Sermons on Worthless Shepherds:

Rethinking Church Growth

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 1, 2010

We need to rethink church growth. Most churches are not growing.

INTRO.- ILL.- After the worship service a young couple talked to a church member about joining the church. He hadn't met the husband before, and he asked what church he was transferring from. After a short hesitation, he replied,"I am transferring from the Municipal Golf Course." Brothers and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Getting The Most From Your Job

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 2, 2010

Let’s think about how to get more out of life and our work. 1- Put more into it 2- Always be considerate of others 3- Realize who your real boss is

INTRO.- ILL.- Freddie was eighteen years old, friendly, and eager to do things right. Unfortunately, he wasn’t especially bright. He had just started his first job, as a delivery boy and general gofer at a furniture warehouse. His first task was to go out for coffee. He walked into a nearby ...read more

Scripture: John 5:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mother, May I? Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on May 2, 2011

1- Mother, may I have a faith like yours 2- Mother, may I have a heart like yours 3- Mother, may I have hands like yours

INTRO.- God took the fragrance of a flower... The majesty of a tree... The gentleness of morning dew... The calm of a quiet sea... The beauty of the twilight hour... The soul of a starry night... The laughter of a rippling brook... The grace of a bird in flight... Then God fashioned from these ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Life Is Like...

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on May 9, 2011

Life is like many different things that we experience in this world.

INTRO.- One thing we all know is that life is not easy. There are hills and valleys. There are good days and bad. There are positives and negatives. There are ding bats and ding dongs who get in our way in life. There are saints and ain’ts who enter our lives for good or evil. There are good ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Heading Toward Christmas - Thinking About Giving Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 13, 2009

Two basic thoughts about giving. 1- Giving to God 2- Giving to man

INTRO.- ILL.- The story is told of a very wealthy man who, on the occasion of his daughter’s marriage, sent a check for $5,000 to the bridegroom as a wedding present. He sent it by the hand of the bride’s sister and when she returned, the man eagerly asked: “What did your new brother-in-law say ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:8-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Heading Toward Christmas - Thinking About Gifts Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 13, 2009

Since we’re thinking about Christmas I think we should think about the gifts we’ve been given by God. This is just a simple reminder of how blessed we are.

INTRO.- ILL.- Herb Forst in Cross River, NY, in Reader’s Digest: What not to Buy Your Wife: 1. Don’t buy anything that plugs in. Anything that requires electricity is seen as too practical. 2. Don’t buy clothing that involves sizes. The chances are one in seven thousand that you will get her ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Heading Toward Christmas - Thinking About Christ Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 13, 2009

Let’s consider Christ since He is what Christmas is all about: 1- Who He is 2- What He did 3- What we owe Him

INTRO.- Do you believe in Jesus? A better question is: Does the world believe in Jesus? And how much? Heroes & Icons (Time magazine’s top 10) Michelle Obama Chesley B. Sullenberger Richard Phillips Seth Berkley Michael Eavis Leonard Abess Hadizatou Mani Rick Warren Van Jones Somaly Mam I don’t ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Heading Into The New Year Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 18, 2009

Going into the new year, what should we do to have a better life? 1- WAKE UP 2- CLEAN UP 3- DRESS UP

INTRO.- ILL.- THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE: 1) You believe in Santa Claus. 2) You don’t believe in Santa Claus. 3) You are Santa Claus. 4) You look like Santa Claus. ILL.- A lady said: Recently I went to the doctor for my annual physical. The nurse asked me how much I weighed. I told her 135 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The New Year Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 18, 2009

Here’s some good solid advice for making the new year better. 1- The new year - Be careful 2- The new year - Be thoughtful 3- The new year - Be thankful

INTRO.- ILL.- Pete, at a New Year’s party, turns to his friend, Ken, and asks for a cigarette. “I thought you made a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking," Ken responds. “I’m in the process of quitting,” replies Pete with a grin. “Right now, I am in the middle of phase one.” “Phase one?” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mapping Out The New Year Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 29, 2009

The scripture is our divine GPS for mapping our lives in order to experience many good days. What does this divine GPS tell us to do? 1- Seek the Lord 2- Follow the Lord 3- Trust the Lord

INTRO.- Have you ever had a bad day? Well, of course. Who hasn’t? But what about a really bad day? Here’s one that tops many I’ve heard. ILL.- The following is seen in a Florida newspaper: A man was working on his motorcycle on his patio and his wife was in the house in the kitchen. The man ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In Prison But Praying

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 9, 2007

In prison some things were happening. 1- the church was praying 2- the angel was working 3- the apostle was waiting

INTRO.- ILL.- A man who had been caught embezzling millions from his employer went to a lawyer seeking defense. He didn’t want to go to jail. But his lawyer told him, "Don’t worry. You’ll never have to go to jail with all that money you have." And the lawyer was right. When the man was sent ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The High And The Mighty

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 9, 2007

Consider these thoughts about the high and mighty of all ages: 1- They throw their weight around 2- They portray themselves as great 3- They seek the praise of men 4- BUT...They are no match for God

INTRO.- ILL.- During the 1964 Presidential campaign an elderly woman was said to have told a reporter that she intended to vote against Senator Barry Goldwater because “he’s the guy who’s going to get rid of TV.” “But, madam,” said the reporter, “I think you’re making a mistake. Senator ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:19-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In The Midst Of Devastation, Destruction, And Death

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on May 29, 2011

Considering the destruction of Joplin’s deadly tornado, what must we do?

INTRO.- The devastating tornado in Joplin, MO. They are saying it was the deadliest in the history of the US in nearly 60 years. Why? Because of the many deaths (142), over 900 injured and 100 unaccounted for, and 8,000 structures damaged. At least 300 businesses and 4,000 jobs were affected by ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Together With His Wife

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 2, 2007

Consider what Ananias and Sahhpira did, what happened to them and how it applies to us today. 1- Conspiring in evil 2- Lying to God 3- Dying in suddenness

INTRO.- Together with his wife. This is the way it should be. A man and his wife should be together on things, such as going places, going to church, shopping, and buying lottery tickets! ILL.- Fri Jun 29, 2007. Don Harvey and his wife, Joyce, just became millionaires and then some. OKLAHOMA ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

All In The Family

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 2, 2007

In our text, Paul speaks about three different family-type relationships: 1- Husbands and wives 2- Parents and children 3- Masters and servants

INTRO.- It’s all in the family. You remember that old TV show with Archie Bunker and Edith. All in the Family was originally broadcast on the CBS television network from January 1971 to April 1979. In September 1979, the show was retooled under the title, Archie Bunker’s Place. This version of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ