Sermons on Church Vision:

Corrupt Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 23, 2009

Thyatira is a corrupt church. They do many great works, but God does not even address them as His children. It’s still here today and is key to the end of the world. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Thyatira: The Corrupt Church Rev. 2:18-29 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Corrupt.html [map] In the 1700’s there lived a mighty evangelist that was greatly used of God to shake this country…his name was George Whitfield. Years before, at the age of 16, he came under ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

Crippled Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 13, 2009

Sardis is the dying or dead church. It could be our church. The problem and the prescription to fix it and make it once again the Lord’s Church. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Sardis: The Crippled Church Rev. 3:1-6 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Sardis.html Take your next vacation in London, and you could visit the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The tour guide would tell you that this is the place that the great Charles Haddon Spurgeon used to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Church At Worship

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 3, 2010

The apostolic command to be filled with the Spirit is a corporate responsibility of each congregation, and not simply an individual command. Paul instructs the churches what Spirit-filled worship looks like in this text.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Dangerous Church Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Jan 3, 2010

The early disciples were serious about God and dangerous to the world. What is the difference between a safe church and a dangerous church? (from a series by Craig Groeschel, lifechurch.tv)

Introduction (from series by Craig Groeschell, lifechurch.tv) Welcome to COTRM and welcome to 2010. The New Year is a season with new opportunities. Just like there are physical seasons- spring, summer, etc., there are spiritual seasons in our lives and different seasons of God in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38-41

Denomination: Charismatic

Leadership In The Church

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jan 16, 2010

Talents (Gifts) are not the root but the fruit of our salvation. God has given us gifts, so we can be useful in His kingdom. There are no excuses for not being fruitful.

Leadership In the Church Text: Matthew 25: 14-30 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Balanced Church

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Jan 18, 2010

Sometimes we get so focused on just one aspect of Christianity that we fail to see the big picture: we miss the rest of the story.

AN OLD SOLDIER’S PERSPECTIVE OF A BALLANCED CHURCH ILLUSTRATION In the summer time my wife and I love to feed hummingbirds. Our front porch faces west, which makes it an excellent place for flowers and for birds. Each year we put out 3 or 4 hummingbird feeders so that we can sit on the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Christian Church

The Church Purpose Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Jan 19, 2010

A review of Paul's challenge to the church regarding its purpose and the importance of pressing forward to serve Christ by serving others.

BACKGROUND TO PHILIPPIANS LOVE LETTER WRITTEN TO A CHURCH encouraging them of their purpose. Q: What is the Purpose of the Church? Q: What is Your Purpose to the Church? KEY VERSE: PHILIPPIANS 3:12 READ VERSE 12 1. ‘not that I have already obtained all this’ (3.12) ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12

Denomination: Baptist

The Challenge Of The Church

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Jan 26, 2010

THE CHALLENGE TO THE CHURCH IS TO FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION IN THE MOST COMPASSIONATE WAY POSSIBLE. THIS SERMON LOOKS AT SOME ISSUES THE CHURCH FACES IN ACCOMPLISHING THIS

THE CHALLENGE OF THE CHURCH MATTHEW 16:13-20 INTRODUCTION: TELL THE JOKES ABOUT LITTLE HARRY AND PETER, TWO CHILDREN WHERE ONE IS INTRODUCING THE OTHER TO HIS CHURCH: 1. ONE JOKE IS ABOUT HOW LONG THE MINISTER SPEAKS 2. THE HONOUR ROLL AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCH NOW I REALIZE THAT THESE ARE OLD ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

State Of The Church

Contributed by Tracey Evans on Jan 26, 2010

THIS SCRIPTURE WAS WRITTEN BY THE PROPHET JEREMIAH TO JUDAH;IT CAN BE APPLIED TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD TODAY.

JEREMIAH 2:13 ONLY ACKNOWLEDGE THINE INIQUITY,THAT THOU HAST TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THE LORD THY GOD,AND HAST SCATTERED THY WAYS TO THE STRANGERS UNDER EVERY GREEN TREE,AND YE HAVE NOT OBEYED MY VOICE,SAITH THE LORD. THE OUESTION IS OFTEN ASKED WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CHURCH TODAY? WHY DOES SHE HAVE ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:13

Denomination: Holiness

Shacking With The Church Series

Contributed by Frank Edwards on Jan 26, 2010

There are millions of people today who live together, enjoy each other's company but do not share a relationship of mutual trust and commitment. On the outside they look happy, but on the inside they are unwilling or unable to make a full commitment.

SHACKING WITH THE CHURCH- There are millions of people today who live together, enjoy each other's company but do not share a relationship of mutual trust and commitment. On the outside they look happy, but on the inside they are unwilling or unable to make a full commitment. One of the unique ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Establishing A Church Series

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Jul 10, 2008

how to establish a church

ESTABLISHING A CHURCH Acts 19: 1-10 Our text records the establishing of the church in Ephesus. In Paul’s day, it was a city of about 200,000. Every Christian longs for God’s church to be established and extended as His word spreads ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Spiritual Church

Contributed by Ed Wood on Jul 12, 2008

One of Jesus’ last challenges to the Disciples/Church before the day of Pentecost.

A SPIRITUAL CHURCH Luke 24:49 INTRO: The text is part of Christ’s last commission to His disciples before the Church was organized after Pentecost. All candidates for God’s Church must have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. If our Church is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:49

Denomination: Baptist

Unifying The Church

Contributed by Ed Wood on Jul 15, 2008

A message looking at today’s church in comparison to the Jerusalem church.

UNIFYING THE CHURCH Acts 2:41-47 INTRO: The church at Jerusalem was a perfect example for any local church to pattern after. Any local church that will pay the same price may have the same victory. The church at Jerusalem lost all interest in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

This Is Church Not Theatre

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jul 22, 2008

The Corinthians had made the mistake of approaching worship like a smorgasbord. They were taking what they thought was the best and walking by what they really needed on their plates.

This is Church not Theatre 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 Today’s scripture passage is meant as a loving correction from a father to his children. St. Paul is writing to his spiritual children in Corinth a church that he planted and now he goes about watering it. Just like the parable of (The Sower) ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Lukewarm Church

Contributed by Charles Scott on Aug 2, 2008

The deceitfulness of riches and the feeling of self-sufficiency are threats to Christian faith and life. Jesus warns against worldliness and the lukewarm attitude of Christians in Laodicea. Christians must return to their first love of Christ to avoid

Revelation 3__4-22 the Lukewarm Church "Blessed are the Lukewarm." Jesus never said that, but from the lackadaisical attitude of many of his followers, you would think that was one of his beatitudes. That is the attitude of our Western Civilization and cultural Christians. That was the attitude ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:4-22

Denomination: Anglican