Sermons on Church Decline:

Country Club To Church: The Mission

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Mar 3, 2008

Tired of the church being more like a Country Club than the Body of Christ. Here is a 1st century conflict that parallels a 21st Century conflict. This sermon will help the congregation break the mold of this false vision for a Church.

COUNTRY CLUB TO CHURCH: THE MISSION THEME: FUNCTIONING AS A CHURCH WITH THE OUTSIDER IN MIND. TEXT: ACTS 15:1-11 While I was at Hartsville Pike church of Christ, one of the church members invited me along on a weekday morning to pay golf at the private Gaylord Springs Country club. Rick ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

New Testament Church Planting Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Mar 4, 2008

Exposition of Acts 11:19-30 about the first Gentile church plant, its discipleship, and its mission

Text: Acts 11:19-30, Title: NT Church Planting, Date/Place: NRBC, 3/9/08, AM A. Opening illustration: India--So I wrote in my journal, describing the aftermath of the October 1999 cyclone whose 200 mph winds and 30-foot tidal surge devastated the coastal areas of Orissa , India . Originating in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Denomination: Baptist

A Church Worth Talking About

Contributed by Clinton Smith on Mar 4, 2008

A church worth talking about is a church that finishes what they started.

It is related that a man once came to Charles H. Spurgeon, and asked that great preacher if his church was a pure church. He said he was looking for a pure church that he might belong to it. Mr. Spurgeon said that he did not know about his own church; but he did know that there were many good ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

What Church Is God At Tonight?

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Mar 5, 2008

God is too big to be confined to a simple church building.

What Church is God at Tonight? 1 Kings 8:22-30 Feb. 24, 2008(PM) FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor Introduction A B The temple was complete...but Solomon didn’t start it. Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the LORD, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 8:22-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Five E's Of Church Growth

Contributed by Scott Carroll on Mar 8, 2008

church growth

The Five E’s Of Church Growth Acts 2:40-47 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:40-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being A Faithful Part Of The Church

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Mar 10, 2008

In the first century, as in the Third World today, the basics of commitment to the Church were understood. God’s Word is clear on this.

BEING A FAITHFUL PART OF THE CHURCH MARCH 9, 2008 Pastor Eric J. Hanson Read I Corinthians 12:12-27 Read I Peter 2:4-10 A GODLY ASSUMPTION Did you know that the writers of the New Testament assumed that the people of the Lord in each city they wrote to, were faithful in being there when the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Country Club To Church: The Membership

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Mar 11, 2008

The church is looking more like a country club with every year, this is a call back to service instead of being served. We are not on a religious vacation, but a spiritual journey.

COUNTRY CLUB TO CHURCH: THE MEMBERSHIP THEME: OVERCOMING A ME ATTITUDE FOR A CHRIST ATTITUDE TEXT: PHIL. 3:1-11 Feeling the hot sun upon me is heavenly. Walking to the pier to eat an ice-cream cone is one of the simple pleasures. Reading a great book as I hear the consistent waves in the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

3 Beatitudes Of A Church Member

Contributed by Scott Carroll on Mar 11, 2008

GIVES THE IMPORTANT POINTS THAT SHOULD BE IN EVERY CHURCH MEMBER

3 Beatitudes for a Church Member 1CHRON.29:1-5 A) Someone sent me a list some time ago entitled, "Satan’s Beatitudes!" * They said if the devil were to write his beatitudes they would probably go something like this: * Blessed are they who are too tired and busy to go to church on Sundays and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church: Growing Towards Christ

Contributed by Jay Mcphearson on Mar 18, 2008

The church in Christ will grow in maturity towards Christ.

If you would like the powerpoint and word file for this sermon, just email me with the title in the subject line (jaywmc@aol.com) Ephesians 4:13-16 “The Church: Growing towards Christ” The church in Christ will grow in maturity towards Christ. Sunday Morning ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thyatira: The Politically Correct Church Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Apr 2, 2008

No person or church is insignificant and beyond the correcting power of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 2:18-29 Thyatira: The Politically Correct Church The Setting 18a Thyatira was a small insignificant church in a blue collar town. It was about forty miles southeast of Pergamos. It was noted for its guilds (labor unions) and a strong political and social environment. Their main ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

Philadelphia: The Church Of The Open Door Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Apr 2, 2008

Here was a cutting edge church! They were the original Bb4D church! Is your church a Be Before Doing church?

Revelation 3:7-13 Philadelphia: The Church of the Open Door The Mandate for the City 7a Philadelphia had four directives. First, their mission was to promote Hellenism. Their intent was to advance the culture and civilization of ancient Greece, especially in the period after Alexander the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

Who Cares About Church? Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Apr 8, 2008

Too often we think of salvation only in terms of our "personal salvation." But Jesus not only saves us as individuals, He saves us to be part of His local body. Jesus cares enough about His local churches that He is pictured as walking in our midst. How

1. Jesus is intimately involved in His local church as our mediator 2. Jesus is intimately involved in His local church as our purity 3. Jesus is intimately involved in His local church as our judge 4. Jesus is intimately involved in His local church as our authority I am as excited as I have been ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Christ Will Build His Church Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 12, 2008

Jesus points to seven features & characteristics of the church that He builds. He speaks of its 1) Foundation, its 2) Certainty, its 3) Intimacy, its 4) Identity and Continuity, its 5) Invincibility, its 6) Authority, & its 7) Spirituality.

Two Anglican parishes and the Diocese of Niagara have been in court recently to try to sort out the messy business of who ultimately owns church property. The two Niagara churches, along with eight more across the country, have recently voted to leave the Anglican Church of Canada and put ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18-20

Denomination: Other

The Church That Wins Its World Series

Contributed by Tim Huie on Apr 18, 2008

Acts 2 describes the qualities that allowed the early church to reach its world for Christ.

1. Illus. of my grandson Michael • Not quite a year old. • Didn’t get to see him last weekend. • He has grown 6 inches and gained a hundred pounds! • Not really, but it seems like it! • But that is what you want! Babies are supposed to grow! 2. I want to talk to you today about growing churches. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:43-47

Denomination: Baptist

Building The Church - Serving The Lord

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 26, 2008

A message of exhortation when it comes to working in the church FOR the Lord.

Building the Church and Serving the Lord Joshua 1:7-9 Introduction Go to the book of Joshua. This morning, we are going to examine some words of encouragement from the Joshua, which was given to him directly from the Lord. I want you to see how it applies to your life in all facets, especially ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:7-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational