Sermons on Church Controversy:

A Church For Today

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jan 9, 2009

This message calls the church, collectively and individually, to be "up to date" in their mission of reaching people.

“A Church for Today” 1 Corinthians 9:19-24 * Among the church culture in America it has become common to identify local churches with some troubling terms; “Contemporary or Traditional.” Why do I say these terms are troubling? Because the meaning of these words in this context has little to do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

Church And Eucharist Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 10, 2009

the Church is able to celebrate and worship the mystery of Christ in the Eucharist “precisely because Christ first gave himself to her in the sacrifice of the Cross.

January 12, 2008 Sacramentum Caritatis Through His Divine Son, the Father created the world. Through the same Son, He also recreated the world, once Jesus had been made–in the words of the letter to the Hebrews–perfect (complete) through suffering. “The Fathers of the Church often meditated on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Catholic

The Unified Church

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Apr 14, 2009

Tonight I want us to see what Jesus prayed for you and me on that night before the cross.

The Unified Church Wed. Night April 8th 2009 JOHN 17:20-26 Introduction A billboard shows a little girl sitting on her daddy’s shoulders waving an American flag … and the caption says ... WHAT MAKES US GREAT … “Unity, pass it on!” Since 9/11 - “United We Stand” has been the theme – we want to ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Praying Church Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 21, 2009

The church did not pray for the easing of persecution, but for greater courage and more miracles. They recognizes God’s sovereignty and pray for God’s will to be fulfilled.

CONTEXT • Peter and John healed a crippled beggar in Chapter 3. It drawn the attention of the crowd. • Peter took the opportunity to preach Jesus and forgiveness of sin in Jesus’ Name. At least 5000 men were saved (4:4). • The priests and religious leaders were not happy that they were preaching ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Harvesting Church

Contributed by Tim Hbc on Apr 30, 2009

The type of Church the Spirit forms. A Church that harvests the nations.

Two stories... A young boy is at church with his mother. He is a good little boy, quiet & well behaved. He doesn’t cause any problems. But sometimes he stands up in the pew, turns around, and looks at the people behind him. He smiles a great big smile at them. His smile is infectious. Soon ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Why Church?

Contributed by Kyle Gray on May 20, 2009

How God can use the local church to change the world.

100 million in U.S. don’t go to church at all. 2050 – 10% will attend! My grandkids generation… Instead of spending our time on what the church has become, let’s look at what it’s supposed to be. What it was designed to be. The early Christian church was heavily persecuted, but they stuck ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Corrupt Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 23, 2009

Thyatira is a corrupt church. They do many great works, but God does not even address them as His children. It’s still here today and is key to the end of the world. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Thyatira: The Corrupt Church Rev. 2:18-29 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Corrupt.html [map] In the 1700’s there lived a mighty evangelist that was greatly used of God to shake this country…his name was George Whitfield. Years before, at the age of 16, he came under ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

Crippled Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 13, 2009

Sardis is the dying or dead church. It could be our church. The problem and the prescription to fix it and make it once again the Lord’s Church. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Sardis: The Crippled Church Rev. 3:1-6 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Sardis.html Take your next vacation in London, and you could visit the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The tour guide would tell you that this is the place that the great Charles Haddon Spurgeon used to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Praying Church

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 19, 2009

Jesus called the temple a "House of Prayer". Is the church a house of prayer today? Do we believe prayer is still powerful? Nothing is more powerful than a church that prays together.

“A Praying Church” Acts 4:23-31 May 17, 2009 Today I would like to share with you about what is probably the most important activity of each Christian and the church as whole, prayer. I know for a fact that some Christians only pray at meal times and it’s often a repetitive, shallow one. Maybe ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Commended Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 26, 2009

Of all 7 churches of Asia Minor, here’s the one we want to emulate -- Philadelphia: 1. Highly commended 2. Deeply challenged 3. Greatly compensated - Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL PHILADELPHIA, the Commended Church Revelation 3:7-13   http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Philadelphia.html Yazoo, MS…in the 1930’s…the Great Depression.  People didn’t have extra money / children especially had no extra money for candy / people would go to general store and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Weakness Of The Church Series

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Apr 3, 2008

Though the Church is not perfect, we still need the Church, even with its weak parts. This sermon is part of a series on Nehemiah in which the people make a renewed commitment to God. In particular, they make a commitment to the House of God.

The Weakness of the Church Do you have a weakness? For me, one of my weaknesses is chocolate. I love to fill my whole mouth with chocolate. Have you noticed a lot of TV is about rich, pretty, “perfect” people? But that is not reality – The Hills are a delusion! We all have weaknesses and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:18-26

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Rapture Of The Church

Contributed by William D. Brown on Apr 14, 2008

ONE DAY THE TRUE CHURCH WILL SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WILL BE CAUGHT OUT OF THIS WORLD TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR:

The Rapture of the Church 1 Thessalonians 4:13-4:18 13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Commonism In The Church Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 14, 2008

God creates a love that spares nothing.

Scripture Introduction The meanings of “socialism” and “communism” have changed over time as various political tyrants and undemocratic governments have used the ideas to advance their own political power and fantasies. But for the sake of today’s passage and sermon, let’s use the most simple ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

This Is Your Church

Contributed by David Johnston on Dec 9, 2006

A challenging sermon to believers to step up to the plate and take responsibility in their home church.

This is your church wt 11-5-06 am Acts 4:31 to 5:11 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Church In The World

Contributed by Ken Mowery on Dec 18, 2006

How we as Christians are to relate to unbelievers in our world.

The Church In The World As we worked through Colossians chapter 3 - we were given very specific information about how Christians are to live out the Christian faith -- at home - as husbands - wives - parents - children - slaves and master -- its all about how we are to related to those who are ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Denomination: Baptist