Sermons on Merged Congregations:

More Than A Denomination: Challenges Facing Baptists In A New Era Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 9, 2011

The defining truths that make Baptists a distinct people, and the dangers of neglecting those truths, is explored.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

A Study Of The Letter Of First John – Personalities Of The Children Of God – Part Ii Series

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Aug 10, 2020

The “love of the brethren” is one of the greatest witnesses the church can have, because love is the greatest among all the virtues.

They Love the Brethren (Ch. 3:11 – 3:18) 1 John 3:11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; From the beginning of the ministry of Jesus, He gave this command to His followers. He said, “By this shall all men know that you are My ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Life Is A Series Of Choices (Numbers 14:1-38) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 3, 2025

The fathers of Israel have to make a choice about if they will listen to the voices with faith, or the voices who fear. They make the wrong choice, and now they and their sons will miss God's best.

Last week, we read the story about how Moses, at God's command, sent 12 men into the promised land to explore it. Before Moses sent them, he specifically asked them to bring back a report about the people living there-- are they strong, or weak, are they few, or many? Are their cities ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:1-38, 1 Corinthians 11:30, 1 Corinthians 7:14, James 5:20

Honoring Our Spiritual Leaders Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Dec 10, 2001

Four ways to honor our spiritual leaders.

When I was writing my dissertation last year and earlier this year I had to read over 100 different books and articles about leadership. One of the authors I encountered again and again was Dr. Warren Bennis, who teaches at leadership USC. One of the more interesting books by Dr. Bennis is called ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:17-25, 1 Timothy 5:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Renewing Our Vision Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 7, 2002

Renewing our church’s vision for worship, prayer, service, outreach, and nurture.

I read a story recently about a little league coach who reminisced about his childhood years playing baseball in little league. He remember back how during his first year, his coach had called together the entire baseball team for a picnic, and he asked the team, "Who here wants to eventually play ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Challenges Facing Baptists In The Twenty-First Century Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 2, 2008

Baptists have brought distinctive truth to the circle of the evangelical faith. However, there appears to be a danger of being of losing the Baptist identify which must be recognised and resisted.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8, 9 BAPTIST FOUNDATIONS CHALLENGES FACING BAPTISTS IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Marks Of A True Messenger Of God

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Nov 15, 2004

The Marks of a True Messenger of God: he speaks the true gospel and he defends the true gospel.

Do you know how to detect a virus-laden email? It used to be that if you received an email from someone you didn’t know and it had an obscene subject heading, chances are that email had a virus and should be deleted promptly. Nowadays virus-laden emails can come from people you know and trust. Once ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Are You Alive In Christ

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Apr 29, 2003

A sermon for the 3rd Sunday of Easter

Third Sunday of Easter Luke 24: 36-49 "Are you ALIVE in CHRIST?" 36 ¶ As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them. 37 But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-49, Luke 24:49

Denomination: Lutheran

What Does A Dead Church Look Like?

Contributed by John Nadasi on May 1, 2003

What does the death of a church look like? What does it take for new life to take place?

Luke 24: 36-48 Paonia United Methodist Church May 4, 2003 A young, ambitious pastor was called to serve in a certain church. He was warned by his predecessor that this congregation was "dead".. It was not even worth trying to save it. But this pastor accepted the call because he believed with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-48

Denomination: Methodist

What's The Difference?

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Mar 19, 2004

So what’s the difference between the church and the world? And what’s the source of that difference. Would it surprise those of us in the church to realize that we’re the reason things are so different?

What’s the difference? By itself the question doesn’t make sense. What’s the difference between what? Some differences are pretty easy to see, night and day; automobiles and elephants. But others are a bit subtler such as between democracy and a representative republic. Still others are live ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It Is A Gift To Give

Contributed by Daryn Bahn on Jul 18, 2003

What it means to excel in the grace of giving.

Imagine that a large church burned to the ground somewhere in north Wisconsin, and that all the congregations of our district were asked to help rebuild it by collecting an offering. Every congregation was asked, all but one. This tiny little congregation could hardly afford to keep going. They ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

How Do You Connect With Your World Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 14, 2003

To reach the world you need to speak to it on its terms, in its language and with integrity

In the early 1940s a young graduate of Wheaton College went to a small Baptist church in a Chicago suburb. His name was Billy Graham. Although he felt his gifts were more in the area of evangelism, he agreed to give it a go. Within several months, the church was growing, and so was his popularity. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:20-22, Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Allowing God's Peace To Affect Our Lives

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Jul 23, 2009

This sermon explores on how we can have peace with God and what it means for us to be living and sharing that peace.

Throughout history humanity have been in the habit of building walls. Of building walls to bring comfort, safety and peace. When a problem arises we often want to put walls up. In otherwords humanity has constantly looked at barriers as ways of making life better, of bringing peace. Probably two of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Principles To Build Upon: Involvement Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on May 9, 2008

The involvment of every member is vital to the church’s success.

Principles to Build Upon: Involvement Introduction: I heard about an elderly man who went to his doctor for a physical. The doctor checked him out thoroughly. He told the elderly fellow that he was basically in good health for his age, but also gave him some guidelines concerning his lifestyle. A ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Reason For Believin' Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on May 19, 2013

A look at the beginning of the Third Article of the Apostles' Creed.

If you end up in hospital because of a serious ailment there are three kinds of professionals there who work together to make you better. The doctor, after diagnosing your illness, will write out a prescription. The hospital pharmacist will fill that prescription. And then a nurse will administer ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran