In Sermon Illustrations: "Closed Churches"

Sometimes It Concerns Me, The Number Of People ...

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Aug 21, 2008

"Sometimes it concerns me, the number of people who can quote my songs… but they can't quote the scriptures ... I mean, if entertainment is what you want, I suggest Christian entertainment … because I think it is good. But if what you want is spiritual nourishment, I suggest you go to church or ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Erwin Mcmanus States, "Once Survival Has Become ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 26, 2008

Erwin McManus states, "Once survival has become our supreme goal, we have lost our way... the church is not called to survive history but to serve humanity. As with each individual, there is a difference between living and existing for the church...The church exists to serve as the body of Christ, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:23-28

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

True Believer  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 2, 2008

TRUE BELIEVER There was a young seminarian who was taking an oral examination for his ordination process. During the questioning, one of the examiners asked him if he believed in a personal devil. "No," he replied, "I do not believe in the devil." Hearing this, the examiners began to discuss the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Tags: Church General

The Power Of Love

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 2, 2008

THE POWER OF LOVE An old fable tells how different instruments tried to master a piece of iron. The blows of the ax fell heavily, but its edge became more and more blunt. The saw’s relentless teeth worked until they were worn down or broken The hammer’s head flew off at the first stroke. Despite ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:9-11

Tags: Church General

So What Is A Vision? George Barna Defines It As, ...

Contributed by Tim Smith on Dec 10, 2008

So what is a vision? George Barna defines it as, "Vision for ministry is a clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self and circumstances." Vision is more than simply what could be. It’s something that must ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Methodist

As We Read This Text, According To Dr. Schmit, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2008

As we read this text, according to Dr. Schmit, and I quote, "We know that we too are individual members of a large flock of faithful disciples who seek to live as citizens of the kingdom of heaven. In other words, the work we do is never ours alone to accomplish. We do our part and trust that God ...read more

Tags: Church General

Remember The Mission

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 12, 2008

REMEMBER THE MISSION In 1629, when the favorite wife of Indian ruler Shah Jahan died, he ordered that a magnificent tomb be built as a memorial to her. The shah placed his wife's casket in the middle of a parcel of land, and construction of the temple literally began around it. But several years ...read more

Tags: Church Growth

If You Want To Make God Laugh, Tell Him Your ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"If you want to make God laugh, tell him your ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

We Cant Cross A Bridge Until We Come To It, But ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"We cant cross a bridge until we come to it, but I always like to lay down ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Dont Change Your Game Plan Unless You Have To. ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Dont change your game plan unless you have to. Certainly, youve got to have a plan thats flexible, but ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Make No Little Plans; They Have No Magic To Stir ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

Make no little plans; they have no magic to ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

The Conscientious Plodder Is Nearly Always ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

The conscientious plodder is nearly always outdistanced by the fellow who stops ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Good Things Happen Only When Planned. Bad Things ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

Good things happen only when planned. Bad things ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Just Because Something Doesnt Do What You ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

Just because something doesnt do what you planned it to do ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

In Preparing For Battle I Have Always Found ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

You And I Must Not Complain If Our Plans Break ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"You and I must not complain if our plans break down, if we have done our part. That probably means that the plans of One ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Our Plans Miscarry Because They Have No Aim. ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When you dont know what harbor youre aiming ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

The Important Thing Is To Start, To Lay A Plan ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The important thing is to start, to lay a plan and then follow it step-by-step no matter how small or ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

An Intelligent Plan Is The First Step To ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"An intelligent plan is the first step to success. The man who plans knows where he is going, knows what progress he is making and has a pretty good idea of when he will arrive. Planning is the open road to your ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

If Youre Willing To Plan For A Wide Range Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"if youre willing to plan for a wide range of small and large disastersthus reducing the potential for you and others to be caught off-guardyou can actually be more aggressive, and thus more likely to avert setbacks. ...read more

Tags: Church Practices