Sermons on Church Decline:

What Is Our Vision For This Year?

Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Nov 4, 2004

It seems that most Christians settle for a good life, but God has given us a great purpose in a Great Commission.

WHAT SHALL WE DO? WHAT IS OUR VISION FOR THIS YEAR? This is it... ACTS 1:8 I watched the longest baseball game in postseason history this week. The Yankees and the Red Sox battled it out for 14 innings. The teams played back-to-back marathon games that totaled 26 innings almost 11 hours -- ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

Crossing Over Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Mar 23, 2006

There comes the point in every congregation when we must decide to move forward.

Building on Faith: Past the Point of No Return Joshua 3 Interview with Ron Jones about the moment in the take-off pattern that a pilot must make a decision to commit to take-off or abort the flight. This “crossover principle” finds an arresting illustration in the lives of God’s Old ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

I Don't Need Church!

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 7, 2015

What is the church? Is it necessary for a Christian to be connected to a local church if at all possible? What are the functions and benefits of the church? Why does the Lord think so highly of the Church if we don't?

We often say that context in reading Scripture is everything. But, getting the right verse is pretty important as well. At a wedding one of those involved was supposed to read 1 John 4:18 NASB which says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

God's Body Building Program Part 2 Series

Contributed by Greg Carr on Nov 20, 2013

A study about the church and a challenge to be a part of it.

Two friends were coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed one of the friends by the hand and pulled him aside. The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!" The person replied, "I'm already in the Army ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Can Be Sure About The Church

Contributed by David Hersey on Mar 26, 2015

There are a lot of churches out there to choose from. Jesus only promised to build one, He only bled for one, He only died for one and He is the head of only one. Since Jesus established only one, how can we be sure we are members of that one church?

Recognizing the Church (You can be sure part 2) Jesus promised to build only one church. Matthew 16:18, "and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." Jesus shed His blood and died for only one church. Ephesians 5:25, "Husbands, love your wives, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 4:4-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Learning From A Small Church : Lessons From The Church At Philippi | Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Sep 2, 2024

In this study Dr. Madana Kumar, dives deep into the circumstances that led to the formation of the church at Philippi. The foundations on which the church was founded, and its lasting significance in spreading the gospel across the globe.

Learning from a Small Church : The Church at Philippi This and other studies are available in my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@dr.madanakumarphd2193 I have a fascination for studying small churches. It may be because in His mercy, God has always protected me from being a member of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 2:2, Philippians 2:3-4, Philippians 2:5-8, Philippians 2:19-22, Philippians 2:25-30, Philippians 1:3-5, Philippians 1:7-8, Philippians 4:10, Philippians 4:18, Philippians 4:6, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 1:27-30, Philippians 2:12-13, Philippians 3:12-14, Philippians 4:1, Philippians 4:11-13, Philippians 4:14-18, Philippians 4:19, Acts 16:6-12, Acts 16:14-15, Acts 16:25-34, Acts 16:16-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Work/Faith--Labor/Love-Endurance/Hope

Contributed by Ronald Keller on Mar 2, 2003

My first sermon as the new Pastor of an older church that has struggled for several years.

"WORK/FAITH--LABOR/LOVE—ENDURANCE/HOPE" INTRODUCTION First Thessalonians is the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church at Thessalonica. Thessalonica was a Greek city in a land filled with false gods; and even though Paul met strong opposition he dared to preach the gospel. Even though many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3, 1 Corinthians 13:13

Denomination: Nazarene

The Parable Of The Tares

Contributed by William Mouser on Jul 18, 2005

How does Jesus’ parable, which argues for leaving tares undisturbed, square with admonitions in the epistles to discipline errant members of the congregation?

Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 As far as the parables of our Lord are concerned, the one before us in today’s gospel is certainly clear. Some of them are not so clear, even when our Lord interprets them for his disciples; and others are left in the gospel record uninterpreted. This one, however, is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Making Lemonade From Lemons Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Oct 16, 2012

AS WE APPROACH THIS PASSAGE, WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS WHAT I MIGHT CALL THE FINAL LEG OF THE GREAT COMMISSION (CULTURALLY SPEAKING). BY THE TIME WE REACH THIS PASSAGE THE GOSPEL HAS PROGRESSED FROM THE JEWS TO THE SAMARITANS, TO THE GOD FEARING GREEKS, AND N

MAKING LEMONADE FROM LEMONS ACTS 11:19-30 INTRODUCTION: AS WE APPROACH THIS PASSAGE, WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS WHAT I MIGHT CALL THE FINAL LEG OF THE GREAT COMMISSION (CULTURALLY SPEAKING). BY THE TIME WE REACH THIS PASSAGE THE GOSPEL HAS PROGRESSED FROM THE JEWS TO THE SAMARITANS, TO THE GOD FEARING ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Denomination: Baptist

Foundational Issues

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Feb 1, 2024

Church struggling to survive? Maybe you have cracks in the foundation or the wrong foundation.

1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; If a church is built upon a man, it will not stand when the man is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:11, Ephesians 2:20

Denomination: Baptist

God Wants Us To Be . . . A Church That Becomes A Community That Cares Series

Contributed by Joe La Rue on Feb 18, 2008

An examination of what it means to bear one another’s burdens, and how to do it

Title: God Wants Us To Be . . . A Church That Becomes A Community That Cares Series: The Church God Wants Us To Be (Sermon # 6) COPYRIGHT © Joe La Rue, 2008 February 17, 2008 Introduction A. Max Lucado, in his book In the Eye of the Storm, tells the story of Chippie the Parakeet. He ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Revelation 3

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 31, 2020

As we study the last of seven churches, let’s notice how much they look like some modern churches.

As we study the last of seven churches, let’s notice how much they look like some modern churches. Sardis Revelation 3:1 This church is not indicted for corruption, nor harassed by persecution. It was far worse. It was dead or almost dead, as are many modern western churches. As faith without ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Come Shake Our Land

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Nov 28, 2011

The god of Early Grey Tea and Cucumber sandwiches will never draw people to church. But there is a different God who will....

“Excuse me - we’ve lost something.... oh what was it ?… oh yes GOD - have you seen him anywhere?” Sounds crazy doesn’t it - how could we not notice God. “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence - ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Denomination: Anglican

Malachi Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 3, 2022

A century after the Jews returned to their homeland; many became complacent and less devoted to the Lord. The Lord addressed the Jews' declining commitment to God through the prophet Malachi.

Malachi This Introduction to the Book of Malachi has five sections: 1. Why study this book? 2. Who wrote this book? 3. When and where was it written? 4. What are some distinctive features of this book? 5. Outline Section 1. Why study this book? A century after the Jews returned to their ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Doing Church - God's Style

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Nov 19, 2020

Today, thousands of churches are starting each year all across America but the question is, “Are they accomplishing the main purpose? Are they making disciples?

An engineer who worked for the General Motors Corporation; once showed his friend a plant that was all of a mile long. He told his friend that "raw" materials went in one end of the plant and cars came out the other, then he told his friend something revolutionary. That building exists ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Independent/Bible