Sermons on Straining Forward:

The "Perfect" Sermon

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Nov 9, 2005

Our purpose is to grow and become more like Christ

Title: The Perfect Sermon Text: Matt 19:16-21, Jas 1:2-5,19, John 17:4 & 23. FCF: God is perfect, and would have us be too. SO: I want the congregation to link communion, with the completeness goodness of God and the realities of this present age. The basis of this sermon is a word study of the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-19

Denomination: Baptist

Built Up, Bound Up, Lifted Up

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 16, 2010

We are so into upward mobility; but God's version is different. It involves building us up so that the powerless have power; binding up the wounded so that they can understand brokenness; and lifting us up so that we can use our power for others.

I can remember when the word "furlough" was a happy word. It was a happy word because it meant that somebody in your family was coming home from military duty for a while. "Furlough" for me brings up a memory of standing, as a small boy, in Union Station in Louisville, waiting for the train to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 147:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Hard Of Hearing

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 9, 2023

How much of what God wants us to hear have we actually heard? And does it matter how much we hear if we don’t do what we’re told?

Have any of you visited the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City? That’s what I kept thinking of as I meditated on this parable. Because just as I was leaving Presbytery last Tuesday evening, I ran into Bob Higgs, who is Executive Director of the Atlantic City Mission Council. He was carrying several ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Parable Of Two Sons And The Authority Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Jul 26, 2024

Many talk about Jesus or celebrate Jesus, and they like to believe that it assures them of a spot in Heaven. What did Jesus say about this?

Dr. Bradford Reaves CrossWay Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD www.mycrossway.org As we continue through the parables, I realize that this is one of those parables that has always confounded me. It confounds me not because of the application but because of the theology. Most tried to impose ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Brethren

Don't Look Back Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Mar 27, 2009

Don’t let the past hold you back

As a counselor you learn a lot about how the past affects people. I knew one woman in her thirties who had a terrible childhood. Her father left when she was a baby, her mother was terribly abusive both physically and verbally. She ended up in foster care where she was sexually abused by a foster ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

How Far Will You Go? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 15, 2004

Jesus has a way of always challenging us to go forward. Just when we think we know Him, He reveals something new that forces us into faith.

Just when you think you know who Jesus is – He reveals something else that throws you completely off. Just when you have a handle on your life, something happens to upset everything you’ve come to rely on. We think that describes someone who is young in the Lord or who should know better. But in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:31-56

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Successful Evangelism Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Apr 26, 2010

Evangelism does NOT have to be complicated, it is actually very simple... and simple is better and better is more successful!

Sermon Brief Date Written: April 16, 2010 Date Preached: April 18, 2010 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Sermon Series: Evangelism 101 – A Series on Obedience Sermon Title: Successful Evangelism – Make it Personal! Sermon Text: 1 Cor 9:19-23 [NLT] Introduction: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Unlocking Your Destiny

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 20, 2025

Every believer has a God-ordained destiny. However, many struggle to fulfil it due to ignorance, spiritual opposition, or wrong choices. To unlock your destiny, you must understand God's plan, overcome obstacles, and take intentional steps to walk in divine purpose.

UNLOCKING YOUR DESTINY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Supporting Texts: Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 60:1, Ephesians 1:11, Psalm ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 60:1, Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 37:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Become A Contagious Christian

Contributed by John Gaston on May 1, 2017

Jesus touched a leper but He didn't get leprosy, rather the leper got Jesus. Why? Because Jesus was contagious with a strain from Heaven, which, when caught, replicates Jesus in the lives of those who catch it! We need to pass it on!

HOW TO BECOME A CONTAGIOUS CHRISTIAN Mk. 1:40-42 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. When you’re a boy, dirt is a good thing. I heard about a “preacher’s kid” who was told by his mother that he should wash his hands because there were germs living in all the dirt he’d been playing in. 2. He looked up at ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-42

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Crossover PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 27, 2025

Trusting God at life’s uncertain crossings requires both faith and obedience, as He calls us to step forward and follow Him into the unknown.

Have you ever stood at the edge of something new—heart thumping, hands trembling—wondering how you’ll make it across? Maybe it’s a decision you can’t delay, a diagnosis you didn’t ask for, a door you’re afraid to open, or a river of unknowns that seems swollen and wild. You can hear it rush; you ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-9

Topics: Courage, Conviction

Consider This Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 26, 2008

In this sermon, we look more closely at what it means to consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Scripture In his commentary on Romans, James Montgomery Boice, from whom I am drawing today’s material, spends an entire sermon on one verse. Today, I also want to look at Romans 6:11 in a more focused way because it is so important. Let me begin with a question. How many times up until Romans ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Is The God Of New Beginnings Series

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Dec 28, 2012

Our intimacy with God – His highest priority for our lives – determines the impact of our lives because this is how we receive the strength, wisdom, & patience we need to endure & succeed. It’s only through our fellowship with God that we can truly affect

A Life-Plan for the New Year and Face it without Fear God is the God of new beginnings “You crown the year with your goodness, and richness overflows wherever you are.” (Psalm 65:11 GOD'S Word) What a joy to seek an eternal and spiritual perspective as we begin a new year. David wrote ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Rapture Of The Redeemed

Contributed by Jamey Stewart on Dec 31, 2002

Through this sermon we will uncover the three events we can look forward to during, "The Rapture of The Redeemed."

Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 The Rapture Of The Redeemed Introduction: A. The term, “rapture,” is derived from the Latin word raptus, which means, “caught away” or “caught up.” The Lord word is equivalent to the Greek harpazo, translated as “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. The rapture ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Got God?

Contributed by James Groce on Apr 18, 2001

Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a message that God was giving him about man’s history from his time forward.

Got GOD? ---------------- Dan 2:3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. Dan 2:31-35 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness [was] excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof [was] ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:3-35

Denomination: Pentecostal

Don't Turn Back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Contributed by Danielle Jeremiah on Apr 29, 2001

If God Tells you to move forward move. He has new blessing for you at your new Level

Praise Lord Saints of God Today we are going to be talking about a story in the Bible that is familiar to a lot Of us. Today I will be talking about Lot and His Wife and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Luke 17:26-32 Jesus Uses the destruction of These two cities to to insure and warn ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:26, Luke 17:26-32

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ