Sermons on Early Church Growth:

In The Trenches: Pastor’s Church Growth Conference

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Mar 2, 2011

A speech I presented at Manhattan Christian College during a church growth conference in 2007. I was one of four speakers, Myself, Ben Merold, Wayne Smith, and Richard Crabtree.

In The Trenches: Pastor’s Church Growth Conference Location: Manhattan Christian College Date: 31 March 2007 Acts 5:14 (NKJ) And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. Ah, the banner verse of the church-growth ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:14

Denomination: Other

How Does Personal Spiritual Growth Connect To The Church? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 30, 2020

Paul closes out his second letter to the Corinthians with a plea from his heart for their spiritual growth. Why do we today so seldom see that at a practical level in our churches?

- I should note as we begin that v. 8 is a difficult verse. Its meaning is not clear. It’s not essential to grasp that verse in order to be able to understand the larger point that Paul is making, so we’re just going to lay it aside this evening. There’s not any benefit tonight in spending a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Beginning Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Sep 13, 2013

The Church of Jesus Christ is probably one the longest lasting institutions in the history of mankind. over the next few weeks we get to be a part of it's beginning and hopefully find a way to bring that kind of excitement and power into the church today

I think what we are going to immerse ourselves in today is the beginning of probably the most exciting part of human history, certainly for Christians. The Church of Jesus Christ is probably one of if not the longest lasting institutions in the history of mankind, and over the next few weeks we get ...read more

We're Only Human Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Oct 11, 2015

The book of Acts shows us our DNA as a church.

We're Only Human - September 20, 2015 - Acts 14:8-18 We’ve been paying close attention to the Book of Acts for the last number of months, with some breaks. But we’ve been, hopefully, learning a fair bit about the early church, which as I’ve mentioned, is really our early, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:8-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mary, Mother Of Jesus

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Dec 10, 2021

God chose Mary of Nazareth to be the mother of His Son, the Savior of the world. He knew her not only by her actions, but also by her heart. What does God’s Word tell us about Mary?

Imagine you had the opportunity to choose a woman who would be the mother of the Son of God. You not only knew her by her actions, but also by the intents of her heart. What kind of woman would you choose? God chose Mary of Nazareth to be the mother of His Son, the Savior of the world. What does ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:46-49, Acts 1:12-14, Mark 3:31-34, John 2:1-12, Deuteronomy 19:15, Genesis 17:12-13, John 19:25-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Imperatives Of Salvation Series

Contributed by Jeff Kautz on Dec 28, 2018

Commands of Salvation

The 1st Sermon-The Imperatives of Salvation Acts 2:37-41 Lessons From The Early Church We have come here to the end of Peter’s first sermon that was delivered right after the receiving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. A group of Jews who were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks came to the room ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37-41

Denomination: Baptist

Peter Reaches Gentiles Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Feb 19, 2021

Gospel reaches the Gentiles through Peter, even before Paul took the Gospel to them. Church accepts the new Challenges and met the needs. Read further to know the mission of Peter.

Acts 11:01-18 Peter and the Jerusalem Church regarding Gentiles Mission 11:01-03 Church questioned Peter 11:04-17 Peter Explains the Church 11:18 Church rejoiced over the Gentiles Acts 11:01-03 Church questioned Peter. There could have been some communication systems among the first-century ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Methodist

The Embarassing Stepchild--Messianic Judaism

Contributed by Walter Thomas on Nov 26, 2019

Although Messianic Judaism is how it all began with the Jewish Messiah and Jewish Apostles, it has been treated as an unwanted stepchild by Judaism and much of the Church

THE STEPCHILD Some Provocative Food for Thought. There is a much-needed conversation… so let’s talk. Traditional Judaism and traditional Christianity have often treated Messianic Judaism as an embarrassing and problem stepchild. It is an ecclesial anathema. They don’t know what to do with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-31

Denomination: Other

How To Celebrate Sunday

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 30, 2025

Attendance helps demonstrate our obedience to Christ.

A. THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THE LORD’S DAY 1. A special day from the beginning. “On the seventh day, having finished the task, God rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy” (Gen. 2:2-3, NLT). a. God’s example for treating it differently. b. Do holy things on ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

Devoted To Teaching Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon will explore the devotion of the early church, particularly focusing on their commitment to teaching, and how modern believers can emulate this devotion in their own faith lives.

Welcome church! Today, we are beginning a new four-week series together called Devoted. Throughout this series we’re going to look into the lives and routines of the early church as seen in Acts 2:42-47. As you may know, the early church understood something about gathering together that churches ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, 2 Timothy 3:16

Topics: Devotion, Biblical Teaching, Early Church

Sermon Series: Devoted

The Life And Times Of Saul Of Tarsus Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Apr 15, 2023

A sermon examining the life of Saul of Tarsus.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SAUL OF TARSUS Acts 8:1-3 (4/16/23) I regularly listen to a radio program called “Unshackled”. This program provides dramatic reenactments that tell the stories of people who were in desperate situations and by the grace of God they had an encounter with Jesus and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Authentic Life Part 6 - James 3:1-12 - Tattle Tale Series

Contributed by David Rumley on Aug 19, 2010

James was a no nonsense leader of the early church. His letter was written to specific issues in the church, those issues exist today.

Study of James: Wisdom and Practical Christian Living The Book of James is probably the oldest book of the New Testament, written perhaps as early as A.D. 45, before the first council of Jerusalem in A.D. 50. James was martyred in approximately A.D. 62, according to the historian Josephus. James ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spiritual Sleepiness: Shallowing Theology And The Church Growth Movement Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Jul 16, 2025

We live in an age where worship teams rival pop bands, and the Sunday sermon has been carefully distilled into a 28-minute TED Talk with a side of Scripture. But beneath the gloss of production and the metrics lurks a growing hollowness.

Spiritual Sleepiness: Shallowing Theology and the Church Growth Movement July 13, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 2 Peter 2:1-3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, Revelation 3:14-16, 2 Peter 1:5-8 Introduction: Navigating The Fog of Modern Faith On September 1, 1983, Korean Air Flight 007 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, Revelation 3:14-16, 2 Peter 1:5-8

Denomination: Brethren

A Lesson In Divine Providence Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Jul 13, 2010

The early church was on fire for God, but it did have its share of problems and opposition. It was how they handled those problems that made them attractive to a lost and dying world.

A Lesson in Divine Providence Acts 5:12-42 Introduction There was never a dull moment around First Church of Jerusalem! Pentecost came in a blaze of glory. Healings occurred around the city. There were lessons on hypocrisy. The wave of power was building within the Church to a great ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: Baptist

Anatomy Of A Healthy Church

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Jan 3, 2018

church health is more important than church growth.

“Anatomy of a Healthy Church” Acts 11:19-30, 13:1-3 Introduction: Welcome to this last worship service of 2017. As I begin my preaching and teaching ministry here at Thayer Church my prayer is that that Lord will use me to be a blessing to you and your family. Sis. Judy and I are excited about ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-3, Acts 11:19-30

Denomination: Baptist