Sermons on In Local:

The Ministry Of Presence

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Mar 14, 2010

There are all types of ministries within the local body. Such as, ushering, teaching, helping, but the greatest ministry is to present.

The Ministry of Presence Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Subsidiarity And Human Development Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 20, 2010

Social problems must be solved on the most local level possible, just as Jesus did, but in solidarity with the community.

March 22 2010 Caritas in Veritate Jesus bore witness to the Truth, because He is the Truth. Moreover, the Father bore witness to Jesus’s authenticity, through the miracles and through the divine voice that occasionally made itself heard at critical moments. So when Jesus came into conflict ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-20

Denomination: Catholic

Stumbling Into His Arms - Devotional For Lowcountry Assisted Living

Contributed by Michael Brown on Nov 1, 2023

This is a devotional for a local assisted living facility. The first half is from the book Golden Apples for Golden Agers.

Stumbling into His arms It was cold. It was Paris. It was forty years ago. I recall the details vividly because my camera preserved the elderly couple on film. Their black-and-white image first emerged in my darkroom in the late 1960s. The image hasn’t faded, & neither has its power to evoke ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 94:17-19, Isaiah 41:10

Denomination: Baptist

Growing Deeper By Going Smaller

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 3, 2015

The local church grows most effectively when it divides into cells to increase discipleship and increase pastoral care.

“Growing Deeper by Going Smaller” Selected Passages Open They go by different names— cell groups, small groups, care groups, discipleship, groups, grace groups, breakout groups. Whatever they are called, the basic idea is the same: a small gathering of people interested in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Will Be A Unifying Member Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 10, 2015

Satan's greatest tool in undermining the work of the local church is disunity. The church is called to be unified in purpoose and passion.

Series: I Am a Church Member (based on and adapted from Thom Rainer’s book by the same name) “I Will Be a Unifying Member” Ephesians 4:1-6 Open Last week, we started a six week series based on Thom Rainer’s book I Am a Church Member. I said that this will be a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lesson 21: The Church Sermon Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 29, 2018

Giving the annual sermon on the state of the church

Lesson Goal I hope to encourage giving an annual sermon about the local church. Lesson Intro We can easily become like the Samaritans who focused more on worshiping God in a certain place than worshiping God who rules the universe. Denominationalism and provincialism can all be forms of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Our Awesome Weapon, Prayer Series

Contributed by Dave Martin on Jan 10, 2001

A tale is told about a small town that had historically been "dry," but then a local businessman decided to build a tavern.

"Our Awesome Weapon - Prayer!" "Knowing Our Enemy" series - Part 7 of 7 Text: Eph. 6:18-20 & Selected Cross Creek Community Church August 13, 2000 God’s Word is Powerful, Relevant, and Up to Date! Ephes. 6:18-20 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18-20

Denomination: Bible Church

So, What Do You Do For God?(Pastor Jose Gomez Jr)

Contributed by Jose Gomez Sr. on Mar 9, 2006

This is the cornerstone question behind finding your individual role within your local church and the Body of Christ as a whole.

“So, what do you do for the Lord?”, I asked Joe, a fellow believer and gung-ho Christian. “Brother, I do whatever the Lord asks me to do,” he confidently replied “Joe, pardon me for saying this,” I said, “but isn’t that a part of every Christian’s job?” Joe looked a bit puzzled, so I continued: “I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Restoring A Divided Kingdom

Contributed by David Parks on Sep 19, 2006

One of Satan’s greatest weopons is division in the local church. How do we restore a divided church?

RESTORING A KINGDOM DIVIDED. TEXT: Matt. 12:22-25. INTRODUCTION: 1. One of the greatest weapons Satan has in his arsenal is division (text) 2. If you’ve been around very long, you’ve seen churches torn and crippled by cliques, power struggles, malicious talk and the club syndrome. 3. The church ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why A Church Covenant

Contributed by Don Baggett on Dec 1, 2007

Church members need to have an agreement concerning how they will conduct themselves with respect to the local church of which they are a part.

The context of this verse has to do with the use of tongues, and other spiritual gifts, in the church. While all churches certainly need to make the Bible their standard for faith and practice, different churches tend to interpret things differently. Therefore, it is wise for a local church to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:40

Denomination: Baptist

What Type Of Church Are We? Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Aug 30, 2007

A message to bring to light the type of local church we have and to understand what God desires for us to be.

What Type of Church Are We? Revelation 2-3 (the free powerpoint can be found at www.hueytownbaptist.com on the pastor’s sermon page) > The first time we hear Jesus mention the church is in Matthew 16. His words are, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Why ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Refocusing Vision

Contributed by Michael Mccosker on Sep 20, 2007

I believe that every local church has a Divine commission and purpose. Seeking God will unlock the doors to that purpose

Text Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 5:13-16 Focus Every Christian has the responsibility and privilege to share the gospel Introduction This morning we are going to begin a time of refocusing in which we will focus on one main question this morning, “Why does the North Hinsdale Community Church Exist, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Homeless No More

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jun 15, 2007

This is a funeral homily for a homeless man who had lived at a local shelter for 30 years before his death.

Homeless No More - A Funeral Homily Isaiah 58:6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:6-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ministerial Gifts Series

Contributed by David Johnston on Apr 17, 2007

Continuing to look at the Ministerial Gifts within the local church and their true purpose and whether or not these gifts are still vital today.

Eph. 4:11-12 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Everything God does, he does well. Not only in the creation, but also ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hope In Times Of Despair

Contributed by Russell Rhodes on Sep 7, 2005

This sermon is a good one for times of national or local tragady it teaches that even in times of trouble there is still hope in the Lord.

Hope In Times of Despair Lamentations 3:1-24 Jeremiah was a prophet just before and during the first part of Israel’s captivity by Babylon. Jeremiah was known as the Weeping Prophet. He was doing and saying all that God told him to do and to say and no one was listening. They turned to the false ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:1-24

Denomination: Baptist