Sermons on Older Members:

When Things Go Wrong...

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 16, 2020

In some ways it is rather amazing that Joseph, the son of Jacob, ever amounted to anything. It was obvious to his 10 older half-brothers that Joseph was “Daddy’s favorite.”

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: Genesis 37:1-28; Genesis 50:20 ILL. Years ago there was a TV show called “The Honeymooners”. Jackie Gleason was its star, & Art Carney played his best friend & neighbor, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-28, Genesis 50:20, Jeremiah 31:19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Prodigal Son

Contributed by David Goering on Oct 23, 2018

To use this text to expose the character of the younger son and the older brother of Luke chapter 15. To show that the real hero of this parable is the father who is loving, kind and forgiving.

SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:11-32 "And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far ...read more

So Near -- So Far

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 29, 2025

Older brothers get lost at home—close to God yet far from His heart—but the Father invites them inside to enjoy His joy.

INTRODUCTION – MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND Today our nation pauses to remember those who gave their lives for freedom. For many, Memorial Day is a date on the calendar; for me, it is a name. My older brother Bob, now laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, reminds me that freedom always carries a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 8:15-17, Psalm 103:10-13, Galatians 4:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Glory Of God Revealed To The Nations Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 2, 2025

The older I get, the more I realize that Christmas doesn’t always arrive in peaceful places. Sometimes it breaks into the darkest nights in the coldest corners of the world.

The Glory of Heaven Revealed to the Nations December 21, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Luke 2:21-32 When we think of Christmas, we picture warmth—lights, family, the glow of a tree, the smell of something good in the oven. My grandfather, who fought in the Pacific, used ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-32

Denomination: Brethren

What Are We To Do If There Is A Tater Family In Our Church?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 8, 2023

Although the title to this message mentions a Tater Family, the passage of Scripture speaks about the servants working with the pounds. Do Christians of today resemble the servants in the Scripture?

This is the story about the pounds. This story tells of a certain nobleman who received a kingdom, and it showed the followers of Jesus what they were to do during the time between when Jesus would leave and his Second Coming. The followers were to be unwavering and fruitful while he was gone. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It's A Family Matter Series

Contributed by Ed Wood on Apr 6, 2007

8th (last) is series on 1 Thesselonians (8 of 8).

IT’S A FAMILY MATTER 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 INTRO: Paul’s favorite name for believers was brethren. He used it at least 60 times in his letters; and in the two Thessalonian Epistles, he used it 27 times. Paul saw the local church as a family. Each member was born again by the Spirit of God and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Priesthood Of All Believers Series

Contributed by Glenn Farinola on Apr 2, 2004

The Bible teaches that each member of the body of Christ has a responsibility to minister the gospel to others.

The Priesthood of All Believers We have been studying in this series of sermons “What it means to be a Protestant”. Why important? Because realize it or not we as a nation have been experiencing a reversal of the protestant reformation. Have you heard of the ecumenical movement? That’s all the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Denomination: Adventist

Thoughts On Church Membership

Contributed by Bill Towns on May 5, 2006

What is "church membership" all about? What does it mean? "Just who is a member?"

SERIES: GENERAL TITLE : THOUGHTS ON CHURCH MEMBERSHIP SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12FF INTRODUCTION: Most of us, for the most part, do not like to be alone all the time. We like being a part of something. Whether that is a group activity or being where other people are, we like being a part of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Funeral Sermon

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Oct 19, 2005

Funeral sermon for Rubie Campbell, church member and shut-in for last several years.

1 Corinthians 15:54-58 Rubie Campbell Gaither Tape Playing Introduction I want to read to you a passage from the book of 1 Corinthians. “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Denomination: Baptist

Lean On Me

Contributed by John Harvey on Oct 20, 2004

Christians need to be members of a local church because we need to be in relationships with other christians

“Lean On Me” 10/24/04 The Necessity of Membership Intro: We all need people. For various reasons and for many purposes we need others. God created us to be relational. The only time God disapproved of anything in creation was when he looked in the Garden and man was alone. “The Lord God said, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:10

Denomination: Baptist

Eulogy Ethelene Hall

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Feb 23, 2002

This is a eulogy for a Christian woman who was a 40 year member of the church and died at age 81.

Ethelene Amelia Hall 2/22/2002 Death first appeared in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. It was a frightening concept to them and has been for most of humankind ever since. But even before Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Talk To The Hand Series

Contributed by John Knight on Apr 14, 2003

Fourth in series. As members of the body of Christ we have a uniqueness, union, worth, and belonging.

"In Christ" "Talk To The Hand" I Corinthians 12:12-27 Individualism Examples/illustrations "What you want is what you get" "Your way, right away [at BurgerKing]" Mitsubishi "You deserve it" Supremacy of the "id" Reality TV Survivor The Weakest Link Big Brother "? ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: Holiness

I Will Share The Responsibility Of Our Church Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jan 7, 2004

The sermon reminds us of the importance of every member actively participating in the evangelistic purpose of the church.

Membership Covenant I Will Share the Responsibility of Our Church Matthew 28:18-20 January 11, 2004 Intro: A. [Pastor will sing, “People Need the Lord” (Greg Nelson/Phil McHugh, 1983 River Oaks Music Co., BMI)] B. This will be the second in our series of sermons on our new membership ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Can The Lord Help Us Find Comfort During The Loss Of A Dear Friend?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

How can we find comfort during the loss of a family member or friend? 1.

How can we find comfort during the loss of a family member or friend? 1. Ask the Lord to be your comforter in times of grief. Paul writes, "Who comforts us in all our sorrow so that we can offer others, in their sorrows, the consolation that we have received from God ourselves." (2 Cor. 1 :4) 2. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Graveside Service

Contributed by Dan Brown on Dec 20, 2007

This was a graveside service for a longtime member of our church who died after a long illness.

Graveside Service Read obituary That was the obituary we read in the paper this week for Bob, but I think we all know that there was much more to him than could be summed up in a couple of paragraphs in the paper. Sometimes it might have been hard to find out some of those things from him. Bob ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Denomination: *other