Sermons on Church Renewal:

The Persecuted Church Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 16, 2011

(Preached on July 4th): This message focuses on the first church-wide persecution in Acts. Attention is given to the implications the Gospel has for believers as members of both God's kingdom and a country.

* The difficulty in approaching a July 4th message: - We sometimes "read" America into Scripture when we shouldn't - Bible doesn't reference America as a country of predict the events of July, 1776 * If we're not careful, we end up using today to exalt a nation instead of Christ - We do not worship ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Living Church Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 26, 2011

The Living Church" manifested: 1) Spiritual Life (Acts 2:42) & 2) Spiritual Attitudes (Acts 2:43-47a). The result was 3) Spiritual Impact (Acts 2:47b).

A study presented Tuesday at the American Physical Society meeting in Dallas noted a steady rise in the percentage of residents in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland who claim no religious affiliation. The researchers ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Other

Divisions In The Church

Contributed by Kerry Dunn on Mar 31, 2011

Christ requires unity in his body.

>>Divisions in the Church<< 1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? Here it shows that division is carnality. this is forbidden in the bible. We must be able to agree on the truth then apply it. Joh ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:17-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

The First Church Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 14, 2011

Characteristics of the first church.

The First Church Chuck Sligh TEXT: Acts 2:37-47 INTRODUCTION Many Christians today are playing church. In this age of affluence and pleasure-seeking, some come to church once-a-week to salve their conscience so that they can go back and do their own thing the rest of the week. This is the age of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Healthy Church? Series

Contributed by James Parker on Apr 29, 2011

I want to begin a new series, not very long, but long enough. Several months ago, I noticed that I was reading quite frequently about churches closing the doors. This bothered me then, but apparently not enough to preach about it. But God has brought it t

I want to begin a new series, not very long, but long enough. Several months ago, I noticed that I was reading quite frequently about churches closing the doors. This bothered me then, but apparently not enough to preach about it. But God has brought it to my attention again. I kind of feel like ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Denomination: Baptist

Church Discipline Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 1, 2011

We conclude our lesson about the discipline of immoral church members by looking at the extent of discipline.

Scripture We continue our study in The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians in a series I am calling Challenges Christians Face. One of the challenges that Christians face is the discipline of church members engaged in blatant and unrepentant sin. Let’s learn about this in a message I am ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Is Church?

Contributed by Greg Nance on May 3, 2011

This may be one of the most misunderstood concepts in the Christian faith. A look into the word of God in Matthew brings to light the amazing calling that Jesus intends for us.

What is Church? Listen to Matthew 16:13-28. Pay attention to how Jesus describes "Church," his path, and our relationship with Him. Matthew 16:18 gives us the first mention of the English word “church” in the New Testament. In all of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John this word “church” only occurs ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Are The Church Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 16, 2011

Why would Paul list such a long boooring list of people at the end of such a powerful New Testament book? Why waste the ink? The answer to that question is both intriguing and exciting to those of who belong to Jesus.

I opened the sermon by asking the congregation to join with me in singing: “I’m So Glad I’m A Part Of The Family of God I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod For I’m part of the family, the family of God.” If you’re a Christian here ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:4, Romans 16:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Devoted Church

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on May 18, 2011

A short talk encouraging devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, and worship.

‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer’ (2:42). The life of the early church was marked by devotion. The early believers loved to hear and put into practice the apostles’ teaching. They were utterly ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Anglican

Trouble In The Church Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Sep 26, 2014

This message points a finger back at ourselves in dealing with the issue of trouble in the church and how we can avoid it.

TROUBLE IN THE CHURCH Philippians 1:15-18 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16  the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17  the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Sleeping Church Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 7, 2014

In the past 50 odd years we have seen moral compromise in the body of Christ and our nation. Put another way, when did the church fall asleep? What caused the church to fall asleep? Are we to remain sleeping or wake up the sleeping giant? I don't have ...

Opening illustration: Where was the church when prayer was taken out of schools in 1962? Or when abortion was legalized in 1973? Or when same-sex marriage started to gain momentum to the point that Christian businesses are persecuted for refusing to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple? Put ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:10-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is A Church?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Oct 15, 2014

Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. But what is the church and what is it supposed be? There are three characteristics which the church must possess - commonality, community and communication.

What is a Church? Acts 2:41-47 Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. But what is the church and what is it supposed be? A textbook definition, answering that question, is that a church is a body of called-out believers united together for worship, prayer, study of the Word of God, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

A Scandal In The Church Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Oct 19, 2014

A Scandal in the Church - PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info

SERMON OUTLINE: Dealing with Disgrace (vs 1-5) Explaining the Expulsion (vs 6-8) Clarifying some Confusion (vs 9-13) SERMON BODY: Ill: • Somebody sent this anecdote into Readers Digest: • One afternoon in the hospital operating room where I am a nurse, • I heard one of our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Brethren

The Power Of The Church Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Nov 17, 2014

A message about the church and how Christ has given us power to overcome the enemy.

Title: The Power of the Church Theme: To show the power the Christ has given the Church. Text: Matthew 16:13 - 19 Review Over the last few week we have been looking at what happens when the church is the church. As we learned from Matthew 21 Jesus went into the temple and He cleansed it. Then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Church Of God

Contentions In The Church. Series

Contributed by Okoye Benjamin on Mar 6, 2014

THE NEED FOR REPENTANCE AND RECONCILIATION

Contentions in the Church Lessons from Paul and Barnabas. ACTS 15:36-41. At times disagreement will occur among believers who love the Lord and one another. When this cannot be resolved, it is best to agree to disagree and let God work his will in the lives of all concerned. Differences in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:36-41

Denomination: Anglican