Sermons on The Local Congregation:

Before You Eat

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 25, 2000

The Lord's Supper: the wonderful privilege we as Christians have in coming to the Lord's Table together

Teddy Roosevelt, the man who would become the 26th President of the United States, was afraid to go to church when he was a child because of a creature he called "The Zeal." His mother eventually realized the reason for Teddy's fear was a Scripture verse he had heard the pastor read, John 2:17, "It ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Baptist

Before You Eat

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Jan 28, 2001

I got concerned that every time I took communion, I might be risking my life. What would happen if I ate the bread or drank the cup in an "unworthy manner"?

Teddy Roosevelt, the man who would become the 26th President of the United States, was afraid to go to church when he was a child because of a creature he called "The Zeal." His mother eventually realized the reason for Teddy’s fear was a Scripture verse he had heard the pastor read, John 2:17, "It ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Your Epaphras?

Contributed by Johnny Knight on Jan 26, 2010

I have often said the greatest gift God has given to us (second only to Jesus) is the Church. There are so many benefits to being not only a part of the body of Christ on the earth, but a part of a local body of believers. There is encouragement and help,

WHO IS YOUR EPAPHRAS? Text: Colossians 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, says ‘hello’. What a trooper he has been! He’s been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you’ll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do. I’ve watched him ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Paul's Exemplary Qualities

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jan 6, 2007

Paul’s ministry affirmingly worked through insiders in the growth of each local church. Paul wrote, “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”

Ephesians 4:11-16 Paul’s Apostolic Principles and Practices 1. Paul was an apostle (missionary). An apostle is one who is sent out by Christ to preach the gospel. God only had one Son and he sent Him as a missionary. The man who God has used more than any other as a missionary was the apostle ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Identity Crisis

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Nov 4, 2006

There is no wonder there is an Identity Crisis in the local church today. In our text for examination, we find the disciples of Christ were also locked into an Identity Crisis some 2,000 years ago. In our modern culture there is more and more confusion

Dr. Wayne A. Lawson The Word Ministries, Inc. of Oklahoma City Preached on Monday October 9, 2006 Opening night of Revival Tabernacle of Praise Ardmore Oklahoma SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 16:13-16 13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Praying Church Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 19, 2008

We have an example in this text of the Local N.T. Church in Jerusalem in prayer during a time of crisis in their church. And we can see also in this text that their prayer was miraculously answered. Anytime a church is not experiencing souls being saved o

Illustration: There was a tenant in an apartment building who was a widow woman who loved God dearly. Her landlord on the other hand despised God and her faith. One day she ran out of food and money and with no one to help she turned to God in prayer. She prayed, “Oh dear God please help me in my ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Seven Churches

Contributed by Glenn Dale Pease on Aug 29, 2014

When John in verse 4 addresses the 7 churches in Asia, he is addressing the total church, or all churches for all time. These 7 actual churches of his day are representative of all the local churches that will exist through all of history.

THE SEVEN CHURCHES Based on Rev. 1:4 By Pastor Glenn Pease A math teacher asked one of her less enthusiastic students, "If I take 23 away from 30, what is the difference?" He responded, "That's what I say, what's the difference?" In other words, it made no difference to him. Not everybody ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:4

Denomination: Baptist

Do Your Best: Scout Sunday

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Aug 27, 2013

This expository sermon, written for a special Scout Sunday service attended by a troop of local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, encourages Scouts (and Christians) to do their best in service of Jesus so they will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Do Your Best: Scout Sunday Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 2/3/2012 Most of you are probably familiar with the Boy Scout motto—always be prepared. You might not be as familiar with the Cub Scout motto though, which is—do your best! That’s not just good ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Christian Church

Apostle; James The Great Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Apr 1, 2014

Today local churches send missionaries. -- it is best to call them missionaries, to keep some folks from being confused, if they were referred to as apostles, some folks might think of them as being like the Twelve Apostles, and the Apostle Paul.

#6~ APOSTLE; JAMES THE GREAT 1-11-14 * JAMES -- name of four men in the New Testament: 1~ James, the son of Zebedee brother of John, both were apostles. 2 ~ James, a son of Mary, half brother of Jesus, he was not a member of the apostolic band, and not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

—it Takes Vision.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Mar 6, 2022

This word helped many saints within our local body. Dreams stop famine—Dreams give legs to faith, Dreams build buildings, Dreams save souls, Dreams give us reason to get back up again.

—It Takes Vision. Habakkuk 2:2-4NKJV Larry lived and breathed golf. As a teenager he was ranked in the top 16 golfers in the nation. In his senior year he was in car accident, his left arm was amputated just below the elbow. He would be fitted with a prosthetic hand, and with a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Spirit Of Festival Laws Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 22, 2021

Ancient Hebrews used a lunar-solar calendar, easy to observe in the sky as a new moon began a new month. Throughout the calendar year there were ritual observances of locally relevant harvests and commemorations of notable events. How is this relevant for Christians?

The ancient Hebrew year was observed using a lunar-solar calendar with 12 and 13 months over a 19 year cycle. This was easy to observe in the sky as a new moon began a new month. Throughout the calendar year there were ritual observances of locally relevant harvests and commemorations of notable ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:23-25, Romans 14:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Candlelight Service

Contributed by Donald Macon on Dec 10, 2003

Simple candlelight service for incorporating the Advent Wreath for non-liturgical/non-traditional denominations. This version targets single adults in the area of Hope but can be modified for the best use of your particular congregation.

Prelude "O Come All Ye Faithful" - vv 1, 2, & 3 Invocation The Advent Wreath The use of the advent wreath goes back many generations. The term is derived from the Latin word ad ventum, meaning "to come". Though different worship traditions give different symbolic meaning to the candles, we will ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20, Isaiah 11:1-2, Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Why Will We Eat In Heaven?

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 19, 2005

A sermon on church fellowship meals and the wedding supper of the lamb. Warning: the congregation will want to eat after this one. (Some material taken from an article on the web about reasons why we eat)

Evening Service for 8/14/2005 The Wedding Supper of the Lamb Introduction: A. (Rev 19:6 NIV) Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. (Rev 19:7 NIV) Let us rejoice ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:6-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Moses The Vision Caster Series

Contributed by Brent Baker on Oct 18, 2005

I believe leaders sometime have a hard time casting a vision to their congregation. We are not alone in this. Moses did as well, but he teaches us some important lessons in vision casting.

Moses the Prince of Leadership The Vision Caster! Exodus 3-6 Helen Keller was once asked the question: “Is there anything worse than being blind?” “Yes," she replied, having eyesight but no vision.” Vision is the ability to see what others can’t. Vision is able to see beyond the norms of each ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

On The Third Day

Contributed by Vinnie Cappetta on Apr 17, 2006

Did you know that the third day was a significant day long before Jesus rose from the dead? Take a look at how what happened on the third day can inspire your congregation.

On the Third Day WHATEVER IS LEFT WILL BE CONTAMINATED Leviticus 7:18 If any of the meat from this peace offering is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted by the LORD. It will have no value as a sacrifice, and you will receive no credit for bringing it as an offering. By then, the meat ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 7:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational