Sermons on Practical Alternatives:

Recognizing (And Recovering From) Spiritual Abuse

Contributed by Jim Miller on May 18, 2003

Spiritually abused Christians and spiritual abusers are more prevalent than you may think. This sermon identifies spiritual abuse and offers some remedies.

INTRODUCTION I am a victim of spiritual abuse. And, chances are, if you have been a member of a church or religious organization for any length of time, you are too. Spiritual abuse surfaces in an assortment of forms: sometimes in-your-face flagrant; other times behind-your-back subtle. It emerges ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ministry: Luck Of The Draw?

Contributed by Robert Baker on May 31, 2003

A sermon for the 7th Sunday of Easter, series B, focusing on Christ’s gift of the called and ordained ministry to His church for the forgiveness of sins.

7Easter2003b "The Luck of the Draw” Acts 1:15-26 June 1, 2003 © 2003, Robert C. Baker, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Vero Beach, FL Our reading from Acts this morning, recording the selection of Matthias to take the place of Judas among the twelve apostles, might have struck us as, well, a little bit ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:15-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Playing Follow The Leader Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 18, 2003

Leaders must lead with truth instead of deception, with grace instead of power, and with unswerving commitment to the the least and the lost.

Several things prompt this message. First and foremost, I bring this message because I know that it is crucial to teach and re-teach our church’s vision. Everyone needs to understand what we are trying to do as a church. Just saying it once or twice does not get the story told. I want to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Ministry Of Healing & Reconciliation Series

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Sep 20, 2003

James instructs the Christian community to pray, confess sin, forgive sin, lay hands on and anoint the sick, and restore the wayward.

Sermon for 16 Pent Yr B, 28/09/2003 Based on James 5:13-20 Grace Lutheran Church, Medicine Hat, Alberta By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson PRAYER. PRAYER IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL RESOURCES GOD HAS GIVEN US. It can change lives, bringing healing and health, comfort, hope and peace. It was a ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Planting The Seed - Watching It Grow

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Sep 22, 2003

The Book of Acts gives a clear indication as to how the church should operate. How do we measure up?

September 21, 2003 Morning Worship Text: Acts 5:12-16 Subject: Church Growth Title: Planting the Seed – Watching it Grow Do you ever get up on Sunday morning and not feel like going to church? A husband and wife got up one Sunday morning and the wife got dressed for church. It was just about ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Guideline #2: Worship God Together In Spirit And In Truth Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Sep 23, 2003

Authentic worship is essential for any church to function in a God-honoring way. Authentic worship is discussed by honestly answering three important question.

SERIES: “GOD-GIVEN GUIDELINES FOR GROWING A GREAT CHURCH” (Material taken from Bob Russel’s When God Builds A Church) TEXT: JOHN 4:21-24 TITLE: GUIDELINE #2: “WORSHIP GOD TOGETHER IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH” INTRODUCTION: A. After attending church one Sunday morning, a little ...read more

Scripture: John 4:21-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Pastor's Heart -- Part One

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 14, 2003

What is really inside the heart of a true pastor?

THE PASTOR’S POINTS sermon ministry of CEDAR LODGE BAPTIST CHURCH Thomasville, NC ------------ October 12, 2003 1Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; 2And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

Ecclesiology: The Doctrine Of The Christian Church Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Nov 11, 2003

This is the 1st study in the study "Doctrinal Issues From 1 Timothy".

Series: Doctrinal Issues From 1 Timothy[#1] ECCLESIOLOGY: THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 1 Timothy 3:1-5; 5:1-6:2 Introduction: 1. Peter’s confession of Christ. Matthew 16:13-19 2. All believers in Christ are part of the Church. 3. God has a structure for the local congregation. There are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

"Now Then..." Series

Contributed by Jerry Fenter on May 23, 2002

How God gives new hope during the changing of the guard.

Now Then… Joshua 1:1-5 Notice the “Now then…” statement by God. Why does God say this in reference to Moses? It almost sounds like He’s glad Moses is dead and gone. For us to fully appreciate why God is saying, “Now then…” we need to understand some things about Moses. Especially chosen by God ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Loyal Leaders And Faithful Followers Series

Contributed by Jerry Fenter on May 23, 2002

The qualities of successful leaders and successful followers.

Loyal Leaders & Faithful Followers Joshua 1:10-18 George was 28 years old, single, and still living with his parents. One Sunday morning, George told his mother he wasn’t going to church. "First," he said, "I’m tired. Second, the people there don’t like me. And third, the sermons are dull." But ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:10-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why We Share Communion

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jun 2, 2002

Message discusses what this practice is about and who is invited to the Lord’s Table, particularly from a Weslyean perspective.

(Thanks to Bob Hostetler for ideas for this message. I’ve added a Methodist twist to the message. Powerpoint and audience outline available). A little girl asked her mother, “Mommy, why do you cut the ends off the meat before you cook it?” The girl’s mother told her that she thought it added ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-29, 1 Corinthians 11:1-52

Denomination: Methodist

Pitfalls Along The Way

Contributed by James Groce on Jul 15, 2002

When one yields to the high calling of God we become very vulnerable to heartbreaks and distortions. To pastor is a demanding role, almost like a mother and child.

A HEART TO HEART TALK WITH PASTORS Hebrews 12:12-15 Key verse to keep in heart: Psalms 119:165; Great peace have they which love Thy law; AND NOTHING SHALL OFFEND THEM (meaning that NOTHING in the Word will ever be offensive to those that love the Word). Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:12-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Do I Hear An Amen?

Contributed by James Groce on Jul 17, 2002

"Amen" is far more meaningful than a period, a stop, or a signing-off word by which a prayer, song, or declaration is terminated.

In Scripture the word “Amen” comes from both Greek and Hebrew and is transliterated; which means there is no word in our language that can be interpreted exactly...so we used their word and in this case it is AMEN. It is variously translated Surely, Sure, Truth, Verily and Amen! Bullinger says ...read more

Scripture: John 3:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Anhelo Por La Casa De Dios.

Contributed by Jorge Alvarez on Jul 27, 2002

Este es un mensaje poderoso para quienes han dejado de interesarse en ir a la iglesia. Es necesario que quienes ya estan asistiendo a la iglesia... renueven sus actitudes.

Anelo Por La Casa De Dios Salmo 84:1-12 Introduccion: July 28, 2002; morning service, Ebenezer, Union City, CA Es un Sabado como cualquier otro. Fabuloso! Vamos al Mall de compras, salimos a jugar pelota en el campo deportivo. Nos llevan a las peliculas. Salimos a comer al Chuky Cheese. En ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:1-12

Denomination: Baptist