Sermons on Spiritual Growth (Page 2)
Jonah: A Heart Like His
In the final chapter of Jonah, God holds up an unfiltered photo of a prophet’s heart—and ours. Why does Jonah get furious when God shows mercy? What happens when grace lands on them instead of us? In this message from Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., “A Heart Like His,” we discover how God uses uncomfortable moments and unexpected grace to reshape our hearts to look more like His. If you’ve ever struggled to love difficult people (and who hasn’t?), this…
True Wealth
Money. Worry. Greed. Family fights over inheritance. Sound familiar? Jesus told a story 2,000 years ago that still lands like a punch in the gut today. In this message, Gordon Dabbs unpacks the Parable of the Rich Fool and shows why our value isn’t tied to our valuables—and why barns and bank accounts can’t buy eternal life. Instead of chasing temporary treasure, Jesus calls us to be rich toward God. 📖 Scripture: Luke 12:13–21, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Timothy 6:17–19 About…
A Tale of Two Sons
In Jesus’ parable of two sons, we learn the importance of obedience. Of not simply giving lip-service to God, but actually following through with our commitment to follow him. Listen as Young Adults Minister Dr. Jacob Hawk helps us work through a fascinating parable about obedience in Matthew 21. About the series. . . The parables of Jesus aren’t just quaint tales—they’re divine disruptions. These simple stories carry deep truth, pulling back the curtain on the heart of God, the…
When Grace Doesn’t Add Up
Outlook is such a powerful thing. The lens through which we see our world leads us toward gratefulness and wonder… or grumbling and worry. Through parables, Jesus keeps pressing us: Are you seeing with your eyes, or are you seeing with kingdom eyes? Mark 8.18 (NLT) “You have eyes — can’t you see? You have ears — can’t you hear?” Jesus tells a story in Matthew 20 about workers in a vineyard. Some worked all day, some for an hour,…
Rags to Riches
What would make you sell everything you own—your house, your car, even your prized possessions—without hesitation? In Matthew 13, Jesus tells two short but powerful stories: a hidden treasure and a priceless pearl. Both reveal one truth—there’s nothing that compares to the treasure found in Him. In this message, Preaching Minister, Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., explores why the Kingdom of Heaven is worth everything, how to safeguard your faith, and why even “good things” can become dangerous substitutes for grace. About…
The Dirt on Discipleship
Why do some hearts grow in faith while others never take root? In this powerful kickoff to our Kingdom Stories series, we dig into Jesus’ Parable of the Sower—one of his most iconic teachings. Spoiler alert: it’s not about gardening… it’s about your heart. Is your faith withering in the heat? Getting choked by life’s distractions? Or ready to bear some serious fruit? Join Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., as he unpacks the soil conditions of the soul—with humor, honesty,…
Name, Image, and Likeness
In the world of college sports, N.I.L. is all about athletes finally profiting from their Name, Image, and Likeness. But what if discipleship was the ultimate N.I.L. deal? In this powerful and grace-filled message from John 4, Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., walks us through Jesus’ radical encounter with the woman at the well—a Samaritan outsider with a messy past—revealing a love that breaks barriers and reshapes lives. Discover how you were created to carry God’s Name, reflect His Image,…
Full Ride
When a rich young man asked Jesus the ultimate spiritual question, he got an unexpected answer—and walked away… sad. Why? What was Jesus really offering, and what does it mean for us today? In this message from Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., we explore the story of a guy who checked all the boxes—young, spiritual, successful, a leader—but still missed out on the one thing that matters most. Jesus doesn’t want your resume—He wants your heart. The Gospel is better…
Surrender
Jesus isn’t just a great teacher, a prophet, or a feel-good spiritual guru—He’s Lord. And that changes everything. In this honest and challenging message, we explore one of the most difficult things Jesus ever said: “Let the dead bury their own dead.” What did He mean? Why was He so blunt? And what does it reveal about what it really takes to follow Him? If you’ve ever tried to negotiate the terms of your faith—“I’ll follow you, BUT FIRST…”—this message…
Faith Walk
What if faith isn’t about pretending everything’s fine—but about seeing what’s truly real? In this message, we dive into the powerful truth of the story of Peter walking on water from Matthew 14. We learn that faith is the lens through which we glimpse God’s presence, His promises, and our purpose. When life feels chaotic and uncertain, faith doesn’t eliminate the storm—it helps us walk through it. In this message from Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., we uncover some powerful…
Powerful Partnership
What happens when Jesus shows up not just to fix you up—but to tear you down… and rebuild you into something glorious? In this “Powerful Partnership” message from Preaching Minister Gordon Dabbs, Ph.D., we explore the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 in John 6—and the deeper discipleship Jesus is inviting us into. Spoiler: It’s not just about bread and fish. It’s about what happens when we bring our small, ordinary offerings to an extraordinary Savior. Jesus doesn’t just want your…
The Savior’s Standard for Forgiveness
How many times should I forgive someone? Peter asked that question—and Jesus gave a shocking answer. In this message by Young Adults Minister Dr. Jacob Hawk, “The Savior’s Standard,” we dive into Matthew 18:21-35 to explore the radical, relentless nature of Christlike forgiveness. Through the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus confronts our scorekeeping hearts and calls us to extend the same mercy we’ve received. This isn’t about cheap grace—it’s about living in the freedom of a forgiven life. If…