Sermons on The Local Congregation:

Courtesy At The Lord’s Table Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2009

A message to remind worshippers that the Lord’s Table demands that we treat one another with respect.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:33, 34 COURTESY AT THE LORD’S TABLE “My brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.” “Love one ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:33-34

Denomination: Baptist

Diversity In Unity

Contributed by Gary Birch on Jul 14, 2006

The Church is known as Christ’s body, but as in the body we are many parts, each with different roles and abilities. We need to celebrate our differences while keeping hold of the One who is central to us all.

(Note: English Preacher in an American Church!!) Peanuts by Charles Schultz: Lucy demanded that Linus change the channel on the TV, threatening him with her fist if he didn’t comply. “What makes you think you can walk in here and take over?” asks Linus. “These five fingers,” says Lucy. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-30

Question About Christ's Presence Series

Contributed by Keith Foskey on May 28, 2005

COntinuing series on questions about the Christian faith

Sermon Series: “Questioning the Faith” Sermon #7 “Question about Christ’s Presence” Text: Matthew 18:20 OPENING JOKE: “Small Church Sleeper” A pastor in a small church was greatly annoyed by one of his elderly members who fell asleep during his sermons every Sunday. After the service one day, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Will Be A Functioning Church Member Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 10, 2015

The church is described as a body in the New Testament. Each member of the body must serve its function so that the body is healthy.

Series: I Am a Church Member (based on and adapted from Thom Rainer’s book of the same name) “I Will Be a Functioning Church Member” 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Open Today, we start doing something new that will last for six weeks. We are beginning a a book study together as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Chooses The Place Of Worship

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jan 24, 2016

To show that GOD have chosen your local church so that we can serve GOD there, as we come out and overcome this worldliness. 1 John 4:4 (Amplified Bible) Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [

I. EXORDIUM: Do you nurture your children? Yes. GOD commanded me to bring up my children in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. Ephesians 6:4 (King James Version) And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. II. AUDIENCE ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

One Anothers #1: Members Of One Another Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Aug 17, 2019

Paul compares the Church, as well as churches individually, to a body. A body is composed of many parts, each with an important role. This is the first sermon in The One Anothers: God's "Body Builders" and reminders that each of us has an important role in Christ's Body.

Members of One Another Series: The One Anothers: The Church’s “Body Builders” Chuck Sligh April 24, 2022 BLURB: NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:5

Denomination: Baptist

Carpe Occasio

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Dec 9, 2009

Used for a local board retreat

Carpe Occasio November 7, 2009 LBA Retreat Introduction David and Kirk had been friends since high school. They were busy pastors in Florida but one day David called Kirk and asked him to go with him somewhere. Kirk asked where and David replied, “Germany”. Kirk remembers the ease with ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-16

Denomination: Wesleyan

Addition, Multiplication, Division & Subtraction

Contributed by Charles Newman on Aug 27, 2006

“It’s all about math,” a teacher once said. Can everything be reduced in its simplest form to mathematics? Weather patterns at this time of year can be fairly predictable; hot, steamy and frequent afternoon showers. The weather forecasters use mathematics

“It’s all about math,” a teacher once said. Can everything be reduced in its simplest form to mathematics? Weather patterns at this time of year can be fairly predictable; hot, steamy and frequent afternoon showers. The weather forecasters use mathematics to predict our weather. Now we even have a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4-6, John 17:21-23

Denomination: Methodist

Architecture Of The Church

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Aug 24, 2023

Jesus establishes Peter as the first building block of the Church upon his confession that Jesus is the Son of God. We, too, have that same opportunity to become a building stone in the Church.

CHURCH! THAT WORD, ALONE, BRINGS ABOUT MANY DIFFERENT IDEAS AND UNDERSTANDINGS. I HAVE HEARD IT DESCRIBED AS JUST A BUILDING OR AS A PLACE CHRISTIANS GO ON SUNDAY. PERHAPS, THOSE DEEPER IN FAITH WOULD CALL IT A GROUP OF BELIEVERS. WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT CONCEPTS OF WHAT “CHURCH” MEANS TO US. IF WE ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20, Ephesians 2:19-21, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 2 Samuel 22:2-3, John 20:30-31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Free Methodist

Wars And Fightings And Some Of The Reasons Why! Series

Contributed by John Wright on Feb 1, 2010

James teaches on things that are responsible for wars and fightings, however the wars and fightings in this passage primarily refer to brethren not getting along with one another, due to worldly and devilish wisdom instead of the wisdom from above being p

INTRODUCTION #17 1. Open your bible to James 4:1&2. 2. This passage reminds us that many people in the church don’t know how to get along with each other and that many don’t know how to get along with their self. 3. Let’s begin our discussion of the things that James sets forth ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Arrows Of Truth # 22 - What Is The 1st Cord Of Connection To The Local Church? Series

Contributed by Louis Posthauer on Mar 25, 2022

A weekly series to help believers engage with loved ones, friends and neighbors who are dropout believers to restore them to the church - the Body of Christ.

Arrows of Truth # 22 - What is the 1st cord of connection to the local church? Last time we introduced the concept of connectedness as the goal of the local church for every believer (including restored dropout believers). We will look at the three cords of connectedness over the next three ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:12, Philippians 1:7-11, Philippians 1:25-26

Arrows Of Truth # 23 - What Is The 2nd Cord Of Connection To The Local Church? Series

Contributed by Louis Posthauer on Mar 25, 2022

A weekly series to help believers engage with loved ones, friends and neighbors who are dropout believers to restore them to the church - the Body of Christ.

Arrows of Truth # 23 - What is the 2nd cord of connection to the local church? We are considering the concept of connectedness as the goal of the local church for every believer (including restored dropout believers). Last week we looked at the first ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:12, Colossians 3:12-14

Spiritual Men In The Local Church 1cori 2: 15 – 3:1 Series

Contributed by Nelson Thomas on Aug 31, 2020

One of the major reasons for church problems then and now is carnality of the believers. Paul explains who a spiritual man is.

SPIRITUAL MEN IN THE LOCAL CHURCH 1Corinthians 2: 15 – 3:1 One of the reasons behind the troubles in the Corinth church was the carnality of the members. Paul does not hesitate to reveal his observation “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:46, 1 Corinthians 2:15

Denomination: Brethren

Is Official, Or Formal Church Membership In A Local Church According To Scripture? – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 2, 2025

This begins a 4 part study of local church membership in the New Testament. Is a formal church membership biblically required in our churches? Was it required in the first century churches? We will examine scriptures and practices for those answers.

IS OFFICIAL, OR FORMAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE? – PART 1 What is church membership? What does the New Testament teach about church membership? Is this a requirement for us in local churches or must we submit ourselves to a practice of man and denominational ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Ephesians 5:29-30, Acts 2:47, Acts 2:44, Romans 12:4-6, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Philippians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Colossians 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Official Or Formal Church Membership In A Local Church According To Scripture – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 3, 2025

Formal church membership that involves special membership and voting rights is contentious. In this Part 2, I open up the matter to show how out of sync the matter is with the membership of the one Body of Christ, and the discrimination. We delve into some scriptures to bring this out.

IS OFFICIAL OR FORMAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE – PART 2 In Part 1 we looked at the practice some churches have of there being an official local church membership that divides “members”, adherents and attendees into “MEMBERS” and “NON-MEMBERS” depending if one has ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10, Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 6:15, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 1 Corinthians 12:18-20, 1 Corinthians 12:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational