Sermons on Firstborn From The Dead:

Zombie Christianity

Contributed by Charles Newman on Mar 16, 2009

A church that is spiritually dead can still hold services, sing hymns, offer prayers, deliver sermons, and do works of ministry – they can go through the motions of “doing church” but they will never be the church without being alive in God’s Holy Spirit!

INTRODUCTION Modern Day Scene: A paramedic arrives on an accident scene with what seems like a lifeless body; no pulse, no breath – CPR begins and instead of taking the body to the morgue, they go to the ER. Jesus has pronounced the church at Sardis as dead. Yet there is hope. A church that is ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Alive In Christ Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Feb 9, 2012

Paul gives the path of how to become alive in Christ. 1- Dead in sin - That’s us. 2- Rich in mercy - That’s God. 3- Alive in Christ - That’s us.

INTRO.- ILL.- After dying in a car crash, three friends go to Heaven for orientation. They are all asked the same question: "When you are in your casket, friends and family are mourning over you, what would you like to hear them say about you?" The first guy immediately responds, "I would ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is The Doctrine Of "Original Sin" Really Scriptural?

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Sep 5, 2002

Many today accept the doctrine of "Original Sin" or "Total Hereditary Depravity" as basic truth; yet, it is not supported by the Bible nor was it taught in the early Church.

The doctrine of "Original Sin" basically states that Adam’s guilt has been passed down to each member of the human race. Thus, we are born condemned sinners. We are separated from God and His grace from birth. We are born spiritually dead. Only the blood of Christ can remove the stain and guilt of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-5, Ezekiel 18:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Brought To Life; Brought Together

Contributed by David Taylor on Sep 3, 2024

Paul continues the theme of God’s initiative in salvation.

We are in our series, Brought to Life; Brought Together, from the New Testament letter Ephesians, looking at chapter two today so if you have your bibles, turn to Ephesians 2:1-7. Paul continues the theme of God’s initiative in salvation. He does by painting a bleak picture of the human ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Answering The Skeptics Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Mar 5, 2016

This sermon outlines five ways in which Christians can present the Gospel message to unbelievers in a God-fearing manner.

ANSWERING THE SKEPTICS So far we have answered some really difficult questions that are often posed by non-believers. First, how can God be just when he allows the innocent to suffer and second, is our faith blind. Today we are going to look at the third difficult question: Question #3: How ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

Denomination: Baptist

Sardis: Confessions Of A Dying Church Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Apr 8, 2013

This is the sixth message in this series that looks at the letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation. This message examines the letter to the church at Sardis and how they were spiritually dead and didn't know it.

As depressing as it might be the opening passage of this letter sounds more like an obituary. The body of believers in Sardis is dead….well almost. Only faint life signs of a faithful remnant remain. For the majority there it was too late, their faith had already flat lined. What begins ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Letter To Sardis Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Nov 17, 2016

The seven spirits of God. Who or what are the seven stars. The commendation, Condemnation, warning, and promise.

I. Introduction A. The city of Sardis was almost due East of Smyrna about 30 miles or so 1. The original city was built on a high mesa a. Three sides of the mesa were virtually straight up b. The fourth side was very steep and rough c. After time the city grew beyond the bounds of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

What Makes You Alive? Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jan 16, 2011

Week two of our health check series, we are looking at the marks of being dead or alive.

Good, you’re sitting down, I have some bad news for you, some of you are dead. Now it’s not as bad as it sounds, it might be reversible, if we catch it in time. The title and theme of our services from now until the middle of February is “Health Check” and our focus will ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Quit Dragging The Corpse

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jul 19, 2020

It is OK to bury the dead. If your church is dead, join with another one and repurpose your building or sell it giving the money to poor, missions or something useful.

Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Churches are failing. Some due to neglect of the pastor and congregation. Some ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Resurrection: The King Is Alive Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Apr 10, 2019

You ask me what is the most important feature or belief of the Christian faith, and I will say without a doubt, it is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Disprove it, and the entire belief system disintegrates.

The Resurrection Mark 16:1-7 The King is Alive John 3:16: “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever will believe in Him will not perish, but have everlasting and eternal life.” 1 Peter 3:18: “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B-- Heal

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 14, 2024

The answer to the “tsunami of secularism” is nothing less than a tsunami of the Spirit.

In the film “Dead Man Walking,” there is a striking moment of contrasting pastoral styles. As the condemned prisoner, Matthew Poncelet, walks to his execution, the prison chaplain, Father Farley, suddenly appears to offer his blessing — a dispassionate ritual performed from a safe distance. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Catholic

Where Did He Go?

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Jul 31, 2021

Much is said about unity of the body of Christ. Here Paul tells how to accomplish this. He also goes into the depth that God will go to unify His Church.

Sermon Title: Where did He go? Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:1-16 Now hear the reading of God’s word. There will be a few stops on our way through our Scripture Text too. Ephesians 4:1-16 NLT Unity in the Body 4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Remember God's Strong Hand (Exodus 12:51-13:16) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 16, 2022

God set up all of Israelite life, so it'd be a constant reminder not simply of God, but of God's power. Why?

Let's start today, by reminding ourselves of where we are in Exodus. At this point, Yahweh has killed the firstborn of every Egyptian-- from human, up to cattle. Pharaoh has released God's people from their servitude. And Yahweh gave favor to the Israelites, so that they could ask for ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:51, Acts 4:23-31, Exodus 13:1-16

All Angels Worship Jesus

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Oct 28, 2013

To show that even the most powerful angel are servant of JESUS.

I. EXORDIUM: Is your founder an angel? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that even the most powerful angel are servant of JESUS. IV. TEXT: Hebrews 1:6 (The Message) 1:6 When he presents his honored Son to the world, he says, "All angels must worship him." V. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Out With The Old, In With The New.

Contributed by Robert Mccracken on Nov 13, 2004

A brief study of Ephesians 4:22-24, how one needs to get rid of their old sinful self, and become a new creation in Christ.

Message: Out with the Old and In with the New. This morning we are going to take a look into a small portion of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. This letter is somewhat different than some of Paul’s other writing. This book has three main themes, the believers position through grace, the truth ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:22-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational