Sermons on Starting Poorly:

A Fight To The Finish - Stephen, A Man Who Finished Strong

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on May 10, 2022

How could Stephen finish so strong? How could he pray for your enemies so fervently? I believe there are several things that Stephen did that made all the difference and allowed him to finish strong. Stephen started out right.

Sermon: A Fight to the Finish - Stephen, A Man Who Finished Strong Scripture Lessons - Acts 6:8-15 “Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. 9 But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15, Acts 7:54-60, 2 Timothy 3:12

Denomination: Methodist

A Political Zealot And A Failed Revival Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 26, 2021

Let's take a look at the revival experienced by a zealot for this world's political solutions who found the real solution to world problems, and the tragic end of a man who seemed to start out on the road to revival, but instead chose the world.

Let's take a look at the revival experienced by a zealot for this world's political solutions who found the real solution to world problems, and the tragic end of a man who seemed to start out on the road to revival, but instead chose the world. 1) Simon the Zealot’s Revival Can a zealot ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Do Not Turn Back - Hebrews 10:39 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 17, 2025

We live in an age of constant distraction. People start diets but give up in a week. Gym memberships are abandoned after January. Careers are changed at the first sign of hardship. Sadly, this same spirit of giving up can seep into our spiritual lives.

Go! And Do Not Turn Back - Hebrews 10:39 (NLT) Introduction: The Call to Press On We live in an age of constant distraction. People start diets but give up in a week. Gym memberships are abandoned after January. Careers are changed at the first sign of hardship. Sadly, this same spirit of giving ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:39, Luke 9:62, Genesis 19:26, Exodus 16:3, Hebrews 11:1, Romans 1:17, 1 Peter 1:8-9, Romans 10:9, John 14:6, Acts 3:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Costly Memorial Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 7, 2023

As you think about what Jesus did for you on the cross, consider making a costly memorial, and start by giving Him yourself. Sure, people will criticize, but Jesus won’t. He’ll commend you before all your critics someday.

In Great Britain, a butcher specified in his will that he be cremated and that at his memorial service the organ was to play Cole Porter’s song, “Every Time We Say Goodbye.” Well, he got half his wish. He was cremated, but the organist brought the wrong Cole Porter Sheet Music. Instead of playing, ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Go! And Choose Righteousness - Proverbs 14:34 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 3, 2025

In today’s world, where confusion, compromise, and chaos often define national identity and cultural values, we must come back to the unchanging truth of God’s Word. And it starts not with politicians, but with us, the Church — you and me — living out righteousness.

Go! And Choose Righteousness - Proverbs 14:34 Dean Courtier Proverbs 14:34 (NLT): “Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Introduction Let me begin with a question: What makes a nation truly great? Is it wealth? Power? Freedom? Culture? Technology? None of these are ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:34, Psalm 33:12, Micah 6:8, Romans 1:21-25, Matthew 5:14-16, 2 Corinthians 5:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Qualifications For An Innovator

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Today we hear a lot about innovators who start up their own dot-com business. Many innovators are not afraid to fail because they believe in the importance of change. An innovator is a person who does not mind introducing a new way of doing things to othe

Illustration:Perhaps you may remember Hank Luisetti, the great basketball player of a few decades back. When Hank came along, virtually every basketball coach in the country insisted that his players shoot with two hands. Instead of two hands, Hank used a jerky, funny-looking, one-handed jump shot. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Godly Father

Contributed by Jeff Budzinski on Jun 12, 2007

Happy Fathers Day! I want to start by saying thanks to all the dads here this morning for being men of the Word. We have many examples to look at in the Bible of Godly Fathers. This morning I want to expound on some of the character traits that a Godly Fa

INTRODUCTION • Happy Fathers Day! (Hand out items to all Fathers) • I want to start by saying thanks to all the dads here this morning for being men of the Word. • It is an honor and pleasure to have my dad here today to celebrate Father’s Day. • We have many examples to look at in the Bible of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:9-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's Your Finish That Counts

Contributed by Sherman Gordon on Jun 4, 2005

IN LIFE, IT’S GREAT IF YOU CAN START OUT WELL, BUT WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS YOUR FINISH. DON’T LET THE RAPID RISE/SUCCESS OF OTHERS HINDER YOU FROM ACHIEVING YOUR DREAM. LET THE APOSTLE PAUL SERVE AS A GUIDE.

IT’S YOUR FINISH THAT COUNTS II TIMOTHY 4:6-8 ECCLESIATES 9:11 – RACE – SWIFT, BATTLE – MIGHTY . . . ECCLESIATES 7:8 “BETTER IS THE END OF A THING THAN THE BEGINNING THEREOF.” WONDERFUL, IF YOU CAN START OUT FINE, BUT WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS HOW YOU FINISH. GOLF – DRIVE, BUT IT’S NOT YOUR START ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Giving God Praise In The Midst Of A Storm

Contributed by Ronnie Mcneill on Jan 22, 2008

No matter what we are going through we should always give God praise. If you really want to get God’s attention, start giving Him praise and thanksgiving in advance for the break through in the midst of a storm and see what will take place.

Introduction: We as believers have already been informed that we are going to face trials and tribulations in this life. Sometimes the hardships of life are so great that we even contemplate about giving up. If you haven’t reached that point in your life, just keep on living because that day ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:20-22, 2 Chronicles 20:20

Denomination: Baptist

How Do You Look At Life?

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Oct 1, 2010

How do you look at life? Some people see life as one big party. They live for the weekends and sometimes even start their party before the weekend begins. And then there is the way that Jesus sees life. And He tells us in Deuteronomy that the way He sees

How Do You Look at Life? Deuteronomy 6:20-25 Introduction: How do you look at life? Some people see life as one big party. They live for the weekends and sometimes even start their party before the weekend begins. Some people see life as work, work, and more work. They get up early to start ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:20-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Practical Living Series Series

Contributed by Jeff Budzinski on Jul 30, 2010

• This week I want to begin a series on practical living. This week I want to start off with avoiding offenses. • To many people, especially Christians, Believers in Christ Jesus; take offense and miss out on the blessing of God. • In order to avoid of

Introduction • This week I want to begin a series on practical living. This week I want to start off with avoiding offenses. • To many people, especially Christians, Believers in Christ Jesus; take offense and miss out on the blessing of God. • In order to avoid offenses, we must ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:165

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Identifying Your Spiritual Gift Series

Contributed by Noel Atkinson on Jan 10, 2010

This sermon looks at identifying your spritual gift by using the whole book of ephesians. It reminds us the Holy Spirit starts the work, we need to trust in Jesus Christ and rest in the presence of the father, so that we can stand against evil and use our

Spiritual Gifts part 2 Identifying your spiritual gift In the last couple of weeks we have been looking at the issue of spiritual gifts. Last week we looked at ‘Using your gifts to serve others’, this week we are looking at ‘identifying your spiritual gift’. It can be ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Success God's Way

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Mar 2, 2013

God wants us to be successful in all things. It may not start out that way but as we grow in our love and devotion to God, we will begin to prosper in all things. Success without God is not success. It is failure. Success must be measured to God’ stand

Success God’s way God wants us to be successful in all things. It may not start out that way but as we grow in our love and devotion to God, we will begin to prosper in all things. Success without God is not success. It is failure. Success must be measured to God’ standard. Success ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:36

Denomination: Charismatic

Led By The Spirit Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 23, 2013

The eunuch found the true religion when he found the one that Isaiah prophesied of was Jesus Christ. We are promised when we come to Jesus in faith, repenting of our sins and believing He will forgive us, that in effect we start with a clean sheet befor

Last week in Verses 5 - 12 Philip had been involved in the revival at Samaria. It was a huge success. Unclean spirits cast out, sick healed, and multitudes of people were coming to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and being baptized. The revival was big news, as soon as they heard about it in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Baptist