Sermons on Congregational Autonomy:

A Church Without Walls

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 29, 2021

A study of the first congregation of the Lord provides us with the example of a church without walls. The members did gather for worship, but they were compelled to penetrate their world to tell others of Jesus. We must do the same in this day.

“There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

It's About Souls For The Kingdom

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jun 19, 2018

This is a mini sermon used to exhort the congregation before the giving of tithes and offerings. It's designed to help them understand why Jesus' mission (saving souls) must be their mission and the role giving plays in accomplishing it.

Turn with me to Matthew 4. We’re going to read verses 17-20. (17) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (18) And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:17-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Imagine-A Loving Father

Contributed by John Oscar on Jul 2, 2018

Note: This sermon is part of a series provided to church's that purchase a marketing kit for the movie "I Can Only Imagine". They have been edited to fit our congregation and culture, but the main body of the sermon is not original to me.

Imagine- A Loving Father Matthew 3 I want to talk to you today about imagination. There is a small art organization that goes into public schools in rough areas of cities and teaches art therapy, so that kids whose imagination have been crushed by poverty can experience the possible through what ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lesson 10 Make Paul's Joy Complete By Being Like-Minded, Having The Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 25, 2018

Even Paul’s “ideal” congregation contained “difficult” people. Paul was facing his problems with people at Rome (Philippians 1:15-18) as well as with people in Philippi, and it was the latter who concerned him the most.

Date: 7/6/18 Lesson #10 Title: Make Paul's Joy Complete by Being Like-Minded, Having the Same Love Scripture: (Philippians 2:1-2, NIV) 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Day Of Communion (Lesson 2) Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on May 24, 2020

To establish that on the first day of the week; the church congregated; observed the communion and contributed of their means, to the Lord. This is a day of fellowship, preaching, breaking of bread, songs, and, prayers. This lesson establishes the regularity of the Lord’s Supper, in worship.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 2. Day of Communion Remarks. 1. This is the second lesson in this sermon-series: “The First Day of the Week.” In it, we will discuss the church's coming together on the “first day of the week,” to observe the communion (the Lord’s Supper). Luke wrote: “And upon the first ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Worse Homecoming Ever

Contributed by Larry Turner on Oct 24, 2016

A church in decline. A pastor discouraged. A congregation wanting to party as if all were well. Not exactly a great recipe for me to get a sermon. But the Lord spoke to me and took some weight off my shoulders in this sermon.

Welcome to our 2nd Annual Homecoming Dinner. This is actually my sixth October as pastor and the church itself has existed for 14 years. The reason it is the second homecoming dinner is because we decided to start having one last year. This year 30 past and present members were invited. Eleven ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6

Denomination: Foursquare

Why Is The Holy Spirit Within Each Believer So Important?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 10, 2016

This is a very courageous sermon for my congregation, but the most powerful member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is working us within, and yet we struggle to believe it. How important therefore is the Holy Spirit in our lives?

This sermon was delivered to St Oswald’s in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 10th January 2016; St Oswalds is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. The reading for today are: Isaiah 43:1-7 Psalm 29 Acts 8:14-17 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 “Please be seated, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:17-22

Denomination: Episcopal

Paul's Prayer For Philippi Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Apr 20, 2016

To discuss Paul's prayer for Philippi. This should be our prayer for this congregation in all earnest and sincerity. That it abound in love and grace; approve of things that are excellent; and abide blamelessly until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. That they abound more in love 2. That they approve things excellent 3. That they abide without offense E. Remarks. 1. The apostle Paul held a great regard for the Philippians church. While in prison he prayed for them. His prayer was one of concern and the love of a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Crescendo (August 18, 2019).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 14, 2020

Jesus shared with his audience then and his congregation today that life is not always a rose garden. Life is not a dress rehearsal. Some who are open to the gospel are often rejected by those who oppose it and sometimes they are family members.

CRESCENDO Text: Luke 12:49 - 56 Have you ever had something happen that made your Adrenalin glands kick in instant overdrive when you were almost asleep? It said that Beethoven would sometimes shock his audiences with a shift from soft music to abrupt harsh noise. Imagine sitting ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: United Methodist

Give Us A King

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 29, 2022

This passage shares the account of a church that is looking at what the church down the road is doing. The pastor (Samuel) tries to lead this church (Israel) according to God’s will, but the congregation won’t heed his counsel.

As we look at this chapter of 1 Samuel today, there unfolds a scene that can be applied to discussing the goal of churches today. What is the vision of some churches? Do churches think in a Christ-centered manner, or do they think in a worldly manner? What I mean is this: Are churches today ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Depression # 5

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 31, 2021

Today I want to preach another sermon that can be preached in any church in America, and it would apply to most of the people in any congregation. I hope that as I preach the Word it will fall on good soil today.

Illus: I heard of a preacher who was preaching a three-point sermon on the Second Coming of Christ, and he would close each of the main points of the sermon by saying, “HE IS COMING, READY OR NOT!” When he got to the third point he got so excited he got on the edge of the pulpit and screamed, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Keep On Keeping On

Contributed by Steve Sheek on May 8, 2023

Delivered 29 April 2023 at Tree of Life Messianic Congregation, Katy, Tx. The Hebrew word "shamar" is found 486 times in the Bible and is translated as "keep", as in keep my commandments.

20230429 Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim – Keep on Keeping On Blessing Torah Portion Leviticus 18:1-5, 30 Haftarah Amos 9:9-15 Brit Chadashah John 14:15-21 Acharei Mot The twenty-ninth reading from the Torah and sixth reading from Leviticus is named Acharei Mot, two words that mean ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15, Matthew 5:22-48

Denomination: *other

Double Standard Or Higher Calling?

Contributed by Steve Sheek on May 8, 2023

Delivered on 6 May 2023 at Tree of Life Messianic Congregation in Katy Texas. The instructions given to Moses in the Law had much more stringent requirements for the priests than for all others. Seems like discrimination.

20230506 Parashat Emor – Double Standard or Higher Calling Blessing Torah Portion Leviticus 21:1-8 Haftarah Ezekiel 44:15-23 Brit Chadashah Matthew 26:59-66 The thirty-first reading from the Torah is called Emor, a title that comes from the first verse of the reading, which says, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9, Isaiah 61:6, Revelation 1:6

Denomination: *other

Appeals For Preachers

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 14, 2001

Aim to meet the felt, perceived, and real needs of your audience through the ministry of the word of God. b). Aim to inform, persuade, and to inspire your congregation to commitment to Christ, to the church, and to service. c). Aim to eliminate peop

GOALS AND APPEALS IN PREACHING 1. The Goal of Preaching 2 Cor. 5:18-20 contains the summary purposes of preaching: a). To communicate the revelation of God contained in His word and relate it to the needs of the people. b). To beseech people to be reconciled to God. This means that the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ordination Sermon

Contributed by Emil Boniog on Jan 12, 2004

A charge to the candidate based on Acts 13:1-4 outlining the following requirements for ordination: COMMUNION, CONSECRATION, & COMMISSION; and a charge to the congregation based on 1 Timothy 5:17-19 outlining their threefold ministry to their pastor, name

ORDINATION SERMON Acts 13:1-4 & 1 Timothy 5:17-19 A WORD FOR THE PASTOR INTRODUCTION This morning, I want to share some thoughts from the Word of God. I have chosen two passages for our meditation. The first is Acts 13:1-4. · “1Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-4, 1 Timothy 5:17-19

Denomination: Baptist