Sermons on Natural Church Development:

The Christian In The Church

Contributed by Ian Lyall on Sep 27, 2006

All Christians are called into God’s Church. And all are given gifts that they may play their part in the life and ministry in the Church. Each person’s gifting needs recognition, not least by church leadership

In that passage from Ephesians chapter four that we heard, Paul begins by saying that he wants his Christian readers to live lives that are worthy of the calling they have received; lives which are ’worthy’ in the sense of being worth-while and of refelcting that calling- that their calling by God ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Suffering Church Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Sep 29, 2006

The church was suffering, but Jesus was with them.

INTRODUCTION  SLIDE #1  What would you do if not too long after you became a Christian, bad things started happening to you?  What would you do if when you became a Christian, people started persecuting you, you lost your job, you lost all of your possessions, and people ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The First Church

Contributed by Lee Henry on Jul 31, 2006

The first church as described in Acts 2:42 and following is held up as an example for the church today to emulate.

The First Church Acts 2:42-47 It is the expressed goal of those of us in the restoration movement to restore the church as it was in the first century. In terms of doctrine I feel we have, for the most part, reached that goal. But have we restored the spirit of the first century church? ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Fellowship Of The Church Series

Contributed by Kerry Bauman on Aug 25, 2006

This message looks at how we obtain, lose, restore and sustain fellowship in the body of Christ

Preaching Series: The Tie That Binds The Fellowship of the Church Text: 1 John 1:1-10 Introduction: In 1773, the young pastor of a poor church in Wainsgate, England, was called to a large and influential church in London. John Fawcett was a powerful preacher and writer, and these skills had ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Persecution Of The Church Series

Contributed by Kerry Bauman on Aug 25, 2006

Persecution is inevitable. Don’t be surprised, silenced or side-tracked by it.

Preaching Series: The Tie That Binds Persecution and the Church Text: John 15:17-16:4 Introduction: A trio of old veterans were bragging about the heroic exploits of their ancestors one afternoon down at the VFW Hall. "My great-grandfather at age 13," one declared proudly, "was a drummer boy at ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Dying Church Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Oct 19, 2006

The church was dying and did not even know it.

INTRODUCTION  SLIDE #1  The greatest criticism of the Church today is that no one wants to persecute it: because there is nothing very much to persecute it about. -- George F. MacLeod, Leadership, Vol. 2, no. 4.  This statement could be the story of the church that we are ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Are The Church Series

Contributed by Bill Lyle on Oct 23, 2006

A Study in First Peter

I. The shift seems sudden, but the theme is the same. vss. 4-5 A. A shift from infants to stones vss. 2-3 verses vs. 4 The image changes but the theme is the same B. Notice the language: 1. Living stones vs. 4 (Christ) This is a paradox – stones have no life Adding the word living to this is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Foolish Church Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Nov 2, 2006

This church could not see itself as it really was.

INTRODUCTION  SLIDE #1  A young woman went to her preacher and said, "Preacher, I have a besetting sin, and I want your help. I come to church on Sunday and can’t help thinking I’m the prettiest girl in the congregation. I know I ought not think that, but I can’t help it. I want ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lost Church.

Contributed by Anthony Smith on Nov 7, 2006

In todays world we see many, Members, Clergy and Ministers, who have lost their first love and have gone after strange spirits. Many have lied, manipulated and deceived their congregations and each other.

The Lost Church. In the Times of the End. In todays world we see many, Members, Clergy and Ministers, who have lost their first love and have gone after strange spirits. Many have lied, manipulated and deceived their congregations ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:15-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Joseph Church

Contributed by Bill Burnett on Nov 8, 2006

An Old Testament paralell to what the church should look like

SEVEN MARKS OF A JOSEPH CHURCH Life of Joseph – Parallel to the church 1. A church that has grasped it prophetic destiny – Gen 37:5,7,10 2. A church that has successfully passed spiritual testings – Gen 50:20/ Ps 107:17-19 3- A church that has become a spiritual storehouse – Gen 41:56 4- A ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

A Recipe For The Church

Contributed by Ron Murphy on Nov 9, 2006

This is a communion message, which included an object lesson of the importance of all the elements of a cake recipe. I actually mixed a cake as the message was delivered.

Introduction I. This morning we are going to celebrate “communion” II. Communion; my dictionary gives these definitions for the word, A. The sharing of intimate thoughts and feelings. B. The service of Christian worship at which bead and wine are consecrated and share, the Eucharist C. An ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Methodist

Power For The Church Series

Contributed by Ron Murphy on Nov 9, 2006

Power For the Church is found in depth of relationship with Christ.

Introduction I. Our foundational verse this morning is Ephesians 3, verse 16 - 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; II. The letter to the Ephesians, and in particular Chapter 3 is speaking of the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Methodist

State Of The Church

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on Apr 26, 2002

This message looks at the four pillars of a growing Church; evangelism, outreach, worship, and fellowship.

State of the Church Dear friends, It has been one year since we gathered for worship in the Auditorium of the Warren local high school on a cool Sunday morning. That Sunday morning just a year ago, many in this community prophesied doom for the new church starting in the High School. I heard, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18, 1 Corinthians 3:6

Denomination: Methodist

To The Church Of Sardis Series

Contributed by Johnny Small on May 17, 2002

How does the Church in Sardis compare to our Church. 5th in series of the Seven Churches of Revelation.

To the Church of Sardis In this series on the Seven Churches of Revelation, we have examined the Church in Ephesus, the Church in Smyrna the Church in Pergamum and the Church in Thyatira. Today we will look at the Church in Sardis and not only how our Church compares to it, but also how we as ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6, Romans 10:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

To The Church Of Philadelphia Series

Contributed by Johnny Small on May 22, 2002

How does the church of Philadelphia compare to our church? 6th in the series of the Seven Churches of Revelation.

To the Church of Philadelphia In this series on the Seven Churches of Revelation, we have examined the Churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira and Sardis. Today we will examine the Church of Philadelphia and not only how our church compares to it, but also how we as individual Christians ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist