Sermons on Straining Forward:

Pressing Faith

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on Apr 21, 2012

We must press forward in our faith.

Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth (forces crowds seizes)into it. There is something to be said for faith that neither gets bogged down in the present nor anchors itself to the past but rather looks forward ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:16

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Romance With Yesterday

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on May 13, 2025

While reminiscing can be comforting, it can also be misleading. The past wasn’t perfect — people had struggles, heartbreaks, and bad decisions just like we do now.

(This is not an original sermon, it has been adapted for my style of delivery) TITLE: A ROMANCE WITH YESTERDAY SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 2:23 / NUMBERS 14:1-3 / PHILIPPIANS 3:13 Ever caught yourself longing for the good old days? Maybe it’s the Music - The Way People Dressed - How Life Just Seemed ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:23, Numbers 14:1-3, Philippians 3:13

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob’s Ladder

Contributed by Dr. Jwt Spies on Mar 28, 2024

On the ladder there are the messengers of God who were traveling up and down, between heaven and earth. They were delivering the people petitions to God in heaven, and they were bringing God’s answers back down to help the people of the earth.  

Genesis 28:12-15 By Pastor J.W.T. Spies   The story of Jacob and his brother Esau is a tangled one, filled with deceit, dishonesty, conspiracy and animosity. Esau despised his birthright, and sold it to brother Jacob for a pot of stew. Jacob then deceived their father and got him to bless him ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

Do Not Confuse Movement With Progress PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 2, 2023

This sermon encourages spiritual growth and progress in Christ, emphasizing the importance of seeking eternal sustenance and keeping our focus on Jesus, our Bread of Life. Key

Good morning, Church family! It's a real joy to see you all here today. There's a certain warmth that fills the room when we gather together to worship and share God's word. Today, we're going to talk about something that's near and dear to all of our hearts, whether we realize it or not. We're ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-35

Topics: Moving Forward, Christ

Forgetting What Lies Behind PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 1, 2023

Encourage us to let go of our past, strive for a future in Christ, and live in the hope and righteousness that comes from faith in Him.

Good morning, family! As we gather this fine Sunday morning, we're going to dig into a challenging yet uplifting passage from the book of Philippians. I'm reminded of a quote from Oswald Chambers, "Leave the broken, irreversible past in God’s hands, and step out into the invincible future with ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-14

Topics: Forgetting, Pressing Forward

Arise And Shine PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

Encourage the congregation to seek God's wisdom and love Him consistently, so they can arise and shine as beacons of His love and faithfulness in the world.

Good morning, family! I can't think of a better way to kick-start our time together than by diving headfirst into the rich wisdom of Proverbs. Proverbs 13:9 says, "The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out." It's a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:9

Topics: Moving Forward, Christ

Now Is The Time PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 3, 2023

Emphasize the urgency of acting now in unity and faith, especially in challenging times, rather than falling into complacency.

Good morning, Church family. As we gather here today, let's take to heart the words of the Apostle Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians. "For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2

Topics: Moving Forward, Urgency

Look I Am Doing A New Thing PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 13, 2023

To encourage the church to embrace change, move forward with urgency, and not get stuck in traditions, trusting in God's plan even when it doesn't make immediate sense.

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive deep into a message that's all about embracing change, moving forward with urgency, and not getting stuck in our traditions. Change can be scary, can't it? It can feel uncomfortable and even threatening. But the truth is, change is a part of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19

Topics: Moving Forward, Urgency

"wave Walkers" Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on May 4, 2021

This message deals with the account of Jesus and Peter as they walked on the water

THE WAVE WALKERS (Message 15 Gospel of John 2021) John 6:16-21 (also Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:47-53) Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ May 2, 2021 Video Link: https://youtu.be/pv4KeckAs7w INTRODUCTION: 1) Last week we looked at the feeding of the 5,000, and the events of that the next ...read more

Scripture: John 6:16-21, Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:47-53, Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unpacking

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Jan 30, 2022

Sermon about the importance of leaving yesterday behind and moving forward in Christ.

Unpacking Introduction Here we are at the end of the first month of 2022. You have prayed and sought God. 2021 had a full suitcase. It was packed full. Bursting at the seams. The past three years have been so full, its hard to tell how they could have held more. The Jan. 6 attack on the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Our Marching Orders

Contributed by Dr. Casey Adams on Oct 9, 2018

This message encourages the believer to move forward in the direction God is leading!

I. "AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, WHEREFORE CRIEST THOU UNTO ME? SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, THAT THEY GO FORWARD" A. The message of our text is contained in the simplest word - "Go forward" 1. This command came at a time when Israel was hemmed in from all sides making any movement ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:4-7, Exodus 14:6-12, Philippians 3:13, Acts 7:39, Nehemiah 9:17, Numbers 14:4, Genesis 19:26, Luke 17:32, John 6:66, Luke 9:62, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Matthew 28:20, Exodus 14:19-31, 2 Peter 3:18, Matthew 28:18, Hebrews 12:1-9, Philippians 3:10, Matthew 14:28-29, 1 Peter 2:2, Romans 8:28-29, 2 Peter 3:13, Hebrews 11:14-16, Genesis 1:2, Proverbs 4:18, Exodus 14:15, Hebrews 11:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Determination (Spiritual Formation Part 4) Series

Contributed by Anthony Soyao on Oct 1, 2010

Determination as one on the key of true Spiritual Formation

Determination Philippians 3:10-14 1. Determination is the act of deciding definitely and firmly; also : the result of such an act of decision A. It begins by releasing yourself from the past B. Forgetting what lies behind (Verse 13) C. The past can be our greatest enemy and our greatest ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-14

Denomination: Catholic

Courage To Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Dec 5, 2023

A 5 seek series using Philippians as a guide.

Never Give In Philippians 3:12-4:1 November 26, 2023 You may not know this about Winston Churchill, but he struggled in school. Churchill failed the 6th grade and had to take a math class over 3 times. He couldn’t get into certain colleges because of poor grades and he failed the military ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Moving On From The Past

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 15, 2009

Discussion of Philippians 3:12-14.

Moving on from the Past Philippians 3:12-14 September 20, 2009 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT IS FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." Me: As was made painfully obvious last Sunday, I recently had a birthday. I turned 45 on September 11th. One of the things I find myself ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Wesleyan

Forward To The Past - Reformation Day Message

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

The Reformation began with Jesus Christ and is to continue even today within the church and within our hearts.

Introductory Considerations 1. "Today is Reformation Sunday." With these four words I may already have lost many of your listening ears. Why do we need to talk about something that happened 400-500 years ago? We don’t want a history lesson or a theological debate. 2. Message of Reformation not a ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed