Sermons on First Church:

A Fresh Encounter With God

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Sep 8, 2024

God’s desire is that we experience a fresh encounter with Him. But what does a fresh encounter look like? To answer this question let’s see what a fresh encounter with God looks like through Jesus’s letter to the Ephesian church and in the life of the prophet Isaiah.

A Fresh Encounter with God Revelation 2:1-7 Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvUgyQZ-yGM As we begin our series, “Energized to Engage,” which is speaking to our vision on how we can energize our transformation so that we can be those disciples of Jesus, engaging our world ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Foursquare

The Church Of The New Testament - Part 4 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 12, 2018

Part 4 of this series describes what the first Christians were like, some of the things they did in Christianity's earliest days, and the spread of Christianity in the region and the world.

This 13-part series of classes has been many years in the making. About 25 years ago I began in earnest to examine the features, character and characteristics of the church as it existed in its earliest years. As I sometimes do, I kept my notes all along the way, and this series of classes is to a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40, Romans 8:1-2, Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Corinthians 9:8-11, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, Luke 3:10-11, Acts 2:43-46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Revelations Has To Say To The U.s. Church Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 14, 2020

Do we have anything in common with the first-century church of Ephesus? Unfortunately, yes we do. Too much have we abandoned the love of Christ we had at first.

Monday of 33rd Week in Course 2020 In this penultimate week of the Church year, the Church gives us snippets from the Book of Revelations, the last and in some ways most difficult book of the New Testament. You see today the style of the letters; the ones we have this week are written to churches ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-4, Revelation 2:1-5, Psalm 1:1-6, Luke 18:35-43

Denomination: Catholic

The State Of The Church - 2009 "The Year Of Joy"

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jan 9, 2009

In looking backward and forward this message challenge the congregation to put Jesus FIRST, Others Second, and Yourself last.

STATE OF THE CHURCH 2009- “The Year of Joy” Philippians 3:10-15 * Welcome to 2009. As most know, today’s message will be a little unique if not unusual. Today’s message has more of a collective than personal message. However, the last part of this message will be highly personal. * The year 2008 ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-15

Denomination: Baptist

Is Official, Or Formal Church Membership In A Local Church According To Scripture? – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 2, 2025

This begins a 4 part study of local church membership in the New Testament. Is a formal church membership biblically required in our churches? Was it required in the first century churches? We will examine scriptures and practices for those answers.

IS OFFICIAL, OR FORMAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE? – PART 1 What is church membership? What does the New Testament teach about church membership? Is this a requirement for us in local churches or must we submit ourselves to a practice of man and denominational ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Ephesians 5:29-30, Acts 2:47, Acts 2:44, Romans 12:4-6, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Philippians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Colossians 1:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Called To The Edge Series

Contributed by Keith Manry on Jun 3, 2003

This sermon is the first in a series which looks at the Church of Acts and challenges modern-day Christians to take their faith to the edge!

Folks, why are you here this morning? I mean, honestly, what brings you to this place? What makes you want to get up and come here and spend an hour sitting in that uncomfortable pew? Is it the opportunity to see your friends and family? Is it your belief that by doing so you’re fulfilling your ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

Back To The Basics PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 16, 2023

This sermon explores the importance of returning to our first love, God, and the necessity of His word in overcoming life's struggles.

Good morning, dear friends. We are here together. In this place of hope and faith. We are here to listen. To learn. To grow. We have a gift. A gift of words. Words that guide us. Words that inspire us. Words that challenge us. They are words from the Bible. Our guide. Our inspiration. Our ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:4-5

Topics: Church, Christians

As The Church Waits For Christ, What Should We Be Doing? Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Nov 8, 2009

Looks at Paul’s directives at the end of His first letter to the Thessalonians

Living with a View to the Future… While the Church waits for Christ, What should we be doing? Leaders should Labor for the church Lead the church Admonish those in the church The Church should Acknowledge leaders Esteem leaders Everyone should Warn the Wayward – Warn those who are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Picture Of Revival

Contributed by Mark Wood on Feb 18, 2006

Dr. Wood used this sermon to illustrate the first revival of the modern church. He uses the illustration of the process of taking picture to illustrate how this revival took place. In four points, we see that revival does not just take place in the chur

When taking a picture You must take steps in a certain order 1. set up and focus 2. click the trigger 3. a flash goes off at just the right time 4. the shutter opens and exposes the film 5. The film is not any good until it is developed 6. The film is then made into a negative a. A negative is not ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:40-47

Denomination: Baptist

Defining Church And Christian Part 1

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jan 19, 2013

Baptism, which should be a uniting part of faith, seems to have divided us instead. This is a first step of faith and an entry point into Christ where discipleship begins.

We are living in confused times, are we not? Our government doesn’t seem to know what a marriage is, or that an unborn baby is a real person. Where do we go to decide such things? We have a wide array of institutions and individuals claiming to be churches or Christians, but believing and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church Of The New Testament - Part 7b Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 19, 2018

Part 7B under Functions in the New Testament church deals with those functions that Paul styles as first, second, and third; that is, apostles, prophets, and teachers. What are their functions, and were they only for the earliest Christians, or all ages?

This 13-part series of classes has been many years in the making. About 25 years ago I began in earnest to examine the features, character and characteristics of the church as it existed in its earliest years. As I sometimes do, I kept my notes all along the way, and this series of classes is to a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:24-25, Acts 18:24-26, Matthew 7:28-29, Galatians 1:15-17, 1 Corinthians 11:4-5, 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, Ephesians 3:4-5, Hebrews 1:1-2, Ephesians 3:1-7, Acts 21:10-11, Galatians 1:11-12, 1 Corinthians 14:26-33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Remembering Our First Love. Revelation 2: 1-7

Contributed by David Cramer on Nov 6, 2024

A message of God's love for us all. A journey for the early church and how it pertains to our world today.

Remembering Our First Love Revelation 2:1-7 Good Morning Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me. This is my Bible. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be. Today I will learn more of the word of God. ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Parables Of The Kingdom – The First - The Sower Or Rather The Soil – Part 7 Of 7 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 1, 2025

In the conclusion to the Parable of the Sower we consider two things. One is the connection between this parable and the Church at Ephesus (Revelation 2), and the other is seeing how this Parable connects with the Apostolic period of Church History.

PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM – THE FIRST - THE SOWER OR RATHER THE SOIL – Part 7 of 7 This final message is covering some new ground for you. We have been looking at the Parable of the Sower and now look into its position in Church History. It is a shorter message. TWO INTERESTING, IMPORTANT ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9, Matthew 13:18-23, Revelation 2:1-7, Revelation 2:2, Revelation 2:6, Revelation 2:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Body Building Program Part 3

Contributed by Greg Carr on Nov 26, 2013

A look at why the church in the first century grew.

Last week I gave you a little history lesson on the church and we looked at 2 very important promises. Promise number one is that Jesus is going to build the church. He is the Rock, that the church is built up and secondly we learned that Jesus gave us the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. He has ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus Inspects His Church Series

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 7, 2022

In Rev. 2-3, the SUPERNATURAL GAZE OF JESUS searches our hearts and tests our motives. He inspected the churches - then & now. Jesus saw 3 major problems: false reputations, lukewarm attitudes, and those who'd left their first love.

JESUS INSPECTS HIS CHURCH REV. 2-3 WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT THE FUTURE 4 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: FORGET THE EYE EXAM 1. It had been many years since my last eye exam and my wife was pestering me to make an appointment. The more she nagged, the more I procrastinated. Finally she made an appointment ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God