Sermons on Church Controversy:

The Neccessity Of A God Given Vision For The Local Church

Contributed by Rodney Johnson Sr., on Jun 25, 2003

This sermon reminds us that the survival and growth of the church is predicated upon the knowledge of its God-given vision.

Introduction: No organization will survive without vision. Apart from vision, individuals will perish. Without vision our children will perish. Without vision, communities will perish. Without vision, churches will perish. Without vision, societies will perish. Without vision, lost souls will ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18, Proverbs 29:18-19

Denomination: Baptist

What We Believe: The Church (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Dana Chau on Jul 7, 2003

Discover the areas and ways the church can mature

We’re in our two-week study of what we believe about the church. Last week, we looked at three essentials of the church, the make-up, the miracle and the mission of the church. This morning, we’ll be looking at the maturation of the church. This week, a lady and her son moved into our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: *other

Ephesus: Church Lost Its First Love

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Jul 17, 2003

Church started with Penticost, ends in heaven.

EPHESUS: THE CHURCH THAT LEFT ITS FIRST LOVE. Revelation 2:1-7 There are many different ways to look at these letters to the seven churches. We could consider them first of all prophetically. To do so means these letters represent the stages the church will go through. It started from the day of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Help! My Church Isn't Growing

Contributed by Bob Gillchrest on Jul 7, 2005

What does the Bible say about why a church isn’t growing and how it can be corrected.

Help! My Church Isn’t Growing In many ways pastors and churches are judged by whether or not their church is growing. It becomes painful to admit to the brethren that we haven’t seen growth in a church we pastor - whether addition by baptism or transfer. What does the Bible have to say about ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

What The Church Needs Now, Part I Series

Contributed by William Noel on Jul 31, 2005

In-depth look at the state of the church, its problem, and Biblical solutions

“What The Church Needs Now” Introduction: Years ago, a song came out, that became popular with music lovers. It was titled, “What The World Needs Now”. According to this song, What The World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” Well, the world ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-8

Denomination: Baptist

What The Church Needs Now, Part Ii Series

Contributed by William Noel on Jul 31, 2005

In-depth look at the prayer life of the church

“What The Church Needs Now” Luke 18:1-8 In Luke 18:1-8, we read “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

What The Church Needs Now, Part Iii Series

Contributed by William Noel on Jul 31, 2005

In-depth look at the witnessing efforts of the church.

“What The Church Needs Now” Part III Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Bone Yard: Or: Bony Christians

Contributed by Dennis Cocks on Oct 23, 2003

This is talking about Israel. Explain. But what if we applied this to the church today? What if this was the church bone yard? What kind of bony Christians would we have in our churches today? Let’s look at some of today’s bony Christians.

THE CHURCH BONE YARD OR: BONY CHRISTIANS TEXT: Ezekiel 37:1-10 INTRODUCTION: This is talking about Israel. Explain. But what if we applied this to the church today? What if this was the church bone yard? What kind of bony Christians would we have in our churches today? Let’s look at some of ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Universal Elements Of Church Planting Movements

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 1, 2003

Ten universal elements of church planting movements by David Garrison

Ten Universal Elements of Church Planting Movements (David Garrison) After surveying Church Planting Movements around the world, we found at least 10 elements present in every one of them. While it may be possible to have a Church Planting Movement without them, we have yet to see this occur. Any ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ten Common Factors In Church Planting Movements

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 1, 2003

Ten common factors in church planting movements by David Garrison

Ten Common Factors for Church Planting Movements (David Garrison) Beyond the 10 universal elements found in every Church Planting Movement, there are at least 10 frequently, though not universally, found characteristics. These are not listed in any particular order of priority or frequency. In ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Obstacles To Church Planting Movements By David Garrison

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 1, 2003

Obstacles to Church Planting Movements

Obstacles to Church Planting Movements by David Garrison Church Planting Movements are acts of God, but it’s amazing how much mankind is capable of interfering with them. As with most of God’s works among us, He allows us to actively cooperate with Him or become obstacles—consciously or ...read more

Scripture: John 20:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The Local Church Is It Necessary In The Life Of The Christian”

Contributed by Jim Mazzulla on Apr 6, 2004

True we are called by Christ to the church worldwide (of which all of us are a part of), but we are also called by Christ to an individual local church TOO!

“The local church is it necessary in the life of the Christian” True we are called by Christ to the church worldwide (of which all of us are a part of), but we are also called by Christ to an individual local church TOO! What I mean by a local church (Gk. Ekklesia) is not a building, but a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25, 1 Corinthians 14:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

7 People The Church Could Not Do Without

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 27, 2004

We have many people here that have these qualities...but cannot have TOO many! Thank God there are many more ’in the works’ and ’on the way!’ Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

7 People Our Church Could Not Do Without Philippians 1:3-7; 4:1,15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/7PeopleChurch.html A) Paul organized many churches and his interest in them never ceased! * This was only natural! He had put much blood, sweat, and tears into them. * Some of these churches ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Obstacles To Individual And Church Growth - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jerry Flury on May 21, 2004

It’s God’s will for believers to grow individually and corporately as the Body of Christ. We must be aware that while God does want us to grow Satan wants us to atrophy. He will throw many obstacles in our path. Three are pride, partiality, and prejudice.

OBSTACLES TO INDIVIDUAL AND CHURCH GROWTH PART 1 1 THESSALONIANS 3:12 – 4:1 INTRODUCTION: Jesus Christ said that He came that we might have may have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10). It is God’s will for believers to grow individually and corporately as the Body of Christ. Peter tells us ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Obstacles To Individual And Church Growth - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jerry Flury on May 28, 2004

Pacifism and Passivism can be serious stumbling blocks to our progress as members of the Body of Christ. If we are to grow both need to be eliminated from of our lives and our church.

OBSTACLES TO INDIVIDUAL AND CHURCH GROWTH PART 2 1 PETER 2:9-15 INTRODUCTION: Last week we considered three obstacles that hinder Christian growth. Today I want to examine another pair of obstacles that impede individual and corporate growth and spiritual development – Pacifism and Passivism. Both ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-15

Denomination: Baptist