Sermons on Empower The Membership:

There Must Be Factions Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 4, 2007

Worship at the Lord’s Table may either be focused on Christ, or on the individual participating. Paul cautions against trivializing the Lord’s Table to suit oneself.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-20 THERE MUST BE FACTIONS “In the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

We Believe In The Church Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

As we think about church, it’s important to know what a church is. A church is a group of born-again people meeting together in one place with God as its center.

We’ve been discussing beliefs this summer in a series of messages entitled Creed: 9 Essentials to the Christian Faith. We see beliefs are critical component in so many areas of our lives. Beliefs are critical to political parties as beliefs differ among Republicans and Democrats. Beliefs are ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret To Christian Success

Contributed by Ivan Casteel on Apr 5, 2006

To help believers to understand and live a successful life for God.

DATE THE SECRET TO CHRISTIAN SUCCESS Mark 4:34. Mr 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. (KJV) INTRODUCTION: I recently preached this sermon at the church I pastor and I presented to them as a matter of desparation. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:34

Denomination: Baptist

The Myths Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jan 13, 2014

This is the second in a series of 4 messages designed to help create a new focus on Purpose/Vision/Mission. Thanks to the writings of Dr. Gene Mimms, Dr. Rick Warren, & Dr. Thom Rainer for the 'extra' readings to complete this series.

“The MYTHS” Purpose living for a New Year - #2 of 4 Jerry Watts MATT 16:13-19 • Shortly after I became your pastor I took a trip to Saddleback for 2 conferences in one week. One conference was “Preaching for Life-Change” and the other was “The Purpose-Driven ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

You Reap What You Sojourn

Contributed by Matthew Everhard on Sep 1, 2004

How does the church escape the "Adding Members" model and revert to a biblical definition of evangelism? This message uses Jesus’ challenge that "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few" in incite compassionate outreach.

“You Reap What You Sojourn” by Matthew Everhard. Originally preached on Sunday Morning, July 4th, 2004 at Hudson Presbyterian Church. Words 2205 Their primary concern was membership. Specifically, that membership was on the rise. Well, either that or member PLEDGES-- those were equally important. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Faith And Favouritism Series

Contributed by Timothy Enns on Oct 31, 2014

Looking at favouritism in the world and in the church and seeing it for what it is...a sin!

[ILLUSTRATION] There’s a story about a Chicago bank that once asked for a letter of recommendation on a young Bostonian being considered for employment at the bank. They wrote the Boston investment house where he had worked and they could not say enough about the young man. They wrote ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Nazarene

Recognizing Jesus Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Apr 9, 2013

As the two men walked along the road to Emmaus they met with the risen Jesus. Scripture tells us that they were "kept from recognizing Him." Why were they blinded to the reality of who He really was? How did they respond when they finally saw Him for w

Recognizing Jesus - Luke 24:25-35 - April 7, 2013 Series: Testimony and Membership In the 4th chapter of the book of Hebrews we read this: “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:25-35

Denomination: *other

Correcting And Forgiving

Contributed by Claud Owens on Aug 5, 2002

What to do when a brother or sister in the faith sins.

CORRECTING AND FORGIVING SIN Scripture Reading: Psalm 103: 1 - 7 Gospel Reading: Matthew 18: 15 - 35 In today’s gospel reading Jesus addresses the question of what to do when you find a member of the congregation in sin. Our English translations of the bible have it, "When a brother sins ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-7, Matthew 18:15-35

Denomination: Church Of God

The Danger Of Fundamentalism

Contributed by David Zimmerman on Oct 18, 2000

Ephesus was a wealthy, cultured city.

Ephesus was a wealthy, cultured city. But it was also a mor-ally corruptcity. In many ways, you could compare it to Wash-ington D.C., Dallas, Texas, Chicago, Boston, Amsterdam, or Ber-lin. If we could transport Ephesus into modern times, it would have its skyscrapers and snarled expressways. It ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: *other

Unity Despite Diversity

Contributed by Thomas Wilson on May 21, 2004

Am individual Congregationalists view of Corinthians 1

1 Corinthians 1 The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians Salutation 1. Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2. To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

A Place To Belong Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Kellum on Feb 25, 2004

The level of commitment you see in new members depends on how much time, prayer and intentional effort you put into their growth.

INTRODUCTION: NEED: To Develop a plan to turn attenders into members (for a similar perspective see Warren, Purpose Driven Church, Chapter 17) If our goal is to get people to come down that isle and tell us they will join this church, our plan can be rather simple. 1. Make them comfortable when ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

Let's Do Church Right Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 6, 2005

very church has failings and challenges, but good churches strive after excellence as God defines excellence.

Let’s Do Church Right (Philippians 1:1-11) 1. Paul and Timothy: The Apostle Paul wrote this letter in about 63 AD to his close friends, the Christians in Philippi, from his Roman house arrest described at the end of Acts (Acts 28:30-31), waiting for his court appearance before Caesar (around the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Choose Faith, Not Fear

Contributed by Scott Carmer on May 14, 2007

The story of Lydia, who responded to Paul’s leadership by being baptized.

Choose Faith, Not Fear Acts 16:9-15 May 13, 2007 Mother’s Day Today is Mother’s Day. It is a day that we are all familiar with because we all have had mothers at one time or another. I have a feeling (Now I could be wrong about this. Maybe other men don’t share my perspective. But I have a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:9-15

Denomination: Methodist

Cherish Your Spiritual Heritage

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Aug 29, 2010

Cherish Your Spiritual Heritage 1) It’s only yours through faith 2) It’s only yours by grace

When I worked on a thoroughbred ranch in northern Japan, I knew which horses I needed to take extra care of simply by looking at the placards that hung above each of the horse’s stalls. These placards recorded equine bloodlines. Mr. Wimpy might not sound like a promising racer but if he was ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Get Along Children Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 7, 2007

People of God make up a family, and families sometimes ’feud’. Jesus lays out some helpful rules for restoration - 1. Personal Effort 2. Plural Effort 3. Public Effort - Link inc. to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint.

Get Along Children Matthew 18:15-35 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GetAlong.html The beginning of this chapter tells us how to enter the family of God...by humbling ourselves as little children before the Lord. The rest of the chapter tells us how to get along with all the other children in our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-35

Denomination: Baptist