Sermons on Church Membership:

There Are More Fish In The Sea

Contributed by Michael Bowen on Nov 20, 2001

Three reasons why churches die.

There Are More Fish In The Sea - John 21:1-6 Introduction: A young boy attended his father’s church for the first time. During the whole service the young boy was bored to tears and couldn’t wait for the service to end. When the service was finally over the father in the son were in the ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Shirley Maclaine Was Wrong; How To Really Dance In The Light

Contributed by Joel W. Lohr on Nov 25, 2001

Helping people to understand what it means to see the Light of Christ in their lives and to live with that knowledge.

Some of you may remember Shirley MacLaine’s book from the mid 1980’s. “Dancing in the Light”. Shirley MacLaine was wrong in her premise at least when viewed through the lens of scripture. Shirley believed that Light could be defined by the collective knowledge of all of our various personalities ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:11-20

Denomination: Baptist

Beware Of False Prophets Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Nov 27, 2001

John warns the church against listening to those in false ministries.

PREWARNED & PREPARED - I JOHN 4:1-6 I came across a list of ANAGRAMS(rearrange letters of one word or phrase to form another) DORMITORY – Dirty Room/DESPERATION-A rope ends it THE MORSE CODE-Here come dots SLOT MACHINES-Cash lost in em ELEVEN PLUS TWO-Twelve plus one ASTRONOMER-Moon ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

The Real Small Group Leader Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Nov 29, 2001

Jesus longs to be present as the center of our gatherings, just as he promised, to be light and to give life.

The Real Small Group Leader Pastor Jim Luthy Last week, I mentioned the optimum group size was probably between 2-12 people. That being said, I’m sure any of you who have worked with a group of others would agree there are times when it seems the optimum group size is one. Working with others ...read more

Scripture: John 3:26-30, Ephesians 3:16-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

True Fellowship

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Nov 30, 2001

True fellowship is defined not by cake and coffee but by being spiritually tied together.

True Fellowship I John 1:3-2:2 SIGNS YOU LIVE IN THE YEAR 2001... 1. You just tried to enter your password on the microwave. 2. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three. 3. You call your son’s beeper to let him know it’s time to eat. He emails you back from his ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"This Is Your Hour, Don't Faint!"

Contributed by Rev. M Edmunds on Dec 7, 2001

For this is your hour, this is your year, and don’t let no devil in hell stop you from receiving what God has for you.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: For in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” – Galatians 6:9. Before I get into our text, I will like us to review Paul’s life and conversion. For he was a prudent and profound man who believed in pursuing life with a passion so ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A New Begining - Part Two

Contributed by Steve Malone on Dec 10, 2001

In these message we will continue to look to the book of Nehemiah for more priciples for having an awesome new beginning.

"A NEW BEGINNING PART 3" TEXT: NEHEMIAH 2 "Early in the morning Joshua and all the israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over..." Joshua 3:1 Have you ever experienced what people call Da Ja Vu? You know when you feel like you’ve been ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

7 Ways To Serve One Another Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Dec 12, 2001

So how do we rightly relate to one another in our small groups? I have found there is no reason to "reinvent the wheel" in responding to this question. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his classic work, Life Together, explains 7 ways to serve your small group.

Last week, I used an illustration to show that Jesus should be the center of our small group meetings. He is the real leader of the small group. He is alive. He comes to us in the person of the Holy Spirit. And he is Lord. But lying underneath this goal of our gathering is the reality that we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:19-21, 1 John 3:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

So You Call Yourself A Christian

Contributed by Ian Biss on Dec 12, 2001

Do men know you as Christ has commanded you to be known?

So, You call Yourself a Christian? By Ian Biss 9/26/01 Intro... I read about a young man who was determined to win the affection of a lady who refused to even talk to him anymore. He decided that the way to her heart was through the mail, so he began writing her love letters. He wrote a love ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Grace Brethren

Keep Back Nothing Profitable

Contributed by Chris Thron on Oct 18, 2000

Does the Church present the whole truth to its members?

"I kept back nothing that was profitable for you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:20-21). Paul spoke these words to the Christian elders ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let The Body Beware!

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

If we do not desire God's will for the life of the church, then we will see the Body of Christ fall far short of God's will.

"Let The Body Beware!" 1 John 2:18-28 The human body gives us one of the most awe-inspiring illustrations of a deep biblical truth that all of us should aspire to live out as we seek to be obedient to God's call upon our lives. Once we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we are placed ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Love Affair Between Christ And His Church (Part 1) Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Jun 27, 2002

Paul describes the great mystery of Christ’s passionate love for the church through the relationship of the husband and wife. What does it look like for the Church to have a passionate relationship with Jesus? It begins with SUBMISSION.

A Nashville newspaper carried a tongue-in-cheek story about a Mrs. Lila Craig who hadn’t missed attending church in 1,040 Sundays (20 years). The editor commented, “It makes one wonder, what’s the matter with Mrs. Craig? Doesn’t it ever rain or snow in her town on Sunday? Doesn’t she ever have ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-32

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The First Christians Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jun 28, 2002

This sermon looks at three characteristics of the church in Antioch that teach us about church growth.

The First Christians Acts 11:19-29 June 30, 2002 Intro: A. [illustration] John Bisagno former Pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church tells the story of his coming there to candidate for the position of pastor many years ago. He said that as he entered the auditorium it was dimly lit, with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Some Assembly Required

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 1, 2002

Designed for a day devoted to reclaiming inactive members, this sermon argues that the spiritual life is like a piece of equipment: unpack, read the instructions, assemble, plug in the power.

Nothing you purchase comes ready to go. You can’t buy anything ready to use. Everything takes finishing and finagling before you can use it. You would think that when you have paid good money for your purchase, it would be ready. But not so. Something else always has to be done. You ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Love Affair Between Christ And His Church (Part 2) Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Jul 12, 2002

Through the husband and wife relationship Paul identifies the mysterious relationship that Christ has with His Church. As we enter into a passionate relationship with Christ, He will make us into a LOVING CHRUCH.

I like the story about the legalistic Seminary student who wanted to have a scriptural basis for everything he did. He felt he was on solid ground if he could quote chapter & verse to okay all his actions. He was doing fine until he fell in love with a beautiful co-ed. He wanted very much to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-32, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God