Sermons on Congregational Autonomy:

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

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

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

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

Reboot With God's Promise

Contributed by Christopher Goelzer on Jan 20, 2004

Ecourage and Empower the believers to use the Promise of God to bring them repentant hearts, confident faith and a growing congregation.

Acts 2:37-47 The Day of Pentecost NIV Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37-47

Denomination: Lutheran

Being Filled With The Spirit Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 20, 2001

Corinth was a congregation blessed with a multitude of gifts from the Spirit of God... and yet Paul told them they were unspiritual.

OPEN: I suspect that almost everyone knows who Bert and Ernie, the Cookie Monster and Big Bird are. They were among the muppet stars on a popular children’s show: Sesame Street. During the filming of each show, some lucky parents were allowed to bring their children on stage and be part of the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith Lessons From A Farmer

Contributed by Maurice Schaus on Jul 13, 2002

A "City Kid" learns about farming from a small town congregation, and from Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Harvest.

As many of you, I was NOT raised I a farming community. Los Angeles is a long way from the plains of Central Kansas, literally and figuratively. 4H and FFA were things that we only read about in books. While there was some agriculture scattered around the area where I grew up, it certainly wasn’t a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:18-23, Matthew 13:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

"Remembering"

Contributed by Danny Hensley on Sep 9, 2002

This sermon was delivered on September 8, 2002 and it’s purpose was to help the congregation deal with the fallout of 9/11.

Remembering Exodus 12:1-14 It doesn’t seem possible that a year has passed since our shocked, unbelieving eyes watched the black smoke billowing from WTC Tower One. “How could such a terrible accident happen?” we wondered. And then, just eighteen minutes later, as we stared at the television, we ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gospel Of Three Cups

Contributed by Steven Cook on Feb 12, 2003

This sermon is directed to all members of a congregation - whether saved or lost. It emphasizes the urgency of holy living as well as for salvation.

“The Gospel of Three Cups” Luke 22:1-18 Dr. Steven G. Cook I. Introduction A. Read Text – Luke 22:1-18 B. Notice in our text three phrases: 1.) “And He took the cup” 2.) “He gave thanks” 3.) “He said, Take this and divide it among yourselves” C. The Jewish custom of partaking of a meal is a solemn ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:1-18, Psalm 75:8

Denomination: Baptist

Can Death Be That Bad? Series

Contributed by Marty Baker on Mar 13, 2002

This message proides a glimpse into the Afterlife through the eyes of the rich man in Luke 16. It was presented to a Seeker-Sensitive Congregation.

Can Death Be That Bad? Dr. Marty Baker / March 10, 2002 / Luke 16:19-31 Last week I began a three week series focusing on the Afterlife. We asked the question: Can we talk to the dead? We talked about the syndicated television show, Crossing Over With John Edward. As you may know, John Edward ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Church Of God

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

The Calling Of A Candidate

Contributed by Bruce Willis on Dec 5, 2006

This is a sermon preached in view of being called as pastor which seeks to encourage the congregation to seek God’s will as they worship.

The calling of a pastor is one of the most exciting experiences in the life of a church. It can also be one of the most anxious and trying too! This is reflected in a church newsletter article originally used by the “NEWS” in March 1957 entitled: “The Problem of Picking a Pastor.” If he is ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist