Sermons on Eldership Training:

Is Official/Formal Church Membership In A Local Church According To Scripture? – Part 4 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 7, 2025

This is the final part and we look at a numbers of issues here as well as two statements from Internet sites on why membership is important. Over and over I am opposing this notion that commitment is connected with official membership. It is judgemental and untrue. I hope this is of some value.

IS OFFICIAL/FORMAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE? – PART 4 We have been looking at some passages of scripture from Paul’s writings and in vain, do we look for even the slightest suggestion that a church has official membership that discriminates among the Christians ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:29-30, Philippians 4:1-3, 3 John 1:9, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 2 Corinthians 2:6, Hebrews 13:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When The Protectors Become Predators

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 31, 2019

Church leaders are appointed to protect the flock. When the protectors become predators, you may be sure that God will shortly expose the sin and deliver judgement.

“Jerusalem sinned grievously; therefore, she became filthy; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns her face away.” [1] Shocked, disgusted, grieved, hurt—what a confused jumble of emotions flooded the heart of Christians when they ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

A Family Out Of Control; A Prophet Under God's Control

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 1, 2019

God commanded Hosea to marry a prostitute. This ensured that his was a dysfunctional family. A study of Hosea will encourage Christians as we struggle with honouring God through our families.

“The LORD said to me, ‘Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.’ So, I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. And I said ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Character Counts Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 8, 2016

The response to disruptive people demonstrates the Christian's maturity. Paul counsels the expression of the character that marks all who are mature in Christ.

“In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

I Did Not Quit Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 21, 2016

Christian service requires stamina to stay the course despite opposition.

“You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Act Like Men

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 14, 2012

The people of God are engaged in a great battle. If we will engage the enemy and advance the cause of Christ, we need to heed the commands issued in this text.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” The Christian Faith is a woman’s religion; and I’m glad this is so! Historically, women were excluded from religion. In the pagan religions extant at the time the Master presented Himself as a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Love One Another

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Nov 8, 2003

This sermon looks at the command of loving those of the household of faith, conflict in the church and restoration of those who stumble.

Love is the single most important command in the scriptures. Jesus taught that the single greatest commandment in the Bible is to love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. He followed up by saying that the second greatest commandment draws from the first – love your neighbor as ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-15, 1 John 4:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

Our God Is Able

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Aug 21, 2019

To establish that our God is able to keep us built up, in the most holy faith; in His love, and to keep us from falling; to present us faultless before the presence of His glory (in heaven) with exceeding joy. He is faithful that promises!

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Keep Us in the Faith 2. Keep Us in His Love 3. Keep Us from Falling Remarks. 1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing the theme: “Our God is able.” This lesson will deal with the Godhead’s ability to keep us in the most holy faith built up; and keep us in the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21, Matthew 19:26, Jude 1:20-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Guarding The Good Deposit Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 25, 2015

The message explores what Paul meant when he urged Timothy to guard the good deposit. Preachers are point men in the battle to stand firm against error, but the congregation must join them in this task.

“By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” [1] Servants of Christ demonstrate a dynamic interplay of divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the exercise of the ministry God has assigned each one. One writer, citing an old maxim of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

Ingredients Of A Godly Man

Contributed by Kent Hawkins on Jan 23, 2001

Scriptural description of Biblical Elders.

Ingredients of a Godly Man I Timothy 3:1-7 & Titus 1:6-9 I admire those whose talent lies in the culinary arts. More importantly, I like to eat. I do not profess to be a cook. Like most men, I can grill, and that’s all. During Kim and my first year of marriage, we were going to have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9

A Woman Desperately In Love With God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 17, 2008

The incident of the Widow’s mite took place during Jesus last week in Jerusalem. He had few opportunities to reinforce the teachings He felt were most critical for His disciples. So why use this woman as His object lesson?

TEXT: Luke 20:45-21:4 TITLE: Desperately In Love With God OPEN: Several years ago, I read the story of an 87 year old woman named Oselola McCarty. She had spent her life working 12 hour days doing other people’s laundry. That’s why people were amazed when she generously donated $150,000 to ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Man Who Listened To Fools Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 28, 2011

The Bible tells us to seek advice. But not all advice is good advice. It pays to pay attention to whom you pay attention to. But how do I know the difference between good advice and bad?

OPEN: In my files I have the following pieces of advice that you may want to consider: · Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. · Never buy a car you can't push. · When everything's coming your way, you're probably in the wrong lane. · Find out what you don't do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Principles To Build Upon: Harmony Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on May 9, 2008

Unity within the church is vital to the success of the church.

Principles to Build Upon: Harmony Introduction: The last few weeks we have discussed principles that we must build upon. If we are going to grow as a church there are several pillars that we must build upon. We have talked about the importance of maintaining the Truth, of worshipping in spirit ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:44-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Trinity In Salvation Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Aug 10, 2010

The persons of the Trinity working for our salvation.

On Saturday May 15, 2010, Jessica Watson arrived in Sydney after sailing around the world. It was a wonderfully inspiring effort. I once got sea sick sitting on a surf ski waiting for waves off Warriewood Beach. So you can imagine how I feel even thinking about sailing through huge seas on a yacht ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Rejoice In Being His Friend Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Mar 31, 2017

A study of the Gospel of John chapter 3: 22 – 36

John 3: 22 – 36 I Rejoice In Being His Friend 22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For ...read more

Scripture: John 3:22-36

Denomination: Calvary Chapel