Sermons on Natural Church Development:

Laodicea - The Lukewarm Church Series

Contributed by Dan Campbell on Feb 24, 2003

Can you imagine your doctor being indifferent about disease? Your feeling sick, so you go to his office. He looks at you, takes you pulse and tells you to pay the nurse on the way out.

THE REVELATION OF JESUS LAODICEA - THE LUKEWARM CHURCH Revelation 3: 14-22 Can you imagine your doctor being indifferent about disease? Your feeling sick, so you go to his office. He looks at you, takes you pulse and tells you to pay the nurse on the way out. Hey! Wait a minute, what’s ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Essential Of An Effective Church

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Sep 19, 2006

Speaks of the urgency & heart of evangelism.

THE ESSENTIALS OF AN EFFECTIVE CHURCH As we read the Scriptures, we often claim the promise of Jesus, that He “will build His church.” Being in a new church, and having invested our lives and our resources in this church for the past few years, and realizing how much Jesus loves His church, many ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Come To Church

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jun 29, 2006

Why to you come to church? What is your purpose for being in the service today? What attitudes are affecting the impact of today’s service in your life?

HOW TO COME TO CHURCH? PSALM 96 Introduction: Why to you come to church? What is your purpose for being in the service today? What attitudes are affecting the impact of today’s service in your life? Some come to church to be entertained, others to fulfill basic social needs. Most come with an ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 96:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Church - The Body Of Christ

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Dec 18, 2009

Compares the church to the Body of Christ

THE CHURCH - THE BODY OF CHRIST 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 SEPTEMBER 21, 2008 One of the most vivid word pictures of the New Testament is the Apostle Paul’s description of the Church as the Body of Christ. The human body is something everyone is familiar with. And it plays such an important role in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Denomination: Holiness

Is "Church” A Dirty Word? Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 19, 2008

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)

I’ve always felt a little guilty over church. I felt guilty when I didn’t attend; felt guilty when I did attend; felt guilty if I didn’t become a member; felt guilty after I became a member; felt guilty when I stayed at a certain church; and felt guilty when I left that church. Then the cycle ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Marks Of A Healthy Church

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on May 20, 2024

Within the necessary unity of the church, there is also beneficial diversity. Such unified diversity seems like a paradox, but in reality, it is a thing of beauty. Healthy churches must strive to promote unity and diversity at the same time.

Marks of a Healthy Church Ephesians 4: 11-16 In the preceding verses of chapter four, Paul has spoken about the unity that is necessary within the body of Christ in order for the church to be effective in daily life and service unto the Lord. Within this necessary unity, there is also beneficial ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Message To The Church In Pergamos Series

Contributed by Larry Grant on Dec 4, 2022

Jesus writes this letter to call the Christians at Pergamos back to the right path. Even today, there is the danger that the Church of Christ might hold the right doctrines, but still drift into compromise with the world around us.

Revelation 2:12-17 A MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH IN PERGOMOS December 4, 2022 The city of Pergamos (also Pergamon or Pergamum) was the capital city of Asia Minor. It was renowned for its political power, its intellectual achievement and its pagan worship. Lady Sharon and I visited the ruins of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Descent Of The West From God: From Theism, Naturalism, To Nihilism And Existentialism

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jul 20, 2022

We see a slide taking place in regard to worldview. For human history some form of religion or deism was the chief worldview

We see a slide taking place in regard to worldview. For human history some form of religion or deism was the chief worldview. Yet over the history of humanity, we see the descent of human worldview, as if one were taking steps down a flight of stairs, from theism, the original underpinnings of ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Salvation Army

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

An Acts 29 Church Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Oct 19, 2011

The church today is called to be an Acts 29 church. This message reveals what is required to continue the ministry and mission of the church in Acts,

INTRODUCTION * WE are Acts 29: we are living in the unfinished chapter of the church’s ministry * Our journey through Acts saw the church’s beginning, success, and some failures * Acts ends with Paul under house arrest and using that house as a base of operation as he shares the Gospel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Beauty In A Ugly Church

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Sep 11, 2007

There is some many problems in the church. You can become discouraged. But if you look into the church, you will see more beauty than ever.

THE BEAUTY IN A UGLY CHURCH TEXT: EPH. 5:26-27 THEME: THERE IS BEAUTY IN AN IMPERFECT CHURCH Sometimes you can see too much of a church. My friend always warned me of this. In ministry you will see the cuts and the blemishes on the church. You will see too much of the people. This was ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Commitment To The Church #4 Series

Contributed by Rule Digal on Apr 2, 2008

Each of us here is needed. Every contribution we extend for the building of the body of Christ is very important.

Series Subject: Commitment to the Church Theme: Serving God Through Giving Pt.1 Text: 2 Cor.8: 1-15 Introduction A. Last Thursday, we have witnessed the strong bond of the believers in this city; they came together in one accord, united to proclaim that Jesus is the Lord and the King of General ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Challenge Of Change: The Church Series

Contributed by Daniel Owens on Jan 8, 2008

The world is changing. The church is changing. Christians need to be careful not to confuse changing methods with God’s eternal, never-changing message. This message contains a significant reference to Bob Russell’s Book, When God Build’s a Church

Intro: Since the beginning of the year, we’ve been examining the challenges of CHANGE: o In our life o Our physical conditions o Our Spiritual levels & issues o Our personal preferences o The political climate o Social interactions o The financial picture o The Weather is changing Everything is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Grow A Church

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 29, 2010

God wants His church to be fruitful. He wants and expects growth, both spiritual growth and numerical growth. If we are to be obedient to our commission from Christ we must grow. Let’s look at what it takes to grow a church.

toHow to Grow a Church Matthew 16:13-19 Introduction: God wants His church to be fruitful. He wants and expects growth, both spiritual growth and numerical growth. But the sad reality is that that according to one survey 81% of America’s churches reported stagnant or declining membership. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

Harmony Of The Early Church Series

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 4, 2015

I would like to thank Pastor Jerry Shirley for sharing this series on Acts. It has been a blessing as well as a great help. I have used these for our church, as I spend my days caring for my dying father.

Harmony of the Early Church Acts 4:32-37 I read about a lady, who called long distance to talk with her friend because she was terribly distraught. She told her friend that her church had become a scene right out of the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s movie. “The deacons are fighting-with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-37

Denomination: Baptist