Sermons on nursery:

What Does A "grownup" Church Look Like? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 26, 2020

Paul tells the church at Ephesus that one of their goals should be to "growup" and no longer be children. But how would they know when they had accomplished that? What are the marks of a mature congregation?

OPEN: My grandson Benjamin (the apple of my eye) is 2 years old, and I know that one day someone is going to ask him this question: “What are you going to be when you …. (grow up)?” As I was doing research for the sermon this morning I found there was huge number of children’s books with this ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Four Myths About The Church

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 4, 2015

I would like to thank Pastor Jerry Shirley for sharing. It has been a blessing as well as a great help as I spend my days caring for my dying father.

“Four Myths about the Church” Math16: 18 The church is THE vehicle that God uses to push back the darkness and change our world. I think we need a reminder, today, that there was a group of men and women who have gone before us, here at EBC, who boldly proclaimed the gospel of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Baptist

Where Sin Abounded, Grace Abounded Much More

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Sep 17, 2021

Here we are told that sin entered into the world when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God's commandment. So, when they sinned, they caused a change in this world that affects every one of their descendants, including you and me.

Alba 9-12-2021 Where Sin Abounded, Grace Abounded Much More Romans 5:12-21 Jeff Strite tells the story how in the 14th century, in the land we now call Belgium, there was a duke by the name of Raynald III. Raynald was grossly overweight, and was commonly called by his Latin nickname, Crassus, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unwrapping God's Gifts Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 29, 2022

If you aren’t actively seeking out or using your gifts to build up the body of Christ, why not? It’s why you were made.

I love bumper-sticker theology. And one of my favorites is, “Life is hard try reading the instructions.” Those of you who have assembled toys or furniture may have discovered this principle the hard way. I’ve neglected to count the parts. I’ve put things together upside down and backwards. When I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What In The World Are We Going To Do?

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Aug 30, 2015

A challenge to our church (a military church) to step up to the plate to serve God after a difficult "PCS move" (Permanent Change of Station). Can be adapted used as a challenge to any church to motivate people to serve.

What in the World Are We Going to Do? Chuck Sligh August 30, 2015 TEXT: Please turn to Isaiah 26 INTRODUCTION A year ago we had just elected 5 deacons; volunteers were plentiful; and there was no shortage of people saying, “Here am I Lord, use me.” This year, in April and May we lost ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:4

Denomination: Baptist

Can I Tell You Why I Am Thankful?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Nov 19, 2021

An elderly couple was sad because they hardly ever saw their children.

A couple of days before Thanksgiving the husband called his son in New York and said to him, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; 45 years of misery is enough. We’re sick of each other, and so you call your sister in Chicago and tell ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

From A Bad Start To A Fresh Start

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jul 13, 2012

God provides a way out and a way back but it is not without a price. God requires that we confess our sins and then go further - to repent of our sins to turn away from them and not return to them then we have demonstrated true repentance.

From A Bad Start to a Fresh Start Genesis Chapters 4 to 9 Scripture Reading - 2 Peter Chapter 3 Have you ever tried to make something wonderful and it turned out all wrong? Maybe it was a special cake for a special occasion that went flat when someone slammed a door and the cake deflated. ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Vine Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 4, 2010

TO LIVE A DISICPLED LIFE IS TO LEARN THE TRUTH OF THE VINE--YIELD IS EVERYTHING.

Vine John 15:1-8 INTRODUCTION Kudzu was introduced to the United States in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Countries were invited to build exhibits to celebrate the 100th birthday of the U.S. The Japanese government constructed a beautiful garden filled with ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Crib Is Clean And The Church Is Empty Series

Contributed by Dallas Mcgill on Jun 1, 2002

Every Church can have growth by observing the characteristics of the ox found in this text.

Subject: The Church Theme: Church Growth and Stewardship Preposition: Every church can have church growth. Transitional Sentence: By observing the characteristics of the ox set forth in this text. Proverbs 14:4 “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:4

Denomination: Baptist

Serving God Through The Ministry Of Hospitality

Contributed by Richard Pfeil on May 23, 2005

Part of an ongong series that offers ways for people to be involved in hands-on ministry with this message focusing on the ministry of usher and greeter.

April 24, 2005 Pastor: Richard Pfeil Serving God through the Ministry of Hospitality Ephesians 2:12-14, Matthew 25:34-35, Mark 9:37 If you are a visitor, I’m Pastor Richard, and this morning we are focusing on, as we have the last three weeks, on ministry that can make a difference in our world. I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Mary And The Little Lamb

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 16, 2004

Mary’s HUMILITY, PURITY, AVAILABILITY. Jesus was a SUBSTITUTIONARY, SUPERNATURAL, SPECIAL, SACRIFICIAL, and SPECIAL LAMB, and He SHOULD be a SOUGHT Lamb. Powerpoint at website.

Mary and the Little Lamb Luke 1:26-38; John 1:29 Formatted text, audio/video, and PowerPoint are at: http://www.gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LittleLamb.html I suppose one the most familiar nursery rhymes is the poem, Mary had a Little Lamb. The lamb in the nursery rhyme was pure and sweet. Surely, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming A Caring Family

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 27, 2015

How the church c an be a caring family

"Becoming a Caring Family" Text: Acts 2:42-47 A. Introduction: The early church B. God made us to relate to one another 1. Relating is our greatest need 2. We are commanded to love ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist

We Don’t Deserve - And So We Serve Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 26, 2010

Sunday Morning Church is only a pre-game warmup for "real worship". Find out what real worship is all about and why it’s important we not think about it the same way the world does.

OPEN: A Sunday School teacher was teaching her children the benefits of unselfishness. She concluded by saying’ "The reason you are in this world, children, is to help others." After a moment’s silence, a little girl piped up "Well, then, what are the OTHERS here for?" As I studied Romans 12 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Serve One Another Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 10, 2002

one of a series on Building Community

Building Community - Serve One Another "A community is a group of people who matter to you, and to whom you matter." I grew up in a community where everyone knew everyone else’s business and no one thought a thing of it - because we cared about each other. I grew up on Cherry Street in a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:3-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Simon Says

Contributed by Dean Meadows on Apr 8, 2022

This is a sermon that deals with how close someone can come to accepting Christ but still be lost.

Simon Says! I assume everyone here at one time or another has played the game Simons say. One person calls out the commands but unless you add the phrase, “Simon Says” to it, you are not to do it. It was the jumping on one foot that always got me. My grandbabies love to play it with me. Today we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-25

Denomination: *other