Sermons on Natural Church Development:

Thyatira: The Politically Correct Church Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Apr 2, 2008

No person or church is insignificant and beyond the correcting power of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 2:18-29 Thyatira: The Politically Correct Church The Setting 18a Thyatira was a small insignificant church in a blue collar town. It was about forty miles southeast of Pergamos. It was noted for its guilds (labor unions) and a strong political and social environment. Their main ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

Philadelphia: The Church Of The Open Door Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Apr 2, 2008

Here was a cutting edge church! They were the original Bb4D church! Is your church a Be Before Doing church?

Revelation 3:7-13 Philadelphia: The Church of the Open Door The Mandate for the City 7a Philadelphia had four directives. First, their mission was to promote Hellenism. Their intent was to advance the culture and civilization of ancient Greece, especially in the period after Alexander the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

Who Cares About Church? Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Apr 8, 2008

Too often we think of salvation only in terms of our "personal salvation." But Jesus not only saves us as individuals, He saves us to be part of His local body. Jesus cares enough about His local churches that He is pictured as walking in our midst. How

1. Jesus is intimately involved in His local church as our mediator 2. Jesus is intimately involved in His local church as our purity 3. Jesus is intimately involved in His local church as our judge 4. Jesus is intimately involved in His local church as our authority I am as excited as I have been ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Church Conflict Part Deux Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Aug 19, 2008

Exposition of Acts 15:6-21 regarding the resolution of the conflict over circumcision, Gentiles, and law-keeping

Text: Acts 15:6-21, Title: Church Conflict Part Deux, Date/Place: NRBC, 8/17/08, AM A. Opening illustration: -66% say their congregation has been in conflict in the past 2 years; 20% called it “significant” or “major.” B. Background to passage: Last time we looked at a good reason to fight and a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:6-21

Denomination: Baptist

A Dynamic Church Makes Disciples Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Aug 19, 2008

God empowers the command to make disciples of Jesus with his Word and Spirit.

Scripture Introduction “Aim first, then shoot,” would seem an obvious method for hitting a target. But when you try to teach sports, you find such simple advice must be often repeated. “Keep your eye on the ball.” “Look where you want to hit.” “Watch the football into your hands.” “Look at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Building A Wall Around The Church

Contributed by Ed Wood on Sep 1, 2008

A message about the church facing opposition from the world.

BUILDING A WALL AROUND THE CHURCH Nehemiah 6:15-16 INTRO: As Nehemiah went about the task of building the wall around Jerusalem he met several types of opposition. The Church faces the same opposition today ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

If You Give The Church A Penny...

Contributed by Beth Garrod-Logsdon on Sep 15, 2008

This stewardship sermon is a play on the children’s book, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." Main idea of the sermon is tithing our TIME.

If You Give the Church a Penny… 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Laura Joffe Numeroff is the author of a beloved pre-school classic entitled, “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.” Now, some of us may be quite familiar with the book, but others may not… So, let me begin this morning by reading this classic to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Complications: The Need For A Meandering Church Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 6, 2008

The church must hold true to the fundamentals of the faith, but she needs to constantly adapt, meander, and reinvent herself.

Complications: The Need for A Meandering Church (Acts 5:12-18) 1. Bernard Goldstein tells this story: One of my pet peeves as a musician in a symphony orchestra is trying to follow the unpredictable beat of famous guest conductors. I didn’t realize how strongly the rest of the musicians felt until ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Church Has Left The Building Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Oct 14, 2007

It’s time to move out!

THE CHURCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING II Timothy 1.8-12 S: Mission – Evangelism Th: His work, His power – in us! Pr: IT’S TIME TO MOVE OUT! ?: With what? KW: Messages Type: Propositional It’s time to move out with the message of… I. FREEDOM (9) II. FRIEND IN NEED (10) III. FAITH (11-12) PA: How is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

"The Church, God's Footstool"

Contributed by Jerry Depoy on Oct 18, 2007

God does not live in a box, and his name is not Jack! The local Church should be likened unto a footstool. An easy five point outline to preach.

Sub Title: "God’s name is not Jack!" Introduction: Although King David had accomplished many things in his life, his greatest desire was to build a Temple in God’s honor. All of the other kings and kingdoms had built great Temples to their gods, it was time, David thought, to build a Temple to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 28:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

What Hinders Church Growth?

Contributed by Bo Dunford on Nov 1, 2007

There is a number of things that hinders the church from growing.

ACTS 2:41-47 “WHAT HINDERS CHURCH GROWTH?” A) Church growth is normal ... Standing still and stagnation is not normal for the church! * The first century church saw believers added daily! * The early church would have kept the adding machines and the computers going to keep up with it’s ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

Children...the Future Of The Church Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Nov 4, 2007

In this message I am speaking to the great need we have in our churches today to reach children. We had 11 people volunteer during the invitation to teach children in our church.

“Children...the Future of our Church” Mark 10:13-16 Children are great aren’t they? I read a story this week of a little boy who had just gotten into bed and was thirsty. The conversation went like this. The little bot called our from upstairs Dad can I have a glass of water please? He says no ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

What Can Kill A Church ?

Contributed by Ervin Kimrey on Dec 27, 2008

Satan’s goal is to kill the church. Sometimes church members help him and don’t even know it. the good news is Jesus promises that if we are faithfull "the gates og hell cannot prevail"

"WHAT CAN KILL A CHURCH" 2 Cor. 2: 4-11 1. In Re 3:1, the church at Sardis was described as a "dead" church... 2. This reveals that churches can die - and they often do... 3. There are at least two ways a church may die... a. It may cease to exist b. It may die inwardly, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Building The Church - Serving The Lord

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 26, 2008

A message of exhortation when it comes to working in the church FOR the Lord.

Building the Church and Serving the Lord Joshua 1:7-9 Introduction Go to the book of Joshua. This morning, we are going to examine some words of encouragement from the Joshua, which was given to him directly from the Lord. I want you to see how it applies to your life in all facets, especially ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:7-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Is ‘church' A Dirty Word?” Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on Jun 16, 2008

“Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16

“Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:17-18) Well … this is week four on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational