Spiritual Growth - Liferoads Church https://liferoads.org Helping people become Fully Alive in Christ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 03:23:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://liferoads.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cropped-cross-100x100.jpg Spiritual Growth - Liferoads Church https://liferoads.org 32 32 Abide – Week 3 https://liferoads.org/sermons/abide-week-3/ Mon, 19 Jan 2026 03:19:19 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=5112 No one claims to be an expert on prayer; we all feel inadequate. There are many difficulties and many distractions. In one way, prayer is very easy; however, it is also deeply complex. Prayer should be the business of Christians; it is our duty, and it should be our delight. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he describes this rich, deep desire to know the love of God (⁠⁠Ephesians 3:14-21⁠⁠). Prayer is the most likely place to be this close […]

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]]> No one claims to be an expert on prayer; we all feel inadequate. There are many difficulties and many distractions. In one way, prayer is very easy; however, it is also deeply complex. Prayer should be the business of Christians; it is our duty, and it should be our delight. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he describes this rich, deep desire to know the love of God (⁠⁠Ephesians 3:14-21⁠⁠). Prayer is the most likely place to be this close to God. Most often we pray for the physical, but we wish you to know the love of God in His fullest, just as Paul prayed. Don’t just know God intellectually, but experientially. Abide in Him (⁠John 15:4-5⁠).

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]]> Abide – Week 1 https://liferoads.org/sermons/abide-week-1/ Mon, 05 Jan 2026 04:44:21 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=5103 In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, today we ask, how might we grow spiritually this year? How do we worry less and pray more? The “Gospel Hardware” is Jesus. He stated that He is the true vine; you are clean because of the words He has spoken. Apart from Him you can do nothing. “Abide in me,” Christ said. (⁠John 15:1-11⁠). Abide is a verb relating to where you live. Where is your permanent spiritual address? Live in constant […]

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]]> In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, today we ask, how might we grow spiritually this year? How do we worry less and pray more? The “Gospel Hardware” is Jesus. He stated that He is the true vine; you are clean because of the words He has spoken. Apart from Him you can do nothing. “Abide in me,” Christ said. (⁠John 15:1-11⁠). Abide is a verb relating to where you live. Where is your permanent spiritual address? Live in constant and close community with Christ.

Map out a space of peace and order, and just show up. Put yourself in a place that God can grow you. C.S. Lewis used the analogy that humans are engines fueled by God. And God is with us! Grace has appeared and He came to train us (⁠Titus 2:11-14⁠). So, abide in Him. Experience the love of God, unfold the love of Jesus (⁠Ephesians 3:14-19⁠).

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]]> Stirred Up – Week 1 https://liferoads.org/sermons/stirred-up-week-1/ Sun, 02 Mar 2025 23:40:42 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=4833 The⁠ first chapter of Peter’s second epistle⁠ challenges believers to actively pursue spiritual growth, remain rooted in God’s provision, and live lives that reflect His abundant grace. Today’s lesson focuses on three key themes. The Foundation of Faith: Peter emphasizes that believers have received a faith as precious as the apostles’, rooted in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This faith provides everything needed for life and godliness, equipping us to face life’s challenges through the knowledge of Christ. The Pursuit […]

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]]> The⁠ first chapter of Peter’s second epistle⁠ challenges believers to actively pursue spiritual growth, remain rooted in God’s provision, and live lives that reflect His abundant grace. Today’s lesson focuses on three key themes.

The Foundation of Faith: Peter emphasizes that believers have received a faith as precious as the apostles’, rooted in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This faith provides everything needed for life and godliness, equipping us to face life’s challenges through the knowledge of Christ.

The Pursuit of Spiritual Growth: Spiritual growth is a grace-fueled effort, requiring intentional actions to add virtues like self-control, steadfastness, and love to our faith. The sermon uses vivid analogies—such as a raft, rowboat, and sailboat—to illustrate how God’s grace empowers our pursuit of spiritual maturity.

The Power of Remembrance: Peter urges believers to remember God’s promises and cultivate habits of spiritual reflection. Forgetting leads to spiritual nearsightedness, while consistent remembrance strengthens faith, ensuring effectiveness and fruitfulness in our lives.

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]]> Sojourners & Exiles – Week 6 https://liferoads.org/sermons/sojourners-exiles-week-6/ Mon, 10 Feb 2025 03:33:05 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=4814 Your attitude has the power to change how you live. Drawing from 1 Peter 3:8-22, this message highlights how Christlike attitudes—like compassion and humility—shape our responses to tough situations, helping us to bless others, trust God, and live with purpose.

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]]> Your attitude has the power to change how you live. Drawing from 1 Peter 3:8-22, this message highlights how Christlike attitudes—like compassion and humility—shape our responses to tough situations, helping us to bless others, trust God, and live with purpose.

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]]> Church, Then and Now https://liferoads.org/sermons/church-then-and-now/ Sun, 14 Jan 2024 21:27:36 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=4509 Continuing our two-week look at spiritual practices, Kylan Kracher takes a look at church, then and now.

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]]> Continuing our two-week look at spiritual practices, Kylan Kracher takes a look at church, then and now.

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]]> A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Pt. 2 https://liferoads.org/sermons/a-long-obedience-in-the-same-direction-pt-2/ Sun, 08 Jan 2023 21:14:12 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=4183 How can we grow and mature in our Christian faith? According to Pastor Donnie Johnson, practicing some valuable Christian disciplines, including being daily being in the Word of God, helps make us available to God to work His grace in our lives.

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]]> Colossians 3:12-17
Colossians 3:16

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]]> A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Pt. 1 https://liferoads.org/sermons/a-long-obedience-in-the-same-direction/ Sun, 01 Jan 2023 21:38:08 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=4179 Pastor Donnie encourages us to engage in spiritual practices that will strengthen our walks with Christ in the year ahead.

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]]> 1 Timothy 4:7-8 Titus 2:11-14 Hebrews 4:16

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]]> Fully Alive Pt. 2 https://liferoads.org/sermons/fully-alive-pt-2/ Mon, 03 Oct 2022 12:42:33 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=4053 Christianity is a team sport. In Ephesians chapter 4, we are told the goal of this Christian life, both individually and together as believers in the body of Christ.

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]]> Ephesians 4:1-16

Ephesians 4:1-6

Ephesians 4:7-16

Ephesians 4:13

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]]> Practical Faith – Pt. 1 https://liferoads.org/sermons/practical-faith-pt-1/ Sun, 19 Jun 2022 19:30:27 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=3970 Today's introductory message to a new summer series on the Book of James focuses on the first four verses, the background of the author (the brother of Jesus), and James' immediate encouragement to believers to count all suffering and trials as joy ... say what? How do we do that? Pastor Donnie gives specific help to do just that.

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]]> James 1:1-4

Romans 5:3-5

2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Philippians 4:4

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]]> Love God with All Your Mind – Pt. 3 https://liferoads.org/sermons/love-god-with-all-your-mind-pt-3/ Sun, 08 May 2022 18:30:00 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=3944 What do you do with the inevitable fear and anxieties of this life? Pastor Donnie Johnson uses the story in Isaiah 36 and 37 as an example of what Christians should do when faced with scary situations, whether real or imagined, that cause anxiety and worry. In that passage, King Hezekiah was faced with a very real existential threat when Jerusalem was surrounded by the threat and might of the Assyrian Army, bent on destroying the King and his capital city. How did the king respond? And what did the Lord do for Hezekiah?

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]]> Isaiah 36:1-10

Isaiah 36:11-12

Isaiah 37:1

Isaiah 37:2-20

Psalm 55:20

Isaiah 37:33-38

Philippians 4:6-7

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