Sermons on Church Controversy:

What Kind Of Church Do You Want?

Contributed by David Seeley on Mar 5, 2004

There are many types of churches today. Some are doing great things for God. Others...well, they just need to be reminded of their purpose. This message is a challenge to churches of all denominations to refocus upon what God has called them to do.

What Kind of Church Do You Want? Mark 2:1-12 I. A Museum? A lot of old relics lying around—You can look, but don’t touch. Many of these relics have never been moved in 30 years. They last evangelist that tried to move them was overcome so badly with the dust that he had to evacuate the building. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Holiness

Fellowship: Formed For God's Family Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Mar 7, 2004

Levels of Fellowship: 1. Membership: Choosing to belong. 2. Friendship: Learning to share. 3. Partnership: Doing my part. 4. Kinship: Loving believers as family.

(Note: The outline of this sermon and some of the content have been adapted from Rick Warren’s material on 40 Days of Purpose.) I often think of the stories my grandma told about the Depression era when people would pool their soup beans and eat at each other’s homes. Times were hard, but there ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-12

Denomination: Methodist

Don't Put Up With That! Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Mar 9, 2004

We should not accommodate sin.

DON’T PUT UP WITH THAT! I Corinthians 5:1-13 S: Sin (church discipline) Th: Live the Difference Pr: WE SHOULD NOT ACCOMMODATE SIN. ?: How? How can we do it? KW: Misses TS: We will find in our study of I Corinthians 5:1-13 four “misses” we can make that enables us to accommodate sin. The _____ ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Blending Into The Woodwork Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 13, 2004

A quiet, introverted people can still bear witness if they will first determine to be obedient, and then will affirm who they are, where they are, as an opportunity for witness.

One of the defining moments of my life the day I was the first to arrive for class. I sat for a couple of moments alone in a corner of the classroom, waiting for others to show up. A young woman came in the door, looked around, and then said to someone behind her in the hall, “There’s nobody ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Especially Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 21, 2004

Three times the word "especially" appears in the New Testament, prompting us to be intentional in fellowship, to emphasize family life, and never to forget the centrality of the message of the Cross.

Dealing with people is always messy. There is no way you can work with human beings and have everything neat and clean. When you deal with people, you get a mess. They misunderstand, they misinterpret, they make mistakes, they get it wrong. And that’s just on Sundays! The rest of the week is ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:10

Denomination: Baptist

Avoiding Spiritual Amnesia Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 27, 2004

Knowing the Bible helps us remember how to navigate through life issues, how to interpret what is happening in our lives, and how to find hope in bleak times.

At the very end of the longest chapter of the Bible, 176 verses about God’s word, comes this stout declaration, “I do not forget your commandments.” “I do not forget your commandments.” That is a tall order, to promise that you will not forget. How can you promise that you will not forget? ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:167-176

Denomination: Baptist

Choosing Sides- Recognizing Opposition Series

Contributed by David Wilson on Mar 29, 2004

This simple outline focuses on Paul’s experiences with the Thessalonians and Bereans and conflict and recognizing sides in a conflict.

At times, the right and wrong of an issue which divides is not clear. Often, we can use this checklist to determine who is acting in an ungodly manner. Character of Ungodly Opposition 1) Ungodly opposition is characterized by being emotionally driven. The Thessalonian Jews were "Jealous" ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Striving, Living, Thriving, Giving Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Sep 7, 2001

Our vision (Striving to see the Living Christ in a thriving church of giving people) did not originate with us, but with God.

Striving, Living, Thriving, Giving Hosea 14 Pastor Jim Luthy At the top of our invitation cards, on our information brochure, and on our web site, you will find a vision statement for our church: Striving to see the Living Christ in a thriving church of giving people. Striving. Living. ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 14:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

911: Christians Answering The Call

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Sep 13, 2001

The terrorist attack on America is a 911 call to the Church

911: Christians Answering the Call Ballard Assembly Pastor Bob Briggs September 16, 2001 This week America as we have known her took a dramatic and tragedy change of course as terrorists attacked the financial, military and governmental nerve centers of our great nation. Secretary of ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Home For Fellowship Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 3, 2001

Part of sermon series regarding our purpose statement; this one about the church as a fellowship.

“…A Home for Fellowship…” Various Scriptures (August 5, 2001) Introduction Several years ago studies were conducted among former American prisoners of war to determine what methods used by the enemy had been most effective in breaking their spirit. The findings revealed that they did not break ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:24-25

Denomination: Wesleyan

Keep Sight Of The Vision

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 3, 2001

A message concerning the importance of vision.

Keep Sight of the Vision Acts 9 (July 8, 2001) Introduction What’s the difference between “sight” and “vision?” Last week we looked at the incident of Jesus healing the man born blind. Jesus restored the man’s sight, and used the occasion to show the Pharisees that they were blind ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-31

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Matter Of Life And Death

Contributed by Darrin Hunt on Oct 8, 2001

Growing in Christ is a matter of life and death, it’s a matter of giving up our old "life" of death and putting on a new life in Christ.

"A Matter of Life and Death" Col. 3:1-17 Intro. How many men remember what their wardrobe looked like before they got married? How many “favorite” shirts or jeans did you have? How many do you have now that you’re married? How many still seem to disappear every now and then? I had a practical ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Doorways To Evangelism

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Oct 11, 2001

Have we explored every possible way we can use the doorways of our church buildings to give the unchurced and unsaved access to Jesus Christ?

DESPITE LIVING UNDER THE TEACHING OF JESUS CHRIST FOR NEARLY THREE YEARS THE DISCIPLES ARE NOW HUDDLED TOGETHER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN UTTER CONFUSION. WHY? JESUS HAD DIED ON THE CROSS AND THEN BURIED, BUT REPORTS STARTED TO SURFACE THAT JESUS HAD BEEN SEEN ALIVE OUTSIDE THE TOMB. UNFORTUNATELY, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:14-16

Denomination: Free Methodist

What Really Happened At Pentecost

Contributed by Frank Walker on Oct 15, 2001

God empowered the church greatly on the day of Pentecost.

What Really Happened At Pentecost? (Acts 2:1-4) I. The Power Of God Was Released A. A Sure Agreement (v. 1) 1. Notice that God has to first have something worth working with. 2. God will not work with a group of back-biting, self-centered, arguing, ill-tempered Christians. 3. Learn to agree ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Ministry That Heals Hurts Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 16, 2001

Another in a series concerning our church purpose statement; this one about the church as a place where healing (spiritual and otherwise) can take place.

“…Ministry That Heals Hurts,…” Matthew 8:1-7 July 29, 2001 Introduction I don’t know if it’s pride, or just a sense of being awed by the fact that God would use someone like me, but I like to tell people that I’m a minister. Maybe it’s because I’m a walking testimony to the fact that God can ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:8-17, Matthew 8:1-7

Denomination: Wesleyan