Sermons on Early Church:

The Ideal Church Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 28, 2009

Their ENERGY, their ELECTION, their EXAMPLE, their ENTHUSIASM, and their EXPECTANCY. More than a rough draft, Paul’s first letter to any church was the final word on what a church should be. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

The Ideal Church I Thessalonians 1 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/IdealChurch.html This is Paul’s earliest writing of at least thirteen books. But you couldn’t tell it. It may have been a first draft but that made no difference for he wasn’t the real author. That’s inspiration...perfection from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Of Laodocia

Contributed by Barry Edmondson on Feb 9, 2009

a message describing the dangers of being like the church of Laodocia.

 Get in or get out 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. Here is a church much like the church today - playing along and giving a semblance of religion. 2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. He says ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Going To Church

Contributed by David Gresham on Feb 10, 2009

Going to Church isn’t the same for everyone. Some go to be seen others to watch. But truly Going to Church is to see the Lord.

Going to Church Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:31-33

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Commended Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 26, 2009

Of all 7 churches of Asia Minor, here’s the one we want to emulate -- Philadelphia: 1. Highly commended 2. Deeply challenged 3. Greatly compensated - Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL PHILADELPHIA, the Commended Church Revelation 3:7-13   http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Philadelphia.html Yazoo, MS…in the 1930’s…the Great Depression.  People didn’t have extra money / children especially had no extra money for candy / people would go to general store and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Description Of The Church

Contributed by Kevin Jones on Jul 18, 2009

Paul tells us how the church should look, behave and operate.

Paul’s Instructions Today I want to look at the church as Paul instructed it to be. You see it is easy to get caught up trying to grow a large church when it is reality we should be growing a strong church. A church that is lined up with the plan of God as He intended it to be. This is what I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:6-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Church Support Series

Contributed by Duane Smith on Aug 26, 2008

This message is intended to help us, the church, to see areas of support that we need to strengthen and, then draw us to make commitments to do just that.

CHURCH SUPPORT Acts 9:19-31 INTRODUCTION: A. What do these pictures have in common? 1. They all have support – that which holds up the rest of the structure (Use a collage of different items with supports such as overpasses, bridges, etc.) 2. And in a spiritual sense the church needs ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Established

Contributed by Ed Wood on Aug 27, 2008

A message about who is the true founder of the church.

THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED Matthew 16:17-19 INTRO: We may have some question in our mind as to who established the Church, and who is the foundation for it. Was the church established by Christ? Is Peter ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Disoder In The Church Series

Contributed by Jeremias Fababier on Sep 1, 2008

How we should handle disorder in the church.

TOPIC: DISORDER IN THE CHURCH Text: James 4:1-10 Introduction: (ILL. Wrong Attitude – Many of us Christians are like the little girl who started fighting with a friend. Her mother who heard about the quarrel talked with her little girl about it trying to show her she was wrong and her need of ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The "I" In Church Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Sep 4, 2008

Part 3 in a series on the purposes of the church. This deals with intercessory prayer.

A STRONGER CHURCH Part 3—The “I” in Church Sunday, July 27, 2008 Pastor Brian Matherlee Introduction The first Sunday we talked about serving as a way to make room for others to come to the table. Last week we talked about worship as an expression of our gratitude for having a place at the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1

Denomination: Wesleyan