Sermons on Church Controversy:

What Is The Purpose Of The Church? Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Oct 14, 2008

Peter issues a call to the entire church to stand together resisting the devil whose desire is to rob your joy.

ILLUSTRATION: STAYING WARM TOGETHER In what the news called "The Miracle at Quecreek", 9 miners, trapped for three days 240 feet underground in a water-filled mine shaft, decided early on they were either going to live or die as a group. The 55 degree water threatened to kill them slowly by ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Key To Victory In The Church

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Feb 4, 2002

The potentialities of a praying church are clearly outlined in Acts 4: 23-33.

The Key to Victory in the Church Acts 4:23-33 23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-33

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Is The Christian Church?

Contributed by Jason Cole on May 20, 2005

Many people often ask, what is the Christian church and what do we believe? This message is a description of New Testament Christianity

“What is the Christian Church?” Introduction: A lot of people have the mindset that it does not matter where they go to church, as long as they are going. I do not think that this is the truth. First of all, the church is not a building, and many places that have the word church on their ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Marks Of A Contagious Church Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Feb 15, 2007

Last in a series on encouraging the local church to remember Christ’s call to spread the gospel. This sermon asks what a church looks like that is willing to be Christ’s beacon in our dark world.

MARKS OF A CONTAGIOUS CHURCH There is a story told about a hunter walking through the African jungle who found a huge dead elephant with pygmy standing beside it. Amazed, he asked, “Did you kill that elephant?” The pygmy said, “Yes.” The hunter asked, “How could a little bloke like you kill a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Mennonite

Why The Church Is Important Series

Contributed by Michael Demastus on Oct 22, 2001

Deals with the first chapter of 1 Timothy.

The Message of the Pastoral Epistles: #2 – Why the church is important. 1 Timothy 1 Introduction: *Truth without love is dogmatism. Love without truth is sentimentality. Speaking the truth in love is Christianity. *As we dive into this series, this first chapter is short…only 20 verses long. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Introduction To The Corinthian Church Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Nov 17, 2016

Paul's authority to write to this church. Who is Sosthenes. The source of Paul's apostolic Authority.

Introduction A. The human author of this letter was Paul, Saul of Tarshish 1. I am not going to spend a whole lot of time introducing Paul, except to say that Saul, his former name means “Prayed for” 2. Paul, on the other hand, means “small” a. Saul is a somewhat ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

A Bible Believing Church

Contributed by R. G. Moore on Jul 23, 2002

We are not ashamed to tell anyone that we believe the Bible is unmistakably the revealed manifestation of God’s inspired Word.

“A BIBLE BELIEVING CHURCH” ACTS 2:37-42 - When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37-42

Denomination: Baptist

The Dead Church - Sardis Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Mar 16, 2012

A look at the 5th church, the 'dead' church in Sardis.

The Dead Church ~ Sardis Revelation 3:1-6 March 18, 2012 I want to warn you, for a moment I’m going to start out a little morbid. How do you know when a person is dead? This is not a trick question, it’s a serious question. We determine whether there is a heartbeat and whether there ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Tareing Up The Church

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 20, 2017

We may not be able to get rid of all the weeds, but it does not help if we are planting them.

Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Alive And On Fire

Contributed by Spencer Miller on Jun 11, 2013

It is quite clear that the church is under attack. It’s open season on pastors and the entire church as well. It is almost as if the world system is pushing the church into a corner and challenging the church to produce its credentials

4 The Lord will wash away the filth from the daughters of Zion. He will wash away the blood from Jerusalem. With a spirit of judgment that burns like fire, he will make everything pure. 5 Then the Lord will create a cloud of smoke in the day and a bright flame of fire at night over every building ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 4:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

72. The Church - Love Series

Contributed by Gary Regazzoli on Nov 17, 2018

God the Father initiated His purpose of creating a community of people, His children, who would share in the life and love of the godhead.

IN GOD'S IMAGE 72 - THE CHURCH - LOVE This message is part of a series of 90 sermons based on the title, “In God’s Image – God’s Purpose for humanity.” This series of free sermons or the equivalent free book format is designed to take the reader through an amazing process beginning with God in ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-8, Matthew 24:12, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 4:9, Matthew 20:25-28, 1 Corinthians 1:22-25, John 3:17, Ephesians 4:1-2, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, John 13:34  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

Water Baptism In The New Testament

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Mar 10, 2002

A look at the controversy of Baptism and a view of the New Testament passages and practices. We will also look at the early Churches precedents and see where this topic truly should be.

I.Baptism Instituted by Christ page 1 II.Church History and Baptism page 4 III.Differing Views/Modes of Baptism page 14 IV.Conclusion page 18 Water Baptism in Church History and New Testament Theology Bruce P. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-10, Acts 8:38-39

Denomination: Baptist

Authentic Authority Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 27, 2009

Controversy tore the early church. Judaizers taught that Gentile Christians had to submit to Jewish ritual laws & traditions in addition to believing in Christ. Paul confronted this issue.

GALATIONS 1: 1-5 AUTHENTIC AUTHORITY A family, carefully executing their escape plan, dashes for the border at midnight...a man standing outside prison walls, gulping fresh air, awash in the new sun...a young woman with every trace of the ravaging drug gone from her system...they are FREE! ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Striving To Be A Church Of Christ

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 8, 2009

Principles to insure that we are indeed a church that belongs to Jesus.

Introduction: A. I love the old story told of the man who was shipwrecked on a beautiful, deserted South Pacific island. 1. Years later, he was discovered by a passing a navy ship. 2. Upon their arrival at the shore they were met by the shipwreck survivor. He said, “I’m so glad you’re here! I’ve ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's All In The Timing Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on May 5, 2004

First of 5 on the Jesus Controversy. Key Understanding: God is expressed in Jesus It’s not the teaching, the philosophy, or the concepts of love and compassion that made Jesus controversial. It’s the person.

4/18/04 – It’s All in the Timing The Feast of Shelters Slide #1 The Feast of the Shelters was the third of the great annual festivals In the Jewish tradition there are several feasts. These events are a sort of religious holiday where several days are given to the celebration of life and the ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ