Sermons on Purpose Identity:

Defining The Church

Contributed by Christopher Roberts on Dec 14, 2001

What exactly is the church ... A community center, a social action organization, or a gathering of people set apart from a sinful world and set apart to a life devoted to God’s calling? Peter, the rock, helps us define the true purpose of the church.

Please e-mail me with any comments or if you use any part of this at your church at Mail4ChrisR@aol.com. I would love to hear about it. God Bless! - Chris To define the church there is no better place in the Bible to look than at the 16th Chapter of Matthew and Peter’s confession at Caesarea ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Methodist

Back To The Basics

Contributed by Todd White on Dec 15, 2001

Churches need to stop trying to be "trendy" and get back to the Main Thing God put the church here to do.

BACK TO THE BASICS by Todd W. White, Pastor of South Heights Baptist Church, Sapulpa, Oklahoma. "Back to the Basics!" is the cry so often heard in the world today. Whether it be in reference to school curricula, family values, or business practices, there is definitely a move in some circles ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

Thirty Steps To Planting And Growing A Church

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Model your new church after the first century model found in Acts 2:41-47: "Those who accepted his message were baptized and about 3,000 were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the b

Jesus said, "I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) 1. Begin by assembling together local people who are committed to Christ, to the growth of His church and the great commission. Once you have a group of people who are committed to carrying out ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Comparing Styles Of Worship

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus said, "True worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24) 14 different styles of worship service for various audiences

Jesus said, "True worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24) * Seeker-Sensitive Worship Services  Those who follow the Willow Creek Community Church model who seek to present and explain the gospel in non-religious terms using contextually relevant methods to non-christians. ...read more

Scripture: John 4:21-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Dropouts

Contributed by Roger Griffith on Oct 18, 2000

Those who drop out of church tend to struggle with their purpose in life and never find their niche in the Kingdom of God.

SPIRITUAL DROPOUTS TEXT: Gal 6:9 INTRODUCTION: A. DEFINITION OF DROPOUT 1. A school dropout is a student who leaves a school for any reason except death before graduation or completion of a course of study and without transferring to another school. 2. A spiritual dropout is a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

What Are The Qualities Of A Successful Fellowship

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

A survey of hundreds of pastors has allowed us to compile a preliminary list of measurable quality factors in the life of a congregation in ranking order. The twelve factors are:

What Are the Qualities of a Successful Fellowship Acts 2:41-47 Illustration:A survey of hundreds of pastors has allowed us to compile a preliminary list of measurable quality factors in the life of a congregation in ranking order. The twelve factors are: 1. Bible knowledge. Church members are ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let Us Offer Up Sacrifices Of Praise! Series

Contributed by Dennis Marquardt on Oct 18, 2000

#5 in the "Let Us" Series

#5 "LET US OFFER UP SACRIFICES OF PRAISE!" TEXT: Heb. 13:15-16; Rom. 12:1-2 INTRO: Mention the word "Worship" to someone and see how they respond! To most people the idea of "Worship" is something that happens on a Sunday morning in a building somewhere called a Church. For some, the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15-16, Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Characteristics Of A Successful Church

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The church of Antioch characterized a successful church because of its quality leaders. You can determine the quality of most organizations by the character of their leadership. The Antioch church proved to be the most influential and illustrious of all t

1. The church of Antioch characterized a successful church because of its quality leaders. You can determine the quality of most organizations by the character of their leadership. The Antioch church proved to be the most influential and illustrious of all the first century churches because of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Success Follows Cleansing

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Let us remember that contrary to popular opinion, God’s ways are always perfect and He knows what the church needs to make it successful

1. One might think that after the dramatic deaths of Ananias and Sapphira many would have hesitated to become involved with the Christian church ö however, just the opposite occurred. Instead of the judgment creating panic, the church experienced an extraordinary period of success. The growth of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:11-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Styles Of Leadership

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 15, 2001

Four Styles of Leadership

Four Leadership Styles DIRECTOR - The authoritarian leader wants everyone to know that he is in complete charge of his operations. He has a deep need to be in control of his people and their activities. He prefers people who are dependent and who do not question his authority. He is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From The Community To The Courthouse (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Adam Cruse on Aug 19, 2001

God has given us in this text, three characteristics of what it takes to be an effective evangelistic church.

This week we are returning to our study in the book of Acts. The title of this series has been, “What a Church Should Look Like.” By now I hope we are beginning to see the structure of how Luke is writing. It seems as if he is flipping back and forth between two perspectives. One perspective is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Church Growth

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 20, 2001

The Lord’s church can grow!

CHURCH GROWTH Acts 2:36-41 INTRO.- ILL.- Many churches are like the church that was going to build a new building. The building committee passed the following resolutions: 1- We shall build a new church. 2- The new building is to be located on the site of the old one. 3- The material in the old ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Continuing The Ministry Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Craig Simonian on Aug 27, 2001

This sermon calls us, as disciples of Christ, to bear His message and continue His ministry throughout the world today.

Continuing The Ministry of Jesus: Kingdom Ministry August 19, 2001 Dilovar goes back to his village to proclaim the gospel. He knew the risks… but he was willing to go thru whatever was necessary. - this was an old village… hundreds of years old. The leaders were typically older men, so for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:23-24, Luke 4:18-19

Striving, Living, Thriving, Giving Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Sep 7, 2001

Our vision (Striving to see the Living Christ in a thriving church of giving people) did not originate with us, but with God.

Striving, Living, Thriving, Giving Hosea 14 Pastor Jim Luthy At the top of our invitation cards, on our information brochure, and on our web site, you will find a vision statement for our church: Striving to see the Living Christ in a thriving church of giving people. Striving. Living. ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 14:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Doorways To Evangelism

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Oct 11, 2001

Have we explored every possible way we can use the doorways of our church buildings to give the unchurced and unsaved access to Jesus Christ?

DESPITE LIVING UNDER THE TEACHING OF JESUS CHRIST FOR NEARLY THREE YEARS THE DISCIPLES ARE NOW HUDDLED TOGETHER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN UTTER CONFUSION. WHY? JESUS HAD DIED ON THE CROSS AND THEN BURIED, BUT REPORTS STARTED TO SURFACE THAT JESUS HAD BEEN SEEN ALIVE OUTSIDE THE TOMB. UNFORTUNATELY, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:14-16

Denomination: Free Methodist