Sermons on Church Letters:

A Slowly-Moving Ship

Contributed by Pat Cook on Oct 21, 2003

A sermon for my friend’s induction service, it uses a long analogy of a rescue ship with food and medicine, unwilling to share with others.

Ephesians 4:1-16 – A Slowly-Moving Ship A ship rocked slowly upon the greasy seas. Its sails were tattered, its masts spliced, and its hull leaky with worm-eaten planks, but it still stayed afloat. It had been sailing for many years – for generations, actually. Many years ago it had been loaded ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Rev It Up, Hop It Up, Tone It Up, Tune It Up

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Oct 21, 2003

Some things need to be revved up.

INTRO.- ILL.- One lady said, “I always do my exercises regularly every morning. Immediately after waking I always say sternly to myself, “Ready now. Up. Down. Up. Down!” And after two strenuous minutes I tell myself, “OKAY, NOW TRY THE OTHER EYELID.” ILL.- Mark Twain once said, “The only way ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Moving With A Purpose Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Kellum on Oct 28, 2003

This sermon outlines the principles found in the Book of Nehmiah as presented by Dan Southerland in "Transitioning"

I. Introduction: Our community is changing. 20 years ago you couldn’t buy property around here. Today there are few large tracts of land left. Our community has grown to 15 times its size 20 years ago. Yet each of the four main churches have decreased to anywhere from 1/2 to 1/3 of the size they ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Guideline #7: Every Member In Ministry Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Nov 3, 2003

Being a Christian means being a minister.

SERIES: “GOD-GIVEN GUIDELINES FOR GROWING A GREAT CHURCH” TEXT: EPHESIANS 4:7-16 TITLE: Guideline #7: “EVERY MEMBER IN MINISTRY” (bulk of material from Bob Russel’s When God Builds A Church) INTRODUCTION: A. Sometimes it’s extremely difficult to get a well-established church to get moving ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Guideline #8: Continually Practice Agape Love For One Another Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Nov 3, 2003

Jesus Christ shows us what agape love is all about and commands us to practice it in our corporate and private lives.

SERIES: “GOD-GIVEN GUIDELINES FOR GROWING A GREAT CHURCH” TEXT: 1 JOHN 4:7-12 TITLE: “CONTINUALLY PRACTICE AGAPE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER” (Based on and material taken from Bob Russel’s When God Builds A Church) INTRODUCTION: A. Two teenage young men were out cave exploring when they found ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Superiority Of The New Covenant Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Nov 4, 2003

The Old Covenant vs. The New Covenant It’s Sanctuary is Superior. It’s Sacrifice is Superior. It’s Security is Superior.

The Superiority of the New Covenant Hebrews 8:1–13 I. It’s Sanctuary is Superior. (Hebrews 8:1–2) A. The place is better. Mark 16:19 B. The priest is better. Heb. 4:14–16 II. It’s Sacrifice is Superior. (Hebrews 8:3–4) A. The Levitical priests offered up animals in the earthly ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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