Sermons on Church Controversy:

What Does A New Testament Church Look Like

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Sep 9, 2011

Here are 16 essential characteristics of a healthy and biblically sound church.

WHAT DOES A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH LOOK LIKE? By Owen Carey and Eric Hanson Within Christian circles, many people have some idea of what a New Testament Church is. There is a widespread problem, however, of incomplete understanding of this. We tend to not see the whole picture that is laid out for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What I Would Like To See For The Future For Our Church

Contributed by Richard Laraviere on Aug 5, 2008

One year anniversary as a church fellowship

What I would like to see for the future 1. A church that prays together, stays together. a. The early church prayed the church into existence They prayed it thru resistance They prayed it into glory b. "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:31

Denomination: Mennonite

Clarifying Our Mission And Purpose, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Richard Laraviere on Aug 16, 2008

Unless we know who we are, where we are going and who we are trying to minister to, how can we fulfil our mission as a church family?

What are we aiming for? Clarifying our mission and purpose Part 2 Review: Write down on a paper, last weeks main point of the message. Put your name at the top of the paper and pass it forward. The main thrust of the message was, Do we know who we are as a church? What do we stand ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:17-38

Denomination: Mennonite

Minichurch

Contributed by Nate Herbst on Oct 18, 2009

This message is for all the smaller ministries and churches out there: I hope it encourages you to know small is not a bad thing when it comes to church and ministry - God is more interested in testimonies than attendance.

God loves doing the big with the small God loves doing big things with small things. 
 A great example of that is the story of Gideon. 
 Judges 6-8 The Midianites oppress Israel for 7 years. God tells Gideon that He will use him to defeat the Midianites. Gideon is scared and doubtful ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

“committed To His House”

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 29, 2013

Like Israel, out of gratitude for His amazing grace toward us, we need to be committed to His house.

“Committed to His House” Nehemiah 10:39b “...we will not neglect the house of our God.” Time and time again God demonstrated His inexhaustible amazing grace to the nation of Israel. They are reminded by Ezra of God’s providential care for them. Out of gratitude for ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 10:39

Denomination: Baptist

When Churches Become Dens Of Thieves. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 3, 2024

Jesus' words still echo through the ages, "You have made it a den of thieves" (Matthew 21:13).

Jesus' words still echo through the ages, "You have made it a den of thieves" (Matthew 21:13). He spoke these words to the religious leaders of His time, rebuking them for profaning the temple with their selfish desires and materialistic pursuits. Today, we must ask ourselves that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:13, Psalm 24:3-4, Psalm 100:2

Honoring Our Spiritual Leaders Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Dec 10, 2001

Four ways to honor our spiritual leaders.

When I was writing my dissertation last year and earlier this year I had to read over 100 different books and articles about leadership. One of the authors I encountered again and again was Dr. Warren Bennis, who teaches at leadership USC. One of the more interesting books by Dr. Bennis is called ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:17-25, 1 Timothy 5:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are We Losing The Battle Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Aug 9, 2005

In this message as we see Jesus giving his commission to the church, we will look at 6 reasons why we are not doing such a good job.

"ARE WE LOSING THE BATTLE, 5 FAILURES OF THE MODERN CHURCH.." LUKE 24:44-49 THIS IS LUKE’S ACCOUNT OF WHAT WE KNOW AS THE GREAT COMMISSION, IT IS WHERE JESUS TELLS HIS FOLLOWERS TO GO OUT AND WIN THE LOST WORLD TO HIM. AND AS WE KNOW THEY TOOK THAT COMMISSION VERY SERIOUSLY, AND STARTING ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-49

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Devoted To God

Contributed by Paul Decker on Feb 26, 2006

The role of elder is a ministry of leadership.

DEVOTED TO GOD Acts 6.1-7; I Timothy 3.1-7 S: Church Structure C: Elders Th: A People with Purpose Pr: THE ROLE OF ELDER IS A MINISTRY OF LEADERSHIP ?: How? How do we come to that conclusion? KW: Topics TS: We will find in our study of Scripture four topics that guide us in our understanding of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Inspecting Our Church Field-2(2012)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 13, 2012

2 of 2. Joshua sent spies to determine what they would encounter in the promised land. We can & should determine/examine what we will encounter on our church field. Upon examining our church field we discover people given to...

INSPECTING Our CHURCH FIELD-II—Joshua 2:1-24 Attention: Jim walking downtown/Man approaches him wearing dirty clothes & hobbling on crutches/Asks Jim for money/Jim complies giving $5 & says, ‘Cheer up it would be much worse if you were blind’/Man says, ‘Oh, believe me, I ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should I Bother Joining A Church?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 10, 2021

The message explores biblical reasons for open union with a local congregation.

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. “For though absent in body, I am ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Rumble In The Jungle Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Sep 12, 2005

18th in long series on Joshua. This talks about not giving up the fight, as well as a lengthy section on fighting the right fights. Could be considered controversial.

Joshua 10:40-43; 11:21-23 – Rumble in the Jungle Chuck Swindoll wrote a book some time ago called Three Steps Forward Two Steps Back. In it he described what he called the 4 Spiritual Flaws. These are 4 common misconceptions about the faith and about growing up into mature Christians. They may ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Is Not A Social Club, But A Sacred Community Of Believers. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jun 26, 2024

The Christian faith, once rooted in Scripture and tradition, is facing a crisis in modern churches

As I stepped into the church, I couldn't help but feel like I was entering a clubhouse rather than a sacred space. The atmosphere was lively, but it lacked the reverence and awe that comes with being in God's presence. This experience got me thinking – have we lost sight of the true purpose ...read more

Scripture: John 5:39

Complete Unity Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 26, 2005

Our Lord is praying that, in the midst of a divisive, confrontational world, Christians might attain a unity of faith and purpose.

“Complete Unity” Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts From John 17, "Our Lord’s Prayer for His Disciples" (sermon series) John 17:20-23, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through that they may all be one, Father, ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23

Denomination: Congregational

You Shall Not Murder Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Aug 9, 2009

Discusses some of the more controversial aspects that Scripture teaches is a wrongful ending of a human life and then talks about the source of murder as Jesus comments on it.

Do Not Murder Exodus 20:13 - "You shall not murder. Introduction Slide Good morning. This morning we are going to talk about the 6th Commandment as we continue our series on God’s Top Ten. The sixth commandment is found in Exodus 20:13 and reads, “You shall not murder.” I think that when many ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational