Sermons on Spiritual Garden:

Avoiding Spiritual Emptiness Series

Contributed by David Flowers on May 10, 2006

In part three of series Jesus, Post-Resurrection, Dave looks closely at Colossians 2:1-10. We learn how to identify an empty belief system, and how to avoid spiritual emptiness.

In 1996 I was a graduate student at Oakland University. I was doing an internship at a counseling center in Flint to finish up my Master’s degree in Counseling. I was new and very inexperienced, and was working in my office one day when the phone rang. All the “real” therapists were busy, so I ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-10

Denomination: Free Methodist

Keeping Spiritual Focus

Contributed by Stephen Funderburk on Dec 10, 2006

Don’t let the hectic season spoil your spiritual walk with Jesus Christ

Intro: a few years ago I learned a valuable lesson about focus. At the end of hunting season my gun was zeroed in, so I figured it would be fine at the start of the next hunting season. So I didn’t check it and on opening day shot at a deer and didn’t even come close. So I checked it out and found ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Helpful Spiritual Appeals

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 15, 2006

The Holy Spirit gives us insights into emotional, mental, physical, social, economic, cultural, and spiritual needs of every person.

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Give Persuasive Appeals in Our Preaching Helpful Spiritual Appeals (Phil. 1:19) 1. The Holy Spirit teaches us how to appeal to the most essential needs of every person. Paul wrote, "I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Pathway To Spiritual Maturity

Contributed by Larry Jacobs on May 21, 2006

This passage of Scripture give a person the pathway to spiritual maturity.

THE PATHWAY TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY Acts 2:1 - 42 1. Have you ever wondered about the purpose of something? ILL Notebook: Purpose (wooden spoons) One day during cooking class, the teacher, Mrs. Pritchard, was extolling her secrets for preparing perfect sauces. When she ordered the class to the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-42

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Discipline Of Service Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on May 23, 2006

Service of others can bring us closer to God if we treat it as a spiritual discipline

Tilling the Soil of The Soul May 14, 2006 The Spiritual Discipline of Service The Spiritual Disciplines are meant to be ways to draw closer to God. We meditate, not just to achieve inner peace, but to have God fill our emptiness; we fast to increase our hunger for God; we study to have our ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: *other

Spiritual Fathers Of The Home

Contributed by Vernon L Caruthers on May 27, 2006

SOCIETY TODAY IS TRYING TO DO AWAY WITH THE FATHER IN THE HOME, BUT REPORTS SHOW THAT WHEN THE FATHER IS MISSING FROM THE HOME, CHILDREN’S LIVES ARE GREATLY AFFECTED IN A VERY NEGATIVE WAY.

GOD’S GREAT PLAN FOR FATHERS: SCRIPTURAL REFERENCE: LUKE 1:1-11 ------------------------------------------------------ INTRODUCTION: NOT VERY LONG AGO, A SCHOOL IN NEW YORK SENT HOME A LETTER TO THE PARENTS OF THEIR STUDENTS EXPLAINING THEIR OUTLAWING OF FAMILY HOLIDAYS. IN THEIR LETTER THEY ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-11

The Characteristics Of A Spiritual Church

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jun 25, 2009

A Wednesday evening devotion which teaches us from the 1st Century church in Jerusalem, we can discern some of what it means to be a Spiritual Congregation.

The Characteristics of a Spiritual Church Acts 5:12-16 * One of the most sobering passages in all of New Testament scripture (at least for me) is found in Acts 5:1-11. To remind you, this is the story of Ananias and Sapphira. When they lied about their gifts to the church, they were struck down ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Atrophy - #2 Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jul 9, 2009

The characteristics, consequences, and cure for Spiritual Atrophy? (Thanks to Dr. Brunson & Dr. Caner for their book, "Why Churches Die")

The Local Church Is it Dead, Dying, or Dynamic? Part 2 – “Spiritual Atrophy” Amos 6:1 * Let’s begin with a story. While it has been true dozens of times, the names have been deleted to protect the guilty. * There was once a visionary pastor who developed a visionary group of believers. This ...read more

Scripture: Amos 6:1

Denomination: Baptist

Raising Spiritual Champions Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 25, 2008

Purposeful parents practice truthful love and loving truth.

Raising Spiritual Champions 2 John 1:1-6 Rev. Brian Bill 5/25/08 I received an invitation in the mail a few weeks ago with my name and address on it but it was obviously a mistake. They either had the wrong guy or there was a major mix-up. When I opened it up I was shocked to realize that there ...read more

Scripture: 2 John 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Spiritual Safety Series

Contributed by David Scudder on May 26, 2008

It is important to KNOW that God promises assurance of our salvation, but it is also important to SEE how it works in real life. In our text today we are reminded to imitate those who show “diligent patience” in their walk with Christ.

Finding Spiritual Safety Hebrews 6:11-16 Purpose: To prove that we can know that salvation is permanent. Aim: I want the listener to flee to Christ and trust Him completely for salvation and rejoice in its assurance. INTRODUCTION: Little Milly had gone to bed, and her father was downstairs ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:11-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Principles Of Spiritual Growth

Contributed by Eldron Gill on May 31, 2008

Hebrews 5:5-14 , Principles of Spiritual Growth

Principles of Spiritual Growth Hebrew 5:5-14 Intro. * Children can be so much fun and entertaining sometimes. * They sometimes surprise us at how quickly they grow up. * Humor - Playing House A little girl and a little boy were at day care. The girl approaches the boy and says, "Hey Tommy, wanna ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:5-14

Denomination: Baptist

Having A Spiritual Slump?

Contributed by Carol Patterson on Jun 9, 2008

What to do in a "spiritual slump"

June 8, 2008 “When we lose our Way” I Samuel 27:1-12 Intro: Review story and comment about David being in a spiritual ‘slump’ Bible heroes had spiritual “slump” We have spiritual “slump” What do we do when we are spiritually “slumped”? I. Faith isn’t based on feelings Habakkuk 2:4 Habakkuk was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 27:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Spirituality Of Trinity And Community Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jun 25, 2008

The Celtic emphasis and understanding of Trinity leads us into community with God and eachother

Celtic Spirituality June 9, 2008 Trinity and Community Take up Home Work Home work: Visit a gallery, find one piece and meditate on it Is God present in the piece? How? Is He absent? How? - Extra reading: Luci Shaw Art and Christian Spirituality: Companions in the Way in Direction Journal ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:21

Denomination: *other

Spirituality Of Mission And Service Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jun 25, 2008

The Celtic Church was a missionary movement, combining evangelism and social change.

Celtic Spirituality of Mission and Service I remember one of the first sessions that we had on Celtic Spirituality, one of you asked me if the Celtic Christians lived a fairly quiet Christian life, not “pushing” their faith on the cultures around them. It was a question that had a definite bias ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4, 1 John 1:1

Denomination: *other

Are You Religious Or Spiritual?

Contributed by Jay Winters on Jun 28, 2008

This week the texts seem to revolve around the idea that you can’t be "religious" but not "spiritual". It sounds like that tired line, "I’m spiritual but not religious". In the Gospel reading, I think it is interesting how Jesus heals both someone who wou

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three in One who has come to call sinners home. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Up to 10 percent of the world’s population that does not attend church on a regular basis describes itself as “spiritual, but not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-26

Denomination: Lutheran