Sermons on Plan For Unity:

The Perfect Church- Is It Really Possible? Series

Contributed by Stan Rodda on Nov 5, 2004

Trying to prove to the listener that the church can do amazing things when there is commitment to Christ at the foundation of the church.

The Perfect Church- Is It Really Possible? What is your picture of the perfect world? To me- it includes the perfect church But there is no perfect church What would the perfect church look like? 95% approval rate on a $90 mil. relocation? 3000 person growth in one day? Small groups – growing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Imperfect People; Perfectly One Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Nov 24, 2004

We are all imperfect, yet Jesus prays for us to perfectly one. Here are some insights on how we can live in a more perfect oneness.

When we go to Alabama to see Maryanne’s family every summer, I often go to People’s Shoe Store. They sell Johnson and Murphy shoes at greatly reduced prices. The catch is that they sell their shoes “as is.” It’s a way to say that “these are damaged goods.” They sell Johnson and Murphy shoes ...read more

Scripture: John 17:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Welcoming Church Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jan 10, 2005

Church is a foreign, strange enviroment to seekers. How can we develop into a place of welcome as the church? What habits can we adopt that will make us the place of welcome that God wants us to be?

I owe thanks to Pastor wes Richard for the basic outline of this sermon. As well, Steven Covey, who was Wes’ inspiration, served as a starting point for me as well. ______________________________________ Sermon for CATM January 9, 2005 - The Welcoming Church - Romans 15:1-7 A few days ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Division

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Jan 18, 2005

Dissension in the Corinthian church was the first problem addressed by Paul. He introduces the thoughts of this passage with an appeal for unity.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Being much concerned about the rise of denominations in the church, John Wesley tells of a dream he had. In the dream, he was ushered to the gates of Hell. There he asked, “Are there any Presbyterians here?” “Yes!”, came the answer. Then he asked, “Are there any ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Knowledge

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Jan 18, 2005

The true condition of the Corinthian believers was that they were still engrossed with human, earthly wisdom. We can spend a lifetime accumulating human knowledge and still not learn how to have a personal relationship with God.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Knowledge is exploding at such a rate—more than 2000 pages a minute—that even Einstein couldn’t keep up. In fact, if you read 24 hours a day, from age 21 to 70, and retained all you read, you would be one and a half million years behind when you finished. How can it be, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Tell The Truth

Contributed by Paul Decker on Jul 3, 2005

We are to be open and honest.

TELL THE TRUTH Acts 4:32 – 5:11 S: Integrity Th: Community Pr: WE ARE TO BE OPEN AND HONEST. KW: Section TS: We will find in Acts 4:32 – 5:11 a community that is growing in faith and fear. Type: Inductive The ____ section of the narrative describes… I. UNITY (32-33) II. GENEROSITY ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Courting Danger Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jul 6, 2005

Ultimately the biblical issue is Church division. Just as there can be internal actions that divide the church, there can also be external actions that divide the church. Paul hopes to set a biblical standard here for believers to follow.

COURTING DANGER 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 INTRODUCTION: When I hear the word courting, my mind immediately goes to thoughts of dating, courtship and marriage. So, it was not so much of a jump to remember this story about marriage,: A wife was sitting at the breakfast table and asked her husband, “What ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

How Can We Be "In One Accord" As A Church?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 18, 2005

This message focuses on the places the Greek word "homothumadon" (meaning: "in one accord") is used in the book of Acts. What can we learn from their unity? This message points to 7 ways we can maintain our unity.

How can we maintain that unity? - I want to do more than diagnose the problem, I want to talk about what we can do to make sure it doesn’t happen to us. - I got to thinking about the unity that the early church enjoyed and how we can have that. - There is a Greek word - “homothumadon” - that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:46

Denomination: Baptist

A Little Leaven Leavens The Whole Lump Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Aug 1, 2005

A small amount of sin can corrupt the thinking of a large group of people at the church.

A Little Leaven Leavens The Whole Lump Gal 5.7-10 Galatians Series July 31, 2005 Chester FBC Chester, Illinois Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: Lance Armstrong won his seventh Tour de France in a row this last week. A He is sporting legend who comeback from cancer a few years back. 1 The ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is The Body...

Contributed by Bob Cook on Aug 15, 2005

A sermon written for a youth service encouraging young people as well as adults to get involved in ministry.

Who is the church? I am!! You are!! We are!! The church is the body of Christ. WHO IS THE BODY OF CHRIST? • Your personal spiritual growth depends on your being in the body of Christ. o There should be no “Lone Ranger” Christians in God’s family. o Becoming a follower of Jesus Christ is an act of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus' Prayer For The Disciples

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on May 5, 2004

We are called into the glory-giving relationship that marks the unity of the Trinity.

John 17:6-19 Jesus’ Prayer for the Disciples As we head toward Good Friday and Easter, I have been drawn to Jesus’ prayer in John 17. Jesus has entered Jerusalem triumphantly on Palm Sunday, he has been teaching in the temple and on the streets. What he has been saying and doing has offended the ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-19

Denomination: *other

"Stay With The Boat"

Contributed by Bobby Touchton on May 10, 2004

Among the interpretation’s of Peter’s attempt to walk on water, one in particular is that he should have stayed with the boat, much like Christians should stay with other Christians and allow them to minister to one another.

Submitted by Dr. Bobby J. Touchton Ashland, Kentucky “Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 77:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

Praying With The Early Church Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 8, 2004

Acts Series: About the importance of corporate prayer as a church family. Great alliteration [borrowed] and a cameo by Rhoda, the only blonde mentioned in the Bible!

Praying with the Early Church Acts 12:1-17 [comedy of Rhoda, only blonde mentioned in the Bible!] Introduction: In Connecting with God, Herb Miller tells the story of a nightclub opening on Main Street in a small town. Upon hearing the news, the only church in that town organized an all-night ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Harmony Of The Early Church Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 8, 2004

Acts Series: 21st Sermon--3 Expressions of Harmony in the Early Church

Harmony of the Early Church Acts 4:32-37 Joke—lady in church called long distance friend, so distressed/hatfields and mccoys-deacons fighting-w/ pastor!-people hate each other/…well, let me add it to our church’s prayer list—what’s the name of your church?/…Harmony Baptist! Harmony ought to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-37

Denomination: Baptist

Deception

Contributed by David Richardson on Jun 14, 2004

The Bible speaks of planting or sowing discord like a farmer planting seeds. Deceit is the catalyst by which discord is sown or planted in the church.

I. Introduction Read Genesis 29 (Psalm 101:7) No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. That’s a very heavy penalty for something that is usually said without thinking! Most deceit has its origin in thoughtlessness and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:1-35

Denomination: Calvary Chapel