Sermons on Church Growth And Development:

The Church - A Family

Contributed by Troy Harkey on Apr 16, 2003

When we think of the church, we most often think of a place like this where we come to worship and to study and be taught God’s Word, but before the church was the institution, as we know it today, the church was a family.

THE CHURCH – A FAMILY (Mat 12:47-50) 47, Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48, But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49, And he stretched forth his hand toward his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:47-50

Denomination: Baptist

The Church - A Lighthouse

Contributed by Troy Harkey on Apr 16, 2003

I have had many supporting churches, as a missionary, that the word “lighthouse” was a part of their name. The Bible makes it very clear that we as a church body are to be a lighthouse to the world.

THE CHURCH – A LIGHTHOUSE This will be our final message in this series on the church. (Mark 16:15 NKJV) And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mat 5:14-16 NKJV) "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. {15} ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:15, Mark 16:14-18, Mark 16:9-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Church - A Hospital

Contributed by Troy Harkey on Apr 16, 2003

To take a quote from last Sunday, one writer has said, “We are all healers who can reach out and offer health, and we are all patients in constant need of help.”

THE CHURCH IS A HOSPITAL (Isa 61:1 KJV) The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (Isa ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Church At Ephesus Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Apr 26, 2003

The Lord had three things to commend this church for, but the rebuke brought focus to the very real problem of loosing your love for Christ.

As I believe the Lord is leading, it is imperative for us to consider exactly what type of church Jesus desires to have. While opinions and ideas could, and probably would run rampant concerning that topic, there is one place the answer may be clearly found. That is in God’s Word. While many ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Building A Church

Contributed by Tommy Hames on Nov 24, 2002

How does God build a church?

INTRODUCTION It has been three years since this church started. There have been a lot of changes since then. This congregation has moved from meeting at a campground, to services in a used Desert Storm tent, and now, finally, into a beautiful new building. It took a long time to get here. The ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The New Church

Contributed by Jeff Hughes on Dec 28, 2002

The birth of the early church / an Intro to Acts/

The New Church Acts 1:1-4 I. Introduction a. The book of Acts is a first-hand account of the beginnings of the church. But, the book of Acts is more than history. It tells us about the love of Jesus for the world, and how that love was poured out to the ends of the earth. I think it is fitting ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church On The Move

Contributed by Norris Harris I on Jan 1, 2003

Perhaps one of the most humiliating and discouraging experiences we could face is that of being denied upward mobility and advancement in the quest of life. This message deals the danger of staying too long in one condition.

Perhaps one of the most humiliating and discouraging experiences we could face is that of being denied upward mobility and advancement in the quest of life. To be held back, detained, put on hold as a result of our failure to apply ourselves and take seriously the task, challenge or opportunity ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 1:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

A Devoted Church

Contributed by Steven Kellett on Jan 6, 2003

The revival of Acts 2 was brought about because the church was devoted to Discipleship, Fellowship, Worship and Prayer

37Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37-47

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The State Of The Church

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jan 14, 2004

Our church, like many churches, is in need of some repair much like the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s rebuilding began with reliance on God, repentance from sin, and risking obedience.

January 4, 2004 Nehemiah 1 “The state of the church” INTRODUCTION It’s a new year. And that means that it is time for evaluation. One of the things that gets evaluated the most at the beginning of the new year is a person’s weight. My family and I just got back Friday from my ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Praying For The Church Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 22, 2004

Four Specific Prayer Needs for every church

PRAYING FOR THE CHURCH John 17:8-24 A lot of talking can go on in the life of a church. Many words can be said. An evangelist went to one particular church and preached on a Sunday Morning. While standing by the exit door to shake hands with people a woman approached him. ‘That was the worst ...read more

Scripture: John 17:8-24

The Church And The Bar

Contributed by Tad Mills on Jan 26, 2004

The bar is almost like a counterfeit church.

THE CHURCH AND THE BAR “I Love this Bar” by Toby Keith was a big #1 hit in Country Music. Why do people go to bars? 1 Fellowship 2 Support 3 Acceptance A bar is the closest thing to a church the world has. The TV Show “Cheers” was set in the friendliest bar you’ve ever seen. Sam was like ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:21-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The State Of The Church

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Jan 27, 2004

Part 1 of an annual series on the condition of the local church and direction for the New Year.

 A new year gives us the opportunity look back and reflect upon what has happened. We also can look forward to the New Year with anticipation of what lies before us; goals and resolutions are made. I’ve heard it said that most of our New Years resolutions are broken before January 14th; ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Enduring Church

Contributed by Steve Woods on Feb 5, 2004

Five reasons why the church will endure according to the sovereign grace of God.

1.Corinthians 16:13-14 "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity." Why does the church of God endure? You would quickly and rightly say that God does this, but what means does He normally utilize for this work? I was the pastor of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Church As Servant

Contributed by Jack Russell on Feb 8, 2004

James and John had to be taught to rethink the definition of success. Do we need the same lesson?

George W. Truett, a well-known pastor, was invited to dinner in the home of a very wealthy man in Texas. After the meal, the host led him to a place where they could get a good view of the surrounding area. Pointing to the oil wells punctuating the landscape, he boasted, “Twenty-five years ago I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Compromising Church Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Feb 26, 2004

What type of church are you a part of? What type of Christian are you? We live in a world of compromise, Christians today compormise in their dcotrine and their lifestlye. What does Jesus have to say to a compromising church?

What Type of Church Is This? A Compromising Church Introduction: According to the Homer’s Iliad, the Greeks besieged the city of Troy for ten years without success. After the death of the warrior Achilles, many wanted to give up the fight. But the king of Ithaca, Odysseus, came up with a plan to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ