Sermons on Welcome:

Does Our Church Welcome The Holy Spirit?

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 2, 2016

The Holy Spirit does the hands-on work in the Bible: creating, inspiring, empowering, communicating the Word. Jesus left Him to direct the church. Are we ignoring Him or are we seeking Him and cooperating with Him?

DOES OUR CHURCH WELCOME THE HOLY SPIRIT? Mt.3:16; Gen. 1:1-2; 8:8-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE KNOWLEDGE THEY LACKED 1. Three men, a Texan, a N. Korean, and a New Yorker were standing on a sidewalk when a reporter approached them and said, “Excuse me, could I get your opinion on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus, The One Who Welcomes Us Home

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jun 3, 2015

Because we believe that God is sovereign, and because we believe that the risen Christ is living and that the power of the Holy Spirit continues to make all things new, we can affirm that we are being healed again and again.

Back in 1971, Gavin Bryars, one of England's leading musicians and composers, agreed to help his friend Alan Powers with the sound on a film that Powers was making about street people. He was filming in an area around London's Waterloo Station. He filmed various people living on the streets. He ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Anglican

Welcoming The Repentant Sinners (September 8, 2013)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 3, 2021

Do we rejoice with God and the angels of heaven every time another sinner repents? In Luke 15 , Jesus tells three parables and all three parables end with a celebration. But, not everyone comes to the celebration.

Luke 15:1-10 GNB One day when many tax collectors and other outcasts came to listen to Jesus, (2) the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law started grumbling, "This man welcomes outcasts and even eats with them!" (3) So Jesus told them this parable: (4) "Suppose one of you has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Welcoming Love - 1 Peter 4:9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 26, 2025

You love your family and friends--how are you doing with stranger love?

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's multifaceted grace. 11 If anyone speaks, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:9

Go! And Welcome Everyone: The Gospel Of Radical Hospitality Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 30, 2025

The church is not called to be a museum of the like-minded—it is called to be a home for the broken, a family for the lonely, a refuge for the lost. And if that makes us uncomfortable—that’s the point!

Go! And Welcome Everyone: The Gospel of Radical Hospitality Introduction – A Question That Opens the Door Let me start with a question: Who do you struggle to welcome? Is it the person who doesn’t fit your idea of “respectable”? The one who votes differently? Dresses differently? Worships ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-3, Luke 14:12-24, Luke 19:1-10, Acts 10:1-48, Ephesians 2:11-22, Matthew 25:31-46, 2 Kings 4:8-37, Galatians 3:26-29, Romans 5:10, Revelation 3:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Power Of Praise

Contributed by Vera Hughes on Feb 20, 2008

This sermon emphasis is on developing a lifestyle of praise.

In this lesson, we will refer to praise as “thanksgiving, praise and worship.” They are not the same thing, but there is an overlap. The emphasis will be on developing a lifestyle of praise. Psalm 34:1-3 (Amplified) I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Please Don’t Come For Christmas Part 1 Series

Contributed by Tom Bartlett on Dec 9, 2009

A four week series: Why Jesus shouldn’t have come. He wasn’t wanted, welcomed, worshipped and we’re not worthy.

(OUTLINE) Please Don’t Come For Christmas – Part 1 4 reasons why Jesus shouldn’t have come Celebration Church - November 29, 2009 Matt 2:1-8 (NIV) “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Madness Of Jesus

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Feb 9, 2014

He is out of His mind! He’s lost His senses! He’s crazy! He’s flipped out! I believe He’s insane! Would these be the reactions of our contemporary society to Jesus Christ, we He among us today?

The Madness of Jesus Mark 3:20-30 "And He came home, and the multitude gathered again, to such an extent that they could not even eat a meal. And when His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, ‘He has lost His senses.’ And the scribes who ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-30

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Radical Hospitality Series

Contributed by Roy Probus on Jul 5, 2012

Radical Hospitality is about planning Hospitality for more than just those who walk in your worship area.

I. Introduction to 5 Practices * Video - Drive Thru Church (found on YouTube) Sometimes we expect the church to bend for our needs rather than us bending for it. Same thing with our youth group. Sometimes we want things to happen that we want rather than what is best for the ministry. We want ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7

Denomination: United Methodist

Is It Ok To Doubt? Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Apr 19, 2024

For the doubters and skeptics, this is where you belong, right there with Thomas. Jesus didn't criticize his doubting, he invited him to actually touch him. You don't have to believe to come, this is a place where we can ask our questions. This is a place where we find Jesus to be real.

My theme this Eastertide is the way that Jesus changed who we are AFTER the resurrection – while most of our studies are on the person Jesus BEFORE the crucifixion, what happened after is what changed us permanently. But the truth is, even those of us who call ourselves believers doubt at times. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-8, John 20:19-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Passion For The Lost

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Feb 8, 2021

Jesus welcomed those who others rejected. The Pharisees and scribes pushed them away. The crowd just watched. Who will we be like?

We’re continuing our journey with Jesus and his disciples from Galilee to Jerusalem. This week we’re taking a big hop from Luke 12 to Luke 15. As Jesus and his disciples travelled, Jesus has been teaching [picture on slide]. He and his disciples have been healing and casting out demons. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7, John 10:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Open House

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 17, 2023

When God calls people to us, it is our job to gather them in his name and share the joy he provides for all in his house of prayer.

Almost 40 years ago, July or August of 1984, I was at my very first Bible camp. It was the annual women’s retreat for the Northwest Women’s Caucus of the Evangelical Free Church of America, and I was scared to death. Well, maybe that was putting it a little strongly, but I was pretty nervous. You ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Go! And… Be A Community That Loves Jesus And Welcomes Everyone Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 26, 2025

Our world is hungry for authentic love - Jesus calls us to be: a community that loves Him passionately and welcomes everyone intentionally.

Go! And… Be a Community that Loves Jesus and Welcomes Everyone (A Christ-Exalting Vision for the Church) Introduction – A Vision of Welcome and Love Imagine walking into a place where you feel instantly at home—not because you know everyone, but because everyone seems to know Jesus. A place where ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35, Romans 5:8, James 2:1-4, Acts 2:42-47, Matthew 11:28, 1 Thessalonians 3:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Whosoever

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Aug 25, 2007

All of us are welcome in God’s presence.

WHOEVER Scripture: John 3:16; Matthew 9:20-21; Luke 23:39-43; Acts 15:28-29 Introduction We often use the term “whoever” in our conversations. “Who” is defined as “what or which person.” “Whoever” is the emphatic form of “whom”, giving it that extra emphasis. I remember hearing this term ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Adopted By Grace Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Feb 21, 2012

Believers have been welcomed into God's family.

[If you would like to receive a free sermon each week by email, please contact jonrmcleod@gmail.com.] BLESSING UPON BLESSING In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:5-6

Denomination: Baptist