Sermons on Natural Church Development:

The Church

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Jan 28, 2014

A look at the purpose of the church

The Church September 15, 2013 Every sailor could agree on one fact. Had it not been for the captain, they never would have survived. The storm came suddenly, and in a matter of moments hulls were broken, decks were awash, and sailors were floundering. But as quickly as the storm arose, so came ...read more

Scripture: John 17:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Tensions And Conflicts In Churches And Church Organisations – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 14, 2024

Every church at one time has tensions in it, but what causes them and importantly, how can we deal with them? I have chosen a number of problem areas gathered from my experience in churches and we examine them. I hope they are of some help.

DEALING WITH TENSIONS AND CONFLICTS IN CHURCHES AND CHURCH ORGANISATIONS – AS I UNDERSTAND IT OVER 65 YEARS – PART 1 [A]. INTRODUCTION This coverage will apply not only to the church fellowship of believers, but also to any committee, business meeting, or ministry operating in or by a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-3, Galatians 5:16-19, James 4:1-3, 1 Timothy 3:1-8, Titus 1:5-9, Titus 2:3-5, Revelation 18:4, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Church Health, Part 1 Of 3 Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 4, 2006

There has been an incredible emphasis in recent years on church health. Many believe that if a local church is healthy and functioning the way it should, natural growth will be the result. The removal of growth-restricting diseases that often plague the

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: There has been an incredible emphasis in recent years on church health. Many believe that if a local church is healthy and functioning the way it should, natural growth will be the result. The removal of growth-restricting diseases that often plague the body of ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:2-11

God's Gifts To The Church Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 25, 2022

Paul corrects the Corinthians' preoccupation with the gifts and draws them back to God's intent, highlighting the nature, the Giver, the purpose and the diversity of the gifts.

1 Cor 12:1-11 God’s Gifts to the Church When the church comes together, God blesses us with gifts to serve Him. • It is however very easy for us to end up boasting about them as if they are our achievements. • On the flip side, some think that they do not have any gifts and so they sit on the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 1 Peter 4:10-11, Ephesians 4:7-16, Romans 12:6-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Revelation Lesson #4 Series

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Mar 13, 2024

We have seen Jesus is in the midst of all congregations of the ‘church’; body of Christ. Each congregation and all members of the body are represented by the seven candles on the candlestick. Now we will see the remaining three of the ‘seven churches’

A thorough study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show his servants things which must shortly come to pass. (Rev. 1:1) Welcome to our study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ given unto Apostle John. I am Phillip Smith, your host and fellow servant of our Lord and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-22, Hebrews 10:24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Intentional Faith Development - Five Practices 2 Series

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Nov 19, 2009

This sermon is based on the book by Robert Schnase, focusing on the second chapter - Intentional Faith Development.

Philippians 2:1-5 NIV If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Developing And Maintaining Spiritual Disciplines - Part 5 Series

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Nov 5, 2020

Today, I will be speaking on the topic of fellowship...

The Habit of Fellowship - Participating in God's Family Why Don't We fellowship? Fellowship is one of the five purposes for the church, however, there is an obvious failure on many in the body of Christ to fellowship. Why then do we not fellowship? One reason is that the isolation ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Let Your Righteousness Exceed Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 11, 2016

Our righteousness is measured against that of Jesus–who loved us all the way to the cross and challenged us to follow His love.

5th Sunday after Pentecost 2016 A Reading from the first Epistle of St. Peter Beloved: All of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. 9 Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20-25

Denomination: Catholic

Developing And Maintaining Spiritual Disciplines - Part 4 Series

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Nov 5, 2020

Today, I'll be speaking on the topic of giving...

The offering plate has been given a bad rap. If an offering plate could talk I wonder what it would say: * "Did you find that on the floor next to the bubble gum machine!" * "It's going to take hours to count all this change!" Perhaps the offering plate would say, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:29-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Globalization Guided By Charity In Truth Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 23, 2010

Globalization is neither inevitable nor evil,but must be guided by charity in truth

Conversion of St. Paul January 25, 2010 Caritas in Veritate Today’s feast of the Conversion of St. Paul also concludes the week of prayer for Christian Unity. The Scriptures remind us that nothing is impossible for God. The great persecutor of Christians becomes the Apostle to the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:21-22

Denomination: Catholic

Church Health, Part 2 Of 3 Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 4, 2006

Sources; Characteristics of a Healthy Church -- Willow Creek; Ten Characteristics of a Healthy Church Vision -- New England; Characteristics of a Healthy Church -- Sonlife Ministries -- Dann Spader; Eight Essential Qualities of Healthy Churches-- Natural

See Part 1 for Introduction; 5. Empowering Leadership The proof of a good leader is creating another leader, not more followers. Develop servant-leadership by strategically mentoring, teaching and serving the believers. A true leader’s measure of success is when they have succeeded in helping ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:2-11

Be The Church Series

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Aug 5, 2019

Lessons from the church at Antioch

Acts 11b - The Church at Antioch - 4/23/17 Turn with me this morning to Acts chapter 11. We are going to pick up today with where we left off three weeks ago. We took the last two weeks to focus on Palm Sunday and Easter, but today we are back in the book of Acts. Remember that Acts is a ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church’s Mandate Series

Contributed by Billy Noel on Jan 2, 2010

The church’s primary function is to win souls

The Church’s Mandate Matthew 28:16-20 James Stewart says “defective evangelism produces defective Christianity and defective Christianity produces defective churches and defective churches produce defective Christianity and defective Christianity makes for defective evangelism, it’s a vicious ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Christian Church

Be A Church Not Just In A Church

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Dec 11, 2017

Church is the PEOPLE, not the building.

Be A CHURCH Not Just In A Church Colossians 1:18 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:16-19, Ephesians 3:20-21, Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church’s Commitments Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 6, 2011

The church grows when we devote ourselves to living out the truth of God’s Word, to sharing our lives together in genuine fellowship, and to joyful worship.

A few years ago, some wag told his friends he wasn’t going to any more ball games. Why? Well he said… a. Whenever I go to a game, they ask for money. b. The other fans don’t care about me. c. The seats are too hard. d. Coach never visits me. e. The referee makes calls I don’t agree ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Evangelical Free