Sermons on The Effective Church:

The State Of The Church

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Dec 7, 2013

This is a little tour through Maine State history, but is applicable to any location, especially as a template to be modified for where you live. It also includes a challenge.

The State of the Church 2013 Pastor Eric J. Hanson Here in the United States, much has been written on the topic of the Church’s condition. The books, seminars, angry articles, despairing articles, and sermons on this topic by radio and TV preachers are seemingly endless. Depending on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why The Church?

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 6, 2014

Yes, this comes from Ray Hollenbach at: http://www.sermoncentral.com/pastors-preaching-articles/ray-hollenbach-why-the-church-six-bold-preaching-points-1971.asp Adapted it for a Sunday night sermon

HoHum: You Know You're Visiting a Bad Church If... The usher asks if you prefer the smoking or non-smoking section. Baptismal tank has a wave-maker machine. Sign out front has latest preacher’s name written with dry erase markers. WBTU: It’s difficult to stand in defense of church ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

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

The Church Of Laodicea

Contributed by Charles R. Peck on Jan 13, 2013

This ws one of the seven churches in Asia, the last church which was in a lukewarn condition, displeasing to God.

The Church of Laodicea Revelation 3:14/22 In the book of Revelation John addresses the seven churches that are in Asia. He stating in chapter one and verse four, “Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:15-22

Denomination: *other

The First Church Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 14, 2011

Characteristics of the first church.

The First Church Chuck Sligh TEXT: Acts 2:37-47 INTRODUCTION Many Christians today are playing church. In this age of affluence and pleasure-seeking, some come to church once-a-week to salve their conscience so that they can go back and do their own thing the rest of the week. This is the age of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Playing Church

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Jul 18, 2012

We must BE the church, not just attend one.

Playing Church November 16, 2008 Evening Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: We must BE the church, not just attend one. Focus Passage: Romans 12:9-21 Supplemental Passage: James 1:27 NASB Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Consistent Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Sep 22, 2011

The church at Philadelphia is the church "I" would probably want to join. It is the church who received from the Lord, a word of observation, affirmation, and even commendation - but NO WORD of CONDEMNATION.

The Consistent Church Revelation 3:7-13 * Of all the churches which Jesus wrote to in the Revelation, the sixth church is the most consistent in the fulfillment of ministry & mission. This is the church that I would have wanted to be a member of. It is this church that our Lord gives no word of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Complacent Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Sep 25, 2011

The Church at Laodicea is a church termed "Lukewarm" by our Lord - and obviously shows the signs of "Complacency". Many a congregation have fallen into this trap.

The Complacent Church Revelation 3:14-19 * The story is told of a preacher going to his deacon chairman and asking, “Do you think the problems we face in the church is tied to ignorance & apathy?” After a moment the man replied, “I don’t know & I don’t care.” * Today we look at the church in ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-19

Denomination: Baptist

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

A Changed Church Series

Contributed by Allen James on Sep 5, 2010

Imagine the transformation in a community when the Church embraces Jesus' call toward giving to the needy out of the overflow of our hearts. Today's message explores Matthew 6:1-4.

A Changed Church • Matthew 6:1, 2-4 OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Acts 4… In today’s world, charity is practiced on a wide scale and is thought often times to be the natural product of the intrinsic goodness of the human spirit… or in light of the New Age concept of Karma – ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

A Healthy Church? Series

Contributed by James Parker on Apr 29, 2011

I want to begin a new series, not very long, but long enough. Several months ago, I noticed that I was reading quite frequently about churches closing the doors. This bothered me then, but apparently not enough to preach about it. But God has brought it t

I want to begin a new series, not very long, but long enough. Several months ago, I noticed that I was reading quite frequently about churches closing the doors. This bothered me then, but apparently not enough to preach about it. But God has brought it to my attention again. I kind of feel like ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Denomination: Baptist