Sermons on Natural Church Development:

Becoming A Church Member

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Oct 6, 2024

Today, we will explore what it truly means to commit to church membership, why it matters, and how it strengthens both our faith and the church itself. Through this journey, we’ll see how membership allows us to grow, serve, and fulfill our calling as followers of Christ.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-2, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Ephesians 4:6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 1:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Who Are These That Persecute The Church

Contributed by Dr. Jwt Spies on Apr 23, 2022

Paul writes a letter to the church in Thessalonians about their problems that they were having, and in his writing he was informing them that judgement was coming.

Paul writes a letter to the church in Thessalonians about their problems that they were having, and in his writing he was informing them that judgement was coming. The purpose of judgment is to rectify injustices. You see the believers at Thessalonica were suffering fierce persecution and all kinds ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 1: Learned From Parables

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 20, 2007

Stewardship is our proper management of time, talent and treasure for the glory of God” –Definition from Developing a Giving Church

A. Luke 19:12-26 Stewardship is our proper management of time, talent and treasure for the glory of God” –Definition from Developing a Giving Church 1. God owns everything. He is the nobleman who owns the money, the servants, the farm, and the increase from the work of the servants. 2. God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Yemptation Of Asceticism

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Sep 14, 2015

This is a Bible Study on some of the different ways the Church can withdraw from a missional focus and develop into a closed group of believers.

THE TEMPTATION TO ASCETICISM MATTHEW 17:1-9 LET’S BEGIN BY A DEFINITION OF WHAT ASCETICISM IS. NOUN 1. THE MANNER OF LIFE, PRACTICES, OR PRINCIPLES OF AN ASCETIC. 2. THE DOCTRINE THAT A PERSON CAN ATTAIN A HIGH SPIRITUAL AND MORAL STATE BY PRACTICING SELF-DENIAL, SELF-MORTIFICATION, AND ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Check Up For The Church - Ministry/Fellowship – The Physiology Of The Local Church

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Oct 1, 2020

If you are a Christian, you are a member of this body and have a specific function to perform.

Human Physiology is the science of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of normal humans, their organs, and the cells of which they are composed. Anatomy and physiology are closely related fields of study. Anatomy is the study of form, and physiology is the study of the function of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When The Church Is On Fire Series

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Aug 5, 2019

What a Spirit-Filled Church looks like

When the Church is on Fire - Acts 4 - 2/12/17 Turn with me this morning to the book of Acts, chapter 4.  Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts - the 5th book of the NT.  If I asked you what an ideal church looked like, what would you say?  We might start thinking about what type of ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church As A Devoted Community Series

Contributed by Galen Hackman on Mar 1, 2003

First in a series of 5 sermons on the Core Characteristics of the Church basoed on Acts 2:42-47. In this sermon we explore what it means to be a devoted community.

The Church as a Devoted Community (Second in the series: The Core Characteristics of the Church) Acts 2:36-47 In Matthew 13 Jesus tells a series of stories (actually, parables) about the nature of the kingdom of heaven. One of them is called the Parable of the Mustard Seed and it goes like ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32, Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Brethren

The Church As A Caring Community Series

Contributed by Galen Hackman on Mar 7, 2003

This is the 3rd in a series based on Acts 2:42-47 looking at the core characteristics of the church. This sermone deals with community.

The Church as a Caring Community Acts 2:45-46 Acts 4:32 – 5:11 (Third in the series “The Core Characteristics of the Church) I have just read the most riveting story in the Book of Acts. The traumatic and sudden death of Ananias and Sapphira has caused both the casual reader of the Bible and the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Brethren

Church Conflict Resolution Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 27, 2004

When God brought the Gentiles in it was a major hurdle for some of the Jewish Christians. How did they deal with the divisive fall out? How can we practice what God taught them?

We really need to review where we’ve been to appreciate where we are in Acts 15. Here it is in a nutshell. Just before he ascended back to heaven, Jesus commissioned the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for power from God to accomplish the witnessing work of bringing the gospel to the whole world. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Waht It Means To Be Church"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jun 2, 2007

The meaning of relationship and community within the church.

Acts 2:42-47 “What It Means to be Church” by: Rev. Ken Sauer Grace United MEthodist Church, 9833 Hixson Pike, Soddy Daisy, TN www.gbgm-umc.org/grace-sdtn Have you ever felt lonely, even when you are surrounded by a large crowd of people? Have you ever moved to a new town or headed off to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: United Methodist

Aspects Of A Vibrant Church

Contributed by Greg Barron on Aug 21, 2007

To illustrate six aspects that should be present in every vibrant church.

Paul and his team had come to Troas when Paul had received a vision at night in which he saw a man from Macedonia pleading with him to come and help them. Immediately they went to Macedonia concluding that the Lord had called them to preach the gospel to them. They went through Philippi where ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Separation Of Church And State

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jul 9, 2014

How does all of this "Separation of Church and State" fit in with what the Bible teaches? Should we as Christians lay aside our beliefs if and when the Lord calls us to serve in the government of our nation? God forbid!

Suppose your nation was fighting a war. And … there were great and talented leaders in charge. Your nation had never lost a war and was a dominant power in the world. However, in this nation public opinion was turning against the war and the elected officials who were worried about their ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 17:18-21

Denomination: Nazarene

The Church: The Salt Of The Earth Series

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Jun 21, 2019

SALT WAS A VERY SPECIAL COMMODITY DURING JESUS' LIFETIME. TO BE COMPARED TO IT MAKES THE CHURCH VERY SPECIAL AS WELL, AND WITH A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.

THE CHURCH: THE SALT OF THE EARTH MATTHEW 5:1-13 TODAY WE COME TO THE END OF A SERIES ON THE SIGNIFICANCE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHURCH. JESUS USED A NUMBER OF SYMBOLS TO DESCRIBE THE CHURCH AND THE LAST ONE WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT IS SALT. SALT IS SOMETHING THAT IS READILY AVAILABLE IN ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Concerning Christ And The Church.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 11, 2023

The whole Psalm.

CONCERNING CHRIST AND THE CHURCH. Psalm 45:1-17. The mysterious word in the title of this Psalm, ‘Shoshannim’, may refer to a six-stringed instrument, or to the scattering of roses or lilies around the nuptial bed: what we might call confetti today. The word ‘Maschil’ may be a musical reference, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Addresses The Churches Series

Contributed by David Welch on Apr 24, 2018

Message 12 from Revelation summarizing Jesus' message to the churches.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ “The Message of Jesus to the Church” INTRODUCTION From the message to the seven churches of revelation… We get a clear picture of Jesus Christ the head of the church walking among us. We get a feel for what Jesus appreciates. We understand what bothers Jesus about ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance