Sermons on Straining Forward:

Five Looks

Contributed by David Radcliff on Apr 22, 2017

Looking backward, upward, inward, outward and forward.

FIVE LOOKS Isaiah 45:22 I. THE BACKWARD LOOK. 1. This is to the Seed of the Woman; Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 2. This is to the Seed of David; Romans 1:3 ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:22

Denomination: Baptist

From The Flight Into Egypt To The Massacre Of The Innocents.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 28, 2024

A time to stand still, and a time to move forward.

FROM THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT TO THE MASSACRE OF THE INNOCENTS. Matthew 2:13-18. MATTHEW 2:13. Joseph was called into exile. It is important that we do not linger in the place where we have been, but continue to follow the leading of God in our spiritual walk. After all, wherever God places us we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Maturity Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Mar 3, 2006

How to become a mature Christian.

Christian maturity. Philippians 3:12-16 WBC 5 Mar 06pm V15 "all of us who are mature should take such a view" - but - what is maturity? "Christian maturity?" Am I mature? Are you? Well- elsewhere there are all kinds of definitions of maturity - Educationally: "gratification deferment". Being able ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Casting The Vision Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 7, 2022

In claiming the Promised Land, the toil and strain can begin taking a toll, leading to fatigue and discouragement. We must continually recast the vision, in order to strengthen and motivate people to keep pressing on.

The book of Joshua is about the Israelites doing battle to possess the land of Canaan; and by this point in the book, Joshua had already initiated the process of claiming the Promised Land and establishing new territory for the Lord. We can actually apply what we learn from the book of Joshua to ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 8:30-35, Numbers 13:25-30, Numbers 14:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Goal Line Stands

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Feb 6, 2012

Do we push and strain to score a touchdown or hold the offense on goal line stands? Do we really care about what Christ calls us to do and be?

Goal Line Stands 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 January 22, 2012 One of the most exciting parts of a football game occurs when one team gets the ball near the other teams goal line. Then it becomes time for a goal line stand. The defense digs in to stop the offense, while the offense does everything ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: Baptist

Pressing On When The Pressure's On Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 18, 2025

You will never coast into Christlikeness because spiritual growth is intentional, not automatic.

Pressing on When the Pressure’s On Philippians 3:12-4:1 Rev. Brian Bill March 15-16, 2025 A little over a year ago, I celebrated how God is using Pastor Ed Hedding from Pleasant View Baptist Church in Bettendorf. He’s a man on mission with a genuine love for the lost in our community. One of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

New Beginnings Series

Contributed by Landon Winstead on Dec 31, 2013

God is a God that offers us New Beginnings

NEW BEGINNINGS Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) A new year always seems to bring with it the opportunity for new beginnings. We associate the word resolution with New Year. The word resolution, as defined ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

Hope In Suffering

Contributed by Hiram Withers on Nov 22, 2018

Psalm 130 does not give us insight as to why we suffer, it gives us the reality that we will suffer, it is not a matter of if but when we suffer. It gives us insight into how we respond to suffering makes an incredible difference in how we live our lives.

We have pointed out in our ascent to grow closer to God we will face persecution and that will and does cause suffering, but that suffering is a direct result of the decision we have made to follow Christ. We have been warned that it will happen, and we are comforted in the fact that in the end the ...read more

Healing From The Past Series

Contributed by Esther Collins on Mar 25, 2021

This is the 4th Devotion in a series entitled, "Building Relationships that Last

Every one of us have been influenced by various factors from our past, and these have shaped our lives. Most of these are from our childhood, and therefore were beyond our control. These include our place of birth, our parents, siblings, extended family, school, society, church and other ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 30:17, Matthew 6:14, Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Psalm 103:12, Hebrews 10:17, 1 John 1:9, Isaiah 1:18, John 4:28-30, Philippians 3:13-14, Acts 13:22  (view more)  (view less)

The Prize Is Waiting

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Nov 15, 2004

The Prize of heaven is Waiting. Don’t look back. Keep moving forward.

One of the best part-time jobs I ever had in college was as an assistant high school basketball coach. No, the pay wasn’t great ($150 a season) but I did get to work with one of the most successful coaches in the state of Wisconsin. In his twenty years of coaching, Coach B. led his teams to at ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-14

Denomination: Lutheran

The New You Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 12, 2023

in the midst of your suffering look forward to your completed, celestial, and Christlike body.

Several years ago (2013), The Week magazine quoted TV chef Anthony Bourdain, who advised, “Your body is not a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.” Then they posed the question: “What would be a good name for a theme park ride based on the typical American's body?” Here were ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Rise Up Its Time To Move

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Aug 3, 2006

God has been moving his bride forward since the day of Pentecost; there have been times of rest and times of moving forward. I believe that the trumpet has sounded! The time for camping has ended, its time to rise up and move forward.

Numbers 10:5 “When you sound the trumpet to move on, the tribes on the east side of the Tabernacle will break camp and move forward. 6 When you sound the trumpet a second time, the tribes on the south will follow. You must sound short blasts to signal moving on. I believe that the trumpet has ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Only The Star Remains

Contributed by Kathy Findley on Oct 25, 2003

When Christmas is past - the joy and the glory of it - what do we have left? This sermon tells us what remains after the strains of "Silent Night, Holy Night" have ceased.

Only The Star Remains; Isaiah 63:7-9; Matthew 2: 1-18 The miraculous, glorious birth is over. The shepherds have probably left the birth-place to return to their keeping watch over their flocks. The friendly beasts that attended this birth, feeling the stir of excitement that animals feel when ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:1-9, Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Most Important Journey

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 3, 2005

This passage reveals the character and attitude of Paul in at least two ways that, if we will follow his example, will allow us to be the kind of people who run the race well.

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-14

Denomination: United Methodist

How To Be More Like Jesus

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 6, 2003

The following are twenty-one guidelines to becoming more like the Master, Jesus Christ, in all our relationships, activities, and personal concerns

How to Be More Like Jesus (Eph. 1:19) "That you may really come to know practically, through experience for yourselves, the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge that you may be filled through all your being, unto all the fullness of God (may have the richest measure of the divine ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational