Sermons on Leaving Church:

Christian Compassion Risks Others' Criticism

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 10, 2009

To be an effective and compassionate church, we must risk the criticism of those who would like us to do church within our old confines. But not to take risks may cause our best to leave us. This is a time to work for peace, family life, community.

“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun; and makes gaps even two can pass abreast.” "Something there is that doesn’t love a wall …” So speaks the poet Robert Frost, reflecting on the ravages of a New ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"The Burning Church"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Oct 3, 2010

The church needs to burn again. An Easter sermon

And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Orthodox

"The Burning Church"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Aug 26, 2010

The burning needs to be rekindled in our hearts and in the church; the burning that comes from the preaching and hearing of the Word of God.

And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Orthodox

Handling Church Issues

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 17, 2020

A study in the book of 1 Corinthians 1: 1 – 9

1 Corinthians 1: 1 – 9 Handling church issues Greeting 1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:9

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

(7) The Church At Pergamos

Contributed by John Lowe on Dec 28, 2016

Worldliness has swept into the church. There are some who still hold to the truth of separation, but the majority are content, like Lot to seek the best of both this world and the one to come.

By: Tom Lowe Date: 5-12-2015 Lesson 7: The Church at Pergamos (Revelation 2:12-17) Revelation 2:12-17 (NIV) 12 “To ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Church The Way It Ought To Be

Contributed by Tony Miano on Dec 8, 2000

From the moment this church came to be, the people were fired up. They were exhibiting the critical characteristics of a healthy church. They were doing church the way Christ intended it to be done. The church was alive.

Church The Way It Ought To Be Acts 2:42-47 Preached By Pastor Tony Miano Pico Canyon Community Church October 22, 2000 Grand Opening Service Introduction: This truly is a day for celebration. Those of us who make up the Pico Canyon team has been looking forward to this day for two years. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: *other

A Church With An Open Door Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 31, 2014

We’re all so different. We come from different backgrounds, different convictions. But when we all love each other and open arms to all kinds of people, that’s when the beauty of unity is seen. And God wants that here.

INTRODUCTION Open your Bibles to Romans 15. I am preaching through the book of Romans verse after verse. We are actually coming down to the last two chapters. Paul is trying to get very practical as he speaks to the church there in Rome. And you’ve got to remember, there are all different ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Of The Living Dead Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 10, 2018

Revelation 3:1-6 shows us the distinction between a faith devoid of works, and a daily, living, dynamic relationship with Christ,

Once again, approximately 34 million Canadians have lost an hour of sleep in the service of the grand national experiment called Daylight saving time. First introduced to Canada 100 years ago as a way to save coal, the project is now an annual eight-month ritual tolerated purely due to the belief ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Other

A Church Without Walls

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 29, 2021

A study of the first congregation of the Lord provides us with the example of a church without walls. The members did gather for worship, but they were compelled to penetrate their world to tell others of Jesus. We must do the same in this day.

“There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Losing God In The Church

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 22, 2021

We Christians must not allow ourselves to begin to worship our worship. We must always ensure that we worship the Risen Saviour, the True and Living God.

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Pastor Is The Church's Theologian

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2015

Pastor's are responsible to prepare themselves to present theology, making it a joy to the flock.

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Character Of A Healthy Church Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 23, 2021

The distinguishing marks of a Healthy Church regarding 1) Older Men (Titus 2:2), 2) Older Women (Titus 2:3–4a), 3) Young Women (Titus 2:4b–5), and 4) Young Men (Titus 2:6–8).

Titus 2:1-8. But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-8

Denomination: Other

Pursuing The Call Part 9 If You Want To Leave An Impact On People Series

Contributed by Thomas Bartlett on Oct 26, 2019

Now, you might be thinking wow that’s great he’s a super Christian, I could never do that. NOT TRUE. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things! YOU CAN MAKE AN IMPACT!

ACTS Pursuing The Call Dr. Tom Bartlett September 1, 2019 Acts 20:1-17a OUTLINE If You Want To Leave An Impact On People ENCOURAGE THEM After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. When he had gone through those ...read more

Denomination: Other

When God Calls Us To Leave The Safety Of Our Comfort Zone

Contributed by Jose Wallace on Dec 4, 2013

Luke 5:4-6 1. Simon and his comfort zone 2. Fear barrier 3. Prayer with someone else 4. Detach and accept the calling Conclusion – Acceptance of the unknown-through faith in Christ

Introduction: (Read Luke 5:4-6) In 2005, I was deployed to Taji, Iraq. I was a platoon sergeant at that time, and we had only been in theater roughly two weeks. Our arrival led the insurgency to be hot and heavy during those early weeks. Insurgents knew that we had not yet fully set up our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:4-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

True Faith Series

Contributed by Ron Murphy on Jun 18, 2007

Churches fight over worship. Members leave over worship. But what is true worship, worship that is acceptable to God?

Introduction I. Worship A. Church talk about it B. Churches fight about it C. Churches sometimes even split over it. II. When it comes to the issue of worship A. I have heard people say, “I go to that church because of their incredible worship.” B. I have heard people say, “I stopped ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11

Denomination: Methodist