Sermons on Practicing Empathy:

Spiritual Atrophy - #2 Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jul 9, 2009

The characteristics, consequences, and cure for Spiritual Atrophy? (Thanks to Dr. Brunson & Dr. Caner for their book, "Why Churches Die")

The Local Church Is it Dead, Dying, or Dynamic? Part 2 – “Spiritual Atrophy” Amos 6:1 * Let’s begin with a story. While it has been true dozens of times, the names have been deleted to protect the guilty. * There was once a visionary pastor who developed a visionary group of believers. This ...read more

Scripture: Amos 6:1

Denomination: Baptist

Encouragement - The Life Of The Fellowship Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Oct 11, 2010

How many times do we shun those who come into our fellowship... those who have difficulties in life, those who have had brushes with the law, those who have addictions and past histories and bad reputations that follow them... How many time do we shun the

Sermon Brief Date Written: October 9, 2010 Date Preached: October 10, 2010 Where Preached: Oak Park Baptist Church (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: Reaching Our Community – Sermon 2 Sermon Title: Encouragement – The life of the fellowship Sermon Text: Acts 9:26-27 [ESV] 26 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

Don’t Be Confused About The Term Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Nov 7, 2010

The modern-day, Americanized church is a poor representation of the 1st Century church. We are confused about what we are.

Don’t be Confused – (THE TERM) - #1 Matthew 16:13-19 * This morning I carry you on a brief journey on which, for the past couple of weeks, I have found myself. Quite honestly, this journey has been painful and helpful as well as hard and exciting. My first disclaimer is that my desire is not to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

Traits Of True Christians-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 9, 2010

2 of 2. James revealed the practical aspects of true Christianity. True Christianity is both conceptual & inherently tangible & practical. But...How is true Christianity manifested? Tell-tale traits of True Christians are...

TRAITS of TRUE CHRISTIANS=II—James 1:26—2:13 James revealed the practical aspects of true Christianity. True Christianity is both conceptual & inherently tangible & practical. But... How is true Christianity manifested? Previously in James, we saw that.... Tell-tale traits of True Christians ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Kind Of Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Nov 14, 2010

what kind of church would God design? How does it match up with the 21st Century, Americanized church? Give it some thought.

God’s Kind of Church 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 * If you have ever built a house for your family, then you know a little about decisions, frustrations, and more. In the process, you may well discover that ‘what you want is beyond your ability to provide. We lived in Yazoo City, Mississippi, for a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

God's Nobodies

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 20, 2011

We as the church, facing today's challenges, think of ourselves as nobodies. But we are God's kind of nobodies, those in whom He has been at work to make changes, and we are needed by the world around us.

(Originally preached at Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD, Aug. 12, 1973; subsequently, with variations, at Woodbrook Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD, Aug. 19, 1973; Viers Mill Baptist Church, Rockville, MD, Sept. 9, 1973; Bethesda First Baptist Church, Bethesda, MD, Oct. 14, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Unusual Gift Of Common Sense

Contributed by John Perry on Jan 22, 2011

If common sense is so common why don't more people have it?

Bunbury Sun pm 23/01/11 “The unusual gift of common sense” Intro: I’ve often wondered what it must be like being a judge sitting on the bench hearing people’s disputes & having to work it all out. I conclude that to be able to function in position you need a liberal serve ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:14-40

Denomination: Pentecostal

Shepherding God's Flock Series

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 22, 2011

In the first four verses of 1 Peter 5, Peter discusses the ministry, motives and manner of leading of elders.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a preacher who quit the ministry after 20 years and became a funeral director. 1. When asked why he changed occupations, he said: “I spent 3 years trying to straighten out John, but John is still an alcoholic. Then I spent 6 months trying to straighten ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

21 Days - Taste And See! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 7, 2011

We need to have a biblical understanding of 3 spiritual disciplines giving, prayer and fasting so that we practice these disciplines and attain spiritual changes in our hearts and lives.

Series: Breath of Heaven 2011 Sermon: 21 Days – Taste and See For many they have started their fast. We are basing our called fast for a fresh Breath of Heaven in 2011 from the Lord. Scripture Text: Joel 1:14 14Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Family Affair

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 27, 2010

Christian relationships in the Church. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Reading: Colossians chapter 3 verses 18 to chapter 4 verses 1: Ill: If you think your family has problems, • Consider the marriage mayhem created; • When 76-year-old Bill Baker of London recently wed Edna Harvey. • She happened to be his granddaughter’s ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

How To Grow A Church

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 29, 2010

God wants His church to be fruitful. He wants and expects growth, both spiritual growth and numerical growth. If we are to be obedient to our commission from Christ we must grow. Let’s look at what it takes to grow a church.

toHow to Grow a Church Matthew 16:13-19 Introduction: God wants His church to be fruitful. He wants and expects growth, both spiritual growth and numerical growth. But the sad reality is that that according to one survey 81% of America’s churches reported stagnant or declining membership. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

Orienting Ourselves Toward Christ Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 18, 2010

From earliest times, the Church has worshiped in the direction of the east, toward the coming Christ, rather than toward Jerusalem.

December 21, 2010 Monday of 4th week in Advent Spirit of the Liturgy Isaiah told Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the Lord YOUR God. Ask anything you like.” So Ahaz piously responded, “no, I will not ask for a sign. I will not put the Lord to the test.” And Isaiah, in obvious ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14

Denomination: Catholic

Rooted In Love

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Jan 2, 2011

As the church, we can model the love of Jesus as we love and accept people. Or we can be exclusive in our love and forfeit our calling to be an authentic church.

A television commercial depicts three business people sitting in the back seat of a taxi. The taxi is stalled in heavy downtown traffic. One man goes berserk. He screams that they will miss the crucial business luncheon they were supposed to go to. The important documents they brought with them ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

That Others Might Hear

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jan 4, 2011

God tells Israel as He works within them He expects them to conduct themselves in such a way that others will hear that God is with them. I believe what God told Israel is wise advice to us. If we follow these words we'll be a source of blessing.

That Others Might Hear Zechariah 8:15-23 Introduction: Do we want to be blessed by God and to be used by God to be a blessing to others? I believe that God wants to do good to us, to use us and prosper this church. However, I believe that for us to receive the fullness of His blessings and to have ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 8:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

Church.... Why We Do What We Do.

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Jan 12, 2011

To share some areas that we need to look back at and understand the reality of why we do the things we do. God desires each of us to follow Him not blindly but boldly and intelligently.

Illustration: A story is told about a wife cooking a roast. She cuts the end off of the roast, puts it on a pan and then in the oven. The husband asks her "Why did you cut the end off?" she replies "Because my mom always did." The next day the wife talks to mom and asks "Why did you cut the end off ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:3-4

Denomination: Other