Growing Faith Church Sermons

The Danger of a New Building: Gen. 11

Series: Made for More: Identity, Purpose, and Grace in the Beginning
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
November 23, 2025
1. The Church's Purpose is Not to Settle Down Inside a Building. (vv. 1-4, 8)
2. The Church Must Not Seek to Create a Name for Itself. (vv. 1-5)
3. God Will Judge the Church That Gets Purpose and Identity Wrong. (vv. 6-9)
4. God Will Use the Church to Accomplish His Purposes. (11:10-12:3)
The Tower of Babel reveals humanity's tendency to create identity and purpose apart from God's design. The builders wanted to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered, directly rebelling against God's command to fill the earth. God confused their language and scattered them, preventing coordinated rebellion while fulfilling His original plan. This ancient story warns against spiritual complacency and pride in our own lives. Just as the tower builders sought their own glory, we often try to build our significance through careers, achievements, or comfort zones. God's redemptive plan ultimately triumphs, transforming the division of Babel into the unity found in Christ and His church.

The Blessing and the Curse: Gen. 9:18-10:32

Series: Made for More: Identity, Purpose, and Grace in the Beginning
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
November 16, 2025
1. The Curse of Sin is Still Present (vv. 18-21)
2. Our Response to Sin Should be Compassion, Not Condemnation (vv. 22-23)
3. Sin Results in a Curse (vv. 24-29)
4. God Blesses Us to Be a Blessing to Others (10:1-32)
 

God's Grace Towards Us: Gen. 8:1-9:17

Series: Made for More: Identity, Purpose, and Grace in the Beginning
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
November 9, 2025
1. God's Grace is Seen in His Timing (8:1-8:19)
2. God's Grace is Seen in His Response to Worship (8:20-22)
3. God's Grace is Seen in His Commands (9:1-17)
4. God's Grace is Seen in His Covenants (9:8-17)
The flood story in Genesis reveals God's incredible grace, not just His judgment. While humanity's sin had become so corrupt that divine intervention was necessary, God chose to save Noah's family rather than start over completely. Throughout their year-long journey on the ark, God demonstrated His grace through perfect timing, faithful provision, unbreakable promises, and patient love. The rainbow serves as an eternal reminder that God's grace has been present from the beginning, showing us that the God of the Old Testament is the same gracious God we see in Jesus.
 

Taking God Seriously: Gen. 6 and 7

Series: Made for More: Identity, Purpose, and Grace in the Beginning
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
November 2, 2025
1. We Must Take God's Wrath Against Sin Seriously (6:11-13; 7:21-24)
2. We Must Take God's Sovereignty Seriously (7:6-24)
3. We Must Take Our Walk with God Seriously (6:17-18, 22, 7:1, 5, 9, 16, 23)
4. We Must Take God's Grace Seriously (7:17-24)
The story of Noah's flood reveals profound truths about God's character and our relationship with Him. God's wrath against sin isn't an emotional outburst but the natural response of perfect holiness encountering evil. While we like to think we're in control of our lives, God remains sovereign over all creation. Many people practice casual faith, but Noah demonstrates what serious commitment to God looks like through complete obedience. Of all the people living during the flood, only eight were saved, reminding us that the gate to life is narrow. We must examine our hearts to ensure we're truly saved by grace through faith, not just assuming we're safe based on church attendance or family background.
 

Marks of a Godly Family: Gen. 4:17-5:32

Series: Made for More: Identity, Purpose, and Grace in the Beginning
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
October 19, 2025
1. Godly Families Worship the Lord (4:17-26)
2. Godly Families Walk with God (4:19-24; 5:21-24)
3. Godly Families Hope for the Future (4:17-24; 5:28-31)
The first biblical genealogy reveals two contrasting family lines that teach us how to build a godly legacy. Cain's descendants represent self-worship, walking away from God, and living only for today, while Seth's line demonstrates worship of the Lord, walking with God, and hoping for the future. These ancient families faced the same challenge we do: building a God-honoring family in a fallen world. The difference between these paths doesn't just affect us but impacts generations that follow. No matter your family history, God offers a new beginning to break generational patterns and set a trajectory that will outlive you.

Attitude Check: Gen. 4:1-16

Series: Made for More: Identity, Purpose, and Grace in the Beginning
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
October 12, 2025
1. Do You Have a Mechanical Attitude Toward Worship? (vv. 1-5a)
2. Do You Have a Defiant Attitude Toward Repentance? (vv. 5b-7)
3. Do You Have an Indifferent Attitude Toward Others? (vv. 8-10)
4. Do You Have an Ungrateful Attitude Regarding God's Grace? (vv. 11-16)
The story of Cain and Abel reveals four critical spiritual attitude checks we need to avoid sin's destructive path. First, we must guard against mechanical worship by engaging our hearts, not just going through religious motions. Second, when God convicts us of sin, we should respond with humble repentance rather than defensive anger like Cain did. Third, we must reject indifference toward others and actively love our neighbors instead of harboring jealousy or resentment. Finally, we should cultivate deep gratitude for God's grace rather than taking His mercy for granted. Just as pilots regularly check their attitude to stay level, we need consistent spiritual attitude checks to master sin before it masters us.

Mistaken Identity, Frustrated Purpose, Amazing Grace: Gen. 3

Series: Made for More: Identity, Purpose, and Grace in the Beginning
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
October 5, 2025
1. Sin Results from a Misplaced Identity (vv. 1-6)
2. Sin Destroys Community with God and Others (vv. 7-13)
3. Sin Frustrates Our God-given Purpose (vv. 14-17)
4. Sin Can Only Be Overcome by Amazing Grace (vv. 18-24)
Genesis 3 reveals how sin entered the world when Adam and Eve were tempted to question God which caused them to misplace their identity and try to become their own gods. This pivotal moment broke humanity's perfect communion with God and each other, introducing shame, blame, and fear into relationships. Sin also frustrated God's purposes for humanity, making work difficult and bringing death into the world. Yet even in this tragedy, God's grace shines through—He came to find Adam and Eve, promised a Savior, and provided covering for their shame. Through Jesus Christ, we can find restoration to our true identity and purpose as God's beloved children.

God's Original Design: Gen. 2:4-25

Series: Made for More: Identity, Purpose, and Grace in the Beginning
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
September 28, 2025
1. God Provides Life (vv. 4-7)
2. God Provides Abundantly for Us (vv. 8-14)
3. God Provides Meaningful Work (v. 15)
4. God Provides Community (vv. 18-25)
5. God Provides a Choice (vv. 16-17)
God's original design for humanity in Genesis 2 reveals four essential provisions: life, abundance, purpose, and community. God personally formed humans and breathed life into them, demonstrating His desire for intimate relationship. He placed them in a paradise of abundance with everything they needed and more. He gave them meaningful work to cultivate creation, fulfilling their need for purpose. Finally, He provided community, recognizing that isolation is not good for humans. Throughout this design, God gave humanity the freedom to choose whether to trust His goodness or reject it—a choice we still face today.

Sabbath Grace: Gen. 2:1-3

Series: Made for More: Identity, Purpose, and Grace in the Beginning
Preached at Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
September 21, 2025
1. The Sabbath is a Blessing (v. 3)
2. The Sabbath is Set Apart as Holy (v. 3)
3. The Sabbath is a Picture of Grace (vv. 1-3)
4. The Eternal Sabbath Comes Through Faith
The Sabbath is not merely a list of restrictions but a divine blessing established at creation when God rested and made the seventh day holy. It serves as a reminder of both God's creative work and His redemptive acts. Our struggle to rest often reveals our reluctance to trust God's sovereignty. Jesus challenged legalistic Sabbath interpretations, declaring Himself 'Lord of the Sabbath.' Ultimately, the Sabbath points to the gospel—just as God rested when His work was complete, we rest in the finished work of Christ, entering God's true rest through faith rather than works.

Can These Bones Live? Ezekiel 37:1-14

Preached for Growing Faith Church, Liberty, NC
in a joint service with Macedonia Baptist Church, Liberty, NC
September 14, 2025
1. God is There When it Looks Like the End (vv. 1-3)
2. God's Word Builds Up the Broken (vv. 4-8)
3. God's Spirit Brings Life from Death (vv. 9-10)
4. God Will Always Keep His Promises (vv. 11-14)
Pastor Brian reflects on the union of a young church and a historic congregation, using Ezekiel 37’s vision of dry bones to explore how God brings life to what seems dead. Whether it's personal loss, seasons of change, or churches facing transition, we’re reminded that God doesn’t do endings—He creates new beginnings. Through the power of God’s Word and His Spirit, lifeless situations can be revived, and His promises always come to pass.
This message challenges us to surrender to the Spirit, trust in God’s faithfulness, and see our role not as preserving the past but advancing His eternal Kingdom. No matter how dry or scattered the bones, God asks: Can these bones live? And through Him, the answer is always yes.