Sermon Central
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Community Of The Church
Contributed by Davon Huss on May 7, 2014 (message contributor)
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1. What A Fellowship!
Contributed on Jun 2, 2014
A sermon on koinonia, fellowship of the church (Outline from John Stott in his book, The Living Church, Chapter 5 Fellowship, pages 91- 94; Seedthoughts from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, Chapter 6 Intimately Connected)
HoHum: Object needed: A clear bottle with a top, water, vegetable oil, food coloring. Scripture: John 17:11-16 There are two things in this bottle. Can you guess what they are? Colored water --- and oil. When we look at this bottle with oil and water in it, the first thing that we notice is ...read more
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2. Why The Church?
Contributed on May 7, 2014
A sermon that begins a series on the community of the church (Material adapted from introduction of Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, from College Press)
HoHum: It’s popular today to meet with friends at a coffee shop and call it “church.” In some cases it is but most of the time it isn’t. It’s difficult to stand in defense of the church when there are so many examples of dysfunctional churches around us. But ...read more
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3. Together We’ll Make It Home
Contributed on Nov 3, 2014
We will persevere in tough times together through our church community (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community; chapter 14 Radically Perseverant, pgs. 367-370)
HoHum: Pray for David and Philomena Morris- Monday, October 20th, 2014 After the right-wing Hindu nationalist BJP took power following India's general elections in May, attacks on Christians and other minorities by Hindu radical groups has skyrocketed. In Uttar Pradesh, 600 reports of violence ...read more
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4. Into The Future
Contributed on Nov 3, 2014
Talking about our ultimate eternal existence, the new heaven and the new earth (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community, chapter 15 Eternally Worshiping, pgs. 373- 380)
HoHum: This is from Daniel Overdorf but I am have been in many of these kinds of conversations and situations: One Friday afternoon I struggled to prepare for the weekend. The week’s hectic pace, filled with activities, left me scrambling on Friday to finish my sermon. While I hunched ...read more
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5. The Present Heaven
Contributed on Nov 16, 2014
How and where do believes exist between their deaths and Jesus' Second Coming? (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Has to Say About the Church: Rediscovering Community; chapter 15 Eternally Worshiping, pgs. 386- 390)
HoHum: Begin by reading Luke 16:19-31 From Rick Kallstrom- A few years ago I preached a message on hell. After the service I walked to the back of the church to shake hands with members of the congregation as they left the church. One individual said to me, “Preacher, I never knew what hell ...read more
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6. Unity Is Hard To Come By
Contributed on Sep 6, 2014
A sermon on barriers to unity (adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter 10 Graciously United, pages 308-314)
HoHum: Daniel Overdorf- A few years ago I visited a couple in their home. Both husband and wife had lived most of their lives apart from Christ and His church. Their marriage- a second marriage for both- had grown rocky. The 50 year old husband faced a frightening battle with cancer, and ...read more
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7. The Authority Of The Word
Contributed on Oct 14, 2014
A sermon on the authority of the Word, the Bible, for the church (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, Word Driven chapter)
HoHum: My father in law was asked to intermediate in a dispute between a preacher and the elders/ deacons. In a heated meeting the preacher was talking how the Bible related to the issue at hand. One leader said something like this, “Well, the Bible might say that but I feel...” The ...read more
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8. Dare To Be A Daniel
Contributed on May 21, 2014
A sermon promoting Christian camp and also talking about how Christians are to be distinct (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community, chapter 2 Culturally Distinct, pg. 63- 69)
HoHum: I was listening to High Schoolers/ Junior Counselors talk about what they loved about Christian camp. I will never forget the testimony of one young man. He said that he was living in a rough neighborhood. His friends always wanted him to do things that he knew as a Christian he should ...read more
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9. Culturally Distinct
Contributed on May 21, 2014
A sermon focused on OT on how the church is to be culturally distinct (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community, chapter 2 Culturally Distinct, pg. 49- 63)
Introduction: God calls his people to remain distinct from our culture. To be distinct is to be different in nature from something else, more than just being different. Often say that we are to be different from our culture and this is correct. However, there are many individuals and groups ...read more
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10. Our Childhood
Contributed on Oct 24, 2014
To persevere during trying times we need to remember our childhood (sonship) in Christ (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community, chapter 14 Radically Perseverant pgs 358-363)
HoHum: Fred Craddock, while lecturing at Yale University told of going back one summer to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to take a short vacation with his wife. One night they found a quiet little restaurant where they looked forward to a private meal - just the two of them. While they were waiting for ...read more
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11. We Are Not Divided All One Body We
Contributed on Jul 29, 2014
A sermon on the body of Christ, the church, and how the parts interrelate (Material adapted from Dr. Justin Imel at: http://www.preachinghelps.com/bodilyfunctions.html and seedthoughts from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter 11)
HoHum: Several years ago, two students graduated from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. The highest ranking student in the class was a blind man named Overton and, when he received his honor, he insisted that half the credit should go to his friend, Mr. Kaspryzak. They had met one another in school ...read more
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12. Baptism And The Church
Contributed on Jul 15, 2014
A sermon on how baptism relates to the church (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter 10 Sacramentally Participating pg. 241- 254)
HoHum: How can one be baptized without the church? Christians are the church. If not a Christian then not part of church, if a Christian then part of church. We have no record of anyone in the NT baptizing themselves. Imagine someone coming to the point of wanting to be baptized, they come ...read more
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13. The Spoken Nature Of The Word
Contributed on Sep 25, 2014
A sermon on the public reading of Scripture (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community, chapter 13 Word Driven, pages 333-338)
HoHum: One of Crystal’s students, an African American, is into Spoken Word. Here is a sample called The Last Laugh by Sabrina Nicole: I’m not an ego maniac you know the type that gives others a heart attack I get my vital nutrition From a dietitian Who only asks for my Submission ...read more
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14. Worship On Earth As It Is In Heaven
Contributed on Nov 16, 2014
How does God intend us to worship on earth? Refer to title (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community; chapter 15 Eternally Worshiping, pgs. 390- 398)
HoHum: During a worship service a man began to be moved. Out loud he said “Amen!” People around him were a little disturbed. Then louder he said, “Hallelujah!” A few more people were becoming disturbed. Louder still he shouted “Praise Jesus!”An usher moved ...read more
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15. Achan's Folly
Contributed on May 31, 2014
A sermon on accountability starting with Joshua 7 (Outline and material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community, Chapter 3 Communally Responsible, pages 80-93)
HoHum: On a cruise ship, some stewards and sailors became concerned about a clanging noise from one of the cabins. They forced open the door to this cabin and saw that a man was taking a pick ax to the side of the boat. The stewards and sailors restrained this man and asked him, “What are ...read more
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16. If You Give A Mouse A Cookie
Contributed on Sep 13, 2014
A sermon on unity from Philippians 2:1-11 (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter 12 Graciously United, pages 308- 314)
HoHum: Read to the congregation If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff WBTU: No, I haven’t lost my mind. This book illustrates “if... then” statements. If you give a mouse a cookie, then this and that will happen. These are called conditional statements, if ...read more
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17. I'm Not A Shepherd, I'm A Butcher
Contributed on Aug 27, 2014
A sermon on elders (adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community, chapter 11 Purposefully Designed, pgs. 288- 295)
HoHum: Lynn Anderson, in "They Smell Like Sheep” relates this story: “Several years ago in Palestine, Carolyn and I rode a tour bus through Israel’s countryside nearly mesmerized as the tour guide explained the scenery, the history, and the lifestyle. In his description, he ...read more
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18. Providing Care Within The Community
Contributed on May 31, 2014
A sermon on physical and spiritual care in God's community, the church (Outline and material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community, chapter 3 Communally Responsible, pages 71- 79)
HoHum: Older baseball fans remember when Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play MLB, joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. Wherever the Dodgers traveled, opposing players and fans spewed hateful words and racial slurs at Robinson. Pitchers threw fastballs at his head. Opposing base runners ...read more
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19. Lord's Supper And The Church
Contributed on Jul 22, 2014
A sermon on the Lord's Supper or Communion (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter 10 Sacramentally Participating, pg. 255- 265)
HoHum: Have children come up front and do children’s minute with them: Objects needed: A piece of string, a pad of Post-It Notes, an electronic pocket calendar (Kindle), a throw away communion cup and a piece of communion bread Do you ever have trouble remembering things? Of course you ...read more
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20. Missionaries Have A Lot To Teach Us
Contributed on Jun 23, 2014
A sermon talking about Jesus' mission and then the church's mission (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter 8 Mission Focused)
HoHum: Daniel Overdorf- I recently traveled with some friends to central Mexico for a week long mission trip. The missionaries we visited function like most I’ve met, using their time and resources on ministering to their community. The leaders of this mission, and the churches they lead, ...read more
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21. Our Chosenness
Contributed on Oct 24, 2014
We will persevere in tough times because we know that we are chosen by God (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community, chapter 14 Radically Perseverant pgs. 363-367)
HoHum: Children playing at school began to tease an adopted child. “You don’t have any real parents,” one boy stated. Another chimed in, “You don’t know who your parents are.” The adopted child simply stated, “Your parents are stuck with you, but my ...read more
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22. Conflict And Community
Contributed on Mar 14, 2016
Seven steps for resolving conflict (Material adapted from John Ortberg's book, Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them, Chapter 7 Community is Worth Fighting For, pgs. 125-145)
HoHum: One Sunday a minister was finishing up a series on marriage. At the end of the service he was giving out small wooden crosses to each married couple. He said, "Place this cross in the room in which you fight the most and you will be reminded of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and you ...read more
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23. The Return Of Christ
Contributed on Nov 16, 2014
View the Second Coming with 3 images, pictures (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Has To Say About the Church: Rediscovering Community; Chapter 15 Eternally Worshiping, pgs. 380-387)
HoHum: It seems like stores put out their Christmas merchandise earlier every year. Let’s start selling Christmas stuff in July, beat the holiday rush. Song by Brave Combo- The president was passing laws, Gave a call to Santa Claus He said, "get that toy machine on high. Economy is in a ...read more
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24. A Cross And A Covenant
Contributed on May 7, 2014
A sermon on how the church is reflected in the OT covenants (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter one- Covenant Graced)
HoHum: Daniel Overdorf- I visited a friend in the hospital. He had neared the end of an extended battle with cancer. The chemotherapy had taken most of his ability to think. I read some Scripture passages to him about God’s promises, unsure if he even heard me, then I prayed. As I turned ...read more
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25. Community Is Unity
Contributed on Jun 30, 2014
A sermon on what the Holy Spirit gives (or wants to give) to the church (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter 9 Spirit Empowered)
HoHum: Imagine Clark Kent living his whole life without knowing he was Superman. Can we picture Clark Kent on his deathbed, looking down and muttering, “What’s that big “S” on my T-shirt? Superman? What’s that?” How sad! Even sadder is the fact that ...read more
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26. Leadership In The Community
Contributed on Aug 18, 2014
A sermon on leadership (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community, chapter 11 Purposefully Designed, pgs. 277- 287)
HoHum: Have children come up front and do children’s minute with them. Do you have a role model? "What's a role model?" you might be asking? Well, a role model is a person that you respect, admire, and want to be like in some way. It might be a famous person such as a great athlete or a ...read more
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27. Confidence Brings
Contributed on Oct 18, 2014
A sermon on confidence in the midst of trials and troubles (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, What the Bible Says About the Church: Rediscovering Community, chapter 14 Radically Perseverant, pgs. 347-357)
Introduction: Confidence, I’m going to speak on confidence this morning. Lord, I think you have the wrong guy. Always struggled with having confidence I was raised in a home where we were taught to excel at whatever we did. My brother operates his own landscaping business, one sister ...read more
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28. The Centrality Of The Word
Contributed on Oct 14, 2014
A sermon on the importance, the centrality, of the Word, the Bible, for the church (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, Word Driven chapter)
HoHum: Timothy Paul Jones- With high hopes we had moved to a new youth ministry position. On my first Wednesday evening at this church, I received my first hint that this task might be more difficult than I’d imagined. After a couple of games, I gathered the students for some worship ...read more
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29. Missional Church
Contributed on Jun 23, 2014
A sermon on the need to reach the community outside the church (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter 8 Mission Focused)
HoHum: The Blues Brothers were on "a mission from God" to save from foreclosure the Catholic orphanage in which they grew up. Like the Blues Brothers, we need to believe and know that we are on a mission from God. In recent years there has been a renewed emphasis on the missional nature and ...read more