Sermons on Small Church:

The Persecuted Church Series

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Mar 16, 2011

(Preached on July 4th): This message focuses on the first church-wide persecution in Acts. Attention is given to the implications the Gospel has for believers as members of both God's kingdom and a country.

* The difficulty in approaching a July 4th message: - We sometimes "read" America into Scripture when we shouldn't - Bible doesn't reference America as a country of predict the events of July, 1776 * If we're not careful, we end up using today to exalt a nation instead of Christ - We do not worship ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

A Regenerate Church Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2011

The doctrine of the church reflects our view of Christ and His Word.

“Many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Living Church Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 26, 2011

The Living Church" manifested: 1) Spiritual Life (Acts 2:42) & 2) Spiritual Attitudes (Acts 2:43-47a). The result was 3) Spiritual Impact (Acts 2:47b).

A study presented Tuesday at the American Physical Society meeting in Dallas noted a steady rise in the percentage of residents in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland who claim no religious affiliation. The researchers ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Other

Church Discipline Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 1, 2011

We conclude our lesson about the discipline of immoral church members by looking at the extent of discipline.

Scripture We continue our study in The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians in a series I am calling Challenges Christians Face. One of the challenges that Christians face is the discipline of church members engaged in blatant and unrepentant sin. Let’s learn about this in a message I am ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Is Church?

Contributed by Greg Nance on May 3, 2011

This may be one of the most misunderstood concepts in the Christian faith. A look into the word of God in Matthew brings to light the amazing calling that Jesus intends for us.

What is Church? Listen to Matthew 16:13-28. Pay attention to how Jesus describes "Church," his path, and our relationship with Him. Matthew 16:18 gives us the first mention of the English word “church” in the New Testament. In all of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John this word “church” only occurs ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Are The Church Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 16, 2011

Why would Paul list such a long boooring list of people at the end of such a powerful New Testament book? Why waste the ink? The answer to that question is both intriguing and exciting to those of who belong to Jesus.

I opened the sermon by asking the congregation to join with me in singing: “I’m So Glad I’m A Part Of The Family of God I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod For I’m part of the family, the family of God.” If you’re a Christian here ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:4, Romans 16:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Devoted Church

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on May 18, 2011

A short talk encouraging devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, and worship.

‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer’ (2:42). The life of the early church was marked by devotion. The early believers loved to hear and put into practice the apostles’ teaching. They were utterly ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Anglican

Divisions In The Church

Contributed by Kerry Dunn on Mar 31, 2011

Christ requires unity in his body.

>>Divisions in the Church<< 1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? Here it shows that division is carnality. this is forbidden in the bible. We must be able to agree on the truth then apply it. Joh ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:17-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Glorious Church Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 2, 2011

1) The Manner of Christ’s Love (Ephesians 5:25–31) and 2) The Motive of Christ’s Love (Ephesians 5:32-33) for His "Glorious Church"

Those who provide premarital and marital counseling often hear couples express deficient ideas of love. When asked what they mean by “I love you,” one or the other is likely to answer in self-centered language about being loved, feeling good, enjoying the other’s personality and so on. But here in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-33

Denomination: Other

Church Clothes

Contributed by Greg Nance on May 21, 2011

What should a Christian think and do about what to wear? God's word has a few things to say about that.

Matthew 22:1-14, Romans 13:11-14, Eph. 5:25-30, 6:10-18, Revelation 19:6-9, 21:1-4 Surely everyone here today has heard of "church clothes." We used to call it wearing your "Sunday Best." I remember going to a wedding not too long ago and the preacher said to the couple, "One way to keep your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Comfortable Church Series

Contributed by Allen James on Sep 29, 2011

Part 5 of 7 in our summer series exploring the letters to the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3. Today's message examines the letter to the Church at Sardis.

INTRODUCTION: Churches today are filled with people of all ages who assume the church exists primarily to HELP them. Consequently, most churches are concerned only with those who attend being “OKAY”. I. Christ’s CONNECTION with the Comfortable Church (v 1a) II. The CHARACTER ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Drunk In The Church

Contributed by Jason Jones on Oct 17, 2011

Exposition of 1 Corinthians 11 regarding Paul's thoughts regarding their error and their ideal.

Text: 1 Cor 11:17-34, Title: Drunk in the Church, Date/Place: NRBC, 10/16/11, AM A. Opening illustration: In spite of his tendency to project sometimes speculative imaginative scenarios in his more popular study You Wretched Corinthians! Hans Frör well captures the connection between 11:2–16 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Baptist

Cursing In The Church

Contributed by Jason Jones on Oct 24, 2011

Exposition of 1 Corinthians 12 regarding some foundational truths about spiritual gifts.

Text: 1 Cor 12:1-11, Title: Cursing in the Church, Date/Place: NRBC, 10.23.11, AM A. Opening illustration: B. Background to passage: Paul seems to calm down a bit after his passionate commands regarding the love among the family of God and the Lord’s Supper. And he goes back to answering ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

An Obedient Church

Contributed by Roger Wilson on Oct 26, 2011

In a day and culture when even people in churches believe they get to "vote" on everything we must remember that we are subjects in a kingdom and our King expects obedience.

Act 1:1-5 (ESV) In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-5

The Church At Smyrna Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 31, 2011

A study of the letters to the 7 churches - #2 Smyrna

Revelation 2: 8 – 11 The Church At Smyrna 8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Calvary Chapel