Sermons on The Local Congregation:

Thirty Steps To Planting And Growing A Church

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Model your new church after the first century model found in Acts 2:41-47: "Those who accepted his message were baptized and about 3,000 were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the b

Jesus said, "I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) 1. Begin by assembling together local people who are committed to Christ, to the growth of His church and the great commission. Once you have a group of people who are committed to carrying out ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Family Man

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 24, 2014

A sermon on the last two qualifications for being a deacon, church leader (Material adapted from Alexander Strauch's book, The New Testament Deacon)

HoHum: Gene Getz was leading some Bible studies on the qualifications of church leaders. Two men were there who were new Christians and had little knowledge of the Bible. After a few sessions these two men said, “You know this is the first time we’ve heard this list of qualifications ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Must I Do: Preach The Gospel

Contributed by Ken Pell on Aug 26, 2013

The Great Commission: Keeping the main thing the main thing.

WHAT MUST I DO? PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL TO ALL NATIONS MARK 13:10 Big Idea: The great commission is the primary task of Jesus’ church. It is our compass that points us in the direction God wants us to go. Is the main thing the main thing in our congregation? SERIES INTRO We are asking ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Passionate About The Church Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Dec 21, 2016

Paul was passionate about the church. He had developed a personal relationship with them and knew their needs and concerns. Pastors, and those within the church, can glean much from the Apostle in this passage. We need the commitment and passion he had.

Passionate about the Church Philippians 4: 1-3 In order to effectively lead a congregation of believers, the pastor must have a burden for the people within the congregation, while developing personal relationships with them. Paul understood this principle of leadership and provided a great ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Growth And Health Of A Living Church

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Oct 23, 2021

The living Church is the one that is healthy and growing. The healthy Church is the one living for the Lord and fulfilling His purpose as a Church.

The Growth and Health of a Living Church Study Text: Revelation 3:1-6 Introduction: - The situation with the Church at Sardis, is the true picture of what can happen to a Church when they forget where they have come from, where they are going, and what their purpose as a Church is. - ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Origin, Purpose, And Power Of The Church

Contributed by Duke Jeffries on Oct 18, 2000

A. INTRODUCTION 1.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. The first mention of "the church" in the Bible came from the lips of our Lord Himself. It is found in this morning's text passage, the obvious starting point for any study of what has been called the "Body of Christ." The Greek word translated throughout the New Testament as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

What About The Christian Church? Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Mar 31, 2007

The independent Christian church came out of the Restoration Movement of the 1800’s. What does that mean and how does that make us distinctive?

(based on a message by Paul Snoddy) SERIES: “IMPORTANT QUESTIONS” TEXT: JOHN 17:20-23 TITLE: “WHAT ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH?” OPEN: A. Jn 17:20-23 – “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Bradford, The Mayflower And Plymouth" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 15, 2002

The heritage of the Pilgrims

Bradford, the Mayflower and Plymouth Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Congregationalism (and others from the Reformed tradition) has its roots in the Pilgrims who came from England, led by William Brewster and William Bradford. The issue at stake was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 101:1-8

Denomination: Congregational

Church Discipline – Spanking Ourselves So God Doesn’t Have To – Part 3

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Sep 28, 2020

Review of Church Discipline

Review I. Elements of Church Discipline - Part One A. The Place of Discipline - The place of discipline is the assembly of believers-- the church (Mat. 18:17). B. The Purpose of Discipline 1.) Prevention – The fear of sinning 2.) The other purpose for church discipline is restoration. C. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

10 Characteristics Of Healthy Churches

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jan 29, 2003

The characteristics of a healthy church compiled from nine of the most significant church health studies to date.

During the last 20 years there has been a tremendous focus on church growth. Unfortunately this has created a tendency to be more analytical than prescriptive, more quantitative than qualitative. Rick Warren writes in “The Purpose-Driven Church”; (Zondervan) "the key issue for churches in the ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:2, 3 John 1:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Touch And Go"

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 13, 2006

We have a tendancy to lead people to Christ then forget to do the rest.

Biblical Text: Acts 16:9-15 and Psalm 67 “And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:9-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Assimilation: Making Insiders Out Of Outsiders Student Copy Series

Contributed by John Putty on Apr 7, 2011

A Lesson on Assimilation for the inner-core or leadership team. Also, you could share this lesson with the hospitality or greeting core. Please keep in mind that many parts of this lesson were taken from books, tapes, seminars. I quoted where possible

ASSIMILATION Rev. J. Kevin Putty, Presenter Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Emphasize A Biblically-Functioning Eldership Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Jan 31, 2005

The importance and function of the eldership in the church. Includes ordination service of a newly-elected elder at the end of the message.

SERIES: ‘THE CHALLENGE TO THE CHURCH IN 2005” TEXT: 1 TIMOTHY 3:1-7; TITUS 1:6-9; 1 PETER 5:1-3; ACTS 20:28-31 TITLE: “EMPHASIZE A BIBLICALLY-FUNCTIONING ELDERSHIP” INTRODUCTION: A. Two police officers respond to a call from the dispatcher concerning a bad traffic accident. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Marks Of A Healthy Church

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on May 20, 2024

Within the necessary unity of the church, there is also beneficial diversity. Such unified diversity seems like a paradox, but in reality, it is a thing of beauty. Healthy churches must strive to promote unity and diversity at the same time.

Marks of a Healthy Church Ephesians 4: 11-16 In the preceding verses of chapter four, Paul has spoken about the unity that is necessary within the body of Christ in order for the church to be effective in daily life and service unto the Lord. Within this necessary unity, there is also beneficial ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 14, 2012

Sermon for the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year B.

The Kingdom Of God / Mark 4: 26 - 34 Intro: One summer a drought threatened to destroy the crops of the local farmers. On a hot, dry Sunday, the local pastor told his congregation, “There is nothing we can do but pray for rain. Go home, pray, believe, and come back next Sunday ready to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed