Sermons on Spiritual Refreshment:

Prayer Is Spiritual Warfare Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 15, 2006

Satan and his organized legions constantly work to obstruct God’s plan. As believers, our greatest weapon is prayer. We can expect our greatest opposition when we are on our knees. So we must be persistent–praying until the answer is received.

INTRODUCTION Christian humorist, Dennis Swanburg, loves to tell the story of an unforgettable baptism that took place in a little West Texas church. They were building a new sanctuary and it was almost finished. The new baptistry was functional even though changing rooms were not yet available. ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 10:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Declaring Spiritual Bankruptcy Series

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Jul 8, 2006

Examination of the first BE-Attitude: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

PURSUING HAPPINESS : Declaring Spiritual Bankruptcy Matthew 5:1-12 1. This past Tuesday our nation celebrated its 230th year of Independence and one of the most famous phrases in the Declaration of Independence, listed as one of the “unalienable rights of man” is “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

Spiritual Gifts 101 Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Feb 2, 2006

We need not fear spiritual gits, but embrace them.

Spiritual Gifts 101 Text: 1 Cor. 12:1-11 Introduction 1. Read 1 Cor. 12:1-11 2. Illustration: The Detroit News carried a humorous little story about Bill Cosby’s aged mother that illustrates how useless gifts are unless they are used. She had been raised in poverty, and the family had very ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

The Spiritual Discipline Of Fasting Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Feb 21, 2006

Fasting can make us hungry for more of God

Tilling the Soil of the Soul February 19, 2006 Fasting Matthew 6:16-18 Last week I spoke from the story of the transfiguration in Mark 9. When Jesus and the three disciples come down from the mountain, there is a crowd waiting for them. There is a little boy who has been terrorized by a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 6:19-20

Denomination: *other

How To Be A Spiritual Lifeguard

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Feb 24, 2006

A lifeguard can’t save a life without the proper training, but even with training they still won’t be a lifeguard until they put that training into action. As Christians we must train to reach a lost world, but having all the tools means nothing until we

HOW TO BE A SPIRITUAL LIFE GUARD 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:19-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Test Of Spiritual Maturity

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on Jan 31, 2004

John’s epistle has reminded us to exercise love (1 John 2:7–11)—the right kind of love. Now it warns us that there is a wrong kind of love, a love that God hates. This is love for what the Bible calls “the world.”

The Test of Spiritual Maturity Scripture Reference: 1 John 2:12 – 17 Introduction A group of first-graders had just completed a tour of a hospital, and the nurse who had directed them was asking for questions. Immediately a hand went up. “How come the people who work here are always washing their ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Ultra-Runners

Contributed by Darrell Stetler Ii on Feb 17, 2004

Have you ever wondered - "What’s the secret of sticking with it spiritually?" An examination of Paul’s secrets of spiritual endurance, discovering how we can have the endurance of an "ultrarunner."

SCRIPTURE READING: "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at things which are seen, but at ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Holiness

"Protection For The Spiritual Journey"

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Feb 27, 2004

How can we be protected from the temptations of Satan?

First United Methodist Church First Sunday of Lent--Sunday Night February 29, 2004 “Protection for the Spiritual Journey” Luke 4:1-13 INTRODUCTION: Today’s scripture sets the tone for the Lenten Season. The temptation of Jesus takes us on a spiritual journey into the wilderness and ends on a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

Recipe For Spiritual Growth

Contributed by David Seeley on Feb 28, 2004

As Christians we must continue to grow in the Lord after we are saved. We cannot simply "exist" after we are saved and expect to become mature Christians. Growth is just as important after the new birth as the new birth is itself.

Recipe for Spiritual Growth Text: Colossians 2:6-8, 2 Peter 1:5-11 I. Why do we need to grow? Colossians 2:6-8 explain the need for spiritual growth. A. Walk in Christ—If we are truly walking with Christ, we will grow in grace and in the knowledge of Him. B. Be rooted—as a tree seeks water deep ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-11, Colossians 2:6-8

Denomination: Holiness

Leaving A Spiritual Inheritance

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 29, 2003

God gave Jacob a powerful dream and an impressive promise. But Jacob didn’t deserve either. What he received, he received because of a spiritual inheritance for a greater man of faith.

OPEN: During the Persian Gulf War, a soldier was assigned to go to Saudi Arabia. As he was saying good-bye to his family, his three-year-old son was holding on to his leg and pleading with him not to leave. "No, Daddy, please don’t go!" he kept repeating. We were beginning to make a scene when my ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ