Sermons on Church Purpose:

Grace Under Fire

Contributed by Eric Ledermann on Jul 23, 2002

In conversations with people there is one thing I hear too often, and that is: “Boy, the Church sure is in a sad state these days.” When I read the scriptures I sense that I am truly reading about God’s grace. Grace is God’s gift to us. Grace is, then,

Rom. 11.1-2a, 29-32; Matt. 15:21-28 I. Opening A. In conversations with people there is one thing I hear too often, and that is: “Boy, the Church sure is in a sad state these days.” B. Saddens me because the church has had such an incredible affect on me. C. Why? 1. Jesus shows grace and mercy to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:29-32, Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Striving, Living, Thriving, Giving Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Sep 7, 2001

Our vision (Striving to see the Living Christ in a thriving church of giving people) did not originate with us, but with God.

Striving, Living, Thriving, Giving Hosea 14 Pastor Jim Luthy At the top of our invitation cards, on our information brochure, and on our web site, you will find a vision statement for our church: Striving to see the Living Christ in a thriving church of giving people. Striving. Living. ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 14:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Doorways To Evangelism

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Oct 11, 2001

Have we explored every possible way we can use the doorways of our church buildings to give the unchurced and unsaved access to Jesus Christ?

DESPITE LIVING UNDER THE TEACHING OF JESUS CHRIST FOR NEARLY THREE YEARS THE DISCIPLES ARE NOW HUDDLED TOGETHER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN UTTER CONFUSION. WHY? JESUS HAD DIED ON THE CROSS AND THEN BURIED, BUT REPORTS STARTED TO SURFACE THAT JESUS HAD BEEN SEEN ALIVE OUTSIDE THE TOMB. UNFORTUNATELY, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:14-16

Denomination: Free Methodist

Ministry That Heals Hurts Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 16, 2001

Another in a series concerning our church purpose statement; this one about the church as a place where healing (spiritual and otherwise) can take place.

“…Ministry That Heals Hurts,…” Matthew 8:1-7 July 29, 2001 Introduction I don’t know if it’s pride, or just a sense of being awed by the fact that God would use someone like me, but I like to tell people that I’m a minister. Maybe it’s because I’m a walking testimony to the fact that God can ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:8-17, Matthew 8:1-7

Denomination: Wesleyan

Keep The Candle Burning

Contributed by David Dewitt on Nov 28, 2001

The candle and the fire of faith must never go out!

Keep the Candle Burning Acts 2.42-47 August 3, 1997 Morning Service Introduction I. The Old Stage Coach House: Near Centerburg, Candles in every window, the purpose of remebrance, purpose of the candle, Kept the candle burning II. The History of Laurel Cliff: Centinial Sunday, Light in the window, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Church Of God

Back To The Basics

Contributed by Todd White on Dec 15, 2001

Churches need to stop trying to be "trendy" and get back to the Main Thing God put the church here to do.

BACK TO THE BASICS by Todd W. White, Pastor of South Heights Baptist Church, Sapulpa, Oklahoma. "Back to the Basics!" is the cry so often heard in the world today. Whether it be in reference to school curricula, family values, or business practices, there is definitely a move in some circles ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Practioners

Contributed by Rich Hadley on Dec 17, 2001

The Practicing (serving) Church is a: Philanthropic Church, Proclaiming Church,Persecuted Church, Protected Church, Praising Church, Praying Church, and aPowerful Church

(Excerpt from Peter Marshall—"Were you there") ("The [afternoon sun was sliding into its gentle decline] over the City of David. Already pilgrims, and visitors pouring in through [the north and south gates of the Temple; elbowing their way past those milling around in the grand court yards and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-32, Acts 3:1-6

Denomination: Holiness

God's Plan For Your Life Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Dec 29, 2001

The World uses the best equipment to send their message. Shouldn’t God’s people do at least the same?

Finding God’s Plan for Your Life - Jeremiah 1:4--10 When we open our Bibles and read the first few words of the first book we discover many things about the God who made us. He is the great creator of heaven and earth. His power to create is in his Word. His Spirit moves over the vast depths ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Hebrews 8:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Loving Others Through Outreach Series

Contributed by Don Jaques on Jan 13, 2005

We have 3 priorities – worship, small group, outreach. This week’s focus: OUTREACH. As the program states, “We are dedicated to reaching people who do not know Christ as their Savior.”

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing 1. Loving Others Through Outreach January 8/9, 2005 Don Jaques INTRO: We have 3 priorities – worship, small group, outreach. My vision is for a congregation of people who gather weekly for corporate worship, come together in small groups for discipleship and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Claudius And Herod And Elymas; Oh, My!"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 20, 2005

(or, Bad politicians, terrorists and false prophets)

(or, “Bad Politicians, Terrorists and False Prophets”) I’ve chosen a rather long portion of scripture to preach from, but I do not intend to do an expository study of these 41 verses today, so you can rest assured that this will, eventually, come to a close. What I want to do is take these ...read more

Denomination: Orthodox

When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Go Fishing...

Contributed by John Nadasi on Jan 20, 2005

A message addressing the reality of time catching up to our rural church. This is an initial call to embrace a paradigm shift within church and society. In order to speak to a new generation, we have to be willing to find new methods of communication.

Matthew 4:12-23 Paonia United Methodist Church January 23, 2005 “When the going gets tough, the tough go fishing” Can you remember back to when I gave you a message that Began with the words… Life is complicated? Well, this morning starts off with a similar statement. Life is rough. It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Methodist

"No Competition"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jan 20, 2005

In Christ, we are free to be the people we were created to be.

Matthew 20:20-28 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 “No Competition” Who are the truly great? Probably not those whose names quickly come to our minds… …because the truly great don’t tend to make the headlines, the tabloids or the evening news. In our Gospel Lesson for this morning we see that two of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: United Methodist

Those Were The Days Series

Contributed by Rich Dunbar on Feb 8, 2005

This sermon is a look at the characteristics of the early Church that made it so effective.

Those were the days! – Acts 2:40-47 Do you remember this song? (played theme song from TV sitcom “All in the Family” the song title is “Those were the days”) Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever wished for the “good old days”? Well I would submit to you that we can have those days again, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:40-47

Denomination: Baptist

What The Bible Says About The Church (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Brian Mccutchen on Feb 8, 2005

The establishment of the church or kingdom in complete fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies

What the Bible Says About... The church - part 2 #1. The Kingdom/the church A. The prophecy of the church 1. The establishment of the church or kingdom in complete fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies. 2. Isaiah 2:1-5; Joel 2:28-3:2; and Micah 4:1-3 name the city of Jerusalem as the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Master Architect

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Feb 10, 2005

An introductory message for a new series dealing with church related issues.

God’s Glorious Church The Master Architect Matthew 16:18 Woodlawn Baptist Church February 6, 2005 Introduction In Matthew 16, beginning in verse 13, we read the following words: “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Baptist