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

I Am Not The Same Series

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Nov 8, 2003

There is an inherent need for church attendance for those who are born again that is often ignored.

November 9, 2003 Morning Worship Text: Hebrews 10:19-25 Subject: Steadfastness Title: I Am Not the Same How many of you can clearly remember when you first gave your life to Christ? If I asked you what you felt at that moment, there would probably be as many responses as there are people here ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Called By God Series

Contributed by Roger Griffith on Jul 15, 2003

Some at Galatia were attempting to descredit Paul’s ministry. Paul emphasizes that he was not called by men but by God.

CALLED BY GOD TEXT: Galatians 1:11-24 (NIV) 11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my previous way ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-24

Available For Impossible Dreams Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2003

In observance of my 17th anniversary as pastor; to worship is to become available for God’s purposes, which mean being sent to unreceptive and impossible situations. Can we dream impossible dreams about our church’s building, properties, ministries with

If what you expect to receive and what someone wants to give you are not the same thing, you are doomed to disappointment. If you want a particular thing, but the person you are dealing with is determined that you shall have something else, it is going to be tough. The other day ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Missional

Contributed by John Knight on Jul 22, 2003

What it means to be "mission" driven for the Kingdom

Missional April 14, 2002 Matthew 28:16-20 "Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Holiness

Major Adjustments Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 23, 2003

Part 6 of series on Blackaby’s Experiencing God: All are called to make adjustments to be disciples, regardless of personality. We have to give up old habits, change our time use, redirect our finances, to enter this city and change it.

The old farmer claimed that he could command his mule with nothing more than a few soft words, no whips or prods necessary. She would respond, he claimed, with nothing more than gently spoken commands. So his buddy down at the feed store asked for a demonstration. “Prove to me that your old mule ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

How Long O Lord

Contributed by John Knight on Jul 25, 2003

A challenge to the church in stagnation and/or decline.

"How Long O Lord" August 25, 2002 Isaiah 6: 8-11 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." And he said, "Go, and say to this people: ‘Hear and hear, but do not understand; see and see, but do not perceive.’ Make ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:8-11

Denomination: Holiness

Let The Pastor Move Over Series

Contributed by Dana Chau on Aug 4, 2003

Discover Jesus’ job description for the pastor.

(Message title and Scripture passage taken from John Maxwell’s series, MAKE YOUR MOVE) We are beginning a 4-part series titled, “The Dynamics of Church.” We’ll be looking at how God intends His Church to work. Again, when we talk about God’s Church, we’re talking about God’s people living and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: *other

So Filled We Cannot Stand

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 5, 2003

What brings the glory of God to worship? Discernment of where we are in God’s plan and a willingness to grow the gifts of God’s people.

What a clattering cacophony, that day in Jerusalem! What an assault on the ears! You could hardly hear yourself think. I don’t suppose they had rock concerts three thousand years ago, but it must have been a little like a rock concert. With noise, noise, noise! Loud, boisterous, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Purpose And Presence Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Aug 8, 2003

Should we (as individuals and churches) be Purpose Driven or Presence Driven? (answer: both! But we need the Presence of God to bring People, Preaching, Prophecy and Power)

Purpose and Presence Mark 2:1-12 WBC 10 Aug 2003 am I want to speak this morning about the importance of us being people, and a church, with a Purpose… but who also seek the Presence of God PURPOSE It’s very easy for us as individuals to fall into one of two camps: - ‘I’m an active kind of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist