Sermons on Church Letters:

Bridges Swamped, Swamps Bridged

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 10, 2003

In times like these the very things we have created to solve human problems are easily swamped; but God wants His people to flourish and will build bridges over the difficulties.

In June of 1972 I was standing in the middle of Colesville Road, not far from my home. I was standing safely in the middle of the road because no traffic was coming through. Why not? Hurricane Agnes had done. Remember Agnes? We’ve had a lot of storms around here, but not many that did as much ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Fidelity Matters Series

Contributed by Robert Odle on May 13, 2003

Our culture is destroying itself, particularly with matters of sex. The Church must wake up and speak up before it is eternally too late!

Character Counts! Fidelity Matters (Proverbs 6:32-33) Theme: The Church is God?s prophetic voice. It must speak God?s message to the culture. Purpose: What do I want to happen in the hearer when I preach this sermon? A. Increased knowledge. After I preach this sermon, the hearer should be able ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:32-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Recognizing (And Recovering From) Spiritual Abuse

Contributed by Jim Miller on May 18, 2003

Spiritually abused Christians and spiritual abusers are more prevalent than you may think. This sermon identifies spiritual abuse and offers some remedies.

INTRODUCTION I am a victim of spiritual abuse. And, chances are, if you have been a member of a church or religious organization for any length of time, you are too. Spiritual abuse surfaces in an assortment of forms: sometimes in-your-face flagrant; other times behind-your-back subtle. It emerges ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

More Than Hatch, Match, And Dispatch Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 20, 2003

People expect only the ceremonial from the church. But God wants to give us a rich, varied, and outward-reaching life.

Last week you seemed to get a big charge out of my little story about going to a wedding rehearsal and wasting time waiting for a key person to arrive. When I said that I didn’t know what we’d do on Sunday afternoon if he didn’t show up, you let out a belly laugh. You assumed I was talking about ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Gathering The Flock

Contributed by Roger Griffith on Oct 18, 2000

What attracts people to a pastor? The Scriptures are filled with examples of men who drew others after them in love for God. Men such as Moses, David, Peter, and Paul, had vast numbers of followers. On the other hand, men such as Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel

GATHERING THE FLOCK INTRODUCTION: A. WHAT ATTRACTS PEOPLE TO A PASTOR? 1. The Scriptures are filled with examples of men who drew others after them in love for God. 2. Men such as Moses, David, Peter, and Paul, had vast numbers of followers. 3. On the other hand, men such as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:23

Spiritual Dropouts

Contributed by Roger Griffith on Oct 18, 2000

Those who drop out of church tend to struggle with their purpose in life and never find their niche in the Kingdom of God.

SPIRITUAL DROPOUTS TEXT: Gal 6:9 INTRODUCTION: A. DEFINITION OF DROPOUT 1. A school dropout is a student who leaves a school for any reason except death before graduation or completion of a course of study and without transferring to another school. 2. A spiritual dropout is a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

What Are The Qualities Of A Successful Fellowship

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

A survey of hundreds of pastors has allowed us to compile a preliminary list of measurable quality factors in the life of a congregation in ranking order. The twelve factors are:

What Are the Qualities of a Successful Fellowship Acts 2:41-47 Illustration:A survey of hundreds of pastors has allowed us to compile a preliminary list of measurable quality factors in the life of a congregation in ranking order. The twelve factors are: 1. Bible knowledge. Church members are ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Success Follows Cleansing

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Let us remember that contrary to popular opinion, God’s ways are always perfect and He knows what the church needs to make it successful

1. One might think that after the dramatic deaths of Ananias and Sapphira many would have hesitated to become involved with the Christian church ö however, just the opposite occurred. Instead of the judgment creating panic, the church experienced an extraordinary period of success. The growth of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:11-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Look What The Lord Has Done

Contributed by Jason Murphy on Oct 18, 2000

In a world where much is going on discover what the Lord has done!

I. THE WORLD A. NEWS 1. TURN ON THE NEWS 2. YOU’LL FIND THAT THE TOP NEWS STORY IS THE TV SHOW SURVIVOR HAS IT’S FINAL EPISODE TONIGHT 3. HURRICANE DEBBIE IS HEADED TOWARDS THE U.S. 4. FOOD LION PRESIDENT IS TAKING EARLY RETIREMENT B. WHAT THEY SAY 1. IN THE WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY PEOPLE AREN’T ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:7-12

Supernatural Power Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 20, 2000

For a church to be effective, it must have the supernatural power of God.

Supernatural Power Acts 11:19-26; s.s. I. Prototype of Antioch A. Hand of the Lord was with them (Acts 11:21) 1. King Saul (1 Samuel 10:1-10) 2. Elijah (1 Kings 18:46) B. Barnabas saw the grace of God (Acts 11:23) 1. Conversions (vs. 21,24) 2. Prayer & Fasting (13:2,3) 3. Spontaneous Generosity ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26

Denomination: Baptist

Christ-Exalting Worship Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 20, 2000

For a church to be effective, there must be Christ-exalting worship.

Christ-Exalting Worship Psalm 96; s.s. I. Foundation of Biblical Worship A. Music (Psalm 96:1-2) B. Ordinances (Psalm 96:2b) C. Witnessing (Psalm 96:3,10) D. Prayer (Psalm 96:4) E. Giving (Psalm 96:8) F. Scripture (Psalm 96:13) II. Fundamental Worship at Antioch A. Acts 11:27-30 (Offering ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 96:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

God-Connecting Prayer Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 20, 2000

For a church to be effective, there must be God-connecting prayer.

God-Connecting Prayer Selected Scriptures I. Priority of Prayer A. John 15:7, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” B. James 4:2b, “You do not have because you do not ask” C. Phil. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

Servant Leaders Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 20, 2000

For a church to be effective, there must be servant leadership.

Servant Leaders Selected Scriptures I. The Pattern of God in using Human Instrumentation A. Moses - Exodus 3:7-10 READ B. Paul – 1 Cor. 3:6-7, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Family Relationships Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 20, 2000

For a church to be effective, there must be kingdom family relationships.

Kingdom Family Relationships Acts 11:19-21; Selected Scriptures “The world is crying, ‘Does anybody know I’m alive?”” I. The Model Declared A. Luke 8:19-21 READ B. Matthew 23:8, “ye are all brethren” II. The Model ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

God-Sized Vision Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 20, 2000

For a church to be effective, there must be a God-sized vision.

God-Sized Vision Selected Scriptures I. A Vision Defined A. Proverbs 29:18 (NIV), “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;” 1. Revelation – “Word from God” 2. The nation or church that ignores ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18, Acts 13:1-3

Denomination: Baptist