Sermons on Church Councils:

The Deceived Church (Church Of Laodicea)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jul 25, 2025

Some good Bible teachers have spiritualized these letters to the seven churches and made each local congregation represent a particular era of church history.

But I strongly disagree with some of these good Bible teachers that I have a high respect for and I will explain in a few minutes why I disagree. For example, according to their view… • The first church on the list is the Ephesian church would represent the time when the apostles were alive and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Baptist

A Working Church Is A Healthy Church PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 20, 2023

This sermon encourages embracing the power, honor, and health of the church through active participation and spiritual nourishment from God's Word.

Welcome, dear friends, to this beautiful gathering of believers. Isn't it wonderful to be here, in the house of our Lord, surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ, ready to receive His Word? I am so glad you have chosen to be here today, to share in this time of fellowship and learning. It is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:4

Topics: Church Anniversary

Church Growth: To Be Or Not To Be

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Mar 11, 2002

What hinders churches from growing and what causes them to grow?

CHURCH GROWTH: To be or not to be Acts 2:36-41 INTRO.- ILL.- It was their 13th wedding anniversary. The husband was away at a meeting on their special day. He called a florist to send a bouquet of 13 helium balloons with a message of gratitude for the heights to which his wife had inspired ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church In Prayer

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 22, 2010

The Church In Prayer. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Following Jesus requires action! We see that action in two ways: • The context is evangelism (sharing our faith with others); • Last week you probably noted that • Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin (Jewish court); • Their crime verse 2 tells us was: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Brethren

"Storming The Gates Of Hell"

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 13, 2006

when Jesus speaks of the gates of hell, He is referring to the councils of Hell.

Biblical Text: Matthew 16:18 “And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” In ancient times, tall, thick and impenetrable walls of stone surrounded most cities. Each city had a limited number of gates through which visitors could enter. Since all traffic came and went through the gates, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Big Issue.

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Jan 20, 2007

The Jerusalem council; sorting out the Big issue of how are we saved?

Acts 15.1- 21. The Big Issue. A Big issue then and today is the question of right standing with God, how will we be saved? How will we be accepted,how will we be forgiven and what is it we have to do to be saved for eternity? You can travel around the world and meet different people with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Mary: Who She Was (And Who She Wasn't)

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Oct 15, 2020

There is quite a bit of confusion among some as to the Mother of Jesus. Who she was and who she was not. Some church traditions erroneously lend into that confusion. Today we look briefly at Mary in a manner of separating biblical fact from unscriptural tradition

Grace Community Church Winchester, VA www.GraceCommunity.com Rev. Bradford Reaves, Sr. Pastor Watch This Message https://youtu.be/lEeSaAcwtWs Introduction As we come to this portion of the Birth Narrative in Luke, I think it is important to point out a couple of things. First, this portion of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26, Revelation 22:8-9, Luke 1:46-55, Romans 1:3, Galatians 4:4, Luke 11:27-28, Matthew 13:55  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Salvation By Grace Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on May 7, 2021

The first church proclaimed that salvation is by grace.

Salvation by Grace Jeffery Anselmi / General Proclaim-The Gospel Has Come / Grace / Acts 15:1–21 The first church proclaimed that salvation is by grace. INTRODUCTION • When the Reformer Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to the church door in Wittenberg and set the world on fire, he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-21

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

A Regenerate Church Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2011

The doctrine of the church reflects our view of Christ and His Word.

“Many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Ekklesia - The Church Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Mar 10, 2010

The 9th sermon in our series on the Baptist Faith and Message

Ekklesia – the Church (BFM #9) Text: Ephesians 4:4 By: Ken McKinley (Read Text) Well we are continuing our study of the BFM and today we are on article 6, the article on the Church (Read BFM article 6 – the church). I think that the doctrine of the church is one of the most misunderstood, and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Church Of Christ

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Jan 22, 2016

The love of Christ Jesus prevailed evn in the pervasive darkness of man's denial of God's love for the world and God's promise failing to accept the time of change because of their blindness to the faith of Christ Jesus.

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (January 22, 2016) “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go” (Isaiah 48:17, King James ...read more

Denomination: Friends

Being Intentional: Shunning Dependency, Inviting People, Relying On God, Serving The Other Servants, Avoiding Distractions. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Feb 15, 2021

My wrap up message at officer councils, 2021, Fiji Division.

Being Intentional: Shunning dependency, inviting people, relying on God, serving the other servants, avoiding distractions. I’ve already discussed my view that the Fiji Division can be a leading light within The Salvation Army within the NZFTS Territory. While we are currently dependant on the ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 2:15, John 4:35

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Church Is Not By Accident

Contributed by Larry La Douceur on May 30, 2006

When the body of Christ is functioning according to the will and purposes of God we show the world the perfect plan God intended for you and me. We also set the example for those who come behind us.

The Church is NOT by Accident Suggested reading; Early Christians Speak, Dr. Everett Ferguson, Abilene Christian University Press Thirteen Lessons on Church History, Morris Womack, College Press Publishing Company Introduction In Genesis Chapter 2 we read, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The First Church

Contributed by Lee Henry on Jul 31, 2006

The first church as described in Acts 2:42 and following is held up as an example for the church today to emulate.

The First Church Acts 2:42-47 It is the expressed goal of those of us in the restoration movement to restore the church as it was in the first century. In terms of doctrine I feel we have, for the most part, reached that goal. But have we restored the spirit of the first century church? ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ