Sermons on congregational autonomy: showing 496-510 of 22,969

Satan's Strategies

Contributed by David Schroeder on Feb 10, 2020

God’s enemy is a strategist, a schemer. That is why the Apostle Paul admonished his congregation at Ephesus to, Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes...

Satan’s Strategies God’s enemy is a strategist, a schemer. That is why the Apostle Paul admonished his congregation at Ephesus to, Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11). The Greek word for schemes is methodeia. So, it behooves ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11

Made Known In The Breaking Of The Bread

Contributed by Carla Powell on Apr 20, 2002

Involves the congregation in some immediate community-building, as well as inviting them to see the face of Jesus on their brother or sister. Explores the corporate role of "communion".

Easter 3A - April 14, 2002 "Made Known In The Breaking of the Bread" - Luke 24:13-35 Grace and peace be to you from our Lord and Savior, who is made known to us in the breaking of the bread. On that first Easter day, two of Jesus’ followers were heading away from Jerusalem toward Emmaus. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Lutheran

What's Love Got To Do With It?

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 2, 2002

Discusses Paul’s use of love as the yardstick for Christian living, then turns to several congregational issues to ask what the loving response would be.

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (Year C) 1 Corinthians 13, is a popular passage to use for wedding sermons, because of course the topic is love. Brides and grooms have often chosen this lesson because of the beautiful, poetic prose it contains. But Paul did not write this to the Corinthians so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Getting Into Action Series

Contributed by Jay Patton on Jul 8, 2002

Part four of a series on solving problems God’s way. This is a particularly good series for pastor’s/leaders instituting change within a congregation.

Introduction: New Coke Read Scripture/Pray Background: Nehemiah is headed into unfamiliar territory-four months and 8000 mi. Purpose Statement: to be effective change agents for God it is essential that we... I. Use the authority given you (v. 9) A. Nehemiah went forth in the Kings Name 1. More ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:9-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Bread, The Cup, And The Lamb Series

Contributed by Marc Bertrand on Nov 5, 2004

A Good Friday focus on the last supper. When our congregation observed Good Friday this sermon had hymns and communion worked between the points.

Introduction: How old was the little Lord Jesus when his family returned from Egypt? You remember the story; the wisemen came and brought their gifts to the little child. Many feel that Jesus may have been nearly 2 when they arrived. Herod insanely jealous and anxious to keep his throne declared ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-20

Denomination: Baptist

Happy Are The Youth Whose Hope Is In The Lord

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 13, 2005

This is a message given on a Sunday morning speaking primarily to youth graduating from High School. The goal of the message is to provide hope for the future for all in the congregation.

Happy are the Youth Whose Hope is in the Lord Psalm 146:5 “Happy is the man/youth whose hope is in the Lord.” For you that are older, do you remember how you felt when you graduated from High school? Did you experience excitement and hope for the future? Or did you feel hopeless about your ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 146:5, Jeremiah 29:11, Jeremiah 29:10

Denomination: Free Methodist

Are You A Conformist

Contributed by David Rogers on Aug 21, 2005

This is a sermon that will touch the hearts of everyone in your congregation. It explains how everyday we all in some way confrom the world we live in.

Are You A Conformist Aug 14 2005 Romans 12:2 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. KJV 2Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Baptist

God The Father

Contributed by Maurizio Cianci on May 1, 2007

Have you ever wondered why God is addressed as ’Father’ in the Bible? I have and I’ve been ’thinking aloud’ with our congregation...

GOD THE FATHER Today we honour fathers. But I contend that I cannot be the father/grandfather my family needs me to be if I don’t let my Creator God be to me the Father He desires to be. Eph 3:7-21 I have become a servant of this gospel according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Do It Yourself Message

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jun 5, 2007

Adapted from a message heard 17 years ago by Dr. Ed Young...A Great way to give the entire congregation a witnessing tool.

“A DO IT YOURSELF MESSAGE” John 3:16 (For the accompanying powerpoint - http://www.hueytownbaptist.com/pastorspage/sermondownloads.html) > Tonight we begin what should be one of the most exciting weeks in the year for the HBC family. The focus is children. We should be ready at all times to ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

"The Love Feast"

Contributed by Jose Gomez Sr. on Feb 4, 2005

preparing a love feast is a beautifull experience for a congregation. In it relationships are restored, the love of Christ is poured out over God?s people and the Lord is pleased.

(OPEN YOUR BIBLES PLEASE) *Acts 2:46-47 "So continuing daily(steadfastly) with one accord(united as one or with one mind) qin the temple, and rbreaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart(A glad and generous heart, humble heart, a sincere heart), ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:46-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Jesus Taught Us About Handling Trials

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Mar 16, 2005

Sermon preached Easter weekend in the first person - pastor dressed in period costume as Pontius Pilate - and members of the congregation interacting as characters in the Easter story.

Allow me to introduce myself to you. My name is Pontius Pilate. You probably know me as the Roman official who presided over the trial that ended with the sentence of crucifixion for Jesus the Christ. Being the governor of an out-of-the-way and insignificant Roman province like Judea was not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:1-65

Denomination: Baptist

Giving To Church Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 20, 2009

Giving is a challenge and a privilege. God offers us a way to be among the blessed as we give in response to God’s grace through our congregation.

Acts 4:32-27 “Giving to Church” INTRODUCTION During the month of October, we are hearing stories of how our brothers and sisters in Christ have discovered the joy and blessings of giving. Shelley Krispin, Carol Baker and now Steve and Deb Weber have shared their journeys. They have seen ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Be Opened

Contributed by Daniel Haas on Aug 7, 2009

Jesus has told us to be opened to the fact that he can heal us, to be opened in our personal lives and to be opened in our congregational life

Mark &:31-37 They asked on behalf of the man - pray for others - not for yourself They begged him to lay his hand on him - they requested a show - a visible sign of his power - so everybody can see He spat at him - gesture of blessing - Big Fat Greek Wedding knows two magic remedies: Windex and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:31-37

Denomination: Congregational

The Beat Up Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Aug 8, 2011

The Church at Smyrna is a church which received no criticism from the Lord but much abuse from both the culture and the "congregation" (those who ’say’ they are Jews)

The Unveiling The “Beat Up” or “Bloodied” Church Revelation 2:8-11 * From my observation we live in an increasingly violent culture. Hardly a day passes when we don’t hear of someone being killed or attacked. An honest look at our entertainment would indicate that America has bought into ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Close Encounters Of The Jesus Kind

Contributed by Carl Greene on May 10, 2008

A sermon challenging each member of the congregation to answer Jesus’ question... "But what about you? Who do you say I am?"

A Close Encounter of the Jesus Kind Matthew 16: 13-16 —William Willimon, “Who do you say that I am?” August 22, 1999, Duke Chapel Web Site, chapel.duke.edu. A student came to me and asked me to explain to her the difference between Christianity and Judaism. She is in love with a student who is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-16

Denomination: Methodist