Sermons on Growing The 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

A Biblical Church Series

Contributed by John Mann on Feb 12, 2009

To be a biblical church we have to stop making excuses for not serving and just get involved.

FOCAL POINT: A BIBLICAL CHURCH ME: It has been about 10 years ago since I took a speech class in college. At that point in time, I really hated standing up in front of people and talking about anything. In fact, I even skipped class once so I did not have to give a speech. I never would have ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-13

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Praying Church

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 19, 2009

Jesus called the temple a "House of Prayer". Is the church a house of prayer today? Do we believe prayer is still powerful? Nothing is more powerful than a church that prays together.

“A Praying Church” Acts 4:23-31 May 17, 2009 Today I would like to share with you about what is probably the most important activity of each Christian and the church as whole, prayer. I know for a fact that some Christians only pray at meal times and it’s often a repetitive, shallow one. Maybe ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

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

The Path Of The Church

Contributed by Jerry Stepp on Nov 24, 2008

Simple directions to follow to keep the local body of the church Strong

The Path of the Church Acts 2:41-47 * Vv 42 - continued steadfastly: means not to leave or never forsake: forsake what? 1- The doctrine: teaching the principles of the religion 2- Fellowship: a group of people w/ the same interests 3- Breaking of bread: to come apart by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Faking It For The Church

Contributed by Mark Jones on Jan 8, 2009

There is a fear of standing before God almighty and hearing him say, almost you were a child of God. I am sorry,but I was never fooled.

Fakes in the church!! Matt. 10:1-4 OPEN: One night a woman dreamed that she was having a conversation with God. She was angry about all the suffering and evil she saw around her, so she complained to the Lord. “God, why don’t You do something about all this?” God gently replied: “I did. I created ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

A Church For Today

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

This message calls the church, collectively and individually, to be "up to date" in their mission of reaching people.

“A Church for Today” 1 Corinthians 9:19-24 * Among the church culture in America it has become common to identify local churches with some troubling terms; “Contemporary or Traditional.” Why do I say these terms are troubling? Because the meaning of these words in this context has little to do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

Church And Eucharist Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 10, 2009

the Church is able to celebrate and worship the mystery of Christ in the Eucharist “precisely because Christ first gave himself to her in the sacrifice of the Cross.

January 12, 2008 Sacramentum Caritatis Through His Divine Son, the Father created the world. Through the same Son, He also recreated the world, once Jesus had been made–in the words of the letter to the Hebrews–perfect (complete) through suffering. “The Fathers of the Church often meditated on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Catholic

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

The Emerging Church

Contributed by Jerry Falwell on Sep 15, 2009

Principles you will find in the emerging church.

THE EMERGENT CHURCH by Jerry Falwell Five years ago the phrase, “The Emergent Church” was a generic term to describe any innovations, cutting edge technology, or new methods that were being used by new churches to do ministry. However, the generic term emergent church has taken on a technical ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9

Denomination: Baptist