Sermons on Congregational Autonomy:

How Should We Interpret Noah And His Ark?

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Mar 4, 2006

Sermon for the 1st Sunday in Lent. An invitation to the congregation to join in the struggle of interpeting Scripture.

1st Sunday in Lent March 5, 2006 “Series B” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, during this season of Lent, empower us by your Holy Spirit, that we might truly humble ourselves before you, our ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Genesis 1-4

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Dec 27, 2006

Going into the New Year by taking the congregation along on a walk-through of the Bible, starting in GENESIS.

No matter which version of the Bible you open, you will see very similar wording, in GENESIS 1:1. ‘In the beginning, God created ….’ If you believe these first five words, you have the basics of belief that will enable you to believe in the entire Bible, and to use it in your daily ...read more

Denomination: *other

We've Come Too Far To Turn Back Now

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Oct 30, 2010

This message is a celebration and refocusing message for my congregation as we enter into our new sanctuary.

We Have Come Too Far To Turn Back Now Scripture: Hebrews 11:13-16 Introduction: My message this morning is a simple one and it is titled: “We’ve Come Too Far To Turn Back Now.” Last week Jackie told us that we must look forward and that we cannot look back on where we were. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Tale Of Two Waters

Contributed by Ken Pell on Mar 2, 2008

To encourage the congregation to draw near to Christ in order to find a genuine quenching for their spiritual thirst.

A Tale of Two Waters John 4:6-42 (portions) {NIV} Sermon Objective: To encourage the congregation to draw near to Christ in order to find a genuine quenching for their spiritual thirst. Supporting Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; John 7:37-39 4Now he had to go through Samaria. ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-42

Denomination: Nazarene

A Church That Serves Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Mar 5, 2008

Congregations are not spiritual spas. They’re places where needs are met and people are served.

SERIES: “LESSONS FROM THE EARLY CHURCH” TEXT: ACTS 6:1-7 TITLE: “A CHURCH THAT SERVES” OPEN: A. A number of years ago, a team of white-jacketed scientists marched with clipboards in hand into the barnyard and sat down outside the chicken coop. They were there to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Do You Really Need?

Contributed by Paul Johnson on Mar 21, 2008

Encouragement to congregation to examine and realign their wants and needs to the glory of God and the furtherance of His Kingdom.

What do you really need? Sermon Title – What do you really need? Sermonic Text - John 19:28-29 After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ’I am thirsty.’ 29A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-29

Denomination: Methodist

Ordination Sermon

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 8, 2007

Includes vows taken by the men being ordained, vows by their wives, by the Elders and by the congregation in attendance.

OPEN: Back in 1957 the 1st Brethren Church of Sarasota, Florida had a groundbreaking service. Ordinarily, a church will get a few shovels and certain people will turn over a few chunks of dirt. But recalling the words of Jesus, "Take my yoke upon you," this church decided to borrow an old one-horse ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Care For The Poor

Contributed by C Jordan on Oct 23, 2007

A message delivered to our congregation by John Mohan, director of Siloam Mission in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Dear friends, <note - this is more of an article than a sermon outline - to go along with the audio file> In January of this year, the Lord spoke this Scripture to my heart for a vision for our church ministry for 2007: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1, Isaiah 61:1-5

Denomination: *other

I Know Thy Works

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Dec 8, 2011

The works of every congregation and that of each individual member are known by God and shall be rewarded by Him.

I KNOW THY WORKS STUDY TEXT: Rev. 2:1-7 - A letter was written by the Lord to each of seven churches about their conduct and to either commend their actions or condemn them with a call for repentance. - In the introductory part is the comment “I know thy works”. Every one’s works ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Know Thy Works

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Dec 8, 2011

The works of every congregation and that of each individual member are known by God and shall be rewarded by Him.

I KNOW THY WORKS STUDY TEXT: Rev. 2:1-7 - A letter was written by the Lord to each of seven churches about their conduct and to either commend their actions or condemn them with a call for repentance. - In the introductory part is the comment “I know thy works”. Every one’s works ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Women Preachers And The Word Of God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 4, 2012

Do women have a role to play in congregational oversight? What does the Word say?

“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

What Are We Feeding?

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Aug 5, 2011

Using Colossians and Acts, we explore the validity of what we are preaching to our congregations.

The question our churches need to start asking ourselves is, "What are we feeding to the congregation?" We stand at our pulpits each week declaring the truth of God’s Word, and we tell people they need to start getting ready - and then we veer off and give messages that have nothing to do with ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:4-12

Denomination: *other

Radical Reliance

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on May 15, 2011

Challenging the congregation to live a life of radical reliance, in the model of the Acts 242-47 church

INTRO I am a typical Westernized American. I am the third of three children, the baby in the family so to speak in a typical, American middle-class family. From my earliest memory my parents spoiled me – not rotten to the core (at least I would like to believe), but I never went ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Lutheran

The Mystery Revealed Pt2

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 19, 2011

Verse by verse teaching from the prison Epistle Ephesians-Deep and rich for any congregation.

The Mystery Revealed Text: Ephesians 2: 1-13 Paul writes this letter from a prison somewhere in Rome, so many call this the prison Epistle. The theme of this letter is the mystery unveiled, and the mystery is that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the promises of Christ Jesus. Another ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Our Silent Prayer At Mass Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 6, 2011

Both clergy and congregation should have ample time to participate in the Mass by praying in their hearts.

Monday of 19th Sunday in Course August 8, 2011 St. Dominic As we stand impotent before the withering rays of the August sun, the Church gives us two back-to-back gifts, followed by a week of the most amazing saints. On Saturday, we saw Jesus transfigured refulgent in the blinding light of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Catholic