Sermons on The Local Congregation:

Now Matter Who Wins, You Will Lose

Contributed by Joel Smith on Oct 30, 2008

This sermon is a relentless drum beat of negativity concerning America’s political predicament with a brief flicker of hope at the end. Theme: Demigods disappoint and enslave.

In the early days of our Republic pastors would set aside the Sunday before election day to preach a sermon about the coming vote. In those days they would name names and tell the congregation who to vote for. Now, thanks to a 1954 law, churches can no longer speak out in the same way. If they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Moved With Compassion

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Jul 14, 2009

Jesus compassion and love is for all who will accept.

Text: “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them....” (Matthew 9:36). According to The American Heritage Dictionary the word “compassion” is defined as “The deep feeling of sharing the suffering of another, together with the inclination to give aid or support or to show ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44

Denomination: Christian Church

Being Salt And Light Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 7, 2005

We are Salt and Light. Jesus has commissioned us. We’re each ordained Christian workers. We are the world’s light. We are salt for the earth. Shine as a light before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Today we begin a series of a sermons following Jesus’ teaching in the sermon on the mount. What we’ll discover as we go through is a series of radical interpretations of God’s law, designed to teach his followers how to live lives that are shaped by God’s agenda for the world and for his people, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Anglican

Investing For Eternity

Contributed by David Limiero on Jul 30, 2002

The Dow is Down! What would have happened if your had invested in the "Naperville Christian Church Spiritual Index" instead? A fun stewardship message that focuses on the value of eternal investments.

Investing for Eternity Naperville Christian Church David Limiero, Lead Minister July 28, 2002 *How Are Your Investments Doing? (Part 1)* Remember the old hymn "All to Jesus I Surrender"? (sing/speak the words of verse 1) Well I’ve taken the liberty to re-write the words from the standpoint of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of Trust - 3:16 And Us Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 18, 2005

There is a temptation to protect ourselves against vicious people by stooping to their level. But there are serious reasons why we shouldn’t do that. Do you know what they are?

OPEN: Little Johnny was walking down the beach, and he spied a matronly woman sitting under a beach umbrella on the sand. He walked up to her and asked, "Are you a Christian?" "Yes." she replied. "Do you read your Bible every day?" She nodded her head, "Yes." "Do you pray often?" Little ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Back To The Future

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 23, 2011

Jacob

BACK TO THE FUTURE (GENESIS 35:1-7) In the movie “Back to the Future,” Marty McFly, the character played by Michael J. Fox, paid a visit to his mad scientist friend Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown, who revealed to him that he had built a car powered by plutonium that could act as a time-machine when the car ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Spiritual Gifts Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Sep 16, 2013

I used a jigsaw puzzle to illustrate how spiritual gifts operate in the body of Christ.

Most of you know that Mary and I really enjoy putting together jigsaw puzzles. It’s a fun activity that we can do together and we can actually talk with each other while we’re working on the puzzle. And if any of you are interested, we’ve even brought a bunch of our old puzzles to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Church At Smyrna Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jul 31, 2014

A study of the book of Revelation chapter 2 verses 8 through 11

Revelation 2: 8 – 11 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What Is Stopping Us? Removing The Barriers To Personal Evangelism Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 15, 2014

This lesson looks at the barriers and excuses that keep us away from our mission as individuals.

This is lesson three in our series of lessons on personal evangelism. We have examined many ideas so far. • In our first lesson, we looked at the Great Commission and how it applies to each one of us. We each need to love those who are their way to an eternity separated from God enough to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Showing Up For The Battle Is Not Enough!

Contributed by David Wilson on Jul 30, 2012

The Israelites show up for Battle but are delayed because they allow Goliath to define the terms of battle. God's people need to get into the valley because it isn't fought on the hillside.

Showing Up For Battle I Samuel 17 Preached on Sunday, July 29, 2012 This is one of the most difficult sermons I have ever had to preach. I thought it would be Wednesday evening’s Bible Study, but the Lord would not let me escape preaching it on Sunday morning. The story found in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Amazing Grace

Contributed by Segun Omole on Aug 19, 2010

The bible is filled with so many stories that would win the Oscar at any time. I know everybody loves a wonderful story. If not then why is Hollywood so rich? Why do people keep buying movies that have almost the same story lines? Little wonder that the b

Amazing Grace Text: Hosea 1: 1-3:5 The bible is filled with so many stories that would win the Oscar at any time. I know everybody loves a wonderful story. If not then why is Hollywood so rich? Why do people keep buying movies that have almost the same story lines? Little wonder that the bible ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Motivating The Complacent Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 7, 2022

When a ministry grows, there will be those who will hear of the great harvest taking place; but when they see the work that it entails, they will wait for someone else to do the job, hoping to benefit from the hard work of others.

When we communicate a compelling vision for our church and community, we will start seeing people join our fellowship. They will hear of the blessings of the Promised Land and want to become a part of it; however, not everyone will partake of the rewards. It won’t just happen automatically ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 18:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Take God's Name In Vain Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 21, 2021

God’s name is sacred. It’s not that His name is magical. It’s not that the three letters of His name to be used for incantations. It’s because His name represents His essence.

This Memorial Day we continue our series on the Ten Commandments. How are you progressing on memorizing the Ten Commandments? Two weeks ago we saw the “Who” of worship when we examined the first commandment – “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2). God has always been a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7, Proverbs 18:10

Denomination: Baptist

God's Name Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 28, 2017

Take up the name of the Lord, and then bear that name proudly. Honor that name by what you SAY and DO.

Several years ago (1997), a 14-year-old student, Nathan Zohner, circulated a petition to ban the use of dihydrogen monoxide. According to Zohner, dihydrogen monoxide “may cause severe burns, accelerates the corrosion and rusting of many metals, and has been found in the excised tumors of terminal ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7, Leviticus 24:10-15, Colossians 3:17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What I Spend

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Jan 1, 2019

A message for stewardship

Opening Remarks and Introduction Tonight, we start a new sermon series on stewardship. Now, stewardship seems to be one of those difficult subjects to talk about, because it always seems to center on how we spend our money. But, stewardship is really much more than dollars. Instead of looking at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-21

Denomination: Lutheran