Sermons on The Local Church:

Growing Deeper By Going Smaller

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 3, 2015

The local church grows most effectively when it divides into cells to increase discipleship and increase pastoral care.

“Growing Deeper by Going Smaller” Selected Passages Open They go by different names— cell groups, small groups, care groups, discipleship, groups, grace groups, breakout groups. Whatever they are called, the basic idea is the same: a small gathering of people interested in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is Church Membership A Biblical Idea?

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 9, 2015

5 strands in the New Testament for local church membership (Material adapted from John Piper at: http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/how-important-is-church-membership)

HoHum: While Alexander Campbell was studying at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, the time had come for communion at his church. Communion was only observed a couple of times a year, so it was a pretty big deal. His church had a custom, like many churches of that day, to pass out ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:2-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seven Marks Of A Biblical Elder - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Feb 13, 2012

Biblical church leadership can only function effectively when the local church leaders fulfill the Biblical qualifications for leaders.

Right now we’re in the middle of a presidential election in which all the candidates are attempting to convince the American people that they are the best qualified person to serve in that office. But it’s interesting that our Constitution actually establishes only very minimal ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The State Of The Church #2

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Jan 10, 2003

What makes a church great? A church is not measured by human standards but by God’s. Ephesians 4 lists 7 keys to becoming a great church. (Message also includes 4 guidelines for our local church for 2003.)

· Winnie the Pooh is once took an evening walk with his friend Piglet. They walked for a long time in silence, but Piglet finally asked, “When you wake up in the morning, Pooh, what’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast?” Pooh responds, “And what do you say, Piglet?” “I ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Christian Is... A Church Member Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 9, 2015

Some of the benefits of being active in a local church (Material adapted from LeRoy Lawson's booklet, The Family of God, Chapter 1, When You Become a Christian, pgs. 9-14)

HoHum: There are four main bones in every organization including the church. The wish-bones: Wishing somebody would do something about the problem. The jaw-bones: Doing all the talking but very little else. The knuckle-bones: Those who knock everything. The back-bones: Those who carry the brunt ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Second Things Second

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jul 14, 2003

Many people get the first thing first...accepting Christ. Many miss putting the second thing second, giving themselves to the local church.

July 13, 2003 First they gave themselves to the Lord; and then by God’s will, they gave themselves to us as well. 2 Corinthians 8:5 (GN) On the day of dedication of "Solomon’s Temple," the king erected a brazen platform in the outer court. All the people gathered, as the king ascended the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:5

Denomination: United Methodist

The Exemplary Church

Contributed by John D Jones on Jun 6, 2010

When we evaluate any church, we are actually evaluating the individuals who make up that church. We have heard it said numerous times, the local church is only as strong as its members. It is only as faithful as its members. The most revealing question fo

The Exemplary Church 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Text: verse 10 “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Vision Is Jesus

Contributed by David Simpson on Jan 18, 2013

A message focusing on the Vision of growing the local church, moving on from the past and embracing the vision of obeying Christ and investing in his leadership for the future.

Sermon Lanier Christian Church June 26, 2011 David Simpson The Vision is Jesus Hebrews 12:2 Ten years ago our water fountain (in the church hallway) sprung a leak and flooded the building, I came in to find my old office area covered with an inch of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Denomination: Christian Church

Raising The Bar Of Evangelism Series

Contributed by Douglas Bryan on Nov 12, 2002

This is part of a series of sermons that encourages members to take a personal responsibility for the growth and ministry of the local church.

RAISING THE BAR THE BAR OF EVANGELISM Acts 4:32-33 INTRODUCTION: Each day as Paul Harvey signs on he says, “You know what the news is. In a minute you’re going to hear the rest of the story.” POEM> What’s the News? What’s the news? What’s the news? Pray, what’s the order of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Importance Of The Place Within A Place Series

Contributed by Mike Hullah on Mar 4, 2003

This sermon looks at the importance of not only being established in a local church but of spending time in communion with God.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PLACE WITHIN A PLACE 2 Samuel 3:1-2Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: God made places before He made People. (See ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 3:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Why Should I Give?” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Feb 3, 2009

Why should I give to the support of God’s work through my local church?

Over the last several weeks we have been taking a “Dragnet” approach to the subject of giving to God’s work. We have considered what the Bible tells us about the way God works. We have seen that Scripture teaches that God is at work in our world today to accomplish His purposes through His people ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Filled With The Spirit

Contributed by Mark Mitchell on Jan 8, 2019

Christians need to have, primarily, a Kingdom focus first over and above the focus on their local church.

I. A work both by us and by God. (vs. 5-13) A. We have already established that they were filled with the Spirit. B. Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, C. Being filled with the Spirit is first a work of us. We see that in the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who Cares About Church? Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Apr 8, 2008

Too often we think of salvation only in terms of our "personal salvation." But Jesus not only saves us as individuals, He saves us to be part of His local body. Jesus cares enough about His local churches that He is pictured as walking in our midst. How

1. Jesus is intimately involved in His local church as our mediator 2. Jesus is intimately involved in His local church as our purity 3. Jesus is intimately involved in His local church as our judge 4. Jesus is intimately involved in His local church as our authority I am as excited as I have been ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

I Don't Need Church!

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 7, 2015

What is the church? Is it necessary for a Christian to be connected to a local church if at all possible? What are the functions and benefits of the church? Why does the Lord think so highly of the Church if we don't?

We often say that context in reading Scripture is everything. But, getting the right verse is pretty important as well. At a wedding one of those involved was supposed to read 1 John 4:18 NASB which says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

A Challenge To Churchwide Commitment

Contributed by Donnie Martin on May 12, 2010

This message is basically a message of exhortation for the members of the local church to wholly commit themselves to God in three areas of their lives.

A Challenge To Churchwide Commitment Text: Ps. 37:5; Prov. 3:5-6 Intro: Though the word commitment does not appear in the Bible, the ideas which the word conveys, are found there numerous times. The verses that we’ve just read are two examples of the idea of commitment found in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:5

Denomination: Baptist