Sermons on Maturing:

Characteristics Of A Vibrant Church Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Feb 3, 2002

Four attributes that contributed to the success of the early church that can be applied to the church of today.

In a Peanuts cartoon, Lucy demands that Linus change TV channels and then threatens him with her fist if he doesn’t. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" asks Linus. "These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they are nothing, but when I curl them together like ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-47

Denomination: Other

Never Give Up Seeking Breakthrough

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Apr 21, 2004

Every advancement in the way people live has come about because someone saw what could be and was no longer willing to accept what is!

NEVER GIVE UP SEEKING THE BREAKTHROUGH Pastor Ian Johnson Papatoetoe Elim Church 20:04:2004 Every advancement in the way people live has come about because someone saw what could be and was no longer willing to accept what is! All Inventions All breakthroughs in science All social change Came ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Love's Last Resort

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Intro.: 1.

Intro.: 1. As disciples of Jesus we've committed ourselves to be like our Master. a. Those are pretty big sandals to fill! 1) "Perfect, attaining to measure ... of Christ" (Eph. 4:13). 2) "We proclaim him, ad. & tch. ... perfect in Christ" (Col. 1:28). 3) "Be perfect as Father in heaven is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-13

How The Holy Spirit Helps A Wise Counselor Understand An Individual's Perspective

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit helps a counselor, who knows how to listen, understand what is REAL to their counselee.

1. The Holy Spirit helps a counselor, who knows how to listen, understand what is REAL to their counselee. A person’s reality consists of what they regard as being actual in its true nature, both visible and invisible things. A leader develops the insight to get to know each person’s perspectives ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:7-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Recognize And Utilize Treasure As Jesus Did

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Jesus said, "The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.

1. Jesus said, "The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Jesus Kept His Disciples United

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Every group contains of a wide variety of personalities, interests and backgrounds.

Every group contains of a wide variety of personalities, interests and backgrounds. When Jesus brought people together with such stark perceptional differences, He knew that in fighting might become a real problem. Instead of insisting that the disciples be unified, Jesus pointed His men toward ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Help People Trust In The Scriptures

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

HOW TO HELP PEOPLE TURN THEIR TRUST FROM A STRONG LEADER TO THE SCRIPTURES Some Christians have a hard time letting go of the controls over their church members.

HOW TO HELP PEOPLE TURN THEIR TRUST FROM A STRONG LEADER TO THE SCRIPTURES Some Christians have a hard time letting go of the controls over their church members. Instead of helping their members learn how to trust God, some leaders try to foster a dependency in their members. As a result many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Love Our Enemies

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit helps us love our enemies by giving us a supernatural compassion for them despite their opposition to us.

1. The Holy Spirit helps us love our enemies by giving us a supernatural compassion for them despite their opposition to us. Jesus said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27,28) Ask the Lord to fill you up with an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Close The Gap Between The Ideals That We Profess To Believe And The Reality Of Our Lifestyles

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins by pointing out areas in our life where we are not living up to Christ’s standards of commitment.

1. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins by pointing out areas in our life where we are not living up to Christ’s standards of commitment. Jesus said, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, but do not do the things that I say?" (Luke 6:46) Ask the Lord to help you to be more responsive to the ways that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:46-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Successfully Perform Multiple Tasks

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit equips us to perform many tasks as we follow the example of our multidimensional Christ.

1. The Holy Spirit equips us to perform many tasks as we follow the example of our multidimensional Christ. Jesus served people in the capacity of a teacher, shepherd, preacher, evangelist, priest, friend, apostle, advocate, model, mentor, disciple-maker, manager, guardian, ambassador, mediator, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Overcome Debilitating Guilt

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Pastor Dave felt terrible guilt over not being able to meet all of the needs of his parishioners. When he took time off for golf he felt so guilty that he never really enjoyed himself. Pastor Dave struggles to earn the approval of everyone in the church b

Pastor Dave felt terrible guilt over not being able to meet all of the needs of his parishioners. When he took time off for golf he felt so guilty that he never really enjoyed himself. Pastor Dave struggles to earn the approval of everyone in the church because he doesn’t want a group of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Paul's Humility Helped Him Maintain Relationships

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 11, 2001

Humility is a key ingredient to any successful relationship. Paul shows us how to take relationships to a higher level

How Paul’s Humility Helped Maintain Relations (Acts 21:17-26) Illustration:I am the least of the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:9 I am the very least of all the saints. Ephesians 3:8 I am the foremost of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15 Humility and a passion for praise are a pair of characteristics which ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:17-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Trust And Love Bring Out The Best In A Person

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 11, 2001

If you want to have the greatest impact on others then let love and trust be your emphasis

Why Trust and Love Brings Out the Best in a Person (Acts 20:7-15) Paul’s goal: "The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (2 Tim. 1:5) Illustration:In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Counseling Competencies

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 19, 2001

Counseling Competencies

Counseling Competencies Luke 2:52 1. Cross-Cultural Communications - Knows the culture of the counselee as well as one’s own cultural presuppositions. Exhibits a willingness to learn, appreciate, and work through the counselee’s cultural norms. Is willing to follow Christ’s incarnational model of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:52

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of The Peculiar

Contributed by Dan Myer on Jan 25, 2008

There is power in living a life that is seperated unto God and serving Him in holiness.

Text: 1 Peter 2:9 [KJV] 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; I Peter 2:9-12 [The Message] 9-10But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational