Sermons on Natural Church Development:

Changing Church

Contributed by Charles Jones on Nov 27, 2010

This message deals with the fear of stepping out of our traditions and moving freely with the Holy Spirit.

"Changing Church" - Luke 5:35-39 by Bishop Charles Jones In his book entitled changing church author c peter wagner states that there is a whole generation of believers in this second apostolic age who are not nearly as interested in the fine points and details of theology as past generations ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:35-39

Denomination: Pentecostal

We The Church Series

Contributed by Tom Owen on Dec 7, 2010

Learning how to be the church in today's world through learning from the book of Acts.

[Basket experiment: slips of paper, Describe yourself, good and bad, no names.] Basically, [2] this is our church. Who we are as people is who we are as a church. The church isn’t just a name or a building or even a worship service. The church is God’s people together trying to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:40-47

Denomination: Baptist

A Church With Favor Series

Contributed by Tom Owen on Dec 7, 2010

Learning how to be the church in today's world through learning from the book of Acts.

[Computer comparisons – slow vs. fast.] You know churches can be a lot like those two computers. Some churches can be so cluttered with stuff and so outdated that they don’t operate efficiently. They’re more frustrating than joyful. They take so much effort to do what ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:40-47

Denomination: Baptist

Beginning With The Church

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 11, 2010

God is angry with sin and indifference. The church cannot afford to reralize that God will bring us to account for how we live before a lost world.

Beginning with the Church Ezekiel 9:1-11 Introduction: In Jerusalem, the Temple was to be a sanctuary, a place that was to be set apart, consecrated, dedicated and purified. It was to be a place that radiated the presence of God to Israel and would send ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 9:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

"Hospital Or Church"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Sep 2, 2011

Jesus said that it is the sinners who need a doctor. This lesson will help you to see how you can turn your church into a hopital and serve the needy.

I am sure you have heard people say: “If I walked in that church the walls would fall down”, “The church has a bunch of hypocrites”, “All they want is my money” and on and on. You see, we have a false view of what church is. Mark 2:16,17 “When the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:16-17

The Comfortable Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Sep 3, 2011

The church at Sardis had become arrogant and thus comfortable with their ’church.’ The result was compacency, apathy, and death. This should be a warning for churches today.

The Comfortable Church Revelation 3:1-6 * Having read about this church and preached this text many times, I have labored over the proper name for this church. Terms like dead, decaying, or dying, as well as confused, contented, or cozy, were tops on my list. However, comfortable is the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Miracles In The Church? Series

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Sep 5, 2011

Prayer is a commitment to the will of God...and all true prayer shows the depth of it's faith by patiently waiting to see what He has determined to do. The unqualified statement that the prayer of faith will save the sick stands right alongside the many o

MIRACLES IN THE CHURCH? JAMES 5:14 Read James 5: 13 16 We've been talking a great deal lately about miracles. We've begun to see God work in some pretty awesome ways...in church and also in homes and other places as well. But I don't think we've really grasped the reality of God's power...and ...read more

Scripture: James 5:14

The Consistent Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Sep 22, 2011

The church at Philadelphia is the church "I" would probably want to join. It is the church who received from the Lord, a word of observation, affirmation, and even commendation - but NO WORD of CONDEMNATION.

The Consistent Church Revelation 3:7-13 * Of all the churches which Jesus wrote to in the Revelation, the sixth church is the most consistent in the fulfillment of ministry & mission. This is the church that I would have wanted to be a member of. It is this church that our Lord gives no word of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Complacent Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Sep 25, 2011

The Church at Laodicea is a church termed "Lukewarm" by our Lord - and obviously shows the signs of "Complacency". Many a congregation have fallen into this trap.

The Complacent Church Revelation 3:14-19 * The story is told of a preacher going to his deacon chairman and asking, “Do you think the problems we face in the church is tied to ignorance & apathy?” After a moment the man replied, “I don’t know & I don’t care.” * Today we look at the church in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-19

Denomination: Baptist

A Comfortable Church Series

Contributed by Allen James on Sep 29, 2011

Part 5 of 7 in our summer series exploring the letters to the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3. Today's message examines the letter to the Church at Sardis.

INTRODUCTION: Churches today are filled with people of all ages who assume the church exists primarily to HELP them. Consequently, most churches are concerned only with those who attend being “OKAY”. I. Christ’s CONNECTION with the Comfortable Church (v 1a) II. The CHARACTER ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Unified Church

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Apr 14, 2009

Tonight I want us to see what Jesus prayed for you and me on that night before the cross.

The Unified Church Wed. Night April 8th 2009 JOHN 17:20-26 Introduction A billboard shows a little girl sitting on her daddy’s shoulders waving an American flag … and the caption says ... WHAT MAKES US GREAT … “Unity, pass it on!” Since 9/11 - “United We Stand” has been the theme – we want to ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Praying Church Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 21, 2009

The church did not pray for the easing of persecution, but for greater courage and more miracles. They recognizes God’s sovereignty and pray for God’s will to be fulfilled.

CONTEXT • Peter and John healed a crippled beggar in Chapter 3. It drawn the attention of the crowd. • Peter took the opportunity to preach Jesus and forgiveness of sin in Jesus’ Name. At least 5000 men were saved (4:4). • The priests and religious leaders were not happy that they were preaching ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Harvesting Church

Contributed by Tim Hbc on Apr 30, 2009

The type of Church the Spirit forms. A Church that harvests the nations.

Two stories... A young boy is at church with his mother. He is a good little boy, quiet & well behaved. He doesn’t cause any problems. But sometimes he stands up in the pew, turns around, and looks at the people behind him. He smiles a great big smile at them. His smile is infectious. Soon ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

A Backslidden Church Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Nov 5, 2007

A look at one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation.

“A Backslidden Church” Introduction: Several years ago a couple was on vacation in Florida and they were floating in the ocean on inflatable rafts. The husband decided to head into the shore but his wife wanted to stay out on the raft and continue to catch some rays. After a short time the woman ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Future Of The Church Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Jul 12, 2007

Examining the church’s future from both the theological and practical aspect

The question to ask: "What is going to happen to the church in the future?" The answer is two-sided: there is a theological answer and a practical answer The Theological Side: 1. There will never be a time when the church does not exist (Matt. 16:18). 2. There will be times when the church ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Baptist