Sermons on Straining Forward:

Sermon On Forward Planning

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 28, 2023

Forward Planning is the process of setting aims or targets, placing the ideas devised into chronological order and executing them to achieve the required result.

Napoleon Hill, an American self-help author once remarked: “First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.” James 4:13-16 reminds us: “Come now, you who say, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:3, Proverbs 19:21, Isaiah 55:8-9, Luke 14:28-30

Looking Forward To The Reward Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 23, 2023

This flesh of ours, when given the choice of visiting a prayer chapel or going to a wild party, pushes us to choose the party.

Fifth Sunday of Lent 2023 It’s very easy for us to be so taken with today’s Gospel that we push aside the short Epistle taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Church at Rome. So let’s look at what he is telling this relatively young community of Jews and Gentiles who have believed in the Gospel of ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:12-14, Psalm 130:1-8, Romans 8:8-11, John 11:1-45

Denomination: Catholic

The Fool Straining At The Eye Of The Needle - Take Note And Learn Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 23, 2022

Jesus gave a parable of the rich man whose soul God required one night. He was called a fool because he worked hard for treasures but was poverty-stricken for God. We examine treasure in heaven and faithfulness.

THE FOOL STRAINING AT THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE - TAKE NOTE AND LEARN THE INTRODUCTION {{Luke 12:20 but God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you, and now who will own what you have prepared?’}} - In verse 20 why did God call him a fool? Well there is one thing we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-15, Luke 12:16-20, Luke 12:20, Luke 18:24-26, Psalm 14:1, Luke 12:21-34, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 1 Corinthians 16:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Starting The New Year Off Right

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Dec 31, 2009

Starting the new year right is forgiving, forgetting, and not putting old stuff into a new bag and carrying it into the new year.

12/27/2009 Starting the New Year off Right Philippians 3:13-14 Philippians 3:13-14 Introduction We are 5 days away from the New Year. For some, swinging into the new year will be easy. Because there will not be anything different. Not expecting ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Nazarene

"Don't Give Up, Hold On To Your Confidence”/ "It's

Contributed by Ronnie Mcneill on Jan 16, 2007

Sometimes in life we have to pray for confidence in God. He will give you just what you need because He’s just a whisper away!

Introduction For the few moments that are mine and as the Lord shall guide, I would like to use as a sermonic theme, “Don’t Give Up, Hold On To Your Confidence, Because It’s Only A Test.” After looking at the theme several times, the Holy Spirit kept leading me to the trials and the tribulations ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:35, Isaiah 55:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

Looking Forward To A Greater Level PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 7, 2023

This sermon encourages embracing God's grace to let go of past mistakes and failures, and move forward towards a brighter, faith-filled future.

Welcome, friends, to this gathering of hearts and minds, united in our shared faith and the hope that springs eternal from it. We are here today, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the unfolding story of God's redemptive love. We are here to be nurtured by the Word, to be ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13

Topics: Forget The Past, Look Forward

Look Backward, But Go Forward

Contributed by Virgil Hurley on Feb 8, 2007

When we question what way to go, God always commands "Forward".

Virgil Hurley 3902 Vista Campana North, Unit 1 Oceanside, CA 92057 760-433-6436 Email: uglydogpro@earthlink.net LOOK BACKWARD, BUT GO FORWARD Exodus 14:10-15 A recent San Diego Union story featured theoretical physicists debating the existence and meaning of reverse causation—a theory that ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Never Give Up, Never Surrender Series

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Sep 26, 2025

Paul shows how to return and keep moving—admitting we haven’t arrived, forgetting what holds us, and pressing on toward Christ (Philippians 3:12–16). The direction is the point: let go of past wins and wounds, lean forward, and run because Christ already holds you.

Last week, we kicked off our series "Back At It," and we talked about how Jesus meets us where we are, even when we've drifted back to our old ways. We looked at the story of Jesus cooking breakfast for His disciples on the shore, calling them back to their true purpose. Today, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Moving On To The Next Level

Contributed by Jeremias Fababier on May 29, 2012

As Christians we need to move to the next level of our faith

TOPIC: MOVING ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL Text: Philippians 3:12-14 "12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Failing Forward, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Nov 10, 2003

Do you feel God has placed you on a shelf because of something you’ve done? Never forget that you are serving the God, not only of a second chance, but countless chances.

For some of you, it was all you could do to even come here today. You failed over and over. You had such a bad week or month that you really didn’t even want to show up today. We sometimes want to give up because of · the regularity of our sin (“I just can’t seem to stop!”), · the reproach of ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Leaving The Past Behind PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 27, 2023

This sermon encourages believers to persevere in their Christian journey, pressing on towards spiritual growth and the ultimate prize of eternal life in Christ.

Welcome, dear friends, to our time of fellowship and worship. It's a delight to gather in the presence of our Lord, to share in His word, and to grow together in understanding and faith. We are here, not by chance, but because our loving Father has called us into His presence. He has a message for ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Topics: Moving Forward, Christ

Letting Go Of What Was Series

Contributed by Dr. John D. Wentworth on Dec 29, 2025

There is a quiet temptation at the turn of every year: to carry forward the weight of what has already been lived. Regrets, disappointments, unresolved griefs, and even past successes can cling to our hearts like heavy luggage. Yet God’s word through Isaiah is clear and co

Title: Letting Go of What Was Text: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:18–19) There is a quiet temptation at the turn of every year: to carry forward the weight of what has already been lived. Regrets, disappointments, unresolved griefs, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Get All God Has For You

Contributed by Blake Dodd on Feb 3, 2014

A sermon on the importance of looking forward and forgetting what is behind.

How to Get All God Has for You Introduction: • We come to our passage in Philippians and we find Paul imprisoned in Rome and he has just a few more years to live. Paul writes to his dear followers at the church in Philippi. • Many Bible scholars have called Philippians Paul’s ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

What Are You Looking Forward Too? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Encourage believers to let go of past mistakes and fears about the future, and instead focus on pursuing the heavenly prize with confidence in God's unchanging faithfulness and hope.

Good morning, church family! You know, I've been thinking a lot about the future lately - I think we all have. In these uncertain times, it can be easy to get caught up in the worry and fear of what's to come. But as Christians, we have a Hope that is steadfast and unchanging, a Promise that we can ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Topics: God's Faithfulness

Look Forward To The Final Judgment

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Nov 3, 2005

This sermon addresses what God will use to judge you on Judgment Day, and how you can approach such an awesome Day in faith.

November 6, 2005 Matthew 25:31-46 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Lutheran