Sermons on Church Controversy:

Missional: The Way To Be And Do Church

Contributed by Jim Kane on May 18, 2009

First sermon in the second part of an initial 2009 series, ‘2 Things 2 B in 09’

As I started to write this sermon, I read a blog in which the following question appeared, (Slide 1) ‘When you think of someone practicing Christianity, what is one of the first things that comes to mind?’ Would someone like Myrtie Howell come to mind? Pastor Marc Axelrod says that Myrtie quit ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

God's Ministry Gifts To The Church Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 19, 2009

The five fold ministry gifts are gifted to the church and do not equate to maturity. We need to fully understand that when anybody who has been called to be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher, declares a "revelation truth", it is simply th

Opening illustration: There once was a carpenter who visited one of two brothers who had recently grown embittered with each other over a misunderstanding over the farm they had managed together for the past 40 years. The carpenter was in need of work; or so he said, and he asked the one brother if ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Destroy Your Church Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 18, 2008

Christians may unconsciously destroy their church. Often, they perform this nefarious deed with the best of intentions. James warns us to review our actions and our attitudes so that we will not destroy our church or dishonour the Lord.

JAMES 3:1-12 HOW TO DESTROY YOUR CHURCH “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

"The Word Residing In The Church" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on May 19, 2008

Sermon 15 in a study in Colossians

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:16-17

Denomination: Orthodox

Extreme Makeover: Church Edition

Contributed by Rick Finitzer on Jun 10, 2008

Holy Spirit do an Extreme Makeover in each of us removing the stuff that keeps Jesus from shining clearly through us!

Cornerstone Church April 15, 2007 EXTREME MAKEOVER: CHURCH EDITION Acts 2:42-47 “One day a man was on his way to spend the day with a good friend who lived on a farm. When ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What Is The State Of This Church - 2011

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jan 10, 2011

This "State of the Church" is framed in many questions...the conclusion is that the ’State of this Church" is directly related to the "State of the Member’s Hearts."

The State of the Church – 2011 (What is the State of this Church) * This morning I begin with a true story. A man wakes up about 1am and is having difficulty breathing. He can breathe, but not take a deep breath. In fact, it almost feels Like someone is sitting on his chest. What does he do? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Baptist

The Church's Concerns (Or Priorities) Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 20, 2011

The church multiplies disciples only when its members are present as God's humble servants, preach the word as God's human spokesmen, and present themselves as God's holy sacrifices.

Rick Harrison, of Newark, Ohio, talks about his six-year-old son, who seemed to demand Rick’s attention just when he was most busy around the house. Rick says, “My standard reply has been, 'I'm busy right now. Go ask your mother.’” Then one day, the disappointed look on ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:17-24

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Lessons From The Early Church

Contributed by Carl Allen on Jul 13, 2010

The world today is full of people playing Christian, but the Lord is no friend of hypocrisy. The Lord is looking for a few good Christians.

The Game is Over Acts 5:1-11 Introduction As children many of us played a game called let’s pretend. My favorite was pretending to be a soldier, like my Dad. I would dress up like a soldier and me and my friends would go out into the fields around our house and go on secret missions to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

We Love Our Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 27, 2004

I Love My Church! But why? Because: It’s UNIQUE, UNITED, UNCOMMON, UNSELFISH & UNSATISFIED...We love the church because of its FOUNDER, its FOUNDATION, its FUNCTION, & its FUTURE! Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

We Love Our Church! Ephesians 5:25, 1 Tim. 3:15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WeLoveOurChurch.html Society minimizes the need for and the work of the local church. Some say that the church is no longer "relevant" but I believe that it is more relevant than any other institution or organization on ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25

Denomination: Baptist

7 Ingredients Of A Healthy Church Series

Contributed by Alan Balatbat on Apr 27, 2004

Let’s look at Acts 17 to see how the church at Thessalonica began. Verse 1 says, “When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they [Paul and his companions] came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews.” When Paul entered a city to s

: The apostle Paul first preached the gospel to the Thessalonians during his second missionary journey. After he left them, he sent Timothy to find out how they were doing. When Timothy returned, he came with a fantastic report that we find in 1 Thessalonians 3:6–7: “When Timothy came from you unto ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

My Prayer For Our Church

Contributed by Kevin Keeling on May 8, 2004

Introduction Why then did Paul write the Colossian church?? He wrote them because of the heresy in the Church

Paul Prayer for the Colossians Church 1 Knowledge of God’s will (vs. 9) 2 To Walk Worthy of God’s Will (10 3 To Be Strengthen by His Will (11 4 To rejoice in His Will (12 (1) God Desires YOU "To be ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

7 Habits Of Welcoming Churches Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on May 10, 2004

God expects his people to welcome both the weak in faith and the strong.

One of my fond childhood experiences is that of watching my mother work in the kitchen preparing to bake cookies, cakes, or cinnamon rolls. With her apron on she would take the ingredients and mix them, sometimes with my help, and then put them into a pan or on a cookie sheet and put them into ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-7

Denomination: Brethren

The Seven Characteristics Of A Healthy Church

Contributed by Naveen Balakrishnan on May 17, 2004

This passage in Acts takes a look at the seven characteristics of a healthy church. This has to be true of your church for it to grow.

The Seven Characteristics of a Healthy Church Acts 2:42-47 A. It has to be a LEARNING church. (v. 42a) John 8:31-32; Acts 14:22; 20:7; 2 Timothy 3:14; 2 Peter 3:1-2, 17-18; Matthew 28:19-20 B. It has to be a LISTENING church. (v. 42b) Acts 1:14; 4:31; 6:4; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

The Holy Spirit, The Soul Of The Church

Contributed by William Baeta on May 15, 2003

“No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit” 1 Jn. 4:12-13.

Theme: The Holy Spirit, the soul of the Church Text: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; 1 Jn. 4:11-16; John 17:6-19 The Church is often described in the New Testament using different descriptive images. It is sometimes described as a family and other times as a Kingdom. The only way to become a member of this ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-19, 1 John 4:11-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Spirit Of God's Love In The Church

Contributed by William Baeta on May 24, 2003

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” 1 John 4:7-8.

Theme: The Spirit of God’s love in the Church Text: Acts 10:44-48; 1 Jn. 4:7-10; Jn. 15:9-17 The Scriptures take it for granted that God exists. It begins with the words “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. Creation declares that there must be a Creator. Philosophers and ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-10, John 15:9-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed