Sermons on Church Decline:

Let It Die!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Dec 22, 2011

There is a time to turn off the life support of a church and let it die with honor.

1 Cor 4:1-2 1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards , that a man be found faithful. KJV There are some people who believe that as long as there is a building you should do all you can to keep a church ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Today's Stumbling Blocks Of The Church

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Aug 17, 2021

Jesus spoke about stumbling blocks in the faith. Oh yes, that includes the church. Does the church have any?

42 "aWhoever causes one of these 1little ones who believe to stumble, it 2would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he 3had been cast into the sea. 43 "aIf your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:42-48

Denomination: United Methodist

The Work Of The Ministry (Acts 6) Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Apr 13, 2003

The Apostles responded to physical ministry needs by delegating the responsibility to qualified men in order to continue to focus on the ministry of prayer and the Word. From this we learn that such a division of labor is necessary, wise, and protects the

INTRODUCTION You might say that Socrates was ultimately responsible for the Greek NT. Socrates had a pupil: Plato (which meant “fatso”); Plato had a student, Aristotle; and Aristotle had a student, Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), the king of Macedonia that conquered the Persian empire and annexed ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why The Church Fails To Conquer The Gates Of Hell

Contributed by Cameron Conway on Oct 17, 2018

What kind of impact is the church supposed to have in the world? Is it a continuing impact or one that ebbs and flows? Does yesterday’s victories guarantee that the territory taken by a church will remain indefinitely?

For more information and other teachings, podcasts, videos, books and study guides visit https://conwaychristianresources.com What kind of impact is the church supposed to have in the world? Is it a continuing impact or one that ebbs and flows? Does yesterday’s victories guarantee that the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18, Revelation 12:17, 2 Chronicles 28:1-4, Jeremiah 7:31

Denomination: Foursquare

A Community Of God's Grace Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 21, 2001

Two characteristics of a community based on God’s grace.

One of the more troubling books I’ve read recently is a book called Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert Putnam. Bowling Alone isn’t a Christian book, but it’s an analysis of the health of our sense of community in American culture. The author of Bowling Alone ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:24-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Courage To Maintain The Biblical Pattern

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Jul 18, 2007

There is a pattern for the New Testament church in the Bible. But how do you get to it properly. Here are three steps to restore the church of the first century.

Courage to Maintain the Biblical Pattern Theme: The right way to restore the New Testament Church. It began in the break room, continued down the hall, and ended in the foyer of the church building. This debate took place at the Brown Trail School of Preaching. It was between Tom Pugh and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God's Spirit Moves Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Nov 14, 2007

This is the begining of a lay ministry series.

When God’s Spirit Moves In 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 October 28, 2007 Morning Service This message is based in part on John Maxwell’s message Let God’s Spirit Move In Introduction I tell you of a true story of a soldier who was in Pearl Harbor. On the night before they were attacked by the Japanese ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, 2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Denomination: Church Of God

The Church In Every Age Must Rise From The Dead

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Oct 14, 2006

A sermon for the 19th Sunday Afer Pentecost, Proper 23 What it means to be faithful to the proclamation of the Gospel.

19th Sunday after Pentecost (Pr. 23) October 15,2006 “Series B” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, Through the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to love you with all of our heart, and soul, and mind, and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Will You Be Missed? Acts 20:36-38

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 9, 2016

Adapted from a message by Pastor Jerry Shirley.

Will you be missed when you are gone? I’m not talking about missing a Sunday or two. If you left here today and never came back would anyone notice? World EBC notice? The Apostle Paul spent 3 years with the believers’ in Ephesus, and he and the members there grew very close. Paul’s leaving was a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God's Symphony PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Explore God's unconditional love, our responsibility to love and correct each other as church members, and the transformative power of forgiveness.

Good morning, beloved family of God! As Max Lucado once said, "God loves you simply because He has chosen to do so. He loves you when you don't feel lovely. He loves you when no one else loves you. Others may abandon you, divorce you, and ignore you, but God will love you always. No matter what." ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Topics: Church

Upon This Rock PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 17, 2023

This sermon emphasizes our identity as part of God's prevailing church, built on Christ's foundation, invincible, and a beacon of hope in the world.

Greetings, beloved family of God. It's such a joy to be gathered here today, united in faith, bound by love, and fortified by the eternal truth of God's Word. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. Our gracious Father, in His infinite wisdom, has drawn us together to consider a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Topics: Church

When The Society Is Hot Series

Contributed by Alvin Hathaway, Sr. on Mar 16, 2009

When the society is hot God will defend it, God will deliver it, and God will preserve it.

Sermon Title and Text for July 30, 2006 Title: “When the Society is Hot” Text: Isaiah 31: 9 Focus: “… fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem…” When the society is hot God will defend it, God will deliver it, and God will preserve it. Sermon: Modern day society and the church are facing ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 31:9

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking Down The Barriers

Contributed by Glenn Newton on Sep 17, 2002

I share 3 things that need to happen for our church to see a breakthrough in our church.

Breaking Down the Barriers Pastor Glenn Newton 11-28-99 Text: Heb. 10: 19-25 Heb. 10:39-11:1-2 This morning I want to continue on with where I was leading last week. If you remember, My message last week was entitled “ A Battle Worth Fighting” and I talked about this Spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Nazarene

The Great Adventure Of Vision

Contributed by Barry Hidey on Jan 12, 2001

A church needs to know that it needs a vision

"The Great Adventure of Vision" Ezekiel 37:1-14 Hebrews 11:1, 8; 12:1-2 God Almighty is a God of Vision. Now when I say "vision" I am not necessarily talking about some mystical sight that someone sees. Occasionally a vision from God is like that as the Bible shows us. Paul saw a vision of ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

Why Are We Still Here?

Contributed by Billy Kryger on Aug 7, 2005

This is a message I preached for our Church’s 56th Anniversary but you can adapt it to your situation.

INTRODUCTION: Today we celebrate 56 years as a Church. 56 years of preaching the Gospel of the Lord, Jesus Christ. 56 years of standing on the fundamentals of the faith. 56 years of holding to the Baptist distinctives. Nearly 56 years on this same corner and in this same building, although ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Denomination: Baptist