Sermons on Starting Poorly:

God Will Finish What He's Started (Joshua 12:1-23, 13:1-22) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 13, 2022

Joshua is old, and he can't do all that he wants to for God (and there's a lot left to do). God reassures him, "I got this. I'll finish the job."

This is a great passage. Let me try, up front, to persuade you about this. It's super helpful for understanding Joshua as a whole. There's hints scattered throughout this section about the Nephilim, if you're into that sort of thing. And the passage points us to God, and his ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 13:1-22, Philippians 1:6, Joshua 12:1-6

Abraham: One Man Is Chosen Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

God starts over with humanity again, only this time with a man named Abram. God chooses Abraham as the New Adam to end the lines of disaster. God makes a new fresh start.

We’re doing a series on God’s Big Story where we are tracing the central storyline of the Bible. The aim of this series is to see the big picture of the Bible. I want to offer a bird’s eye view, if you will. We live in a world that has tried to overlay their big stories as the TRUE story – the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:20-27, Genesis 15:1-21, Genesis 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told Series

Contributed by Andian Adams on Apr 6, 2023

For Jesus was sent into the world, died on the cross and prepared the way for mankind to be forgiven by God. And how did it all start? It started with a love story. Perhaps the greatest love story ever told.

Good Friday Based on Matthew 21:14-15 After reading of the events that unfolded during the crucifixion of Jesus, there are a lot of emotions that tore through my soul. Even after hearing the story of the crucifixion many times in the past there is still sadness caused by the events that transpired ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:14-15

It's Time To Deal With The Emotional Baggage - Philippians 2:1 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Feb 11, 2022

Sometimes we feel like we're doing okay. But there are other times when things start getting out of control in our lives and this stuff starts to well up.

The book of Philippians is this very transparent book where Paul opens up his heart and we get to see his own emotions. He teaches us about emotions. So we're going through the book verse by verse in an in-depth study of the book of Philippians. When we come to those passages that have to do ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jabez Finish Strong Series

Contributed by Rodney Coe on Feb 10, 2015

Evil wants to get us. If we have a shaky start or messy middle, God wants us to finish strong.

“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

How You Finish Matters!

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Sep 3, 2020

It is easy to make a good start. Finishing well is important! Many today decide to quit smoking/alcohol. They do without for few days. But then, they start all over again. Starting with a weight-loss diet program is exciting, but we can get our expected results only if we hang into it for long.

Paul, in his letter to Timothy, exhorts him to keep running well. Paul was nearing his death. Paul could look into his past and confidently say that he had fought the good fight and had kept the faith till the end. 2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7, 1 Kings 15:9-24, 2 Chronicles 14:2

Remember Lot's Wife

Contributed by Ronald Zamkus on Feb 24, 2001

It’s not how you start, but how you finish that matters.

Have you ever watched THE PRICE IS RIGHT with Bob Barker? Did you see me win both Showcase Showdowns last week? That’s right, I guessed the price of both showdowns and won them both, from my kitchen. It felt pretty good until Jude said “what do you have to show for it?” It’s amazing to me ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:22-36

Denomination: Baptist

Our Spiritual Blessings In Christ Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Apr 27, 2007

Start living like those who have been blessed in Christ.

Our Spiritual Blessings In Christ Text: Eph. 1:3-14 Introduction 1. Illustration: A Roman historian named Titus Livius once said, "Men are slower to recognize blessings than misfortunes. 2. There are many Christians today that walk around with an interiority complex because they do not ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Methodist

Twenty Third Psalm

Contributed by Colin Coombs on Jun 11, 2007

These notes are deliberately basic, but are a good starting point for an exposition of this delightful Psalm.

THE 23rd PSALM - THE SIMILARITY DAVID AS SHEPHERD 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. A Shepherd has sheep – Am I one of His sheep? If so, I must listen to the Shepherds voice, and follow where He leads. - THE SATISFACTION ABUNDANT PROVISION 2 He maketh me to lie down in green ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6, Psalm 23:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Place Of Beginning

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 10, 2005

Beginnings are very important. However, they usually start very, very small.

A Place of Beginning Micah 5:2 -- “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Matthew 2:1 -- “Now when Jesus was born in ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

You've Going On A Date

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Dec 2, 2001

This is a sermon on the rapture and the judgment seat of Christ preached as the start of the Advent Season.

You’ve Got A Date NLF 12/2/2001 Eccl. 11-9-12:14 2 Corinthians 5:8-12 When someone asks you for a date, there are usually three things you have to consider. First, do I want to be with this person. Second, do I want to do what this person wants to do. Third can I get prepared in time to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:9-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Prayer 2- Devote Yourselves To Prayer Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Jan 3, 2003

A sermon at the start of a series on prayer, given at a Covenant (re-dedication) service

“Devote yourselves to prayer”, “pray continually” Col 4:2, 1Th5:17 Covenant service 5 Jan 2003 pm In his book Living Life on Purpose, Greg Anderson shares the story of one man’s journey to joy: ... his wife had left him and he was completely depressed. He had lost faith in himself, in other ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2, 2 Thessalonians 5:17

Denomination: Baptist

How Make 2003 The Most Meaningful Year Of Your Life

Contributed by Alan Balatbat on May 25, 2004

Why do we need do have a good start in the year?

How to Make 2004 the Most Meaningful Year of your Life 2 Chronicles 14-16 Introduction: Are you a Christian whose spiritual growth has stagnated? Are you a Christian who wants to make 2004 the most meaningful year of your life. Tonight we look at a life of a king who started so strong yet ended so ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Praise In Beginning A New Year

Contributed by William Wyne on Feb 14, 2013

This sermon encourages believers to look at the positive of a fresh start in a New Year.

Benjamin Franklin said, “In a new year declare war on you spiritual and personal vices (not on others), decide to live in peace with your neighbors, those close to you, and yourself (not in constant conflict), be forgiving and understanding toward others (and not harbor, hold grudges and ...read more

Scripture: Job 12:10

Denomination: Baptist

To Know Jesus Better

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Jan 9, 2011

A talk for the start of a New Year as part of a series looking at the Book of Ephesians

How well do you know your favourite author, or your favourite poet? How well do you know the person you admire the most? How well do you really know members of your family? Do others know everything there is to know about you? For myself, although I love his stories I know very little about my ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: Anglican