Sermons on Smart Goals:

Strength Beyond Self: Receiving The Power Of God

Contributed by Jessica Linde on Sep 29, 2025

In contrast to the self-reliant grit our culture so often advocates, this sermon’s ultimate goal is to highlight that true and lasting strength comes from allowing God's "power" to work in and through our human fragility.

Over the past several Sundays, we have been working through a sermon series on Paul’s letter to the early church in Philippi—a now ruined city in north east Greece. As we’ve worked through this series (which we are concluding today), we’ve seen how this little letter is overflowing with faith, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-13, 2 Corinthians 4:6-10

Facing Fear Series

Contributed by Dana Chau on Jun 28, 2025

How do you deal with fear? What if someone changed their goal from being without fear to being one who can face their fears? Get ready to discover ways to alleviate your own fear and help others alleviate theirs!

Facing Fear Matthew 10:1-31 We continue this morning with our annual church theme, Living a Holy and Wholesome Life, taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:23: May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-31

Denomination: *other

Unbelieving Believers

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Sep 1, 2024

This is message is about how we believe God for one thing and then be unbelieving in Him for something else. We must ask ourselves do we believe God for all things, most things or some things. Our goal should be all things.

Unbelieving Believers Scripture: John 20:24-27; Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-40 Good morning Strangers Rest. I want to open this message with a familiar story recorded in John 20:24-27. It is the story of Thomas doubting Jesus’ resurrection and it says, “(24) Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Diversions And Distractions: Tools Used Against Us

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Feb 9, 2024

This message is about two of Satan's most successful tactics used against the Church- Diversions and Distractions. His goal is to divert us from the path God has us on or get us so disttacted that we become ineffectual as Christians.

Diversions and Distractions: Tools Used Against Us Scripture: Second Corinthians 2:10-11; Joshua 9:3-14; Deuteronomy 20:10-11 The title of my message this morning is “Diversions and Distractions: Tools Used Against Us.” Paul wrote the following to the Christians in Corinth, “(10) Now whom you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, Joshua 9:3-14, Deuteronomy 20:10-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fellow Workers For The Truth

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Nov 10, 2024

The Great Commision is the Lord's command. That is our task. In the first century until now, people have been working to accomplish that goal. And it is best done when done together. Giving support to undergird mission ministries is both an opportunity and a responsibility.

Alba 11-10-2024 FELLOW WORKERS FOR THE TRUTH III John 5-8 A stranger was walking down a residential street and noticed a man struggling with a washing machine at the doorway of his house. When the newcomer volunteered to help, the homeowner was overjoyed, and the two men together began to work and ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:5-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Kept By The Power Of God Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Oct 8, 2025

This sermon teaches that just as our heavenly inheritance is guarded for us, we ourselves are actively guarded by God's infinite power—accessed through our faith—ensuring we reach the ultimate goal of a future salvation that is already prepared to be revealed.

Introduction: The Two-Way Guarantee Last time we gathered, we looked at the incredible promise of verse 4: that there is an inheritance in heaven—incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading—that is being reserved for you. It is guarded and kept safe. But that can lead to an anxious question, can't ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:5

Denomination: Baptist

Epaphroditus – Selfless Christianity In Action! Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Sep 16, 2002

Last week, one of our goals was to provide a box top picture of what Christian preadolescence is suppose to look like. So many times, our young teens are frustrated with all the different physical, social, and emotional puzzle pieces that they’re suppose

SERMONIC THEME Opening Statement: Last week, one of our goals was to provide a box top picture of what Christian preadolescence is suppose to look like. So many times, our young teens are frustrated with all the different physical, social, and emotional puzzle pieces that they’re suppose to put ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:25-30

Seeing Past The Labels Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Apr 17, 2008

We tend to think that the whole goal is to “get saved.” But God wasn‟t interested in just saving us a future eternity. Jesus came to start a revolution in the here and now! Jesus came to turn the world right side up and inside out.

1. Overview and Review a. We have been learning what it means to be turned inside out, both on a personal level and on a church wide level. b. God finds every one of us inside centered, self-focused, self-absorbed, self-interested, and selfish. But that doesn‟t stop Him does it? He found ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

The Virgin Birth Series

Contributed by David Vanheuvelen on Dec 21, 2007

Goal: Changing from feeling that God has forgotten us to knowing that when HE speaks things happen. Main Point: When God speaks, the impossible can happen! Application: Put your faith in the God who speaks and makes things happen.

Title: The Virgin Birth Text: Matthew 1:18-25 December 9, 2007 New Hope Community Chapel Goal: Changed Lives. Changing from feeling that God has forgotten us to knowing that when HE speaks things happen. Main Point: What is the one thing I want my audience to know? When God speaks, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Man Who Sought God

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Oct 11, 2006

Moses set us an example, to seek God regularly. (1) Acknowledging God’s help is a necessity of our lives; (2) Experiencing God’s presence is the hallmark of our lives, and (3)Seeing God’s glory manifest is the goal of our lives.

Moses was a man of prayer. He spent a great deal of time conversing with God. • He knew that without God’s presence he was not worth a cent. • Can you imagine being responsible for the daily care of two million people; for getting them out of one country and into another - on foot! It is a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:12-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Glorifying God By Worship Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jan 1, 2005

Our ultimate goal in life is to glorify God. This sermon explores how we bring glory to God by worshiping him. We do so by examining what worship is, why we should worship God, and how we should worship God.

Scripture Our ultimate goal in life is to glorify God. The first question in the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is the chief end [or goal] of man?” The answer given is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” The reason we exist is to bring glory to God. God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Call To Christ, Let Your Light Shine

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Jan 22, 2009

We all have a purpose. We’re all here to worship and serve God. Nothing can stop His goals and purposes. We need to figure out how we fit in, and let our light shine in a world full of darkness.

Call to Christ, Let Your Light Shine John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-20, Jonah 1:1-17 Introduction A young man accepted Christ. A little while later, a Christian teacher asked him: "What have you done for Christ since you believed?" He said, "Oh, I’m only a learner." "Well, when you light a candle ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: Lutheran

Don’t Let Your Memories Be Bigger Than Your Dreams

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 2, 2021

Many Christians don’t set goals because they’re content with where they are, feel they can’t get any better, or feel their best days are behind them. It's God's will that we have dreams!

DON’T LET YOUR MEMORIES BECOME BIGGER THAN YOUR DREAMS INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A woman walked into her bathroom at home. As she did, she saw her husband weighing himself on the bathroom scales, sucking in his stomach. 2. The woman thought to herself, "He thinks that he will weigh less ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14, Isaiah 43:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Race Run Well Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on May 23, 2021

We are all running towards a goal and our reward is the crown of righteousness that the Lord has promised to all those who run and finish well. However, in order to attain this imperishable crown, we need to exercise self-control in every area of our life.

A race run well The Apostle Paul writing to the Church in Corinth admonishes them this way. He says to them in 1 Corinthians 9:24 -25,“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24, 1 Corinthians 9:25

Denomination: Other

There Is A Payday At The End Of The Road

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 22, 2020

Jesus is more than religion. Jesus is about a daily personal relationship. There are more than just 10 commandments, 613 MITZVOT AND 4,973 rules. The DO i HAVE TO attitudes misses the target of love. Our goal: THAT I MIGHT KNOW HIM...

THERE IS A PAY DAY AT THE END OF THE ROAD By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. I have a little GROUCH and OSCAR in my pocket. One complains. One laughs. Which are you? HOW MUCH OF GOD DO WE HONESTLY DESIRE? DO WE HAVE A DAILY PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A HOLY GOD? 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:6, James 1:27, Philippians 3:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God