Sermons on Congregational Autonomy:

Who Is Leading?

Contributed by W. Leon Morrow on Mar 7, 2009

This sermon is designed to guide the members of the congregation to deny oneself, to take up ones cross, and to follow Jesus.

There are tremendous lessons in our Holy Scripture. There are lessons not only in the words, or the content, but that there are lessons for us even in the construction of the writing—there are lessons in the style as well as in the words themselves. For example, in Mark the disciples had been ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: United Methodist

Reverence, Not Rigor-Mortis: A Call To Genuine Worship

Contributed by Randall Bates on Dec 17, 2006

Genuine worship comes from the heart, is spontaneous, new, congregational, joyful, and affects our daily life

REVERENCE NOT RIGOR-MORTIS: A CALL TO GENUINE WORSHIP 2 CORINTHIANS 3.17, JOHN 4. 24, PSALM 149. 1 - 9 One of the most recurring things we hear about church is that it is boring. Many folks won’t come out & openly say it, but they don’t come because it is boring. This causes a great concern to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:17

Denomination: Baptist

Let Our Behavior Be Guided By The Spirit

Contributed by Carl Benge on Jul 2, 2007

Beginning Service of Ministry in a new congregation Teaching on how are actions need to be guided by God. Fruits of the SPirit

Today marks the beginning of a new church year. This new year will be filled with many things for us as we go forth in ministry together. Though we cannot be certain of what lies ahead of us, we can accept that there may be challenges along the way. We know there will surely be many blessings ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:15-26

Denomination: Methodist

A Needy People Series

Contributed by Brent Charles on Oct 3, 2006

This sermon was greatly influenced by a seminar I attended on how to foster sanctifying "Heart Change" in our congregation.

A Closer Walk With Thee Mutual Sanctification None of Us Are Sinners Emeritus Why many people are scared of true fellowship—and what to do about that. Galatians 6:1–4; Philippians 3:12–16 Bruce Larson coined the phrase “relational theology.” A graduate of ...read more

Denomination: Bible Church

Open Doors Of Opportunity (2) Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Aug 25, 2014

Are we open or closed as a congregation? Is the work and worship about us only or do we include others?

1. St Catherine's Monastery One of the oldest monasteries in the world is Saint Catherine's. Built by Emperor Justinian to protect the monks in the region, St. Catherine's sits at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt. The walls are made of granite and are between 8 and 35 meters tall. Up until last ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Necessities

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Mar 11, 2015

Refocusing our congregation on the basics, this message point us to some fundamental necessities for the Christian life and living.

Necessities Jerry Watts Matthew 9:9-13 • In this story of “Matthew’s call” from Jesus to become a follower and disciple, I believe we can lift out many truths. We can lift out things like “The reality of Jesus’ call” or “Responding to the Call of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Devil In Pew Number Seven

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 1, 2012

Pastors are to fulfil the ministry God has assigned with the help of strong, godly leaders from within the congregation.

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:28-32

Denomination: Baptist

Is The Church A Lighthouse Or A Club House?

Contributed by Mark Mitchell on May 24, 2017

This sermon helps the congregations see the difference between being and inward focused church and an outward focused church

Introduction: Illustration “The Guiding Light” I. What is a lighthouse? A. A lighthouse provides light to anyone in need B. A church that is a lighthouse understands that the source of light is Christ. - Joh 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. - Joh 1:5 The light shines in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Cool! Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 18, 2019

A priest was once kneeling as a congregant at Mass and noticed a little five-year-old child in the pew behind. . .

John 6 “Cool” It’s pretty well known among Catholics that Flannery O’Connor, one of the 20th century’s greatest authors, once was invited to dinner when she was young and unknown by a more famous writer at the time, Mary McCarthy. The conversation was a bit stilted due to O’Connor’s fabled ...read more

Scripture: John 6:43-58, 1 Corinthians 11:23-27

Denomination: Catholic

Sheep Or Goats

Contributed by Richard White on Jul 11, 2015

Many congregations are full of people, do they look like sheep or goats. Their eternal destiny relies on this appearance.

My Sheep Matt 25:40ff Lynn Anderson, in "They Smell Like Sheep relates this story: “Several years ago in Palestine, Carolyn and I rode a tour bus through Israel’s countryside nearly mesmerized as the tour guide explained the scenery, the history, and the lifestyle. In his description, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Would You Not Join The Church? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 3, 2020

Christians are expected to unite with a congregation of the faithful in order to fulfil the ministry God assigns each follower of Christ.

“Those who received his word were baptised, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-44

Denomination: Baptist

Unity Of God's People PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Emphasize the importance, benefits, and joy of unity among God's people, and to encourage the congregation to strive for this unity in their lives.

Good morning, church family! We're diving into a message from Psalm 133 today - it's about unity, something that our world desperately needs more of. Unity among God's people - the blessing it brings, the necessity of it, and the joy it produces. As Charles Spurgeon once said, "Satan always hates ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 133:1

Topics: Unity, Harmony

Don't Settle For A Sideline Faith

Contributed by Steve Greene on Jul 19, 2006

A challenge to help your congregation realize that they have a responsinbility to get in the game themselves instead of settling for a sideline faith.

Don’t Settle for a Sideline Faith – Get in the Game! 1 John 1:1-9 It is possible to attend church your entire life and still spend eternity in hell. That’s a shocking statement! I suspect some might disagree with it at first, but it is the truth. It is possible to attend church your entire ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-9

Denomination: Nazarene

The Spies Visit Rahab Series

Contributed by James Mayo on Apr 10, 2006

By displaying the power of God and the strength of Rahab, I intend to convince the congregation to dedicate their lives more fully to God.

Marching on: New Beginnings in Joshua Sermon 1: Joshua 2:1-14 Purpose of this sermon: By displaying the power of God and the strength of Rahab, I intend to convince the congregation to dedicate their lives more fully to God. I. The duty of the spies (1-3) A. Get into the city secretly (Verse ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Achan Heart

Contributed by Tommy Estes on Dec 28, 2005

The sins that linger in our congregations hold us back from carring our Gods purpose for the Lords Churches

The subject that I chose to talk about t is something that NONE of us as church members is immune to. Every one of us is subject to this, and God wants us to recognize it and follow the examples that He has laid out for us in the Bible. What I’m talking about is the accursed thing as we will study ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-26

Denomination: Baptist