Sermons on Natural Church Development:

16. The Kingdom Parables – The Fourth – The Leaven – Part 3 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 8, 2025

We look into the church at Thyatira in more detail to see how wicked it really was. That church parallels the Parable of the Leaven. It also represents the period of Church History with the development of the Roman Catholic Church that grew out of the Pergamum church.

16. THE KINGDOM PARABLES – THE FOURTH – THE LEAVEN – Part 3 NOW WHERE IS THIS PARABLE LEADING US? We have seen in the first three parables of the kingdom that each parable associates itself with one of the churches of Asia Minor to whom John wrote, and also, that each parable associates with ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-19, Matthew 13:33, Revelation 2:20-22, Revelation 2:23, Revelation 20:13, Romans 2:5-6, Revelation 2:24, Revelation 2:25, Genesis 12:2-3, Revelation 2:26-29, Revelation 20:2-3, Hebrews 10:12-14, Jeremiah 44:17-25, Jeremiah 7:18, Matthew 23:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Credible Christian Church Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Dec 3, 2002

The Credible Christian church will be characterised by unity, humility, gentleness, patience and peace. Our primary task is to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth and our success will depend on our credibility.

If you were here 2 weeks ago you may remember that I posed the question, ’What is the church here for?’ That might sound like a straightforward question at first, but I think you’ll find if you ask a range of people what they think the Church should be doing, you’ll get a range of answers. Now ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Anglican

Who Needs The Church?

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jul 4, 2001

For anyone who wants to know God, the church is essential.

Let’s imagine it’s sometime this afternoon. You’re at home, working in the front yard, and you see a moving van stop a couple of houses down the street. Two men get out of the truck and start unloading furniture. Then you see a minivan pull up to the curb, and a family gets out. You want to be a ...read more

Scripture: John 15:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Church At Work With The Spirit Series

Contributed by Tom Mccrossan on Mar 1, 2005

In the healing of the lame man at the Temple gate, we see a model of how Christians can work with the Spirit to touch and transform lives.

The Church at Work with the Spirit Acts 3:1-26 A. A Miracle of Healing Some weeks – maybe up to 3 months – after Pentecost, Peter and John go up to the Temple for the 3 PM prayer time, and encounter a man born lame. Apparently his feet and ankles were twisted and deformed and he couldn’t walk ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Pergamos: The Church Of The Undecided Series

Contributed by David Jenkins on Oct 21, 2004

Pergamos: The church of the undecided

Pergamos: The Church of The Undecided Revelation 2:12-17, “"Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum. This is the message from the one who has a sharp two-edged sword: "I know that you live in the city where that great throne of Satan is located, and yet you have remained loyal to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Go To Church?

Contributed by Richard Horn on Jun 13, 2010

Teaching on Hebrews 10:22-25 and the reasons we should attend church services.

June, 13, 2010 Why go to church? SERMON: Late night television brought us something that is a mainstay in our lives - the tongue in cheek top 10 list. So here is my version of the top 10 reasons to go to church: Ø 10 - They serve a quality grape juice for communion Ø 9 - They sing the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:22-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ekklesia - What Is The Church? Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Nov 17, 2013

Understanding the New Testament church and it purpose.

Note: The introduction notes come from Andy Stanley's book "Deep & Wide". Great book. Title: The Ekklesia Theme: To understand what the true meaning of the church is. Text: Matthew 16:13 - 19 Offering: 1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Church Of God

Why Bother With Church? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

The church is more important that you think.

The Barna Group reports that about 10 million self-proclaimed born-again Christians have not been in church the last six months. Nearly all of these 10 million people say their faith is important to them, but their spiritual life has nothing to do with church. Bono, lead singer for the rock group ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Is The Body Of Christ Series

Contributed by Ron Bridgewater on Oct 29, 2025

Week #2 in our series At the Core

They say that strengthening your core… that is your stomach muscles, your pelvic muscles, your back muscles can lead to a lot of incredible benefits. Improved Posture and Reduced Back Pain, Enhanced Balance and Stability, Improved Coordination and Agility, Reduced Risk of Falls, Enhanced Breathing ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Some Aspects Of The Church From Its Beginning - The Church’s Construction - Part 6 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 11, 2023

A great imagery is that of the Church being a Building, a spiritual house for God. The most vital part of the construction is the CORNERSTONE. We look at Christ the Cornerstone and the laying of the foundation of the Church. We are the continuing living stones.

SOME ASPECTS OF THE CHURCH FROM ITS BEGINNING - THE CHURCH’S CONSTRUCTION - PART 6 THE CHURCH’S CONSTRUCTION The Church is entirely a New Testament concept though as we saw, it is seen typically in the Old Testament. In this section I want to look at the formation of the Church, and its ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:11, Psalm 118:22-24, 1 Peter 2:6-8, Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:4-8, Psalm 18:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Marks Of A Healthy Church

Contributed by David Gauthier on Jun 22, 2001

Four marks of a healthy church, as seen reflected in the lives of the believers soon after Pentecost.

What if somebody asked you, “Are you Pentecostal?” “Do you mean do I belong to the Pentecostal Church?” No… I mean, are you Pentecostal?” “Are you asking if I am charismatic?” No… I mean, are you Pentecostal?” “Do you want to know if I speak in tongues?” No… I mean, are you Pentecostal?” In ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith And Church In Praxis

Contributed by Duke Jeffries on Oct 18, 2000

A. INTRODUCTION 1.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Our study this morning moves into the third and final major section of this wonderful epistle. 2. We have been studying Romans for twenty weeks now. If you remember, Paul began his letter to the Christians there with a blistering indictment of mankind before the face of the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Why Be Part Of The Church Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jul 18, 2007

21st in a series from Ephesians. Being part of the church is about far more than meeting my own needs and desires.

This week I came across an interesting website called Churchshoppers.com. Here is what that site claims they can do for you: Finding the right home church is one of the most important decisions you will make for you and your family. Your place of worship needs to inspire, encourage and challenge ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Prayer For The Church Family Series

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Apr 2, 2007

This prayer serves as a model for us in prayer, both in praying for ourselves and praying for others in the family of God. This three phase prayer builds, each phase upon the previous, culminating in a request that God’s ultimate goal be reached in us.

A Prayer For The Church Family Ephesians 3:14-19 One of the best ways to discover a Christian’s chief anxieties and ambitions is to study the content of their prayers and the intensity with which they pray them. We all pray about what concerns us and we are evidently not concerned about matters we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Church And Young People

Contributed by Wade Allen on Apr 9, 2007

Sermon preached at the Peebles Church of Christ based on a church-wide survey taken of young people and older people.

It was a total disaster. The contractor could not believe what had just happened. He sat in stunned silence gazing over the blueprints of the construction site. All he could think about was the money invested and lost; the time and effort that had been put into the project. And now… everything ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ