Sermons on Congregational Affirmation:

Communion - Open, Closed, Or Cracked? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2020

Is the Communion Meal Open to all who profess Christ? Or is it overseen by the congregation hosting the meal and thus restricted to those who are in open fellowship with the assembly? The message is a study of this controversial question.

“In the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Crowd That Didn’t Follow Jesus

Contributed by Martin Ellgar on Nov 1, 2014

A perspective on Mark 5: 21-43. If we are serious about restoring our own life and the life of this congregation then we need to hear the reports about Jesus healing others.

Mark 5: 21-43 The Crowd That Didn’t Follow Jesus There are three miracles in today’s Gospel text. Can you name them? 1. The woman with the issue of blood healed. 2. Jairus’ daughter raised. 3. And perhaps, “The crowd that did not follow Jesus.” Can you imagine the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Lutheran

True Worship Series

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 2, 2014

Essential to the life and growth of any church is corporate worship. Corporate worship is a significant indicator of the true spiritual condition of a congregation. But what exactly should corporate worship look like?

Church Essentials: Part Three True Worship - Acts 2:41-42 Essential to the life and growth of any church is corporate worship. We are told that the church "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers". Corporate worship is a significant ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-42

Denomination: Baptist

Church Leaders (1 Corinthians 3)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 11, 2021

Now comes that chapter that many congregations would not want to hear. Let’s listen to what God’s minister has to preach to the Corinthians. Could it apply to us too?

Now comes that chapter that many congregations would not want to hear. Let’s not be like rebellious people, “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isaiah 30:10 KJV). Let’s listen to what God’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

On Membership Part Two Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jul 17, 2023

the Bible clearly teaches that Christians are members of the Body of Christ. But is local church membership Biblical? We examine this in this study. This is not a typical sermon, but more of a Bible study lesson for our congregation.

In doing some serious study on membership and what that looks like in the Church at a local level one encounters a potential problem. It just isn’t there. That’s not to say it is bad, wrong, or sinful to have formal membership rolls, as having such is very practical and quite helpful to local ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:28, Hebrews 13:17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Covenant For All Times

Contributed by Steve Sheek on Jan 31, 2022

Tree of Life Messianic Congregation Houston 22Jan22. At Mount Sinai God gave his people the Torah, a covenant. But it was not just a Suzerain treaty it was a Marriage agreement, a Ketubah.

20220122 Parsha Yitro – A covenant for all times Blessing Torah Portion Exodus 19:1-8 Haftarah Isaiah 6:1-7 Brit Chadashah Matthew 19:16-26 The seventeenth reading from the Torah is named Yitro, which is the literal Hebrew behind the name Jethro. The title comes from the first words ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-8, Matthew 19:16-26

Denomination: *other

Christmas: Gifts Of The Magi (Gold) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Feb 29, 2024

In Matthew 2, the wise men bring the newborn Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Share the meaning and significance of these precious gifts with your congregation this Christmas! Part one: Gold.

The Gifts of the Magi (Gold) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 12/10/2017 Christmas is a time of giving. And that means Christmas is a time of shopping. Ever since the wise men from the east showed up at the stable carrying gold, frankincense, and myrrh, people have been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16

Denomination: Christian Church

Christmas: Gifts Of The Magi (Frankincense) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Feb 29, 2024

In Matthew 2, the wise men bring the newborn Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Share the meaning and significance of these precious gifts with your congregation this Christmas! Part two: Frankincense.

The Gifts of the Magi (Frankincense) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 12/17/2017 If you’re just joining us, we’re using the three Sundays leading up to Christmas to talk about Christmas presents. No, we’re not taking turns reading our Christmas wish-lists. Rather, we’re taking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16

Denomination: Christian Church

Gifts Of The Magi (Myrrh) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Feb 29, 2024

In Matthew 2, the wise men bring the newborn Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Share the meaning and significance of these precious gifts with your congregation this Christmas! Part three: Myrrh.

The Gifts of the Magi (Myrrh) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 12/24/2017 If you’re just joining us, we’ve spent the last two weeks talking about Christmas presents. Ever since the Magi arrived in Bethlehem bearing gifts for the infant Jesus, Christmas has been a time of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16

Denomination: Christian Church

The Impact Of One Friend

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 8, 2023

We Christians are commanded to love one another. But what does such love look like? If we love one another, what practical impact will that love have on us as a congregation?

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

In The Last Days (September 17, 2023)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 3, 2023

Paul is making a point. ... His point is for the congregation of the church at Rome then and the church today is to be loving to our neighbors. Two things we want to talk about today are distractions and love.

IN THE LAST DAYS Text: Romans 13:8 -14 Romans 13:8-14  Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.  (9)  The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-14

Denomination: United Methodist

The Forgiveness Of Sins Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Nov 3, 2004

This sermon explores one part of how God removes the barrier of sin, brings us into fellowship with himself, and grants us eternal life. This teaching is summed up in the Apostles’ Creed in which we affirm our belief in "the forgiveness of sins."

Introduction As we continue our series in The Apostles’ Creed I would like to examine today what it means to believe in the forgiveness of sins. Please listen as I recite the Apostles’ Creed: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:3-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Nineteen Ways To Be Strong In Grace

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 13, 2004

When we show people their worth, value, and importance by believing in them, we show grace. We validate people by assisting them in the ministry of building the kingdom of God and His righteousness. After this kind of affirmation, few persons will label u

Nineteen Ways to Be Strong in Grace (2 Tim 2:1) "Be strong in the grace that it is in Christ Jesus." (2 Tim 2:1) Learning how to balance the Bible’s emphasis of truth and grace is a continual struggle for most people working with legalists. There is such a thing as a healthy fear of God. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Take Pleasure In Pleasing God

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Mar 15, 2009

Seeking personal pleasure is seen as the highest priority of modern culture. In our passage today Paul affirms the opposite to be true: humanity’s chief goal ought to be to take pleasure in pleasing God. The question we are going to address today is ho

TITLE : TAKE PLEASURE IN PLEASING GOD TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 INTRODUCTION: Background to the Letter: Chapters 1-3 o The oldest letter in the NT (50 AD) o Written to a Church Paul established himself o The Church was heavily persecuted and many were martyred. First by the Jews and then the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Orthodox

You Cannot Kill A Miracle From God

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 9, 2020

This story occurs a couple of days before Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and affirms that a Miracle, which comes from God and contradicts Known Scientific Law, cannot be destroyed or altered until the season for which God created the miracle has passed.

INTRODUCTION: YOU CANNOT KILL A MIRACLE. Let’s Start Looking at the Events Around The Easter Event. This Story Occurs About A Couple Of Days Before Jesus’ Triumphal Entry To Jerusalem. Webster Dictionary Defines “Miracle” As “An Event That Contradicts Known Scientific Law.” A miracle is a ...read more

Scripture: John 11:39-44, John 11:53-54, John 12:9-10

Denomination: Charismatic