Sermons on Pastor Stephen Maas Lutheran Church:

Equipping Them! Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jun 3, 2002

Church is a place where people come together; a place where everyone, not just the pastor, cares about and takes care of one another; a place where every person matters.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: In a society that is becoming increasingly fragmented, in which people seem more and more separated from one another, the church can be a refuge. It’s more than a building, more than a Sunday morning meeting, more than an organization. A community. Church is a place ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

It Takes A Team

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Jan 28, 2001

The key to the success of this congregation’s ministry is a team, a team working together to make a difference for the glory of God. What the Apostle Paul says about teamwork. (Pastor Appreciation Day)

Randall Cunningham is a pretty good football quarterback, but he doesn’t seem to be as good as when he played for the Minnesota Vikings. Randall is an excellent athlete, but during his years in Philadelphia, he never began to accomplish what he did with the Vikings during the 1998 season. He is now ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Persecuted Church Series

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Nov 5, 2003

This message was preached during a Month of Missions emphasis and illustrates the need for awareness among evangelicals regarding those who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ.

Jesus, Hope of the Nations “The Persecuted Church” Month of Missions - 2003 Various Scripture Texts – © Dr. Larry L. Thompson (2003) John 15:20 (NIV) “Remember the words I spoke to you: ’No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they ...read more

Scripture: John 15:20

Denomination: Baptist

The First Church

Contributed by Lee Henry on Jul 31, 2006

The first church as described in Acts 2:42 and following is held up as an example for the church today to emulate.

The First Church Acts 2:42-47 It is the expressed goal of those of us in the restoration movement to restore the church as it was in the first century. In terms of doctrine I feel we have, for the most part, reached that goal. But have we restored the spirit of the first century church? ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Maturing Church

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Sep 14, 2015

EVERYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF IS IN A CONSTANT PROCESS OF MATURING, INCLUDING THE CHURCH AND OUR CHRISTIAN WALK. IT IS IN A PROCESS OF DEVELOPING UNTIL A FINAL STATE IS REACHED.

THE MATURING CHURCH ACTS 6:1-7 EVERYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF IS IN A CONSTANT PROCESS OF MATURING. IT IS A PROCESS OF DEVELOPING UNTIL A FINAL STATE IS REACHED. HUMANS, FOR EXAMPLE, BECAUSE WE WILL LIVE FOREVER, WILL BE IN A CONSTANT PROCESS OF MATURING UNTIL WE REACH OUR ETERNAL STATE. IT WILL ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Of Philadelphia (A Loving Church)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Aug 8, 2025

The church of Philadelphia and Smyrna were two churches that the Lord Jesus did not have any words of condemnation for.

Does this mean they were perfect? Absolutely not! For example, the Bible tells us that Job was perfect and upright man. Does that mean Job was perfect and sinless? No, the only perfect sinless man to walk on this earth was the Lord Jesus. Let me explain how the word PERFECT IS USED IN THE ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

Church In The World Vs World In The Church Series

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 21, 2025

Working through 1 Peter using consecutive expository preaching. Teaching sheet included at end of text.

“Church in the World vs World in the Church” 1 Peter 3:8-12 Pastor John Bright 1 Peter3 “8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-12, Philippians 2:2, Hebrews 4:14-16, Romans 5:5, John 17:11, John 17:16, Matthew 5:38-48, Matthew 16:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Don’t Go To Church - Be The Church

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jul 9, 2010

Many of us have special uniforms (church clothes) that we don only on Sunday (church day), so we can go and attend worship (church service), giving God our tithes (church money). We have organized God out of life...

That’s right – a Pastor is encouraging you to stop going to church; I really mean it! STOP! We’ve all become accustomed to simply going to church – as if church is a place. It’s not! Many of us have special uniforms (church clothes) that we don only on Sunday (church day), so we can go and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

The New Testament Church (Church Organization)

Contributed by Nathan Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1) Couple of weeks ago, we began a ("first principles") study titled "The Church"  A) In it we concluded there is a True Church! -- & the way we go about identifying it is by looking to scripture & properly interpreting what we read.

1) Couple of weeks ago, we began a ("first principles") study titled "The Church"  A) In it we concluded there is a True Church! -- & the way we go about identifying it is by looking to scripture & properly interpreting what we read. 1) Since Jesus Christ is the "head over all things to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Dead Church, An Open Door Church, And A Lukewarm Church

Contributed by Jason Callihan on Aug 15, 2008

The last three Churches in Asia

Chapter 3 The Church of Sardis This is the 5th Church that we read of in Revelation. So far, there has been a loveless Church, a persecuted Church, a lenient Church and a compromising Church. Chapter 3 begins by telling us of a dead Church. Now to clarify what he is speaking of, look to I ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Church At Ephesus

Contributed by John Lowe on Dec 24, 2016

His basic problem with the church in Ephesus is that even though church members had stood fast against evil and false teaching, they had left their “first love”—their basic love for Christ and for one another.

By: Tom Lowe Date: 3-18-2015 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Gathering The Flock

Contributed by Roger Griffith on Oct 18, 2000

What attracts people to a pastor? The Scriptures are filled with examples of men who drew others after them in love for God. Men such as Moses, David, Peter, and Paul, had vast numbers of followers. On the other hand, men such as Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel

GATHERING THE FLOCK INTRODUCTION: A. WHAT ATTRACTS PEOPLE TO A PASTOR? 1. The Scriptures are filled with examples of men who drew others after them in love for God. 2. Men such as Moses, David, Peter, and Paul, had vast numbers of followers. 3. On the other hand, men such as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:23

The Church’s Growth And Its Political Persecution Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 29, 2024

Even in the face of persecution and life's challenges, how different could we live if we chose to be faithful only to Christ? Even though the 1st century church faced incredible difficulties, God was still faithful to them, and we can learn from that right now!

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 17 The Church’s growth and its political persecution Acts 11:19 – 12:18 Dismiss children for nursery (under 4) and children’s church (ages 4-7) Introduction - Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth” -- In 2023 we unpacked ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30, Acts 12:1-18, Matthew 4:19, 1 Peter 2:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Our Pastor Guides Us To Rebuke And To Live With Purpose!

Contributed by Doug Koehler on Mar 6, 2009

We can see how quickly satan can attack. In a short time Peter went from confessing Jesus to rebuking Jesus. Jesus teaches us how we can be on guard against our wiley foe as well as how to live with purpose for Him.

(see also Mark 8:27-30) for context. Dear beloved in Christ... In our Gospel reading there is much to grab our attention as Jesus is in process of predicting his death and resurrection. We hear about how Jesus must suffer many things and that we are called to take up our cross and follow Jesus. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Lutheran

From Harmony To Hypocrisy In The Church Pt. 2 Series

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 4, 2015

I would like to thank Pastor Jerry Shirley for sharing this series on Acts. It has been a blessing as well as a great help. I have used these for our church, as I spend my days caring for my dying father.

From Harmony to Hypocrisy in the Church pt. 2 Acts 5:1-11 Last week we began looking at Acts chapter 5 and how the church, quickly, went from Harmony to Hypocrisy. We looked at #1. The problem in the church and discovered that if Satan cannot conquer the church, externally, he’ll try to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist