Sermons on Congregational Autonomy:

Seeking The Presence Of God

Contributed by Robert Simmons on May 6, 2006

Challenge for congregation to become a presence-driven body that longs for, seeks after, and embraces the presence of God.

Seeking the Manifest Presence – Ezekiel 48:35 Ezekiel 48:35 "The city shall be 18,000 cubits round about; and the name of the city from that day shall be, `The LORD is there.’ " · These words may be used as a test as well as a text. · They may serve for examination as well as consolation, and at ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 48:35

Denomination: Church Of God

The Story Of Moses And The Stool Pigeon

Contributed by Edward Boyce on Jan 25, 2002

Change in the congregations of America is difficult and is often resisted. This sermon looks at Moses as a model for transformation and change in a church.

The Story of Moses and the Stool Pigeon Exodus 13:17-18 Deuteronomy 8:1-16 In 1914 a very sad thing happened when Martha died. Martha was the last of passenger pigeons. One hundred years earlier the passenger pigeons covered the landscape. It was not uncommon for flocks of over one hundred ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 13:17-18, Deuteronomy 8:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Brother, I Have Found The Messiah

Contributed by Robert Warren on Jan 29, 2002

Shows from Paul’s testimony that we all have a testimony to share; uses congregational participation.

“Brother, I Have Found the Messiah.” Galatians 1: 11-24 Robert Warren January 20th, 2002 Galatians 1: 11-24 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Overcoming Fear Series

Contributed by Jeff Simms on May 19, 2003

Overcoming the fears we experience and learning from them. This message will encourage the congregation to walk by faith and not fear

Overcoming Fear John 20:19 Purpose Statement: To encourage the congregation not to live by fear, but by faith Introduction What is it that you fear? Fear of the unknown perhaps? The possibility of death, the insecurity of a job, the fear of being alone. Well, that’s what I want to talk to you ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19

Denomination: Baptist

With Raised Hands

Contributed by H Frank Centrallo on Feb 7, 2003

This sermon is one in a series dealing with the need for congregational maturing. Aimed at men specifically and gifting as a means of war.

Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church February 2, 2003 With Raised Hands Exo 17:5 The LORD answered Moses, "Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Exo 17:6 I will stand there before ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:5-16

Denomination: Christian Church

The Vision Behind The Purpose

Contributed by Craig Poole on Dec 10, 2003

This sermon is designed to help the congregation identify needs and turn them into a vision to demonstrate God’s glory

The Vision Behind the Purpose · As you all know we have been discussing plans for preparing our 2004 Budget. · We want to thank-you for the cooperation that you have shown this far in this new process. Our prayer is that you continue to ask God for guidance as you give some good insight into the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How I Want Our Beginning To Be Remembered

Contributed by Michael Milton on Jul 26, 2002

This sermon is the author’s first message to his new congregation. It focuses on the sufficiency of Christ in all things.

HOW I WANT OUR BEGINNING TO BE REMEMBERED 1 Corinthians 1.18-25 and 2.1-5 Dr. Michael A. Milton, Senior Pastor First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee Preached on February 3, 2002 Introduction to the Reading We don’t mean to, but we often make Christianity more complicated than it ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Heavenly Treasures"

Contributed by J. Curtis Goforth, O.s.l. on Jan 5, 2005

This sermon challenges the attitudes of most congregations in America towards material possessions in the light of the parable of the rich fool.

Sermon on Luke 12.13-21 Preached at Christ Boulevard United Methodist Church August 1, 2004 Rev. J. Curtis Goforth, O.S.L. Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-22

Denomination: United Methodist

A Fresh Anointing

Contributed by Troy Voyles on Feb 3, 2007

In this message, I wanted to explain to the congregation about the anointing, and why we need a fresh anointing daily.

A Fresh Anointing Today, I am going to be talking about the anointing, and staying filled with the Holy Ghost. How many of our problems would be solved if we just had a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We know from the word of God that it is His will that all be filled with the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Is Communion To You?

Contributed by Ronald Keller on May 2, 2004

A Communion sermon that ends with an opportunity for members of the congregation to share briefly one of the things Communion means to them.

INTRODUCTION When someone comes to my house for dinner, we eat—And because of my wife’s good cooking, it is always good eating. As we eat we talk, and we talk, and we talk… Our guests and my wife and I get to know each other much better. Today, in a few minutes, before we come to the communion ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-28

Denomination: Nazarene

Change Amongst An Unchanging God

Contributed by Charles Mallory on May 28, 2008

Encouragement and optimism for a church congregation facing changes in their Sunday morning worship that includes a "blending" of styles and formats.

Hebrews 1:8a; 10-13 and Hebrews 13:8 IF THERE IS ONE NEVER-ENDING HUMAN TRUTH THAT STANDS THE TEST OF TIME IT IS THIS: THE ONE THING THAT SEEMS TO NEVER CHANGE IS CHANGE ITSELF. WE ARE ALWAYS CHANGING. WE ARE ALWAYS FACING CHANGE. OUR WORLD CHANGES. TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCES CHANGES. HEALTH ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:8-13

Denomination: Free Methodist

Testify Of Love

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on Dec 14, 2009

A follow-up Thanksgiving sermon that came a week after giving our congregation a "Love Loud Dare".

Testify of Love Matthew 5:13-16 Thom Tapp, a pastor in TN and one of my favorite cartoonists said this yesterday, “Thanksgiving is not a season, it is a way of life. How can a Christian NOT be thankful?” As born again believers, we have every reason to be thankful, and not just once a year...but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Love Loud Dare

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on Dec 14, 2009

Sermon inspired by a Thom Rainer blog where he encouraged pastors to challenge their congregations to Love Loud

Love Loud Dare 1 John 3:11-20 A couple of years ago Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA made a movie that many of us have seen called Fireproof…we showed a clip from it a couple of Sunday nights back. The premise of the movie is a fire fighter who is watching his marriage fall apart and his ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

A Year To Grow!

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Dec 27, 2010

An end of year sermon that admonishes the congregation to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

A Year To Grow! Text: 2 Peter 3:18 By: Ken McKinley (Read Text) All week I contemplated and prayed about whether I should preach one more Christmas sermon, or a New Year’s sermon. And since this is the last Sunday of 2010, I thought it might be fitting for us to look at the last words that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The State Of The Church - 2009 "The Year Of Joy"

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jan 9, 2009

In looking backward and forward this message challenge the congregation to put Jesus FIRST, Others Second, and Yourself last.

STATE OF THE CHURCH 2009- “The Year of Joy” Philippians 3:10-15 * Welcome to 2009. As most know, today’s message will be a little unique if not unusual. Today’s message has more of a collective than personal message. However, the last part of this message will be highly personal. * The year 2008 ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-15

Denomination: Baptist