Sermons on Congregational Autonomy:

The Double Life Of King Asa

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Nov 5, 2025

Many make the mistake of thinking that all the things in the Old Testament no longer apply to our modern age. Even some preachers in their sermon preparation choose to preach out of the New Testament, because they feel that the New Testament is more applicable to today’s congregations.

While much of the Old Testament did deal with Israel and the ceremonial laws that were given to them, a great deal of it is for us today. For example, we are to learn from the examples of the lives of the characters in the Old Testament. Paul said in Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 15:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Let Us Not Grow Weary Of Doing Good

Contributed by Richard Futrell on Oct 7, 2010

This is how we live as God’s people. 1.) We help restore those caught in sin. 2.) We help carry one another’s burdens. 3.) We support our pastor and the work of this congregation. 4.) We do what is good.

Intro Why do we as a people want to support public schools, various health programs, water and sewer services, and Social Security? You might be thinking, “Well, it’s because I have to pay taxes.” Or on a day like today, July 4th, you might say that you are doing your patriotic duty as an ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Liberated For Loyalty Series

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Feb 10, 2010

This morning I want to look at Acts 4:32-5:16 because it is the best possible way to communicate what the Holy Spirit wants to enable our congregation to do - before He can guide us on to all that He intends us to do in the world.

LIBERATED FOR LOYALTY ACTS 4:32-5:16 This morning I want to look at Acts 4:32-5:16 because it is the best possible way to communicate what the Holy Spirit wants to enable our congregation to do - before He can guide us on to all that He intends us to do in the world. In the previous chapter we ...read more

On Being Hospitable Series

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Jun 19, 2009

Part II of the Four-Part Vision: God instructs his people to practice hospitality. What does this mean as we receive guests in our congregations? Are we ill-prepared to welcome our guests? Or do we receive them as the blessing and gift that God intended?

Congregations are families. The longer that they are together, usually the harder it is to let other people become part of the inner circle of the church. And yet, we know that – just as we are to be hospitable as families – we are also called to be hospitable as groups of believers. The writer ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:2

Denomination: Lutheran

Our Tawdry Little Secret

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 24, 2011

As we fulfil the Great Commission, we will reach out to women who have had abortions. How shall we treat them? Within our congregations are women who have aborted. How will we minister to them? The message is a plea to deal boldly with sin.

“Uriah said to David, ‘The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in booths, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house, to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this thing.’ Then David ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

God's Own Among God's Strays

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 13, 2008

For the anniversary of the Lai Baptist Church of Gaithersburg, a Burmese congregation. You came as strangers, but God has made you His own. Now we American Christians, who have strayed from what we once were, need your passion among us.

Sometimes people of differing cultures fail to understand one another. Sometimes people with differing backgrounds cannot grasp what others are all about. So they end up hurting one another, when, really, they need one another. If you do not understand your neighbor, and if your neighbor is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-25

Denomination: Baptist

Why I Don't Have A "Vision" Or "5 Year Plan" For Our Church

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jun 13, 2018

This is an abbreviated sermon used after my annual pastor's report to the congregation explaining why we do not have a written "business plan" for church growth. Instead it lays out the 3 foundational steps the Lord has put in my heart as I serve here.

If you would, please stand as we say together our memory Scripture for this quarter: Romans 12:4-5 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8, Jude 1:1-4, 1 Corinthians 3:6-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Hiding In The Church House Unnoticed Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Aug 7, 2021

We tackle the group that Jesus refers to in the Sermon on the Mount as wolves in sheep's clothing. These are the one who work their way into the church congregation, get places of authority and then start sharing lies or half-truth about God or His Word for the purpose of deceiving you.

Introduction: Today, we are going to look at the final group of players whose purpose is to deceive you and me as we approach the end times. In previous weeks, we looked at the scoffer who gets the Christian to question God. And then we saw last week that Satan uses lawlessness to his advantage to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Feeling Small, Walking Tall Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 24, 2022

Small congregations might feel ineffective at reaching people, but big things come in small packages. Both the parable of "the mustard seed" and "the yeast" show how small, seemingly insignificant things can make a huge impact.

The passage of Scripture that we will view tonight contains two short parables – “The Mustard Seed” and “The Yeast.” I have entitled our sermon “Feeling Small, Walking Tall,” and the passage that we’ll be studying provides a great opportunity for sharing a motivational message. You are probably ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33

Denomination: Baptist

Living Water And Broken Cisterns

Contributed by Steve Sheek on Jul 31, 2022

Delivered 30Jul22 Tree of Life Messianic Congregation. The indictment delivered by Jeremiah to Judah had two charges. Judah has abandoned the source of living water and dug broken cisterns. We explore the misconception of who is the Living Water and what is a broken cistern.

20220730 Parsha Mattot-Massei – Living water or Broken Cisterns Blessing Torah Portion Numbers 30:1-8 Haftarah Jeremiah 2:5-13 Besorah John 7:32-39 The name of the forty-second reading from the Torah is Mattot, which means "tribes." The name is derived from the words of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:13

Denomination: *other

Much To Be Thankful For

Contributed by David Vanheuvelen on Nov 24, 2007

What would happen if we changed from saying, “Poor me” to “Thank you, Lord”? In this sermon I led our congregation to realize that they can Give Thanks for Everything. We can give thanks to the Lord for all things and in all circumstances. I challenged th

Much to Be Thankful For! Ephesians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 November 18, 2007 New Hope Community Chapel Goal: Changed Lives. Changing from saying, “Poor me” to “Thank you, Lord.” Main Point: I Can Give Thanks for Everything What is the one thing I want my audience to know? We can give thanks ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sight 101 Series

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Nov 9, 2005

Faith in our unseen personal God gives us hope in a world otherwise trapped by mere godless machine. SO: I want my congregation to see that how they see the world is utterly dictated by the unseen God they see behind it. I want them to understand the

TITLE : SIGHT 101 We are visual people. When we talking about our understanding of the world, we even use the phrase “how we see the world.” Our sight is fundamental to how we live. If we were dogs, it would be our sense of smell – they literally see the world primarily not through their eyes ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Can The Apostate Return?

Contributed by Steve Sheek on Aug 5, 2019

Sermon delivered at Tree Of Life Messianic Congregation 3Aug19. A well known Christian author and pastor recently renounced his faith and said he just doesn't think he is a Christian any longer. Is there hope for this man? Is he now lost?

20190803 Parsha Mattot-Massei – Can The Apostate Return? This week’s Parsha is Mattot/Massei. It is a double Parsha. Mattot means Tribes. It speaks of men and women making vows, taking revenge on Midian, and the settling of Reuben and Gad on the east side of the Jordan. Massei means Stages, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:4-6, 1 John 5:16-17, James 5:19-20

Denomination: *other

Church's Foundation

Contributed by David Marks on Oct 3, 2007

The origin of the word Church can be found in the Greek word ecclesia which means “those called out.” So the church is made up of those who have been called out of sin into righteousness (I Peter 2:9). The word Church can refer to individual congregation

What does God desire for the Church in the year 2005? In order for us to answer this question we need to look at what the Church is and how the Church was started. The origin of the word Church can be found in the Greek word ecclesia which means “those called out.” So the church is made up of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Anatomy Of Now Series

Contributed by Kirk Devine on Feb 21, 2007

Our church theme for 2007 is "Kingdom Now Living" based on Matthew 6:10. The Lord gave me a series of messages to share with our congregation as we started out the year that will carry us throughout 2007. We took the word ’NOW’ examined each letter to see

The Kingdom Now Series DEVELOPING A NOW MENTALITY (Part 1) THE ANATOMY OF NOW MATTHEW 6:10 In the 4th chapter of Proverbs, Solomon, the son of David explains to us the value of wisdom… He encourages us to get sound godly wisdom… He tells us that it will keep, defend, and protect us in this walk… ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational