Sermons on Congregational Autonomy:

Construction Of Kingdom: Wisdom Of A Woman

Contributed by J. Ritter Jr on Oct 18, 2000

Introduction A young minister was losing his congregation to sleep during a rather dry sermon.

Introduction A young minister was losing his congregation to sleep during a rather dry sermon. To revive those napping in the pew, he said, I lived with a woman for over 17 years that was not my wife. The sleepy heads in the pew quickly woke up. He then said, She was my mother! A visiting ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:18-35

Hold Up The Light

Contributed by William White Jr on Jan 20, 2001

It is a textual sermon for I only use the one biblical text I supplied to the congregation.

HOLD UP THE LIGHT-ISAIAH 49:3-6 I remember some three years ago I visited a nursing home with my mentor, Melvin Black. I was captivated by the singing, moving, and ongoings of the patients there but I took great interest in an African American man pushing himself in a wheelchair. After the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:3-7

Denomination: Holiness

He Descended Into Hell

Contributed by Thomas Bracewell on Feb 17, 2001

In the Creed there is the statement "He descended into Hell", omitted by many fundamental church congregations: why?!

“He Descended into hell” Thomas F. Bracewell, OSL Following His crucifixion Christ physical body lay sealed in a tomb for three days. Where did His Spirit go during that period of time? According to St. Peter, “Christ died for sins once and for all, the righteous for the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Denomination: *other

Cheerful Givers

Contributed by Fred Mueller on Oct 25, 2001

A sermon preparing the congregation to pledge, emphasizing the need of the giver to give, not the need of the church to "get."

The Reformed Church of Locust Valley Pentecost XX October 21, 2001 Mt. 5:13-16, II Cor. 9:6-15 “Cheerful Givers” “Giving isn’t about the receiver or the gift but the giver. It’s for the giver.” That’s the theme of our annual stewardship program called ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

The Myth And The Magic, The Moment And The Master

Contributed by Ronald Law on Jul 6, 2006

Objective:- Show congregation that Christianity is more than a religion or a magical solution to their problems, it is a relationship.

Mark 5:24-34 The Myth and the Magic, The Moment and the Master Objective:- Show congregation that Christianity is more than a religion or a magical solution to their problems, it is a relationship. Introduction The story of the woman who reached through the crowd and touched the hem of His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-34

Denomination: Methodist

The Right To Get Paid

Contributed by Kenneth Anthony on Aug 26, 2006

Sermon articulates four reasons why pastors have the right to be financially supported by their congregations.

The Right To Get Paid Today I’m going to speak on topic that I’ve dreaded preaching about for over fifteen years. The topic is controversial and the preacher delivering the sermon is immediately judged unfavorably. My topic is clergy compensation. Here’s the controversy. First, clergy who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:2-12

Denomination: Orthodox

Presenting: The Lord's House

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Mar 9, 2007

This sermon focuses the congregation on continued growth and health in the church ... and the absolute need to be in unity and not be divisive.

Audio at: www.sermonlist.com/Presenting.m3u What do you want this church to look like to outsiders? What do you want it to accomplish? As Christians, we should want this church to look inviting to outsiders; a place that is warm and friendly, not a place that is distant and cold. As far as ...read more

Scripture: James 3:6

Denomination: *other

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

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

Lessons From The Hospital

Contributed by Robin Steele on Oct 21, 2004

After spending weeks in the hospital with my sick child, I preached this sermon to the congregation.

Lessons from the hospital 10/3/04 Hospitals are for the sick. Churches are for the needy. There are some great parallels from the halls and rooms of the hospital that directly correspond with the church and Christian life. The ICU waiting room and the maternity waiting room are always ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Stewardship - Part One Series

Contributed by Donald Stevens on Nov 19, 2004

First of four messages in a series on stewardship. Based on UM congregational pledge and UM "Guidelines"

Christian Stewardship - Part 1 Romans 12:1-8 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Denomination: Methodist

Christian Stewardship - Part Three Series

Contributed by Donald Stevens on Nov 19, 2004

Third in a series of four messages on Stewardship. Based on UM congregational pledge and UM "Guidelines"

Proverbs 11:24-29 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. He who seeks good ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:34-35

Denomination: Methodist

The "I Can't Waits"

Contributed by Christopher Johnson on Jun 16, 2007

If we apply our spiritual talents, then God will bless the congregation with spiritual and numerical growth

Have you ever had a case of the “I can’t waits”? They seem to run rampant in my life. When I was young, I couldn’t wait to play on a football team. When I was in junior high, I couldn’t wait to go on a date. When I was in high school, I couldn’t wait to go to college. When I was in college, I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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