Sermons on Strive To Grow:

The Predecessor From God

Contributed by Dr. Jeffrey Dukeman on Dec 3, 2018

John the Baptist was a predecessor from God at Jesus' Baptism. We today should reflect on all those who have preceded us and helped us to know God, and we should also strive to be predecessors from God for others.

Historian David Barton has an interesting discussion in an article entitled “Christmas—as Celebrated by the Presidents.” Barton writes, Even though Christmas did not become a national holiday until 1870, it has a centuries old history in America. Interestingly, in colonial America, the southern ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-20

Capturing Victory: Recognizing Our Enemy Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on May 19, 2023

"Recognizing Our Enemy" is the first of five sermons Dr. Vorce delivered at Lakewood Family Church in May and June of 2023. This message guides listeners through the scriptures to help them identify their enemy as they strive to live a life of victory.

"And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27) In this Series, we will discuss the following: • Identifying our Enemy • Discernment • Inner Healing (and its practices today) • A Correct View & ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:27, 1 Peter 5:8-9, James 4:7-12, Ephesians 4:25-27, James 3:8-12, 1 John 2:16, Galatians 5:19-21, Galatians 6:7-8, Romans 8:1-14, Philippians 2:12-13, Ephesians 3:16, Hebrews 4:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Living In Light Of The Future Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2003

The certainty of the Lord’s return should cause us to grow in holy living. His promises will come true. (a continuation of Making a Marathon Marriage)

Living in Light of the Future As I mentioned last week, because of the depth of practical help for “Making a Marathon Marriage” in Malachi 2, I want to take some extra time this morning to lay out six building blocks of marriage. We’ll conclude by getting back on track with our outline next ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Obstacles To Individual And Church Growth - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jerry Flury on May 28, 2004

Pacifism and Passivism can be serious stumbling blocks to our progress as members of the Body of Christ. If we are to grow both need to be eliminated from of our lives and our church.

OBSTACLES TO INDIVIDUAL AND CHURCH GROWTH PART 2 1 PETER 2:9-15 INTRODUCTION: Last week we considered three obstacles that hinder Christian growth. Today I want to examine another pair of obstacles that impede individual and corporate growth and spiritual development – Pacifism and Passivism. Both ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Being A Biblical Church (Part Five)

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Nov 20, 2019

This is the 5th and final sermon in a short, end of the year series, we've been doing on being a Biblical Church. In this sermon we discuss the need for growth, and how a healthy church is a growing church. We look at some misconceptions and what Scripture says about how a church grows

Biblical Church 2019 (Growing) Text: Acts 2:39-47 Today we’re finishing the series we started a few weeks back on being a Biblical Church. And I challenged you all to stick with me during this study (and I hope you have) because I wanted you to see how it all ties together, and how each element ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:39-47

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Against Universalism

Contributed by Davon Huss on Feb 6, 2021

1) What does Bible say about universalism? 2) Because of what Bible says, how is church to conduct herself? (Material adapted from David Faust in his book, "Growing Churches, Growing Leaders", chapter called Children of a Graceful God, pgs. 108-113)

HoHum: David Faust asks, What do you get when you cross a Jehovah’s Witness with a universalist? A knock on the door for no apparent reason. Universalism is a widely accepted philosophy. Universalism says that no matter what everyone will eventually be saved. Today people say things like, “Oh ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6, 1 Corinthians 9:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Take A Bold Stand For The Lord Jesus Christ! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 11, 2022

We must... 1. Recognize that we are in a great spiritual struggle (vs. 1-11). 2. Strive to live by God's standards (vs. 4). 3. Live for the Lord in a sacrificial way (vs. 9-11). 4. Go to Jesus for the strength to stand (vs. 12).

Take a Bold Stand for the Lord Jesus Christ! The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 14:1-12 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared June 11, 2022) MESSAGE: *Over the last few weeks, we have been studying Matthew 13, and there Jesus began to explain His Kingdom to His followers. The Lord taught them through a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Answering The Call (Part I) Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Nov 7, 2000

This sermon looks at the relationship between works and growing disciples. You can’t mature without serving and service requires a disciple.

Answering The Call (Part I) The Open Door John 4: 35 "Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 "And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for ...read more

Scripture: John 4:35-38, John 15:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Our Purpose - Building Up Christians Series

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 31, 2001

Here are some reasons why it is vitally important that we are "building each other up" & growing as Christians.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED - 2019) TEXT: Ephesians 4:11-16 A. Last week we started looking at the purpose of the church, & I asked these questions, "Why does the church exist? What is our purpose?" We concluded that the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, Acts 2:42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Four Jewels Of Easter

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 23, 2001

Precious jewels are often deceptive. You have to grow in your appreciation of their quality before you really begin to see their value.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED IN 2021) TEXT: Acts 2:22 36 ILL. You probably don’t remember the name Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin, nor should you. But during his day he was the 2nd most powerful man in the Soviet Union. A ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:22-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Deacon Ordination

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2004

charge to deacons--You Should Be A Good Deacon, Protecting the Word, a Godly Deacon, Practicing the Word, and A Growing Deacon, Progressing in the Word.

DEACON ORDINATION 1-13-02 GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH Tonite’s charge is addressed to these men…all are welcome to listen in. I Tim. 4:1, 2, 6 I Tim. 3 gives the qualifications of Pastors and Deacons. If we’ll just look a bit farther to ch. 4 we will find the duties and character qualities both ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Biblical Description Of A Healthy And Effective Local Church Ministry Series

Contributed by Joel Santos on Dec 2, 2004

(Part 1) I would like to describe a healthy and an effective local church as an equipped, mission-oriented and growing local church.

BIBLICAL DESCRIPTION OF A HEALTHY AND EFFECTIVE LOCAL CHURCH MINISTRY (Part 1) I would like to describe a healthy and an effective local church as an equipped, mission-oriented and growing local church. I would like to explain these three key words: “equipped”, “mission-oriented” and “growing” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Father's Faith Series

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Apr 23, 2007

A family needs to see a father’s faith in action. As his faith grows over time, many answers will come to pass.

April, 2007 A Father’s Faith John 4:46-53 INTRODUCTION: There are times when a father’s faith makes requests of the Lord in the interest of his family. This happened in today’s scripture reading. The nobleman had evidently heard of the miracles that Jesus had performed at other places. ...read more

Scripture: John 4:46-53

Denomination: Methodist

Praising And Loving God Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Aug 2, 2006

In this sermon, which is another in the series on "Keys to Spiritual Growth," we look at two more keys that will help you grow spiritually.

Scripture Today we continue in my sermon series on “Keys to Spiritual Growth.” My foundational text for this series is 2 Peter 3:18: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen" (2 Peter 3:18). Introduction Several years ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Seize The Day With Purpose

Contributed by Michael Blankenship on Jan 4, 2007

How will you spend the time God has provided you. Living in a growing maturing fashion, or in a box afraid to face the sun?

MORNING SERMON OUTLINE December 31, 2006 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 The average man spends 3500 hours in his lifetime shaving. That figure equates to 250, fourteen hour days. The only dwarf in Snow White, who shaved, was called Dopey. The writer of Ecclesiastes warns us of the importance of time ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist