Sermons on A Model Church:

Is Official Or Formal Church Membership In A Local Church According To Scripture – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 3, 2025

Formal church membership that involves special membership and voting rights is contentious. In this Part 2, I open up the matter to show how out of sync the matter is with the membership of the one Body of Christ, and the discrimination. We delve into some scriptures to bring this out.

IS OFFICIAL OR FORMAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE – PART 2 In Part 1 we looked at the practice some churches have of there being an official local church membership that divides “members”, adherents and attendees into “MEMBERS” and “NON-MEMBERS” depending if one has ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10, Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 6:15, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 1 Corinthians 12:18-20, 1 Corinthians 12:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Official/Formal Church Membership In A Local Church According To Scripture? – Part 3 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 7, 2025

Regarding this matter of formal church membership, it is examined alongside mainly Ephesian verses. The subject is opened up to understand the New Testament practice of being members of one another and the equality in the Body of Christ. Membership of Christ’s Body covers it all.

IS OFFICIAL/FORMAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE? – PART 3 Part 3 (there are 4 parts) continues to look at various scriptures in this study of formal church membership over and above the one membership that unites all believers into one Body, and makes them all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:26-28, Ephesians 2:13-16, Ephesians 2:19-22, Ephesians 3:5-6, Ephesians 4:3-7, Ephesians 4:11-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Official/Formal Church Membership In A Local Church According To Scripture? – Part 4 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 7, 2025

This is the final part and we look at a numbers of issues here as well as two statements from Internet sites on why membership is important. Over and over I am opposing this notion that commitment is connected with official membership. It is judgemental and untrue. I hope this is of some value.

IS OFFICIAL/FORMAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE? – PART 4 We have been looking at some passages of scripture from Paul’s writings and in vain, do we look for even the slightest suggestion that a church has official membership that discriminates among the Christians ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:29-30, Philippians 4:1-3, 3 John 1:9, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 2 Corinthians 2:6, Hebrews 13:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Biggest Problem Every Church Faces

Contributed by Bradley Kellum on Sep 3, 2009

What’s your church’s biggest problem? Can you name it? Paul names it in Philippians 2:19-23

It was an eye opening experience. I was in the 9th grade in high school and I was playing on the Men’s Varsity Soccer Team. My best friend in my 9th grade class was a guy named Matt. Matt had an older brother named Nathan who was in the 11th grade. Before their seasons starts, every sports ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer: The True Calling Of God's Church Series

Contributed by Daniel Richter on Jun 18, 2008

Becoming a church that is devoted to prayer...

Prayer: The True Calling of God’s Church I used to have a picture hanging in the back of my youth room in Ohio. It was over the doors that we came into and out of so it was the last thing that you saw as you left the room. It was a picture of Christ. It was a beautiful picture. He was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:14

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Serving Together

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 6, 2016

If Jesus is Lord over all things in the church, how much freedom do I have to quit because I am offended?

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Church - It's Not About You! (Part 1)

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Sep 12, 2004

Message attempting to take the focus off us and onto God and the unreached.

Church – It’s Not About You! (Part 1) Various Scriptures September 12, 2004 Introduction We’re setting aside our study of Matthew for a few weeks, because I want us to just cover something that is at the basis of what we are trying to accomplish as a church here at AWC. If you have been part of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Right Stuff

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 12, 2002

one of a series in the book of Acts

The right stuff - the wrong way We have the right stuff 10 years/Win Arn in Marquette MI about the Christian church movement. I went with some LSCC Elders and listened and learned. He said the Christian Church movement was ideally suited to reach American culture for Jesus and it should be able ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-8, Ezekiel 34:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

From Visitor To Guest

Contributed by Guy Glass on Feb 24, 2008

God is concerned about the treatment of people. He wanted them to feel welcome. Our churches today need to view visitors differently, sharing with them the same concern God has. This message looks at some easy things we can do to chage our perception o

From Visitor To Guest Romans 15:7 Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Lev 19:33 - Lev 19:34 (TMSG) “When a foreigner lives with you in your land, don’t take advantage of him. Treat the foreigner the same as a native. Love him like ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7

Denomination: Baptist

A Call To Serve

Contributed by Paul Decker on Feb 20, 2006

The role of deacon is a ministry of service.

A CALL TO SERVE Acts 6.1-7; I Timothy 3.8-13 S: Church Structure C: Deacons Th: A People with Purpose Pr: THE ROLE OF DEACON IS A MINISTRY OF SERVICE. ?: How? How do we come to that conclusion? KW: Issues TS: We will find in our study of Scripture four issues that will guide us in our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Ministry - Investing In Others

Contributed by Carl Allen on Dec 6, 2007

What is a good investment today? Several strong companies that enjoyed a superior reputation a year ago are now struggling to service. Companies like Enron, Nextel, Worldcom, Delta, and United have suffered huge losses. Financial investing has always b

Ministry – Investing in Others Matthew 20:28-34 Intro What is a good investment today? Several strong companies that enjoyed a superior reputation a year ago are now struggling to service. Companies like Enron, Nextel, Worldcom, Delta, and United have suffered huge losses. Financial investing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:28-34

Denomination: Baptist

God's Formula For Success Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Jan 19, 2010

There is a common desire within every person to feel successful isn’t it? Nobody wants to fail whether it’s in life, their business/employment, or their church. And sadly, we often measure our worth on the basis of how successful we are. As we will be re

There is a common desire within every person to feel successful isn’t it? Nobody wants to fail whether it’s in life, their business/employment, or their church. And sadly, we often measure our worth on the basis of how successful we are. By the world’s standard, success often ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

Leading In Tough Times

Contributed by David Dewitt on Aug 20, 2002

Joshua gives us a model for leading during challenging times

Leading in Tough Times Joshua 1:5-9 Leadership Team Devotional April 9, 2002 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:5-9

Denomination: Church Of God

Jesus Washed The Disciples Feet Series

Contributed by Robert Galasso on Mar 6, 2002

Jesus modeled the role of a servant for us to continue with one another.

Introduction: How could the very Son of God stoop to wash the dirty feet of men? What would motivate him toward such an action of humility? Are there any lessons from Christ that we need to apply to the way we approach ministry? Did those present fully understand what was going on? Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Experience Complete Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Stephen Pattison on Mar 14, 2005

From the trials, models for handling our sin, guilt, and shame.

“Experiencing the Passion” Series Sermon 2: “Experience Complete Forgiveness” (From the trial scene) – March 12/13, 2005 My preaching partner old me about an old guy he talked to recently. This guy is nearing the end of his life and he is struggling. He is haunted by his sin – decisions ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ