Sermons on The Local Congregation:

Discerning Spirits Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 23, 2007

Our culture tells us that if something is spiritual, it is "good." John tells us we have to discern the spirits

18 John 4:1-6 January 21, 2007 Discerning Spirits Intro – Franklin episode where they are searching for a talisman to cure his Grandmother. The question in the show is whether the talisman will actually cure the grandmother or whether it is just superstition and not real. There was no room ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: *other

Six Marks Of Leadership: Mark 1- "The Leader Shows Concern For God’s Work" Series

Contributed by Tim White on May 7, 2011

The first of six marks of leadership is his concern for God’s work as seen in Nehemiah 1:1-4.

Mark Dever promotes Four Aspects of Leadership in Nine Marks of a Healthy Church with the acrostic BOSS. B=Boss. The leader “reproves, rebukes, and exhorts with all longsuffering and doctrine.” There is a delicate balance in local churches between pastoral authority (Hebrews 13) and ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

No One Is Beyond The Pale For Jesus

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 1, 2024

No Jewish rabbi would have touched Jairus's dead daughter and the woman with the issue of blood because that would make Him ritually impure, yet Jesus did so and brought healing. Why?

The Marcan Sandwich Story: Sermons and eggs As some of you may know, I have recently retired after 12 years as Vicar of the East Marshland Benefice in the Diocese of Ely As we were taking the bed apart in our bedroom I was surprised to find two baskets under the bed One with 3 eggs in and the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Anglican

Let’s Return To The Early Church View Of Money

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jan 17, 2024

Spirituality is our business NOT making money. That was the view of the earliest churches. Why did it change?

Let’s return to the early church View of Money 1Timothy Chapter six Michael H Koplitz [Paul supports slavery] 1Tim. 6:1 All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be 1spoken against. 2 Those who ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

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