Sermons on The Local Congregation:

Sheep Or Goats

Contributed by Richard White on Jul 11, 2015

Many congregations are full of people, do they look like sheep or goats. Their eternal destiny relies on this appearance.

My Sheep Matt 25:40ff Lynn Anderson, in "They Smell Like Sheep relates this story: “Several years ago in Palestine, Carolyn and I rode a tour bus through Israel’s countryside nearly mesmerized as the tour guide explained the scenery, the history, and the lifestyle. In his description, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When The Elder Sins Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 16, 2014

Elders are to be honoured for their labour. However, elders are to be held accountable before the congregation to discharge their appointment in a faithful manner.

“Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Is The Church A Lighthouse Or A Club House?

Contributed by Mark Mitchell on May 24, 2017

This sermon helps the congregations see the difference between being and inward focused church and an outward focused church

Introduction: Illustration “The Guiding Light” I. What is a lighthouse? A. A lighthouse provides light to anyone in need B. A church that is a lighthouse understands that the source of light is Christ. - Joh 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. - Joh 1:5 The light shines in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Open Doors Of Opportunity (2) Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Aug 25, 2014

Are we open or closed as a congregation? Is the work and worship about us only or do we include others?

1. St Catherine's Monastery One of the oldest monasteries in the world is Saint Catherine's. Built by Emperor Justinian to protect the monks in the region, St. Catherine's sits at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt. The walls are made of granite and are between 8 and 35 meters tall. Up until last ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unity Of God's People PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Emphasize the importance, benefits, and joy of unity among God's people, and to encourage the congregation to strive for this unity in their lives.

Good morning, church family! We're diving into a message from Psalm 133 today - it's about unity, something that our world desperately needs more of. Unity among God's people - the blessing it brings, the necessity of it, and the joy it produces. As Charles Spurgeon once said, "Satan always hates ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 133:1

Topics: Unity, Harmony

The Beat Up Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Aug 8, 2011

The Church at Smyrna is a church which received no criticism from the Lord but much abuse from both the culture and the "congregation" (those who ’say’ they are Jews)

The Unveiling The “Beat Up” or “Bloodied” Church Revelation 2:8-11 * From my observation we live in an increasingly violent culture. Hardly a day passes when we don’t hear of someone being killed or attacked. An honest look at our entertainment would indicate that America has bought into ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

8th Church Anniversary Arise & Shine -River Of Life Church

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Nov 10, 2024

This sermon is for a church's eighth anniversary. The congregation is a West African Church from Liberia and focuses in on the pastor and his struggles.

8th Church Anniversary Arise & Shine -River Of Life Church By Rick Gillespie- Mobley Isaiah 60:1-3 Summary: This sermon is for a church's eighth anniversary. The congregation is a West African Church from Liberia and focuses in on the pastor and his ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-3, Romans 12:3-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Potential Of Problems Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 24, 2011

The prototype of today’s deacons is found in our passage. It is an account of men being set aside by the Holy Spirit and the Jerusalem Church to resolve a fellowship problem.

ACTS 6: 1-7 THE POTENTIAL OF PROBLEMS [1Timothy 3:3-16] The prototype of today’s deacons is found in our passage for this evening. It is an account of men being set aside by the Holy Spirit and the Jerusalem Church to resolve a fellowship problem. The Church had been expanding in a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Family Tree

Contributed by Duke Jeffries on Oct 18, 2000

A. Introduction 1.

A. Introduction 1. The basic premise of the doctrine of election is that God has chosen -- "elected" -- a remnant for Himself. The apostle Paul has gone to great lengths in the ninth and tenth chapters of Romans to show that this has always been God's intention. Any notion that He originally ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:1-24

The Overseer’s Fitness-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jul 30, 2012

1 of 6. Paul related the moral qualifications for an overseer of the Church. Character traits for overseers of the church are definitive. ?How is his fitness determined? An overseer’s fitness is decided by his...

The OVERSEER’s FITNESS-I—1Timothy 3:1-7 Attention: Americans are fitness freaks! We watch people on TV getting fit. We buy videos(in lieu of a personal trainer) to help us get fit.(P90-X—Walk Away the Pounds—etc.) We want to be fit because we are rightly convinced that a healthy body is better ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Prayer That Gets God's Attention Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 12, 2006

The prayer in Ephesians 3 is the most important prayer we could possibly pray because it focuses on God’s most highly prized objective. Do you know what that is and why it’s so important to us?

OPEN: A businessman was troubled about an upcoming important deal for his company and so he went to church to pray for God to help him. By chance, he knelt down next to a man who was praying for $100 to pay an urgent debt. When he overheard the poor man’s prayer, the businessman took out his ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:6-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Thessalonians 1 Of 14 (2 Of 2)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 6, 2022

The story is told of a general council that was held.

They wanted to figure out at way to outsmart their enemy, the cat. Many suggestions were made. Then one young mouse suggested, “Since we all agree that our chief danger consists in the sly and treacherous manner in which the enemy approaches us. I venture propose that a small bell be procured ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

Holding Each Other Accountable In Small Groups

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Aug 25, 2007

Based on the New Testament Church and John Wesley’s concept of the Classmeeting, this sermon affirms the necessity of being in a small, accountability group for disciples to grow to be more like Jesus.

Holding Each Other Accountable in Small Groups --I Thessalonians 5:11 and James 5:16 In October I return to my alma mater Asbury Theological Seminary for our fifth of six sessions in the Spiritual Leaders’ Academy. The Lily Foundation has fully funded our participation in the Academy, and one of ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16

Denomination: Methodist

"A Portrait Of The Church"

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 31, 2009

As we begin the New Year, our congregation needs to seek to further our work to be like the church described in the New Testament.

“PORTRAIT OF THE CHURCH” 1 PETER 2:4-10 OPEN On the wall near the main entrance to The Alamo in San Antonio, TX is a portrait with the following inscription: James Butler Bonham – no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Beyond The Tomb Series

Contributed by Art Good on Jun 5, 2007

This series examines the life and continuing mission of the church after the resurrection of Jesus. And reminds us that there is work to be done!

Drama (I started with a dram about 2 people Jan and John who had become disillusioned about the church.) In the book of Acts the church emerges and enters the world in a powerful way. But somehow, over the years something has changed. Like Jan and John’s relationship the church has lost it’s ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan