Sermons on Straining Forward:

Overcoming The Giant Of Failure Series

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on Jul 12, 2025

Today, we delve into a powerful narrative from the life of Moses, an extraordinary leader who teaches us about the art of failing forward. Despite his flaws and failures, Moses’ life serves to teach us many valuable lessons. One of them is how to handle failure.

Exodus 2:11–12 “Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-12, Romans 8:28, James 2:17

Denomination: United Methodist

The Right Attitude Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 16, 2007

In a closing litany of exhortations the apostle leads his readers to consider essential Christian attitudes of: 1) submission, 2) humility, 3) trust, 4) self-control, 5) vigilance, 6) fortitude, 7) hope, 8) worship, 9) faithfulness, & 10)Love

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: ‘A man is what he thinks about all day long.’ How could he possibly be anything else?” Why? An old maxim states: “Thoughts produce acts, acts produce habits, and habits produce character.” The Roman philosopher Marcus Aurelius said, “Our life is what our thoughts make ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-14

Denomination: Other

Walking Worthy Of Your Calling Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 31, 2015

In describing the believers walk we see its 1) Call (Ephesians 4:1), 2) Characteristics (Ephesians 4:2-3), and its 3) Cause (Ephesians 4:4-6).

For months, the world’s news crews have needed to cope with a bizarre Internet-inspired trend of bystanders screaming a vulgar phrase into live microphones. But on Tuesday, an Ontario power company employee was fired after he was seen championing the phrase during a live CityNews broadcast. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Other

A Dirty Little Secret About The Church

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 29, 2015

Churches are too often controlled by immature Christians. Though they think themselves to be mature and godly, they are destructive and harmful. Christians need to work at maturing in Christ to ensure that He is honoured through the Body of Christ.

“Let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Walking Worthy Of Your Calling Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 10, 2020

In Ephesians 4:1–6 Paul appeals to believers to walk worthy of their high position in Jesus Christ. In describing that walk he discusses its 1) Call (Ephesians 4:1), 2) Characteristics (Ephesians 4:2-3), and its 3) Cause (Ephesians 4:4-6).

Ephesians 4:1-6 [4:1] I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, [3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Other

Crooks And Robbers And Thieves, Oh My! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 26, 2021

Christ receives even thieves and robbers when they receive Him as Master over life.

“After this [Jesus] went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

His Mighty Word Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 13, 2021

1 Peter 2:1-3. “His Mighty Word” 1) Remember our Life Source (1 Peter 2:1a), 2) Eliminate our Sins (1 Peter 2:1b), 3) Admit our Need (1 Peter 2:2a), 4) Pursue Spiritual Growth (1 Peter 2:2b), and 5) Survey our Blessings (1 Peter 2:3).

1 Peter 2:1-3 1So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, -- that by it you may grow up into salvation 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. (ESV) A recent report from the Christian ministry ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Other

Just Ring The Bell!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 1, 2022

You can quit the struggle to finish the course. If you do, the impact of your life will be insignificant. If you stand firm, the impact of what you do now for Christ will yield eternal results.

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” [1] Becoming a United States Navy Seal is arguably among the most difficult ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

What Can Transform Saul?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 4, 2022

The message is a contrast between a new convert named Saul and a mature follower of Christ named Paul. The intent of the message is to encourage Christian maturation in those who come to Christ in faith.

“When [Saul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:26-31

Denomination: Baptist

A Secret Meeting With The King

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 6, 2023

Eventually, all people want to know what God is planning. However, even knowing what God plans does not mean that people will change their behaviour.

“King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance of the temple of the LORD. The king said to Jeremiah, ‘I will ask you a question; hide nothing from me.’ Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, ‘If I tell you, will you not surely put me to death? And if I give you counsel, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 38:14-28

Denomination: Baptist

New Heavens And A New Earth

Contributed by Ronnie Smith on Jul 16, 2005

WE BELIEVE...and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. ’And so shall we f

WE BELIEVE...and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. ’And so shall we forever be with the Lord!’ 16. The New ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Construction Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Aug 5, 2011

Today we finish our series on building our spiritual house and my hope is that next week we can celebrate our journey through this church year and go forward with a new commitment to living as true disciples of Jesus. Today we talk about the hardest part,

Today we finish our series on building our spiritual house and my hope is that next week we can celebrate our journey through this church year and go forward with a new commitment to living as true disciples of Jesus. Today we talk about the hardest part, the actual work and perseverance of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:26-30

It’s Time To Grow Up Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Mar 19, 2015

Peter gives us some straight-forward advice about living for Christ by removing the things which put us in opposition of one another. He also reminds us of our spiritual birth, and shows us that it's time to grow up and move onto maturity in Christ!

“It’s time to grow up” 1 Peter Sermon Series, Part 4 1 Peter 2:1-3 Introduction - (v22) THEREFORE! … We have been purified by obeying the truth -- We’ve cast off the things we desire to fully accept what He has for us -- Why? Because of our sincere love for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Draw Near To Father God

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on May 31, 2013

I. EXORDIUM: Are you drawing near to your FATHER? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that we can be so near to FATHER GOD. IV. TEXT: Hebrews 10:22 (Amplified Bible) Let us all come forward and draw near with t

I. EXORDIUM: Are you drawing near to your FATHER? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that we can be so near to FATHER GOD. IV. TEXT: Hebrews 10:22 (Amplified Bible) Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Laziness Excused Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 14, 2013

We can all benefit from a study of the sluggard because too much of him lies in too many of us. Though we may not exhibit his characteristics to such a full extent we can certainly profit from a gentle but straight forward thrust the Holy Spirit sends in

PROVERBS 26: 12-16 LAZINESS EXCUSED [Proverbs 6:6-11] To Solomon, negligence was one of the greatest evils in the character of man. How frequently he depicts it with graphic force (24:30-34)! How often he denounces it with fiery energy (20:4; 6:6-11)! Idleness and indulgence are the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 26:12-16

Denomination: Baptist