Sermons on Pastoral Motives:

Real-Igion

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 21, 2012

In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into thinking the more I exemplify religious behavior the more spiritual I am. Le

REALIGION James 1:26-27 INTRODUCTION: Preventing deception is a major theme for James (1:1:16, 22, 26). In today’s passage, James wants to keep us from the deception that being religious is merely going through a set of rituals and motions. James doesn’t want us to be deceived into ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grow Up In All Aspects In Christ

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 26, 2003

"I want to, I need to, be more like Jesus." Thirty-four dimensions of maturity in Christ. When I became a man, I put away childish things -- including the fear of childishness and the desire to be grown-up.

The Problem of Becoming Mature in Many Aspects Ephesians 4:15-15 The word teleios is the Greek word used for maturity. It implies a wholeness, perfection and completeness. Growing up in all aspects in Christ is a life-long exercise in discipling ourselves for the purpose of godliness. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unwrap Your Spiritual Gifts Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 30, 2014

One source of frustration in the church is that people are trying to do the wrong ministry, play the wrong instrument. That is tragic. But do you know what is even worse than that is having your instrument, but refusing to play it.

INTRODUCTION Let’s open our Bibles together to Romans, chapter 12. Today I’m going to be talking about “Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gift,” so I have a little gift that I am going to be unwrapping in a moment. I’m preaching through the book of Romans, verse after verse, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking The Isolation

Contributed by James Lee on Oct 31, 2012

Our community is filled with people who, once were regular fixtures down at the local church. Something was said…an impression was given…grace was denied…and they walked away.

Have you ever noticed that when we get wounded, we tend to isolate ourselves from others…? Nations build walls of isolation…ancient cities were surrounded by motes and high walls, for the purpose of keeping others out. Many are isolating themselves from the body of Christ and are ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

Our Firm Foundation

Contributed by Craig Condon on Nov 21, 2016

Every building has a firm foundation. Without it, the building would fall down. Similarly, our faith has to have a firm foundation. That foundation is Jesus. Anything else will fail-even the church.

Every building has a firm foundation. Without it, the building would fall down. Similarly, our faith has to have a firm foundation. That foundation is Jesus. Anything else will fail-even the church. The first reason that churches fail is because they violate their commitment to Jesus Christ as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-23

Denomination: Anglican

Work And Pray Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 23, 2016

To be effective at evangelization, we must be firmly rooted in prayer and adoration.

Thursday in Fifth Week of Easter 2016 Joy of the Gospel Early in St. Paul’s ministry in Anatolia, his success in planting new congregations of Christians inspired others to do missionary work outside the more traditional areas of Judea and the adjoining provinces. But something else was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:7-21

Denomination: Catholic

Service Is Faith In Action

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 14, 2004

We get in shape for God as we learn to serve and be a servant to others.

Before us this morning are three items: a watch, a billfold, and a Bible. The watch represents the time given to us each day. The billfold represents the financial resources that we earn or are given to us. The Bible represents the faith that we proclaim. Now, keeping in mind the meanings of these ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4, James 2:14-18

Denomination: Church Of God

Four Spiritual Checks - #2 The Reliability Of God's Promises Series

Contributed by Mark Thornton on Oct 3, 2001

This is the second in a series on Paul’s Trustworthy sayings. It encourages us to find peace and hope in God’s promises.

INTRODUCTION. (ILLUS.) When I began my first year at Bible College, I quickly became friends with another guy who was in my class -- let’s call him John. John and I were both from Brethren In Christ churches, we both came straight from high school, and we were both enrolled in the same program ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:8-13

Denomination: *other

The Importance Of Not Jumping To Conclusions Series

Contributed by Tim Richards on Jul 3, 2005

The 9th sermon in a series on Joshua which focuses on the dangers of jumping to conclusions before we know the facts.

Introduction: 1. I want to begin this morning by assuring you that I am not a closet alcoholic as the skit suggestsed. The skit was written to introduce this morning’s sermon because though not jumping to conclusions isn’t something we talk about often, it really is important. 2. Have you ever ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 22:10-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Book Of Acts, Part 7- The Price Of Impurity Series

Contributed by Mark Strauss on May 4, 2006

In Acts chapter 5 we meet a Church that is suddenly in the grip of fear. •But this is not a fear provoked by being strapped to a tower 254 feet high.. •It is not fear brought about by some natural phenomenon like a hurricane or earthquake. •It is not

“The Price of Impurity” The tragic story of Ananias and Sapphira 5:1-16 Good morning. It’s good to be back with you. While I was gone we as a family took a week’s vacation and one of the things we did was took the kids to Knott’s Berry Farm. •It’s a whole different experience going to an ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Choices That Change Us Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 16, 2023

Message 8 in an expositional series through Paul's "second" letter to the church in the ancient Greek city of Corinth where he defends his apostleship and corrects serious doctrinal errors within this young church.

The Brule River, which is on the border between Michigan and Wisconsin, flows for roughly 44 miles with clear, sparkling water. It is inhabited by an abundant population of speckled, rainbow, and brown trout. At one point the Iron River, muddy and thick with sediment of ore and clay, merges with ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Personal Book Descriptions

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Book descriptions and articles for missions

1. Steps to Planting & Growing Churches - This guidebook is used as a textbook in many theological colleges around the world. It covers the Biblical basis for planting & growing churches in a contextualized manner. The book analyzes the principles, practices, & steps of planting & growing churches ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Holy Spirit Knows The Best Ways To Work With Each Leadership Style

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Dwight D. Eisenhower used to demonstrate the art of leadership in a simple but forceful way. He would place a single piece of string on a table and say, "Pull it, and it follows wherever you want it to go. But push it, and it goes nowhere."

The Holy Spirit Knows the Best Ways to Work With Each Leadership Style "When He the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13) Illustration: Shepherd the flock of God . . . , not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you. --1 ...read more

Scripture: John 16:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Freedom For Prisoners"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 16, 2002

As we envision the Nativity-—the baby Jesus surrounded by his parents, shepherds and wise men—-let’s remind ourselves that our Lord came to suffer and set captives free.

"Freedom for Prisoners" Rev Dr Robert Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let’s also be aware of how He began His ministry. Jesus read these words from Isaiah, and applied them to Himself: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18

Denomination: Congregational

How Sheep Become Shepherds

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Oct 24, 2007

This is an ordination sermon I wrote when we accepted 2 deacon couples and a minister as leaders in our church.

HOW SHEEP BECOME SHEPHERDS Murray had a little lamb…shouldn’t that be Mary? No, my brother Murray once had a lamb named Lambert that was white as snow and terribly cute. But then it grew up. And boy was it the stupidest animal ever. I had heard that sheep were dumb but this one was a prime ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-11

Denomination: Mennonite