Sermons on Straining Forward:

Go Forward

Contributed by Dr. Abraham Obadare on Jun 24, 2025

To go forward means to proceed or continue. My prayer for you is that you will successfully put to use all the tools that the Lord has given you to go forward and reach your destination in life, in Jesus’ name.

Every goal in life is ahead of us, and we need to go forward to reach, attain, or obtain it. Remember the word of God affirms that God’s divine power has given us everything that pertains to life … (2 Peter 1:3). Now, let’s see how Prophet Elisha depicts how to go forward in life: Elisha (2 Kings ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-25, 2 Peter 1:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Moving Forward PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Encourage believers to step out in faith and courage, trusting in God's promise of His presence and the power of His Word, to accomplish the impossible tasks He calls us to.

Good morning, Church family. A.W. Tozer once wrote, "God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity we plan only the things we can do by ourselves." Isn't that a profound statement? It's easy to get caught up in the things we can do, isn't it? But what about the things ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Topics: Courage

Fail Forward PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 24, 2023

This sermon encourages believers to persevere in faith, forgive others, and promote love, living a life worthy of God's calling and maintaining unity in the Spirit.

Good morning, beloved family of God. We gather here today, not as individuals, but as a collective body, united in our faith and love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. We come together, not as perfect beings, but as flawed individuals, saved by grace and striving each day to walk in the path that God ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

Topics: Believers Let Down

Pressing Forward Series

Contributed by Steven Devroy on Jan 3, 2025

This week the title of our message is gaining Christ and pressing forward to reaching our goals.

Welcome and good morning everyone ! So blessed to see everyone here today! If you do not know me, my name is Pastor Steven and I am one of the Pastors here at Family of Christ. This morning we are continuing to navigate through the book of Philippians. I have been really enjoying reading and ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Forward Together! PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 5, 2023

This sermon explores the importance of unity, purpose, and overcoming divisions in building a strong, mature body of believers as instructed in Ephesians 4:1-15. Key

Good morning, beloved congregation. It's a joy to be standing here with you today, in the house of our Lord, ready to unwrap the divine message that He has prepared for us. We are gathered here to open our hearts and minds to His word, to let it seep into our souls, and to let it guide us on the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-15

Topics: Forward Together, One Vision, Church

Going Forward PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 22, 2024

This sermon encourages believers to foster faith in Christ, persevere in spiritual challenges, and move forward in fulfilling God's mission for their lives.

Good morning, dear friends. It's a joy to be with you today, as we gather in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to seek His face and His wisdom. Today, we're going to turn our attention to a familiar passage from the Old Testament, a passage that resonates with the rhythm of our faith ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:15

Topics: Moving Forward

Forward With Jesus PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 13, 2025

Abiding in Christ transforms our weariness into fruitful living, as we rest in His love, receive His care, and reflect His life to others.

Church family, welcome. If your soul feels like a branch after a long summer—tired, tangled, and thirsty—listen in. The Lord is kind, and His words today carry the weight of mercy. He talks to us in pictures we can feel between our fingers: vines and branches, sap and seasons, blossoms and baskets ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Topics: Progress, Growth

Forgetting What's Behind. Straining For What's Ahead.

Contributed by Quintin Marrow on Apr 3, 2001

Forsaking all past achievements and human advantages, St. Paul strains ahead to be found in Christ; this striving is by faith, and results in an imputed righteousness from God, a sharing in the sufferings of Christ, Christlikeness and participation in the resurrection of the dead.

“Forgetting what’s behind. Straining for what’s ahead.” April 1, 2001 The Rev’d Quintin Marrow St. Anne’s Episcopal Church Oceanside, California The Text: Phil. 3:8-14 In sixteenth-century France, the start of the new year was observed on April first. It was celebrated ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8-14, Romans 6:1-14

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Encouragements To Go Forward

Contributed by Michael Belcher on Jan 16, 2002

While much surrounds us that is discouraging, our great God is busy encouraging his people in the work of the Lord.

Introductory: The devil, according to legend, once advertised his tools for sale at public auction. When the prospective buyers assembled, there was one oddly shaped tool, which was labeled “Not for sale.” Asked to explain why this was, the devil answered, “I can spare my other tools, but I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-17, Acts 18:1

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson #23 - But He Gave It All Up That He Might Know Christ Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 30, 2019

The mature believer, Paul says, will not rest on past obedience but will labor to maintain purity and blamelessness until the Day of Christ.

Date: 2/12/19 Lesson #23 Title: But He Gave It All Up That He Might Know Christ (Phil. 3:12-14) • NIV Bible is used throughout unless noted otherwise. Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV) 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

I'm Struggling, But I'm Going To Keep Pushing PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 5, 2023

This sermon encourages us to continuously seek God, understand our struggles, progress in our faith, and persistently press forward in our spiritual journey.

Good morning, family! It's so good to see all your smiling faces here today. We're gathered together to dig deep into the Word of God, to find comfort, inspiration, and guidance for our daily lives. You know, sometimes we come across passages that really speak to us, that seem to echo the very ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Topics: Moving Forward

Reach For The Top

Contributed by Dana Visneskie on Dec 30, 2004

A great New’s Year Day message. I talk about having Paul’s attitude of forgetting the past and straining towards the future, enjoy!

Title: Reach For The Top Text: Phil 3:12-14 Read Text!!! Pray!!! Introduction: - This is the time of year, where most people take inventory of there lives and make resolutions to change. Here are the top 10 most popular: 1. Lose weight 2. Stop smoking 3. Stick to a budget 4. Save or earn ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Move Forward, Not Back

Contributed by Whitney Morton on May 28, 2004

This sermon examines what we mean by "Holiness Unto the Lord," and examines why we must seek Christ and His Holiness - we must continually move forward lest we fall back.

Usually, when I get ready to preach, I go to the Common Revised Lexicon to find a scripture passage. Then I look at what others have had to say about that passage of scripture both online and the good old fashioned way of looking things up in books and commentaries. Sometimes a word in the passage ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Denomination: Holiness

From This Day Forward

Contributed by Ely Lambert on Nov 21, 2002

On this day the church in Laurel has made a significant stride in the right direction. The Lord has blessed us with elders.

Preached at Laurel Church of Christ On Sunday, November 10, 2002 Introduction: I. The Laurel church is in the midst of a change of seasons. A. Just as the four seasons pass from year to year. It is easy to miss the forest for the trees. 1. Today is a very significant day for the Lord’s ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church Moves Forward

Contributed by Dennis Lawrence on Dec 9, 2002

In ordaining two elders, we are making a powerful statement about the organized Christian church.

The Church Moves Forward Cornwall/Montreal November 30, 2002 Today, we’re making a powerful statement about the church, and a very positive statement, at that, in performing these ordinations.Jesus founded the church. The church came from the heart of God, through Jesus, and the activity of the ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15, Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational