Sermons on Overseers And Deacons:

It's Not About Power

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 13, 2008

For deacon ordination at Montgomery Hills Baptist Church: deacons are to be humble, secure, and serving, and thus to coach the whole church in Kingdom ways.

Power is what the world knows. You cannot live in the metro DC area without seeing that power is everything for this world. The power of a position in the government, where you can order people around like pawns on a chessboard. The power of access to huge sums of money, so that shopping sprees ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

Is Official, Or Formal Church Membership In A Local Church According To Scripture? – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 2, 2025

This begins a 4 part study of local church membership in the New Testament. Is a formal church membership biblically required in our churches? Was it required in the first century churches? We will examine scriptures and practices for those answers.

IS OFFICIAL, OR FORMAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE? – PART 1 What is church membership? What does the New Testament teach about church membership? Is this a requirement for us in local churches or must we submit ourselves to a practice of man and denominational ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Ephesians 5:29-30, Acts 2:47, Acts 2:44, Romans 12:4-6, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Philippians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Colossians 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

On Membership Part Two Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jul 17, 2023

the Bible clearly teaches that Christians are members of the Body of Christ. But is local church membership Biblical? We examine this in this study. This is not a typical sermon, but more of a Bible study lesson for our congregation.

In doing some serious study on membership and what that looks like in the Church at a local level one encounters a potential problem. It just isn’t there. That’s not to say it is bad, wrong, or sinful to have formal membership rolls, as having such is very practical and quite helpful to local ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:28, Hebrews 13:17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Recognize A Spiritual Leader Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Dec 31, 2014

The author describes one group in the church in particular that are to be “remembered”, “those who led you”. Guiding/leading men/spiritual leaders at the local church/assembly.

How to Recognize a Spiritual Leader Hebrew Series 12/03/14 Introduction A. The author describes one group in the church in particular that are to be “remembered”, “those who led you”. 1. Guiding/leading men/spiritual leaders at the local church/assembly. a. Where ever ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7

Denomination: Baptist

Leadership Integrity Series

Contributed by Duane Smith on Apr 11, 2011

This message is meant to teach us the qualifications of pastors and deacons and what it could mean for our lives.

Proper Order In the House Of God – Leadership Integrity 1 Timothy 3:1-13 INTRODUCTION: A. We all like order – howbeit, maybe not the same order 1. Take Denise and I for example: if it can be done in more than one way – we will do it differently a. Making a bed b. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Appointed, Not Hired Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 20, 2015

Elders (Overseers) are appointed by God. They are not hired to do a job; they are appointed to serve the One who appoints and to serve His holy people.

“I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher.” [1] His face was red and his eyes were narrow slits as he raged, “We hired you, and we can fire you.” I was equally determined as I asserted with a firm, steady voice, “No one hired me; God appointed me.” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:11

Denomination: Baptist

Shepherding The Flock Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 12, 2003

Pastors and elders, as a central purpose of their office are to care for souls. If not, they fail to obey God (1Pe 5:1-2, Acts 20:28), to the great detriment of the church. The goal of the elders and pastors of a church should be to see families and each

INTRODUCTION We know it by the abbreviated title: The Reformed Pastor. Originally it was - Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor, showing the nature of the Pastoral work; especially in Private Instruction and Catechizing; with an open CONFESSION of our too open SINS: Prepared for a Day of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Elders (Titus 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 14, 2024

Who should be leaders of local churches? Let's examine this in Titus 1.

Did Paul describe himself as a slave of God? Was the church’s faith based on the hope of eternal life? Are the qualifications for elders in Titus similar to those in 1 Timothy 3? Do our works speak well of us? What is sound doctrine? What kind of good works does salvation exhibit in us? Do ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Automatic Door Openers

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 19, 2010

For deacon ordination: God has provided the wide door through which all may come, but also the narrow gate that calls for discipline and setting boundaries.

We seem to be fast coming to the place where we will scarcely have to deal with people at all. We can just deal with computer-driven machines to get what we want. I frankly cannot remember when I have dealt with a bank teller. I just roll up to an Automatic Teller Machine, punch in a few numbers, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-14

Denomination: Baptist

Four Words To Change Your Life

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 4, 2005

"Thy Sins Are Forgiven"...excellent sermon material by Jon Daniels lends itself to a very visual sermon, whether using the free Powerpoint at our website or not.

4 Words 2 Change U Life Luke 7:36-50 Powerpoint for this and hundreds more free sermons at our website: http://www.gbcdecatur.org/sermons/4Words.html 4 Words 2 Change U Life Luke 7:36-50 Can four words really change your life? Sure they can! Examples: I’m sorry, it’s cancer. Yes, you are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

Pull Together Not Apart

Contributed by Perry Greene on Feb 5, 2013

In the selection process of church leaders we must see the importance of purpose as well as process.

1. Fatigue Back in the 90’s there was a President of Harvard University named Neil Rudenstine. Now, one of the major roles of college president is to raise money for the institution so they can pay the salaries and other financial responsibilities of the organization. And Neil Rudenstine was ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Serving Takes Commitment Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 6, 2013

First, we see the calling of the first deacons and second, we see the capture of one of the first deacons, a man named Stephen and his testimony to us to stand strong! (Acts 6:1-15)

Serving takes Commitment Acts 6:1-15 Introduction - This chapter contains two different thoughts which are tough to separate - It is because one lends to the other that we will tackle both of them today - First, we see the calling (recorded by Luke) of the first disciples -- These were men ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let The Church Crawl Preacher

Contributed by Davon Huss on Feb 20, 2012

A sermon for a deacon ordination based on Acts 6:1-7

HoHum: In an energetic congregation the preacher get up one Sunday morning and said, "With God’s help we can see the day when this church will go from crawling to walking." The people responded enthusiastically, "Let the church walk, preacher, let the church walk." "And when the church begins ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Diaconal Call To Service Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 1, 2012

The plan of God for all of us, especially clergy, is a call to service and understanding, not tyranny.

Solemnity of the Epiphany 2012 Diaconate Vocation Spirit of the Liturgy “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” the Magi said to Herod. It was a straightforward question to the wrong guy. There are times to be subtle and times to be blunt. I recall many years ago when I was a sales ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

Stephen --A Man Who Wore Many Hats(Deacon, Evangelist, Convict,crown) Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Sep 8, 2014

Appointed as one of the men to wait on the widows in the church Stephen quickly progressed to evangelistic work, and his preaching of Jesus Christ. It was this preaching that had him put to death.

Stephen --A Man Who Wore Many Hats(Deacon, Evangelist, Convict,Crown) Acts 6:8-7:60 INTRODUCTION: 1.) Last week we were introduced to a number of men who served in the distribution of food in the church. 2.) One of these Greek men was Stephen. 3.) This morning, I want to look further at ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ