Sermons on Christian Purpose:

I Have A Dream

Contributed by Wes Richard on Mar 18, 2003

Using the pattern of MLK’s famous speech, this message tries to set forth a congregational vision.

I have a dream (With apologies to MLK, jr. 1962) In the Old Testament we are told that young men shall see visions and old men shall dream dreams (Joel 2:28). Some of you know that 3 or 4 times a year I am blessed with dreams about this congregation while I sleep. In most of these dreams I see ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:28

Denomination: Brethren

Advent 1

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Nov 23, 2002

We aren’t called to star gaze

Thornage 01-12-02 Mark 13:24-37 Story: In the late 19th Century in America, there was a wave of enthusiasm for prophecies predicting the actual date for Christ’s Second Coming. One such prophet was an Adventist leader William Miller (1782-1849). And it is in his movement that both ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Anglican

The Up And Sideways Of Worship Series

Contributed by Rick George on Apr 18, 2008

We must have a vertical (worship toward God) and a horizontal (edification of the church) philosophy of worship.

Have you ever wondered “Why do we gather together on Sunday mornings? What is the purpose of carving out of our busy week 2 – 3 hours to come to a place to be with other people to sing songs and to listen to a guy speak?” What is the purpose of congregational worship? I mean, you could be home ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Mission Of The Lord's Church

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Sep 5, 2002

This is a study of the Ministries of the Church of Christ in this world. Each congregation needs to examine its work to ensure that it is fulfilling God’s glorious purpose.

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus emphatically stated that He would build His "Church and the gates of Hades would not overpower it." Indeed, following His resurrection and ascension, we find His establishing the Church on Pentecost in ACTS 2. Throughout the remainder of the Book of ACTS, we see it "having ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:5-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Country Club To Church: The Membership

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Mar 11, 2008

The church is looking more like a country club with every year, this is a call back to service instead of being served. We are not on a religious vacation, but a spiritual journey.

COUNTRY CLUB TO CHURCH: THE MEMBERSHIP THEME: OVERCOMING A ME ATTITUDE FOR A CHRIST ATTITUDE TEXT: PHIL. 3:1-11 Feeling the hot sun upon me is heavenly. Walking to the pier to eat an ice-cream cone is one of the simple pleasures. Reading a great book as I hear the consistent waves in the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Celebrating And Embracing God's People

Contributed by Jim Kane on May 25, 2004

Our church and our faith is about people… and God.

This morning I begin by acknowledging two mothers who were and have been very important shapers and influencers of my life. The first is my Grandmother Kane. Though she has been dead for over 3 decades, her influence, especially concerning her deep and long-lasting faith and deep and legendary ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1-9

Denomination: Church Of God

Pruning And Pinching Series

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Oct 27, 2004

HOw the secrets that grow a Bonsai tree will kill a church.

Pruning and Pinching (On Not Becoming a Bonsai Church- Part 2) Luke 19:11-26 Recap: What is the first secret to keeping a Bonsai tree small? Keep the pot small. This week I want to share with you two more secrets for keeping the Bonsai small. They are things that sound unhealthy for the tree ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-26

Denomination: Baptist

Does God Sometimes Make You Toss And Turn?

Contributed by Wendell Blackburn on Jan 16, 2005

How God can and will make you miserable...

Does God sometimes Make you toss and Turn? JOB 7:4 When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? And I am full of tossings to and fro until the dawning of the day!! Man that’s Short but Powerful isn’t it!!!!! How many of you tonight know ...read more

Scripture: Job 7:4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Do We Worship Each Week? Series

Contributed by Brent Baker on Sep 20, 2005

If we love God then we will want to worship Him!

Why Do We Do What We Do? Why Do We Worship God Each Week? Psalms 100 1-5 & John 4:19-24 This week in our Why do We Do What We Do series, we are talking about Why do we spend time worshipping God each week? I shared that title with someone this week and they said to me well the answer to that one ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What's Driving Our Church

Contributed by Jim Kane on Mar 8, 2003

A fully functioning church is one driven by the five main functions – worship, outreach, fellowship, discipleship, and service.

Rick Warren tells the story of Westside Church’s yearly church council meeting whose sole agenda item was to determine the church program for the next year. Convened by the chairperson, Steve Johnson this is a summary what happened: “We’ve got a lot to cover tonight, folks, so we’d better get ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Church Of God

O Day Of Rest And Gladness

Contributed by Christopher Martin on Apr 17, 2007

Sermon for the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, Series B. Preached 6/18/2006 @ Beaver Creek Lutheran Church, Forest City, Iowa (ELCM) Some material from Concordia Pulpit Resources.

Pentecost 2B. Deuteronomy 5:12-15 “O Day of Rest & Gladness” 6/18/2006 Beaver Creek Lutheran Church, Forest City, Iowa (ELCM) Source Material: Concordia Pulpit Resources, Vol. 13, No.3 Sermon Outline Introduction: Every day seems to have its own personality. Fats Domino sang a song called “Blue ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Becoming A Church Of Greatness Series

Contributed by Adam Cruse on Jul 23, 2001

What does a great church look like and how can we have one?

Leadership Magazine carried a story about 4 young men, Bible College students, who were renting a house together. One Saturday morning someone knocked on their door. And when they opened it, there stood this bedraggled-looking old man. His eyes were kind of marbleized, & he had a silvery stub of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fellowship: Formed For God's Family Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Mar 7, 2004

Levels of Fellowship: 1. Membership: Choosing to belong. 2. Friendship: Learning to share. 3. Partnership: Doing my part. 4. Kinship: Loving believers as family.

(Note: The outline of this sermon and some of the content have been adapted from Rick Warren’s material on 40 Days of Purpose.) I often think of the stories my grandma told about the Depression era when people would pool their soup beans and eat at each other’s homes. Times were hard, but there ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-12

Denomination: Methodist

Expressions Of Worship Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 23, 2005

I would propose to you that God wants you to worship Him in spirit and truth. He longs to deliver His people from the religious bondage that comes from legalism, traditionalism, denominationalism and faddism. Our Lord longs for His church to look into G

Turn your Bibles to Colossians 3:16 Title: Expressions of Worship Theme: Connecting with God in the Song Service “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In What? Christ's Network - The Church Series

Contributed by Mark Green on Mar 8, 2007

The participant will be inspired to embrace life in the local church and choose one life question to begin asking in their life.

Maybe it’s been a while since you have experienced the joy of throwing rocks in a lake. But if you think back you will remember how fun it is. I know my sons and I can hardly walk by a lake without stopping to throw stones in it. And being boys, it quickly escalates to seeing who can find and throw ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible