Sermons on Congregational Unity:

Becoming United

Contributed by Tony Dicostanzo on Oct 21, 2002

Living life with a Godly purpose can be challenging for each one of us individually, but much more so corporately. Are we up for the challenge? The rewards are certainly worth it!

Permission is granted to reproduce the following Sermon Outline for corporate worship distribution. The manuscript, which follows the outline, contains the text needed to complete the handout. For further sermon resources or help, contact Rev. A.S. DiCostanzo at ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In A Unified Church

Contributed by Ely Lambert on Oct 23, 2002

Even where there are disagreements, unity is a commitment to remain together.

Living In a Unified Church Ephesians 1:10; 4:1-3; Philippians 2:1-4; Colossians 3:5-15 Preached at the Laurel Church of Christ On October 20, 2002 Introduction: I. Illustration: Kids Playing Church A. Years ago, Leslie Flynn penned a book called, Great Church Fights. B. In it he chronicled the way ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:10, Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Resolving Conflict

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 27, 2002

Dealing with what causes conflict in the church and how to resolve it.

1, September 2002 Dakota Community Church Resolving Conflict Introduction: Galatians 2:11-21 11When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-21

Denomination: Mennonite

There Must Be Factions?

Contributed by Chris Thron on Oct 18, 2000

Many doctrinal disputes within the Body of Christ are simply due to different uses of words.

For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you. (1 Cor. 11:18-19, ASV) Controversies over Bible interpretation often cause ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:18-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Type Of Life That Is Worthy Of The Gospel Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST SHOULD INSPIRE LOYAL SOLIDARITY (TRUE UNITY) AND SUPERNATURAL CALM AS WE STRIVE TOGETHER TO FURTHER THE GOSPEL (WHILE ACCEPTING THE INEVITABILITY OF PERSECUTION)

BIG IDEA: THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST SHOULD INSPIRE LOYAL SOLIDARITY (TRUE UNITY) AND SUPERNATURAL CALM AS WE STRIVE TOGETHER TO FURTHER THE GOSPEL (WHILE ACCEPTING THE INEVITABILITY OF PERSECUTION) I. (1:27a) THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST SHOULD BE THE INSPIRATION FOR OUR LIFESTYLE A. General Exhortation ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Challenge Of Changing Times

Contributed by Kenneth Henes on Oct 27, 2000

We have been changed to serve an unchangeable God by delivering an unchangeable message so others will be changed.

Two men had gone moose hunting up in Canada for a week. Their week of hunting was over, and a pilot had flown in to pick them up, as arranged ahead of time. The pilot taxied the plane down the grass landing strip to where the hunters stood with all of their equipment and the two moose they had ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

United We Serve

Contributed by Arlen Payne on Nov 24, 2002

In order for the work of God there much be unity in the church as demonstrated when Ezra and people of Israel rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.

United We Serve Ezra 3:1-13 Reading: Ephesians 4:1-7 Intro: Ezra 1:1-4 The People of God had spent many years in captivity because of their sin. God had promised to bring them back to the promised land. King Cyrus, under the direction of the Lord offered send people back to Jerusalem to ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Other Sheep Series

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on May 5, 2003

Jesus speaks of drawing other sheep into his fold, thus calling us to be an inclusive, welcoming church.

Sermon for 4 Easter Yr B, 11/04/2003 Based on Jn 10:16 Grace Lutheran Church, Medicine Hat, Alberta By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” ...read more

Scripture: John 10:16

Denomination: Lutheran

"One And Many" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on May 8, 2003

We are one and united in Him, yet we are many, each gifted according to grace (#12 in the Unfathomable Love of Christ series)

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ‘s gift.” According to the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4-7

Denomination: Orthodox

How To Resolve Conflict

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 26, 2002

We all live with the consequences of conflict – the hurt and pain. Jesus gives us some real advice on how to properly deal with sin and conflict – and has some surprises about a very well known section of Scripture.

How much time do we spend in conflict? It started back with Cain & Abel. You remember the story – the two first brothers argued because God favored Abel’s sacrifice more than Cain’s. You know how the story ends – with the first murder – and it seems, brothers (and even brothers and sisters) have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Four Step Plan For Building A Harmonious Fellowship Series

Contributed by Robert Kerr on Sep 3, 2002

How to get opposing groups to agree

INTRODUCTION: Many people feel loneliness, isolation and alienation today. Some feel lost in the crowd, a nameless face in a sea of faces. Many people feel isolated, they may want to break out of this isolation, but they are paralyzed by the very idea of pulling down their masks and becoming ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-18

Denomination: Baptist

Mean Christians

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Aug 27, 2001

(How to deal with the reality of unredeemed behavior in the church)

2Timothy 3 – “Mean Christians” (How to deal with the reality of unredeemed behavior in the church) Opening Here’s how things are going to be in the “last days” i.e. NOW. FACE IT I want to introduce you to some people, here… Notice first the misdirected love: (1) lovers of themselves ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Disjointed Body

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 1, 2001

Text: Ephesians 4:1-6 In the Messianic Psalm 22 we read of the description of Christ on the cross feeling all his bones out of joint. Could this be a picture of the church today? We are one body and we should speak and act toward one another in love reg

The Disjointed Body 9-2-01 Ephesians 4:1-6 The burden I have from the Lord this week is something I really need the inspiration, the breathing in, of Holy Spirit to communicate clearly to you. It came as sudden thought when I was asked if I had any insight about the bones of Christ. The Scripture ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:14, Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being One In Spirit Series

Contributed by Craig Simonian on Sep 4, 2001

This sermons is about growing as a community.

Being One in Spirit June 24, 2001 What would most people say if you asked them, “what’s the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word Christian or church?” - What do you think most people would say? - Loving, Caring, Serving the Community, Welcoming, Generous, Authentic, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Disagreeing Agreeably

Contributed by Mark Haines on Sep 8, 2001

An inductive message using biblical narrative to call Christians to learn how to focus on God’s purpose even when we disagree on how to work it out.

Intro: "It’s easy to see why people like the sea gull. I’ve sat overlooking a craggy harbor and watched one. He exults in freedom. He thrusts his wings backward with powerful strokes, climbing higher and higher until he’s above all the other gulls, then coasts downward in majestic loops and ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan