Sermons on Moral Unity:

Front Line Christians

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jul 23, 2001

We have made Christianity into a spectator sport. We just sit back in church and listen to the music, and the sermons and never really get involved in the game. We need some Christians today to get off the sidelines and get on the front lines.

Intro: It was the first day of basketball practice at Wingate High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Coach handed a ball to each player. “Boys,” he said, “I want you to practice shooting from the spots you might expect to be in during the game.” One of the boys (who was pretty much there as a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Playing War Series

Contributed by Tim George on Aug 5, 2001

There is a war that rages among us today that is just as serious. It is the war that rages in the souls of men and women. Why do people have so much trouble getting along with each other? Chapter four of the book of James gives us the answer.

"Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Disjointed Body

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 1, 2001

Text: Ephesians 4:1-6 In the Messianic Psalm 22 we read of the description of Christ on the cross feeling all his bones out of joint. Could this be a picture of the church today? We are one body and we should speak and act toward one another in love reg

The Disjointed Body 9-2-01 Ephesians 4:1-6 The burden I have from the Lord this week is something I really need the inspiration, the breathing in, of Holy Spirit to communicate clearly to you. It came as sudden thought when I was asked if I had any insight about the bones of Christ. The Scripture ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:14, Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Really Do Need Each Other

Contributed by Mark Haines on Sep 8, 2001

An exposition of several texts as a “pastoral care intervention” message pointing out the problem of disunity in the church caused by individualism and calling those attending worship to reach out to those who do not attend.

Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness calling God’s people in my care to take the first step and reach out to professing Christians that are not attending worship services. Response: Individuals will raise their hands to indicate that they know at least one professing Christian that does ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:28, 1 Corinthians 12:26

Denomination: Wesleyan

Disagreeing Agreeably

Contributed by Mark Haines on Sep 8, 2001

An inductive message using biblical narrative to call Christians to learn how to focus on God’s purpose even when we disagree on how to work it out.

Intro: "It’s easy to see why people like the sea gull. I’ve sat overlooking a craggy harbor and watched one. He exults in freedom. He thrusts his wings backward with powerful strokes, climbing higher and higher until he’s above all the other gulls, then coasts downward in majestic loops and ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Time To Pass The Gravy-Serving Others At The Holidays Series

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Sep 13, 2001

Part of the Christmas Wonder PowerPak.

How many of you have watched the television show, "Cheers"? For eleven seasons, from 1982 to 1993, Cheers was one of the highest-rated shows on television, and since 1993 its spinoff, Frasier, has also consistently been at the top of the ratings. What accounts for this popularity? Inspired writing, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14, James 5:9

Denomination: Baptist

Whose Side Are You On Anyway?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Mar 10, 2002

How are you contributing positively to God’s family?

Two men riding on a bicycle built for two came to a long steep hill. It took a great deal of struggle for the men to complete what proved to be a very stiff climb. When they got to the top, the man in front turned to the other fellow and said, “Boy, that sure was a hard climb.” The fellow in back ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25

Denomination: Church Of God

The Lion Called Jealousy

Contributed by Jim Kane on Mar 10, 2002

How do we seek to build unity and stop divisiveness?

A decade ago I was working part-time at an apartment complex where Susan and I lived while I was completing a degree at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. It was an interesting job and I worked with, and for, some interesting people. In May of 1992 things came to a head at this place. I ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Church Of God

Fill Your Pastor's Joy To The Brim

Contributed by Dana Chau on Mar 19, 2002

Learn how to put joy in your pastor’s heart.

Introduction: This morning, we continue with Paul’s letter to the Philippians, chapter 2, verses 1-4. I hope for those who needed to see the big picture, you were satisfied last week to receive an overview of the entire letter. Someone has said, "Leaders are not grabbed; they are grown." ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4, Acts 2:17-27

Denomination: *other

When Conflicts Arise In Christian Community

Contributed by Dana Chau on Mar 22, 2002

Learn the principles for dealing successfully with the inevitable conflicts that arise in church

Last week, we looked at how integrating God’s influence results in healthy relationships. The four steps contained in Philippians 3:15-4:1 were "ask God for clear thinking, live what we know from God, pattern after godly people and make room for a biblical future." If we could do this perfectly ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-3

Denomination: *other

A Thriving And Healthy Church

Contributed by Bob Ashcraft on Apr 7, 2002

Acts chapter 9 provides a snap-shot of a healthy and thriving church that was flowing with the Holy Spirit. This is an example to the church today.

 Many churches through the centuries have looked to the New Testament church in the Acts as a model of what Christ is wanting in his body  In Acts 9 we see an example of a healthy and thriving church MAIN TEXT: Acts 9:31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Characteristics Of A Godly Church

Contributed by Ernest Canell on Jan 16, 2001

Do you want your church to be like God’s church?

Four Characteristics of a Godly Church READ Acts2:42-47 Ask you what you might think a silly question— Do you want this church to be like God’s church? This question needs to be asked because the church of today is slipping. Did you know that the United States is the third largest unchurched ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: *other

The Problem With Partiality Series

Contributed by Andy Atkins on Jan 27, 2001

God is no respecter of persons, and he expects no less for his church!

The Problem with Partiality James 2:1-13 Are you a fair-minded individual? Do you oppose discrimination? Chances are that most of us alive today would describe ourselves as impartial and fair in most senses. But are we really as fair as we like to think? Suppose that today a cook from the local ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

In Search Of A Relationship With Others

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 29, 2001

We learn to have a relationship with others: 1. When we live out the love of God. 2. We understand that we are one. 3. We grow in our relationship with God.

Ruth Bell Graham, the wife of Billy Graham, has written a story which she calls “The Mender.” She writes: “He had built for himself a great house on one of the Caribbean islands. It is a thing to behold. Tall rusty iron columns, collected and resurrected with an ingenious homemade device. This ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Methodist

Our Favorite Indoor Sport Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 30, 2001

The things that divide the body: are they worth it?

THE THINGS THAT DIVIDE US Rom 14:1-12  The favorite indoor sport of most Christians is sizing up each other, identifying the differences, and slicing up the body of Christ. 1) In case you have not looked around lately we are very different. We look different, we act different, we talk ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12