Sermons on Church Death:

# 2 - Letter To The Church At Smyrna Series

Contributed by Michael Collins on Apr 28, 2025

This sermon deals with the letter to the Church at Smyrna

Letter # 2 – To the Church at Smyrna Revelation 2:8 – “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:” The First and The Last In the letter to the church at Ephesus, Jesus begins by introducing Himself with the phrase, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11, Revelation 1:8, John 1:1, 1 Corinthians 15:12-19, Matthew 5:11-12, Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 2:17-24, Romans 8:18, Romans 8:38-39, Luke 22:31-32, Matthew 28:20, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Revelation 20:14-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Matter Of Life And Death Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 3, 2015

Cage fighting is a particularly gruesome way of fighting, and yet Paul used the fighting of his day (more brutal than MMA) to describe Timothy's responsibilities. What could we possibly learn from MMA that could make us better servants of Christ?

How many of you know the meaning of these letters used to describe a sporting event: MMA? (Mix Martial Arts). It’s kind of like boxing where the contestants not only hit each other with their fists, but also with their feet and knees and elbows. It’s also called “Cage ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:3-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church At Sardis

Contributed by John Lowe on Dec 30, 2016

When John wrote his letter to Sardis, it was wealthy but degenerate, and it was experiencing spiritual death. Despite its reputation for being alive, Sardis was infested with sin. The church’s deeds were evil, and its clothes were soiled.

By: Tom Lowe Date: 6-5-2015 Lesson 9: The Church at Sardis (3:1-6) Revelation 3:1-6 (NIV) 1 “To the angel of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Of Laodecia: Death By Contentment (Revelation 3:14-22)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 19, 2024

The last of the seven churches listed in Revelation 2-3 had the reputation of being the church that made Jesus sick due to its religious indifference. Heed the lesson.

The downward slide that started in Ephesus with the loss of their “First Love” culminated with the total apostasy found in the last church mentioned in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, the church located in the city of Laodecia. The city had been founded in 253 B.C. by Antiochus II and named after ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:5, Matthew 24:12, Luke 10:2, Proverbs 21:2, 2 Corinthians 10:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Expectations For The Church

Contributed by Alan Tison on Aug 2, 2005

On the night before his death, our Lord prayed to his Father and states a couple of expectations he has for His Church

Introduction: Play Video Clip “Somewhere over the Rainbow” WIZARD OF OZ Somewhere over the rainbow way up high, There’s a land that I heard of once in a lullaby. Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue, And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. Someday I’ll wish upon a star and ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bringing People And Churches Together Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 20, 2019

In this day of conflict and disunion, we need to recover this sense that we are all one family of God, to dedicate ourselves to peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Tuesday of the 16th Week in Course 2019 St. Liborius I suppose like many Baby Boomers one of the most memorable films of my lifetime was the Cecile B DeMille epic The Ten Commandments. It was his second stab at commemorating the Exodus, and his only one both with sound and color. Who could forget ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:46-50, Exodus 14:21-31, Isaiah 11:10-12

Denomination: Catholic

For Me To Live Is Christ And To Die Is Gain

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Aug 9, 2024

Funeral sermon for an older member of our church

Funeral for George Hafele Today we gather to celebrate the life and future of Mr. George Hafele. Times like these are never fun. But honestly, my grief today is not for George because he is in a better place, but rather for those of us who are left behind. We are the ones left with the void. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Persecuted Church Expands Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Nov 27, 2020

Church History filled with events of persecution and death of the believers in Christ. God allows the Church to go through many difficulties with a greater purpose of His eternal plan.

Acts 8:01-03 Persecuted Church Expands 8:1 Church and Persecution 8:2 Church and Burial 8:3 Church and the Persecutors Acts 8:1 PERSECUTION Church History filled with events of persecution and death of the believers in Christ. God has permitted His chosen people to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-3

Denomination: Methodist

My Grace Is Sufficient For You...

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Feb 16, 2006

This was a funeral sermon I wrote for a member of our church - I thought it might be helpful for anyone looking for ideas when writing on this subject.

MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT… Funeral for ___________ February 9, 2006 This question has come up a few times in the last week or so: Which is better, to die suddenly or slowly? If one dies suddenly there is no chance for goodbyes, for last words, to make things right with loved ones, to ask ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Mennonite

Church For The Churched

Contributed by Steve Hereford on Aug 25, 2006

Who is the church for? Believers or unbelievers? Or to use more contemporary terms - churched or unchurched. Listen today as Pastor Steve addresses who is the church in the midst of the seeker-sensitive movement.

Recently I was invited to attend a church planters conference in Lake Yale. At that conference I was exposed to various teaching and methods for reaching the unchurched. As I sat there and listened and took notes, I couldn’t help to think how we have somehow missed it when it comes to the purpose ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Suffering & Death Of God's Servant

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Mar 11, 2010

A sermon examining the prophetic prediction of Christ's suffering.

“The Suffering & Death Of God’s Servant ” Isaiah 53:5-10 The heart of Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 53 is the reality that God’s Servant would suffer and die. One day a remnant will acknowledge the truth about Him. On that day many will comprehend the truths that we confess today, “He was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5-10

Denomination: Baptist

Part 5 - Smyrna: The Church Rich In Christ Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Apr 30, 2020

Smyrna was a poor church, brutally persecuted, but Rich In Christ. What was Christ's word to them?

Smyrna: The Church Rich in Christ Watch this message at https://youtu.be/J2xJJ2xzEKQ www.gracecommunity.com What do you say to somebody who is suffering? How do you counsel people who are going through great times of sorrow and tribulation? We’ve been party to suffering in our country lately. What ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11, James 2:5, Romans 2:29, Psalm 56:11, John 16:33, 1 John 4:5, Hebrews 7:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

The Church's First-Century Martyr Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 6, 2024

Acts 6:8-7:60 shows us three ways God makes death into the servant of his believers.

Introduction After the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and Satan’s counter-attack, the first-century church is ready to begin its worldwide mission of telling everyone about Jesus. So far, the church has been composed only of Jews and restricted to Jerusalem. However, the ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Little Less Conversation, A Little More Action

Contributed by Pat Cook on Sep 4, 2005

A small church far away from Hurricane Katrina damage - what do we need to hear? It seems that Jesus would tell us to repent.

Luke 13:1-5 - A Little Less Conversation, a Little More Action Some of this sermon may sound familiar to you, and there’s good reason for it. Much of what I’m about to say, I preached after September 11, 2001. I felt it was time to dust it off and say it again. A pastor friend of mine, Denn ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Life-Giving Death

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Mar 28, 2005

On Maundy Thursday, we remember that Jesus gave up his life to death, but it was a death that causes us to live.

Life-Giving Death John 12:20-33 March 24, 2005 My wife has a friend whose name is Alex. Alex is 10 years old. She first met him when he was eight and began to attend her church with his parents and grandparents. One day, Alex told his mom and dad that he wanted to be baptized. So they came to ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33

Denomination: Methodist