Sermons on Playing Church:

Why Church?

Contributed by Kyle Gray on May 20, 2009

How God can use the local church to change the world.

100 million in U.S. don’t go to church at all. 2050 – 10% will attend! My grandkids generation… Instead of spending our time on what the church has become, let’s look at what it’s supposed to be. What it was designed to be. The early Christian church was heavily persecuted, but they stuck ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Corrupt Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 23, 2009

Thyatira is a corrupt church. They do many great works, but God does not even address them as His children. It’s still here today and is key to the end of the world. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Thyatira: The Corrupt Church Rev. 2:18-29 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Corrupt.html [map] In the 1700’s there lived a mighty evangelist that was greatly used of God to shake this country…his name was George Whitfield. Years before, at the age of 16, he came under ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

Crippled Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 13, 2009

Sardis is the dying or dead church. It could be our church. The problem and the prescription to fix it and make it once again the Lord’s Church. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Sardis: The Crippled Church Rev. 3:1-6 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Sardis.html Take your next vacation in London, and you could visit the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The tour guide would tell you that this is the place that the great Charles Haddon Spurgeon used to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Praying Church

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 19, 2009

Jesus called the temple a "House of Prayer". Is the church a house of prayer today? Do we believe prayer is still powerful? Nothing is more powerful than a church that prays together.

“A Praying Church” Acts 4:23-31 May 17, 2009 Today I would like to share with you about what is probably the most important activity of each Christian and the church as whole, prayer. I know for a fact that some Christians only pray at meal times and it’s often a repetitive, shallow one. Maybe ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Commended Church

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 26, 2009

Of all 7 churches of Asia Minor, here’s the one we want to emulate -- Philadelphia: 1. Highly commended 2. Deeply challenged 3. Greatly compensated - Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL PHILADELPHIA, the Commended Church Revelation 3:7-13   http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Philadelphia.html Yazoo, MS…in the 1930’s…the Great Depression.  People didn’t have extra money / children especially had no extra money for candy / people would go to general store and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Empowered Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 1, 2010

Sufficient truth had already been revealed to Zechariah to encourage him & to enable him to encourage others. Zechariah though kept inquiring until God reveals that His Spirit will be poured forth through God's two anointed ones so that God's light shine

ZECHARIAH 4: 11-14 THE CHURCH EMPOWERED [Revelation 11:3-7-13] Sufficient truth had already been revealed to Zechariah to encourage him and to enable him to encourage others in the good work of building the Temple (which the remnant was by that time working on again, Haggai 1:14) and that ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Boss Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 11, 2010

If Christ is the head of the church, no bullying can ever be justified to bring about the result a leader desires. We must permit the Spirit of God to rule the church, and not mere mortals.

“I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

Church Is Boring

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Apr 29, 2010

To share that church is not a stuffy boring place but a place full of excitement and life.

“Church is Boring” Scripture: Hebrew 10: 25 Date: 18 April 2010 Purpose: To share that church is not a stuffy boring place but a place full of excitement and life. Illustration: Rebecca D. on Christian Net posted ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25

Denomination: Other

The Unified Church

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Apr 14, 2009

Tonight I want us to see what Jesus prayed for you and me on that night before the cross.

The Unified Church Wed. Night April 8th 2009 JOHN 17:20-26 Introduction A billboard shows a little girl sitting on her daddy’s shoulders waving an American flag … and the caption says ... WHAT MAKES US GREAT … “Unity, pass it on!” Since 9/11 - “United We Stand” has been the theme – we want to ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

A Harvesting Church

Contributed by Tim Hbc on Apr 30, 2009

The type of Church the Spirit forms. A Church that harvests the nations.

Two stories... A young boy is at church with his mother. He is a good little boy, quiet & well behaved. He doesn’t cause any problems. But sometimes he stands up in the pew, turns around, and looks at the people behind him. He smiles a great big smile at them. His smile is infectious. Soon ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Church At Worship

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 3, 2010

The apostolic command to be filled with the Spirit is a corporate responsibility of each congregation, and not simply an individual command. Paul instructs the churches what Spirit-filled worship looks like in this text.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Leadership In The Church

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jan 16, 2010

Talents (Gifts) are not the root but the fruit of our salvation. God has given us gifts, so we can be useful in His kingdom. There are no excuses for not being fruitful.

Leadership In the Church Text: Matthew 25: 14-30 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Balanced Church

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Jan 18, 2010

Sometimes we get so focused on just one aspect of Christianity that we fail to see the big picture: we miss the rest of the story.

AN OLD SOLDIER’S PERSPECTIVE OF A BALLANCED CHURCH ILLUSTRATION In the summer time my wife and I love to feed hummingbirds. Our front porch faces west, which makes it an excellent place for flowers and for birds. Each year we put out 3 or 4 hummingbird feeders so that we can sit on the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Christian Church

The Church Purpose Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Jan 19, 2010

A review of Paul's challenge to the church regarding its purpose and the importance of pressing forward to serve Christ by serving others.

BACKGROUND TO PHILIPPIANS LOVE LETTER WRITTEN TO A CHURCH encouraging them of their purpose. Q: What is the Purpose of the Church? Q: What is Your Purpose to the Church? KEY VERSE: PHILIPPIANS 3:12 READ VERSE 12 1. ‘not that I have already obtained all this’ (3.12) ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12

Denomination: Baptist

The Challenge Of The Church

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Jan 26, 2010

THE CHALLENGE TO THE CHURCH IS TO FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION IN THE MOST COMPASSIONATE WAY POSSIBLE. THIS SERMON LOOKS AT SOME ISSUES THE CHURCH FACES IN ACCOMPLISHING THIS

THE CHALLENGE OF THE CHURCH MATTHEW 16:13-20 INTRODUCTION: TELL THE JOKES ABOUT LITTLE HARRY AND PETER, TWO CHILDREN WHERE ONE IS INTRODUCING THE OTHER TO HIS CHURCH: 1. ONE JOKE IS ABOUT HOW LONG THE MINISTER SPEAKS 2. THE HONOUR ROLL AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCH NOW I REALIZE THAT THESE ARE OLD ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Baptist