Lansdown on Jan 4, 2003

As we move close to the beginning of a new year, let’s study our plans, our goals, our worldview to make sure they are not reeds. Let’s consider our own lives and make sure that we ourselves are not merely reeds!

CAN REEDS THRIVE WITHOUT WATER? Job 8:11-19 INTRODUCTION ‘A man stopped to chat with a farmer who was erecting a new building. He asked, "What are you putting up?" The farmer replied, "Well, if I can rent it, it’s a rustic cottage. If I can’t, it’s a cow shed."’ That farmer had put some thought ...read more

Scripture: Job 8:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Is The Nation... Part 1

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jun 17, 2003

We’ve gone a long ways away from our roots as Americans. So, one of my goals is to do a little bit of educating. People need to know this, & if they don’t hear it at church, where will they hear it?

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Much of this sermon and the following one, "Blessed Is the Nation...Part 2," came from books by David Barton, and excerpts from other sermons. At the time I prepared this sermon I was much more ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Shepherding The Flock Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 12, 2003

Pastors and elders, as a central purpose of their office are to care for souls. If not, they fail to obey God (1Pe 5:1-2, Acts 20:28), to the great detriment of the church. The goal of the elders and pastors of a church should be to see families and each

INTRODUCTION We know it by the abbreviated title: The Reformed Pastor. Originally it was - Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor, showing the nature of the Pastoral work; especially in Private Instruction and Catechizing; with an open CONFESSION of our too open SINS: Prepared for a Day of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Halfway Boulevard

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 9, 2005

Paul wasn’t ASHAMED of the GOSPEL, Paul didn’t ARGUE with GOD, Paul wasn’t AFRAID of a GOAL. How to get off "Halfway Blvd." and relocate to the corner of "Busy Street" and "Active Avenue". Free Powerpoint template at website.

Halfway Boulevard Acts 20:24 Powerpoint Template at: http://www.gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HalfwayBlvd.html "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:24

Denomination: Baptist

How To Measure Humility Series

Contributed by Dan Jackson on Sep 14, 2005

10th message in James series. James identifies two spheres of life as yardsticks for humility. The first is the relationship we have with other people, especially in what we say about them. The second is the goal or plans we have for the future.

Shirley MacLaine, the Oscar-winning actress, is a spokeswoman for the self-consumed philosophy of our day. The Los Angeles Times reported an interview in which she said: The most pleasurable journey you take is through yourself…the only sustaining love is with yourself. When you look back on your ...read more

Scripture: James 4:11-17

Choose Right

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on May 2, 2010

1. Who am I? v.24 2. What are my choices? v.24 3. What is important? v.26 4. What are my goals? v.27 5. What do I believe v.28

You Follow What You Are Tied Too - Two hunters out hunting - Come what appeared at first as an abandoned farm - Barn sagging, house in disrepair, old car & tractor parts lying around. - Only thing that made it a working far were a few chickens pecking away and a goat wandering around - As they ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:24-28

Denomination: Baptist

Back To Bethel

Contributed by Troy Borst on Dec 31, 2008

A new year means you again have 365 days to better yourself in a particular area before the next year rolls around. This morning, we will be looking at a passage that relates to these feelings of wanting to start fresh, setting goals, and making a clean

BACK TO BETHEL GENESIS 35:1-15 INTRODUCTION… “Kids’ New Years Resolutions” (www.bluefishtv.com) Today is the first Sunday of 2009 and you may have been thinking about New Year’s Resolutions. Most people do. With a New Year, comes the opportunity for a fresh start. There is something about ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Making Hard Choices

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 1, 2009

Today’s world is filled with energy-saving devices that make life easier, but there is something to be said for embracing life’s challenges. The apostle Paul found serving Christ hard, but he didn’t see it as a cause of discouragement. The goal was worth

Opening illustration: On September 12th, 1962, President JF Kennedy delivered a speech at Rice University in Houston, TX, about the difficult challenges facing the nation. He also shared his passion for the US to place a man on the moon. In balancing the needs of his people with the desire to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational