Sermons on Unity And Diversity:

Front Line Christians

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jul 23, 2001

We have made Christianity into a spectator sport. We just sit back in church and listen to the music, and the sermons and never really get involved in the game. We need some Christians today to get off the sidelines and get on the front lines.

Intro: It was the first day of basketball practice at Wingate High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. The Coach handed a ball to each player. “Boys,” he said, “I want you to practice shooting from the spots you might expect to be in during the game.” One of the boys (who was pretty much there as a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Playing War Series

Contributed by Tim George on Aug 5, 2001

There is a war that rages among us today that is just as serious. It is the war that rages in the souls of men and women. Why do people have so much trouble getting along with each other? Chapter four of the book of James gives us the answer.

"Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Mean Christians

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Aug 27, 2001

(How to deal with the reality of unredeemed behavior in the church)

2Timothy 3 – “Mean Christians” (How to deal with the reality of unredeemed behavior in the church) Opening Here’s how things are going to be in the “last days” i.e. NOW. FACE IT I want to introduce you to some people, here… Notice first the misdirected love: (1) lovers of themselves ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Disjointed Body

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 1, 2001

Text: Ephesians 4:1-6 In the Messianic Psalm 22 we read of the description of Christ on the cross feeling all his bones out of joint. Could this be a picture of the church today? We are one body and we should speak and act toward one another in love reg

The Disjointed Body 9-2-01 Ephesians 4:1-6 The burden I have from the Lord this week is something I really need the inspiration, the breathing in, of Holy Spirit to communicate clearly to you. It came as sudden thought when I was asked if I had any insight about the bones of Christ. The Scripture ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:14, Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being One In Spirit Series

Contributed by Craig Simonian on Sep 4, 2001

This sermons is about growing as a community.

Being One in Spirit June 24, 2001 What would most people say if you asked them, “what’s the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word Christian or church?” - What do you think most people would say? - Loving, Caring, Serving the Community, Welcoming, Generous, Authentic, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

We Really Do Need Each Other

Contributed by Mark Haines on Sep 8, 2001

An exposition of several texts as a “pastoral care intervention” message pointing out the problem of disunity in the church caused by individualism and calling those attending worship to reach out to those who do not attend.

Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness calling God’s people in my care to take the first step and reach out to professing Christians that are not attending worship services. Response: Individuals will raise their hands to indicate that they know at least one professing Christian that does ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:28, 1 Corinthians 12:26

Denomination: Wesleyan

Disagreeing Agreeably

Contributed by Mark Haines on Sep 8, 2001

An inductive message using biblical narrative to call Christians to learn how to focus on God’s purpose even when we disagree on how to work it out.

Intro: "It’s easy to see why people like the sea gull. I’ve sat overlooking a craggy harbor and watched one. He exults in freedom. He thrusts his wings backward with powerful strokes, climbing higher and higher until he’s above all the other gulls, then coasts downward in majestic loops and ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Time To Pass The Gravy-Serving Others At The Holidays Series

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Sep 13, 2001

Part of the Christmas Wonder PowerPak.

How many of you have watched the television show, "Cheers"? For eleven seasons, from 1982 to 1993, Cheers was one of the highest-rated shows on television, and since 1993 its spinoff, Frasier, has also consistently been at the top of the ratings. What accounts for this popularity? Inspired writing, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14, James 5:9

Denomination: Baptist

The Effort That Unifies

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Jun 7, 2001

Mickey a 41 year old salesman sleeps in on Sundays find out why.

West Greeley Baptist Church June 10th 2001 “The Effort That Unifies” Ephesians 4:1-3 By Pastor Mark Hensley “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Be A Team Player

Contributed by Scottie Pitts on Jun 30, 2001

The church must practice good teamwork in order to be successful.

Are you a team player? In May, 1953, two men became the first in history to climb to the top of Mt. Everest; Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand beekeeper and explorer, and his Sherpa guide from Nepal, Tenzing Norgay. They reached the summit together and attained instant international fame. On the way ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Calling A Spade A Spade (A False Teacher A False Teacher) Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 7, 2001

FALSE TEACHERS PROMOTE HERESY AND STIR UP DIVISION AND STRIFE

BIG IDEA: FALSE TEACHERS PROMOTE HERESY AND STIR UP DIVISION AND STRIFE The book ends with the same subject featured at the beginning = denunciation of false teachers. I. (:2B-3) FALSE TEACHERS PROMOTE HERESY -- FALSE TEACHING IS RECOGNIZED AS THAT WHICH IS CONTRARY TO SOUND DOCTRINE A. (:2b) ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:2-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

All Kinds Of People Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jul 9, 2001

Five reasons why God wants our church to welcome all kinds of people who share a common faith in Christ with us.

(Note: This sermon was introduced with a powerpoint presentation set to the song "All Kinds of People" written by Sheryl Crow, Kevin Gilbert and Erick Pressley and performed by Susan Ashton from the "A Distant Call" CD). Why is it that the Christian community is divided over many of the very same ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tell The Truth

Contributed by Paul Decker on Jul 3, 2005

We are to be open and honest.

TELL THE TRUTH Acts 4:32 – 5:11 S: Integrity Th: Community Pr: WE ARE TO BE OPEN AND HONEST. KW: Section TS: We will find in Acts 4:32 – 5:11 a community that is growing in faith and fear. Type: Inductive The ____ section of the narrative describes… I. UNITY (32-33) II. GENEROSITY ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Courting Danger Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jul 6, 2005

Ultimately the biblical issue is Church division. Just as there can be internal actions that divide the church, there can also be external actions that divide the church. Paul hopes to set a biblical standard here for believers to follow.

COURTING DANGER 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 INTRODUCTION: When I hear the word courting, my mind immediately goes to thoughts of dating, courtship and marriage. So, it was not so much of a jump to remember this story about marriage,: A wife was sitting at the breakfast table and asked her husband, “What ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

How Can We Be "In One Accord" As A Church?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 18, 2005

This message focuses on the places the Greek word "homothumadon" (meaning: "in one accord") is used in the book of Acts. What can we learn from their unity? This message points to 7 ways we can maintain our unity.

How can we maintain that unity? - I want to do more than diagnose the problem, I want to talk about what we can do to make sure it doesn’t happen to us. - I got to thinking about the unity that the early church enjoyed and how we can have that. - There is a Greek word - “homothumadon” - that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:46

Denomination: Baptist