Sermons on formality: showing 226-240 of 4,294

What Jesus Wants In Worship

Contributed by Ed Wood on Nov 17, 2006

John gives us the elements of worship that Jesus expects.

WHAT JESUS WANTS IN WORSHIP John 2:13-25 INTRO: What do you want when you go to worship? People want a particular size of congregation, a special kind of building, a unique order of worship, and personal preferences of elements for the worship. Think for a moment what you like when you go to ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

Church Discipline Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 6, 2010

In many churches around the world today, the subject of church discipline is marginalised, downplayed or ignored. Many modern churches worried about the excesses in church discipline that have occurred throughout history, have regrettably allowed a severe

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 In many churches around the world today, the subject of church discipline is marginalised, downplayed or ignored. Many ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Humility Or Hypocrisy

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Oct 30, 2020

As followers of Christ Jesus, we should be more concerned about the orientation of our heart and lives than we are about outward appearances.

Humility or Hypocrisy Matthew 23: 1 - 12 Intro: A story is told of a Texas rancher who met up with a Wisconsin dairy farmer. The 2 men talked about their land & the dairy farmer told the rancher that he operated his farm on 125 acres. The Texan, not to be outdone said, “Yankee, that ain’t ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Greatest Need In The Day We Live

Contributed by Dr.w.samuel Legon on Jul 15, 2016

The greatest need in the world today.

THE GREATEST NEED IN THE DAY WE LIVE Malachi 1:1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. Malachi 4: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. Psalm 99: 9 Exalt ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

So, You Want To Get Baptized

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Mar 27, 2018

The seeker is hungry to understand Scripture. With the explanation, seeks to go deeper and be baptized. Like this reading, it need not be complicated nor by some rigid ritual; it may be spontaneous and thereby even more meaningful.

Mid-week Message/Devotion March 28, 2018 Reading: Acts 8:26-40 So, You Want to Get Baptized This to me, this is one of the most enjoyable readings in the New Testament. It sets an example for us that is extremely vivid. Let me first narrate a modern day parallel story based upon personal ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Idolatry”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Sep 9, 2001

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SEPTEMBER 16, 2001 Exodus 32:7-14 Title: “Idolatry”

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SEPTEMBER 16, 2001 Exodus 32:7-14 Title: “Idolatry” This text is part of the Golden Calf story, a story more complicated that it looks at first blush. To understand it we need to fast forward to the time after Solomon’s death when Jeroboam led ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:7-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Are We Faithful Or Just Successful

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Dec 4, 2005

God doesn’t call us to be successful - but faithful! Leave success to God.

Now that Thanksgiving is over with, I’ve turned my attention – as many of you have probably done – toward Advent and Christmas. There is the decorating of the tree, the planning of parties and gatherings, and the writing of Christmas cards. Some of the people I send Christmas cards to are folks ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Law Of The Spirit Of Life

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on May 26, 2020

When we were born again, we were born into a realm where sickness and death does not exist. And because this is where we now live, we have the right to enforce life in those areas of our lives that are not manifesting life.

In January 1910, a raging plague was sweeping through parts of the nation of Africa, leaving behind hundreds of thousands of bodies. In less than a month, one quarter of the entire population had died. The plague was so contagious that the government was offering $1000, the equivalent of $27,170 ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:13, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 John 4:8, Luke 6:35-38, Philippians 4:6-7, Philippians 4:19, Proverbs 4:20-23, Romans 5:14, Romans 5:12, John 15:7, John 15:5, John 6:63, Numbers 23:19-20, Romans 8:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spontaneous Prayer Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

Spontaneous prayer is much more meaningful and real than planned prayer. Planned prayer is usually locked into formulas, and we repeat the same requests over and over. This kind of prayer gets dull, and it is seen as a duty rather than a joy.

George Buttrick in his large book simply called Prayer tells of why the Acoma Indians in Colorado chose to live on the mesa. The rock gave them safety. The Apaches on the South and the Navajos on the North made them sitting ducks down on the plains, and so they headed for the rocks. A narrow path ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Mothers With A Mission Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Harvard Business Review reported that only 10% of family-owned business get passed down successfully to the third generation. Only 70% of family-owned businesses last one generation. If a family-run business struggles to survive for 2 generations, how much more your family’s faith in Jesus Christ?

Welcome and thank you for worshipping with us this morning. Keep Colossians 1 open before you, will you? You can find a link to our sermon notes in the chat and a communication card. For children’s and student resources, please visit our churchonline page at our website. Happy Mother’s Day to you! ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Why Your Prayers Are Not Answered – Part Ii Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jun 18, 2014

A study of chapter 58 of the book of Isaiah verses 1 through 14

Isaiah 58: 1 – 14 Why Your Prayers Are Not Answered – Part II 1 “Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-14

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Preparing For Tomorrow…today

Contributed by Jonathan Busch on Nov 23, 2002

As Christians we find ourselves in the position of waiting for the return of our Lord. How do we maintain an attitude of expectancy while in this position of waiting. The parable of the ten virgins teaches us a few things.

Preparing for Tomorrow…Today Text: Matthew 25:1-13 Intro: The title of my message tonight is “Preparing for Tommorow…Today” Now now matter what the title sounds like this is not an will planning clinic…and then again maybe it is! Illus: The story is told of a man who dreamt one night that an ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Blessed Are The Spiritual Zeros

Contributed by David Taylor on Oct 7, 2004

Blessed are those who are poor in spirit.

Sermon on Mount Blessed are the spiritual Zeros May 9, 2004 Today I start working through our series on the on the Beatitudes. I.e. Dan and Deanne’s bareness. It is at the outset of the Sermon on the Mount that we learn that we do not have the spiritual resources to put any of the Sermons ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reason #4: We're Co-Heirs With Christ Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 11, 2002

We see God, not as a harsh master, but as a loving father, who offers us a close, personal relationship and a secure inheritance.

Sermon Series> Romans 8, Reasons to be ENCOURAGED Reason #4: We’re sealed as co-heirs with Christ, 8:15-18 Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts We’re part of the family! Paul points out that, although once were in bondage to sin, we’ve been purchased from ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:25-26, Romans 8:15-18

Denomination: Congregational

An Extravagant Gesture

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 10, 2001

Extravagant gestures are an appropriate - even necessary - expression of love.

Do you know how much it cost? $15,000, that’s how much. And that’s just for the perfume! The bottle she broke was worth nearly that much on its own. I can’t see why Jesus was so upset with us for complaining about the waste. I mean, I saw his point later on, but how could we have known then? ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8, Matthew 26:6-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed