Sermons on Vision To Grow:

Wake Up Call To Weariness

Contributed by Al Edmonds on Dec 26, 2005

"Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. Proverbs 20:13 NIV.

The text we read, was spoken by Malachi to Israel, a defeated nation. Malachi was God’s last mouthpiece to Israel before the four hundred years of God’s silence to his people. It is a shame that any people should lower themselves so much that they would put God last in their lives, and ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:13-14

Denomination: Apostolic

A Change In James

Contributed by Bruce Ball on May 26, 2009

Using the change seen in Jesus’ brother James, we show how that affects our changing & growing walk with Christ today.

No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, you did not just suddenly appear there. No, you started as we all start; becoming aware of a need inside your heart that you probably could not explain. Then, you became aware of Jesus Christ, the One known as the Savior and how He could give ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:12-14

Denomination: *other

Caution: We Are In The People Zone Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 23, 2011

In order to grow in social and relational wisdom, we must understand what is likely; fortunately, Proverbs gives us a divine perspective.

Caution: We Are In the People Zone (Proverbs 18:1-4) 1. Wisdom not valued much in modern society, so wisdom literature not popular in our culture; In the past, Aesop’s fables–which are amazing– used to be a common resource for popular wisdom. But in the ancient near east, wisdom literature ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Broken Speech

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 11, 2011

God doesn't simply forbid swearing falsely, he forbids speaking falsely, which grows out of living falsely.

I’ve been racking my brains all week to find a lead-in to this week’s commandment without referring to politics. But I keep coming back to it like a moth to a candle. At least we’re no longer right in the middle of actual accusations of perjury... but the question of truth vs. ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Husbands Love

Contributed by Marc Heatherington on Dec 28, 2011

This sermon illustrates the steps of growth found in 2 Peter 1:5-8 through the husbands growing love for his wife.

The best example of spiritual growth is the growth of the marriage relationship. In John 13:34, Jesus gave us a new commandment; to love one another as He loved us. This command is repeated to the husband in regards to his wife in Ephesians 5. "Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

How To Multiply Your Influence 100x Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Aug 16, 2012

The parable of the sower is a picture of the seed of the Word of God. There is amazing potential in that seed, but we must provide the right kind of soil for it to grow.

INTRODUCTION This is the 40th message in the series I call “Parables and Miracles.” The word “parable” means, “to throw alongside.” A parable may be an analogy or metaphor where Jesus lays down a natural truth and then throws a spiritual truth alongside it. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Thermodynamics Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 4, 2012

We grow and multiply through faith, oppression, and obedience as God's ancient people did when they experienced harsh treatment in Egypt.

In The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village. They walked by an old man sitting beside a fence, and one of them asked, “Were any great men born in this village?” The old man replied, “Nope, only babies.” ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Mission Possible Series

Contributed by Richard White on Feb 12, 2011

The Church grows as each of us does their part. The Church can team up with Bible Colleges to help the ministry of the Word spread.

Mission Possible Eph 4/Acts 6:1ff The Church grows when each of us does their part. What is the purpose of the Church? Survey says: To win souls. But if that is all we are to do then we are selling the Church short. 1. The Church is to Build (Eph 4) a. In order to build they need to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Six Marks Of Leadership: Introduction In Nehemiah Series

Contributed by Tim White on May 7, 2011

There are six marks of leadership seen in Nehemiah chapters 1-6. Leaders can study these leadership qualities in Nehemiah and grow in their influence.

On the front of one church bulletin always reads, “Ministers: The entire congregation Pastor: Rev David L. Buttry.” Rick Warren in his Purpose Driven Church advocates “No ministry, no membership.” Every believer is a minister or servant of God who should be serving God and ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Nearsighted? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 25, 2010

Are you serious about growing in the Lord, are you nearsighted? If you actively pursue growth, you are on the road to great spiritual blessing.

Are You Nearsighted? (2 Peter 1: 5-11) 1. One of my favorite riddles is this one Q: What did the near-sighted porcupine say when it backed into a cactus? A: Pardon me, honey! 2. If you are near-sighted, you see objects that are near, but distant objects are blurry or unclear. To put is simply, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Holding Steady In Life’s Storms Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jan 7, 2011

We need to be able to stand strong in the midst of the storms of life if we are going to grow and thrive in our spiritual walk with Jesus!

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Mark Smith in an article in Readers Digest said the following: Like many high school seniors, my son was filling out college-scholarship applications. One form asked for extracurricular activities. He answered: “wrestling.” The next question requested positions held. He ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Giving: Obligation Or Opportunity?

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Oct 16, 2010

We grow into the grace of giving...by giving! Giving is a means of grace; in giving generously, we position ourselves to experience grace.

GIVING: OBLIGATION OR OPPORTUNITY? Isaac Butterworth October 17, 2010 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 (NIV) 1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Second Coming Of Christ

Contributed by Patrick O'loughlin on Dec 28, 2009

Peter uses the second coming of Christ to challenge us to grow in wholesome thinking, wholesome desires, wholesome living and wholesome wisdom

Title: The Second Coming Of Christ Text: 2 Peter 3:1-18 Quote by Chuck Swindoll “One out of every 30 verses in the Bible mentions the subject of the end of time, or of Christ’s return.” “And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Ready And Waiting

Contributed by Steve Keeler on May 9, 2010

Waiting for Jesus return can make people grow complacent about the fact that He IS indeed coming back, and it really will be soon.

Ready and Waiting? by Steve Keeler Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus is telling a story about ten virgins who are like bridesmaids at a wedding. In order to make sense of Jesus' story, we need to understand a bit about Jewish wedding customs. Traditionally, the groom would leave from his house and travel, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Growth In Giving Means Church Growth" Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Feb 6, 2008

If a church is going to grow as God has commanded us to, by making disciples, the people must give to support the ministry of the church.

In Exodus 35 & 36, we read about the construction of the Tabernacle. The details of that construction are laid out in these two chapters. It is conservatively estimated that the Tabernacle would cost approximately ten million dollars if it were constructed in the US today. The construction of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist