Sermons on Church Letters:

Vision, Faith & Courage - Making Change In The Church Series

Contributed by Ken Kersten on Mar 18, 2003

It’s been said that the only person that likes change is a wet baby. This can be especially true in the church. This sermon explores the attitudes needed to successfully navigate through change.

March 16 – Standing on the East Side Numbers 32:1-6, 19 One of my favorite movie lines comes from the classic "Cool Hand Luke" in which the Captain says "What we have here, is a failure to communicate." Well, as we being I want to share with you an illustration on the need to communicate. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 32:1-19, Luke 19:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

So That's What It Looks Like!!!

Contributed by Carl Willis on Mar 21, 2003

Healthy things grow. See what a healthy church looks like.

This morning I would like to show tell you about a wonderful church. This is a church that is growing, meeting needs and changing the world for Christ. Our message this morning will be a snapshot provided of the early church from the book of Acts. "They spent their time learning from the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The War Is On: Are You Armed & Ready?

Contributed by Joyce Scott on Mar 22, 2003

We are in a war! Are you "armed and ready"?

THE WAR IS ON: Are You Armed & Ready? Ephesians 6:10-16 as preached by Minister Joyce R. Scott @ New Life Church, Franklin, Virginia 3/23/2003 THERE’S TALK ON THE STREETS. TALKS OF WAR. TALKS OF PEACE. TALKS OF PROTESTS. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Dangers Of A Fast Food Faith

Contributed by Jim Kane on Mar 24, 2003

We are to be disciples not converts.

This is the season of Lent. Lent is the 40 period prior to Easter in which Christians have been encouraged to remember the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for our salvation by giving up something for the entire 40 days. For some persons some type of food, like chocolate, is given up. Speaking of ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

Fruit Growers Of The World, Unite

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Apr 4, 2003

Abiding in Christ allows us to have the mind of Christ, produce fruit, and glorify God. So why is the church in such a miserable state?

April 6, 2003 Morning Service Text: John 15:1-8 Subject: Jesus, the True Vine Title: Fruit Producers of the World, Unite! I kind of fancy myself as a student. I am always trying to learn something new from every situation. As a young man beginning in the carpenter trade I learned by watching and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Shepherding The Flock Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 12, 2003

Pastors and elders, as a central purpose of their office are to care for souls. If not, they fail to obey God (1Pe 5:1-2, Acts 20:28), to the great detriment of the church. The goal of the elders and pastors of a church should be to see families and each

INTRODUCTION We know it by the abbreviated title: The Reformed Pastor. Originally it was - Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor, showing the nature of the Pastoral work; especially in Private Instruction and Catechizing; with an open CONFESSION of our too open SINS: Prepared for a Day of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Great Shepherd Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 12, 2003

Jesus is the great Shepherd of the flock because He fulfilled the covenant plan of redemption by offering His eternal blood as the resurrected Lamb of God. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that His sheep would have true peace through the grace of God. Th

INTRODUCTION - St Patrick’s Day He was a Roman who was taken from his home in Scotland at 16 to be a slave in Ireland and his service was to be a humble Shepherd. Later he would shepherd as at were a whole people and train over 350 Shepherds of God’s flock. I am sure by now you have guessed his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Holy Spirit's Community Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 12, 2003

In leading to this first community produced by Jesus through the Spirit, we have seen that Pentecost is likened to the Shekinah glory: As the glory of the Holy Spirit filled the earthly tabernacle, and then the Jerusalem temple, the church born at Penteco

INTRODUCTION The great church historian, Phillp Schaff, whose library is here in Lancaster said: "As to the numerical strength of Christianity at the close of the first century, we have no information whatever. Statistical reports were unknown in those days. The estimate of half a million among ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Paul, The Pastor (His Farewell Address) Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 13, 2003

Modern church leaders have often neglected the duties of overseeing the spiritual welfare of individuals and families. Sadly, biblical pastoral oversight is set aside for more promising programs. Instead, programs, facilities, and finances are impersonall

INTRODUCTION Savage Wolves: PT BARNUM - THE CIRCUS SHOWMAN - He delighted in showing an exhibit: THE HAPPY FAMILY - Lions, Tigers, and a little lamb. One asked if they had problems, Barnum said “Aside from replacing the lamb from time to time, there’s no problem.” We all know that there are ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:16-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Work Of The Ministry (Acts 6) Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 13, 2003

The Apostles responded to physical ministry needs by delegating the responsibility to qualified men in order to continue to focus on the ministry of prayer and the Word. From this we learn that such a division of labor is necessary, wise, and protects the

INTRODUCTION You might say that Socrates was ultimately responsible for the Greek NT. Socrates had a pupil: Plato (which meant “fatso”); Plato had a student, Aristotle; and Aristotle had a student, Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), the king of Macedonia that conquered the Persian empire and annexed ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Recognize That Series

Contributed by Chris Talton on Dec 3, 2002

Without interpretation, words spoken using the gift of tongues are unrecognizable. If people do not recognize – do not understand the words that you are using, then your words will have no meaning to them. All of your speaking will be worthless.

December 1, 2002 1 Corinthians 14:6-20 “I recognize that!” INTRODUCTION Our family did not go anywhere over the Thanksgiving holiday this year. In the past, we would drive however long it took to get us to either my family’s house or Tammy’s family’s house. In my case, it would take ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:6-20

Denomination: Baptist

Juntos Y En Misión ¡hasta El Fin!

Contributed by Fernando Ocampo on Dec 3, 2002

Dios tiene propósitos firmes y bien definidos. Nada de lo que ocurre en nuestra vida es producto de la casualidad, sino del plan y propósito de Dios.

Título: Juntos y en Misión ¡hasta el fin! Texto: 2 Timoteo 1:1-5 Objetivo: En este día, los miembros de nuestra iglesia, comprenderán que la voluntad de Dios, la promesa de vida en Cristo y la fe, son los elementos esenciales que nos mantiene unidos y en misión. Introducción: Dios tiene ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Start With Worship - Ezra Chapter 3

Contributed by Hannah Pinkstone on Dec 11, 2002

the Jews returned to their homeland in three waves and began to rebuild their city. but why rebuild the altar before the temple, or the city walls? because there focus was on putting God first!

I’m going to spend a bit of time talking about some of Ezra chapter 3. About 70 years before the events in this chapter, Judah was invaded by the Babylonian Empire and the people exiled. God had let this happen because they had turned their backs on him. Since then the Babylonian Empire had ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Message Of An Empty Seat

Contributed by Bo Dunford on Dec 19, 2002

Your empty seat at church preaches a sermon.

1 SAMUEL 20:16-18 “A MESSAGE FROM AN EMPTY SEAT” A) This text I read ... I personally have only heard quoted at funeral or memorial services! * It’s from verse 18 of our reading ... And this wasn’t a funeral or a memorial service! * It was between two precious friends ... Two friends that loved one ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 20:16-18

Denomination: Baptist