Sermons on Christian Formation:

"How To Make My Church A House Of Bread” (Sourdough Spirituality)

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 31, 2002

A Communion message with Discussion on how to build a strong church family so that the church might be the body and blood of Christ for the world.

[This sermon ws inspired by Lonard Sweet’s "Sourdough Spirituality" and Rick Warren’s article on building a stronger church] (Have bread baking in church kitchen before service as people are entering building sot hey can smell the aroma of fresh baked bread.) Bring a sourdough starter into ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35, Matthew 13:33-34

Denomination: Methodist

Healing Of The Leper

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

How Jesus responded to those who were unclean teaches us a couple of lessons.

Introduction: If I were to ask those of you who are mothers, do you like for your children to come up and give you a big hug, I suspect you would say, “Of course!” But, let me ask you, are you always anxious and willing to have your beloved child run up to you and put their arms around you? ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Passing The Test

Contributed by Ryan Johnson on Aug 26, 2002

Message on Endurance and Love.

Passing the Test Adapted from John Ortberg’s message Intro: Read Matt 15:21-28 How many of you think Jesus seems a little rude here? Be honest. Boy are you in trouble. Let me explain what’s going on in this passage. Among other things, Jesus is the greatest teacher to ever lived. I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Memory And Hope In The Face Of Despair: A 9.11 Anniversary Service

Contributed by Don Hawks on Sep 10, 2002

A complete service outline for Bethany Church’s 9.11 Anniversary Service, including a message of hope in the face of despair.

(Powerpoint available--email author) 9.11.01 REMEMBRANCE SERVICE 9.11.02 7pm Instrumental Music Welcome (video clip interviewing people with question “Where Were You?” From NAMB) Remember Sept. 10—Last Day of Normal? (see NPR.org)—No? But remember where you were and what you did Sept. 11? ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:20

Denomination: Methodist

God Lifts Up, God Brings Down

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Sep 17, 2002

This sermon deals with the issue of pride and how it manages to sneak upon us all.

God Lifts Up & God Brings Down 1 Kings 11:29-39 James 4:13-17 1 Kings 11:29-14:17 If someone says, that person is full of pride, what image comes to your mind? Do you see someone who is stuck on himself? Do you imagine someone who has a big head. Do you think of someone who likes ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Facts For Life

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 28, 2002

Facts are facts, but not all facts are helpful in life.

INTRO.- Facts are facts, but not all of them are helpful to us in life. ILL.- For example, consider this fact about fleas. A flea can jump well both vertically and horizontally. Some species can jump 150 times their own length. To match that record, a human would have to spring over the length ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Habakkuk "Yet Will I Rejoice!"

Contributed by Mike Hays on Sep 29, 2002

God acted in the history of Judah to turn His people’s hearts back to Himself. The people would not heed the many opportunities God sent their way and when the prophet cried out to God -- He answered. God’s answer shocked Habakkuk. This sermon sets the sc

Habakkuk: “Yet I Will Rejoice!” The prophet of God was disturbed in his spirit. He had felt the revival fires that had visited Judah during King Josiah’s day fade from a roaring blaze to mere flickering embers. He had watched the Temple slowly become empty and the hearts of the people become full ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1, Habakkuk 3:16-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Calling All Shepherds

Contributed by Tom Balog on Oct 2, 2002

To challenge the heareres to identify themselves not always as the lost sheep but to see themselves as "lead sheep" or shepherds by caring and loving God’s "sheep", using Jesus Christ as their example.

Before we go to the Word, let us open with a word of prayer: Gracious God, you are the Good Shepherd. As we come now to your Word, help us, your sheep, to hear your voice so that we may receive the message you have for us. Lord, I ask that you use me as your vessel, so that those who hear will ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

A Need Greater Than Grief

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Oct 20, 2002

The Stages of Human Grief, and the way that God accelerated the process for the Disciples, because of the task he had for them. The Importance of Witnessing

The Need Greater Than Grief Mat 26:56, 69-70, John 19:25-27, John 20:18 - 19, John 21:1-22, Mark 16:19 - 20, Acts 1:8 October 15, 2002 I. I think that most of you know that I am a chaplain for a Hospice. People tell me all the time they can’t see how I do that. A. I do have to admit that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, John 20:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

A Practical Guide To Fasting-Part 2 Series

Contributed by Clyde Grimes on Oct 30, 2002

#4 of 4 sermons on biblical fasting.

A Practical Guide to Fasting (Part 2) (Topical) I. Where Does It Say, “Fast?” A. Explicit commands B. Expected conviction II. Why Should I Fast? III. When Should I Fast? IV. How Do I Fast? A. Types of fasts B. Accompanying attitudes and actions C. A strategy for successful fasting V. Common ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 16:29-31

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

You Were Created To Become Like Christ

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Nov 4, 2002

The third purpose of our lives is to become like Christ.

Note: This message draws heavily on the outline and ideas in Rick Warren’s sermon of the same name, in the Purpose Driven Life series. This morning, we continue our series of messages on "The Purpose Driven Life". We began by establishing that God made us for a reason, every one of us. No one here ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:29

Denomination: Baptist

One Thing I Know Series

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Oct 10, 2001

The Pharisees claimed to know everything but nothing about Jesus. The former blind man only knew one thing.

Someone said to Helen Keller, "What a pity you have no sight!" to which she replied, "Yes, but what a pity so many have sight but cannot see!" A minister, a Boy Scout, and a computer expert were the only passengers on a small plane. The pilot came back to the cabin and said that the plane was ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Baptist

Safe And Secure

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Oct 12, 2001

In the aftermath of 9/11/01 we need to find some safety and security in life.

SAFE AND SECURE Prov. 3:5-6, 24-26 INTRO.- ILL.- A backwoods boy was about to make his first parachute jump. His sergeant reminded him, “Count to ten and pull the first rip cord. If it doesn’t work, then pull the second rip cord for the auxiliary parachute. After you land, our truck will pick ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do You Know What Time It Is?

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

Now is the time to step up and hear God's voice calling us to surrender our lives to His service.

Do You Know What Time It Is? Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 The next three weeks are a crucial time for us as individuals and for us as a church. I believe that one of the greatest hindrances to the building of the Body of Christ in our country today is the lack of passion on behalf of men and women for ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Sacred Gathering

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

We need to come before the presence of Almighty God.

"A Sacred Gathering" Joel 2:12-13 'Even now,' declares the LORD, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.' {13} Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ