Sermons on Expansion Of Churches:

Is Official, Or Formal Church Membership In A Local Church According To Scripture? – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 2, 2025

This begins a 4 part study of local church membership in the New Testament. Is a formal church membership biblically required in our churches? Was it required in the first century churches? We will examine scriptures and practices for those answers.

IS OFFICIAL, OR FORMAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE? – PART 1 What is church membership? What does the New Testament teach about church membership? Is this a requirement for us in local churches or must we submit ourselves to a practice of man and denominational ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Ephesians 5:29-30, Acts 2:47, Acts 2:44, Romans 12:4-6, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Philippians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Colossians 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Official Or Formal Church Membership In A Local Church According To Scripture – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 3, 2025

Formal church membership that involves special membership and voting rights is contentious. In this Part 2, I open up the matter to show how out of sync the matter is with the membership of the one Body of Christ, and the discrimination. We delve into some scriptures to bring this out.

IS OFFICIAL OR FORMAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE – PART 2 In Part 1 we looked at the practice some churches have of there being an official local church membership that divides “members”, adherents and attendees into “MEMBERS” and “NON-MEMBERS” depending if one has ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10, Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 6:15, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 1 Corinthians 12:18-20, 1 Corinthians 12:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Official/Formal Church Membership In A Local Church According To Scripture? – Part 3 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 7, 2025

Regarding this matter of formal church membership, it is examined alongside mainly Ephesian verses. The subject is opened up to understand the New Testament practice of being members of one another and the equality in the Body of Christ. Membership of Christ’s Body covers it all.

IS OFFICIAL/FORMAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE? – PART 3 Part 3 (there are 4 parts) continues to look at various scriptures in this study of formal church membership over and above the one membership that unites all believers into one Body, and makes them all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:26-28, Ephesians 2:13-16, Ephesians 2:19-22, Ephesians 3:5-6, Ephesians 4:3-7, Ephesians 4:11-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

What Part Do I Play In The Church? Series

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jul 24, 2007

Part 1 of series, "Who Runs the Church". Examines the part members play in the life & ministry of the church.

WHO RUNS THE CHURCH? Part 1: What Part Do I Play In The Church? It was 6 years ago this week, that Gladys, Drew and I moved back here to Enterprise to start what is now known as “River of Life Church.” When we moved back, it was with a little bit of fear and apprehension, but it was primarily ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Pioneering Faith

Contributed by Scott Bradford on Apr 18, 2007

This sermon is for the occassion of an Historic Anniversary (150th) of the church, and remembers the pioneers who have gone before us; but also encourages the pioneers of this present day.

One can almost imagine the first churches encounter with the beggar at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. There were no Ministerial Alliance S.O.P.’s… No gas vouchers… no Confirmation Classes, nor was there an Evangelism Committee to carry out the year long planning… instead Peter and John found ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Jesus The King - Empowering His Church (Pentecost) Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Nov 30, 2025

JESUS the KING, having ascended to the Right hand of the FATHER, now empowers HIS Church with the HOLY SPIRIT, granting divine authority, boldness, and power to continue HIS mission on earth. At Pentecost, the Kingdom came within us, making us a Spirit-filled people who declare that Jesus is Lord.

2025.11.30. Sermon Notes. Jesus the King Empowering His Church (Pentecost) William Akehurst, HSWC SERIES: JESUS THE KING KEY WORD: Pentecost, Empowerment, Holy Spirit, Witness, Kingdom, Promise, Power (dýnamis), Unity, Revival, Mission, Authority, Boldness SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:1-4, Acts ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:14-21, Acts 2:37-41, Acts 1:4-8, Joel 2:28-32, John 14:16-18, John 16:7-15, Ephesians 1:18-23, Galatians 5:16-25, Acts 4:31, 1 Peter 2:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Formula For Success Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Jan 19, 2010

There is a common desire within every person to feel successful isn’t it? Nobody wants to fail whether it’s in life, their business/employment, or their church. And sadly, we often measure our worth on the basis of how successful we are. As we will be re

There is a common desire within every person to feel successful isn’t it? Nobody wants to fail whether it’s in life, their business/employment, or their church. And sadly, we often measure our worth on the basis of how successful we are. By the world’s standard, success often ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Body Made Full Series

Contributed by Todd Leupold on May 26, 2007

What does it mean for the Church to be "full" and how can it be obtained?

THE SUPREME MYSTERY – THE BODY OF CHRIST ACT II: The Mystery of The Body Unveiled 2. THE BODY MADE FULL (Eph. 3:14-21) INTRODUCTION: Am I the only one, or has anyone else had their prayers to God interrupted by a wandering mind? Last week, we saw that even the Apostle Paul can be ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Baptism Of The Holy Ghost

Contributed by Anthony (Tony) Charles on Jul 25, 2025

The baptism of the Holy Ghost is not only to dwell within us but to empower us. Scripture clearly shows that while the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the Body of Christ at conversion, Jesus Himself baptizes us with the Holy Ghost for power and service.

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost: God’s Progressive Revelation Introduction The baptism of the Holy Ghost represents one of the most significant promises in Scripture—God's plan to dwell within His people and empower them for service. From Old Testament prophecy to New Testament fulfillment, we ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 36:26, Joel 2:28, Acts 2:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Within The Veil

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Oct 14, 2010

Any church not built within the veil was not built by Jesus.

Within the Veil September 29, 2010 Opening Illustration A If you’ve ever been in a bad thunderstorm, out in it, you know what it’s like not to fully aware of your surroundings. 1 Stuck in the middle of a lake when the sky broke open, rain in buckets. a In between lightning strikes, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Baptist

How To Kill A Church Without Trying

Contributed by James Roberts on Jun 25, 2009

How to kill a church without doing a thing.

HOW TO KILL A CHURCH WITHOUT TRYING Ephesians 3:20-21 Revelation 3:1-3 Paul is telling us that through the church God is to get glory. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages. The church was instituted by Christ to further the Gospel story and to give all glory to God ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

I Will Build My Church (Pt. 1) Series

Contributed by John Butler on Jul 14, 2009

The first mention of the "church" in scripture states that Christ would build it. This series explores His blue print for His church.

******SERMON OUTLINE******* I Will Build My Church – Part 1 I. Christ Will Build His Church... Praise the Lord! Turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew 16:18-19. Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18-19

You've Got Mail: Thyatira Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Dec 2, 2009

The fourth in a series of seven. This is an expository, alliterated sermon with practical application based on the letter to Thyatira in Revelation. PowerPoint is avialable if you e-mail me.

You’ve Got Mail: Thyatira Scott Bayles, preacher First Christian Church, Rosiclare, IL Sometimes, the contents of a single letter can change a person’s life forever. Whether it’s the college applicant hopefully opening an envelope from a prestigious school wondering whether it’s a letter of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Christian Church

Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Flattery Series

Contributed by Neil Olcott on Sep 10, 2009

Paul continues on contrasting the life of an unbeliever over against a Christ follower. The point is there should be a difference! We are not to mimic those who are far from God, but rather, we should imitate God.

Eph. 5:1-20 Imitation is called the sincerest form of flattery! But we sometimes need to be careful who we are imitating! A new missionary recruit went to Venezuela for the first time. He was struggling with the language and didn’t understand a whole lot of what was going on. Intending to visit ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist