Sermons on congregational autonomy: showing 691-705 of 22,973

Walking Across The Street Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 30, 2009

Matthew wouldn’t be on the short list of people some congregations would invite to join them, but there are things we can learn about him that can help us bring people to Jesus.

OPEN: Leonardo da Vinci was once at work for a long period of time on a great masterpiece. He had labored long to create this work of art and it was near completion. Standing near him was a young student who spent much of his time with his mouth open, amazed at the master with the brush. Just ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Status Update Series

Contributed by James E. Parks on Aug 30, 2010

This sermon is specific to my congregation as I remind us of our mission, vision and core values. This message is also about over growing from a pastoral size church to a program size church.

facebook was created to help us share and connect with the people in our lives. One of the ways people share and connect on facebook is through their status. The status is simply a post of what is on your mind or what is going on in your life. There are not requirements for what you post as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: United Methodist

Beginning With The End In Mind

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Nov 19, 2010

This is the end that we must have in mind when we begin anything in the church. Our destination must be a congregation filled with people who are filled with Christ and who are filling the world with his love.

BEGINNING WITH THE END IN MIND Isaac Butterworth The Installation of a New Pastor November 21, 2010 John 15:1-8 (NIV) 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Difference Does Church Attendance Make?

Contributed by James O. Davis on Jul 5, 2012

There are three times in Hebrews 10:19-25, that the Hebrew writer uses the phrase, “let us,” to appeal to the local congregation about being steadfast in their attendance to the local assembly or church.

One of the greatest tragedies of the 21st Century in America is the realism that millions of people who claim to know Jesus Christ rarely attend a local church or participate in the worship services. In so many of the American churches, a lot of people basically attend three times in their entire ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Passion For Your Name

Contributed by J John on Dec 10, 2007

It really is a mystery. How could such a gifted and trusted being as Lucifer (whose very name means ‘light bearer’ or ‘son of the morning’) cause the first church split and take a third of the congregation with him?

SermonCentral Editor’s note: J.John, a Greek Cypriot, has been described as "The Billy Graham of Great Britain," speaking to more than 300,000 people in person each year. He has authored 21 books and has more than one million copies in circulation. You may learn more about his ministry at: ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 28:12-19

Denomination: *other

Humility!

Contributed by Bala Samson on May 22, 2015

Young people, learn this now, come down from your high horse of pride. Learn to respect each other, be it colleagues, friends, business partners, church congregation members or husband and wife..

I am not worthy to stoop down………….. Mark 1:7 John the Baptist said:”There comes One after me who is mightier than whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.” Humble? We don’t hear of it or see it anymore in today’s world. Right? ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Rejoice In The Lord, Always In The Lord

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Nov 1, 2016

Beyond our three decades of ministry, and in spite of the terrors of this world, we have great reason to rejoice in the Lord! (Context of sermon: Preached on our Congregation's Rally Day and 30th Anniversary.)

[Singing] “This is the day / This is the day / That the Lord has made / That the Lord has made / I will rejoice / I will rejoice / And be glad in it / And be glad in it!” I worked at a camp in Wisconsin one summer, and we sang this song every day. Every. Sin-gle. Morning. It was the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

(Pre)election Thoughts 2016

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 17, 2016

The purpose of this sermon is to lay out some thoughts from the Biblical perspective and to encourage our congregation to find out where candidates stand on these vital issues and to take their beliefs into the voting booth with them.

1 Corinthians 6:9-20 – please look this up in your Bibles. We will read this passage in a moment … Did you know that there is an election coming up? Did you know that there are more than two people running for office? When all of the mudslinging is set aside do you know what they ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:5-15

Denomination: Nazarene

Ten Days Of Awe

Contributed by Richard Tow on Feb 1, 2016

In this message Pastor Richard prepares the congregation for Ten Days of prayer and fasting. He uses the story of Esther and the story of King Jehoshaphat to illustrate the value of seeking the Lord in this way, especially in times of crisis.

Ten Days of Awe
 (09-13-15 www.LifeChurchSpringfield.org) We have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Denomination: Charismatic

I Didn't Know That I Was Starving Until I Tasted You Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Jun 18, 2017

A sermon for a mixed congregation (adults and children) trying to get across why it matters that Jesus became flesh and why it matters that he still makes himself present to us now in bread and wine.

............................. “ Beloved, I received from the Lord what I also hand on to you” (1 Cor 11:23) - where to begin? Perhaps with meeting someone famous…. Have you ever met anyone famous? ............. [take answers from congregation] ............ Once when I was 20 I met a famous person. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 6:1-58, Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-23, John 1:10-14, Philippians 2:1-11, Luke 2:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Do All Religions Lead To God? Series

Contributed by Art Good on Jun 19, 2017

This sermon was a part of a series titled, "Great Question" where we asked our congregation to text us questions they would like answers to through sermons. This particular sermon was my favorite of the series.

Today we are continuing our sermon series we are calling, “That’s A Great Question.” By the way, if you have a great question we want you to share it with us. You can text your great question to ______. This past week I read this excerpt from an article on Preaching Today’s website: “Buried ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Why Have You Sent For Me?

Contributed by Steven Cordle on Feb 14, 2018

A look at the work of the preacher. This is the first sermon I preach in a new congregation. I received the original outline from Wayne Burger at the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver and modified it over the years.

Change is something new and exciting. Not only that, it can be scary because when things change there is a certain unknown element we face. What will change bring? Will it be for the good or bad? Will this work? Did I make the right decision? All of these questions and thoughts are natural ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Private Worship Is Essential For A Healthy Relationship With God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 17, 2018

Though public worship is vital to the growth of a congregation, private worship must never be neglected. In fact, private worship is essential if we will worship corporately. The message explores by examining an incident in the life of Gideon.

“As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped.” [1] Pastors will not have spent much time in the pastorate until they learn the awful truth that preparing for worship is such intense work and so demanding that worship may often be ignored! It is a tragic ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 49: Preach With Balance Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 9, 2018

How can we teach our congregations to balance Christian essentials with non-essentials? How can we overcome bigotry on non-essential doctrines, while still maintaining our preference.

Lesson Goal Introduce some basic elements of balanced preaching. Lesson Intro In Acts 20:27 Paul informs the the church of God in Ephesus that he had preached to them the whole counsel of God. Most preachers that do not have a structured annual preaching plan are guilty of over-preaching their ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Regaining Our Purpose Series

Contributed by Boomer Phillips on May 5, 2021

If a church has lost its purpose, then that congregation will be deprived of direction and momentum. Understanding our purpose will enable us to stay on the right path, in order to remain faithful and fruitful in our kingdom efforts.

I wish to begin by sharing a verse from the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 29:18 wisely cautions, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (KJV). The American Standard Version says it like this: “Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint.” Vision, or rather purpose, establishes ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:2-5

Denomination: Baptist