Sermons on The First Church:

"The Church Goes Viral" Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Nov 29, 2013

I want to make the illustration of what it means to go viral on the internet. This happens all the time because people of our generation practically live on the web. As we continue in Acts chapter 11 we see that the church had already grown very rapidly.

There’s a saying online when something gets really popular, that it goes “viral”. Not too long ago there a was 4 minute video posted on Youtube by a fellow named Jefferson Bethke. It was poem entitled, “Why I hate religion but Love Jesus”. In less than two years it was ...read more

How To Become A Holy Church

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jan 29, 2004

A call to personal Holiness from God’s perspective

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16 NIV) God has called His sanctified Bride, the Church, to be holy (1 Cor 1:2). He has commanded that we "consecrate" or keep ourselves apart ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:15-16, Hebrews 10:10, Matthew 5:1-12, Revelation 2:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Church That Made God Sick

Contributed by Duane Brown on Nov 22, 2005

A warning that comes from God when we become lukewarm

14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-16, Revelation 13:14, Revelation 13:14-16

Denomination: Holiness

7 Truths About The Church

Contributed by Ron Callen on Apr 26, 2007

The church is the body of Christ. It is not a building or an event. 24/7 x 365 days a year, we are the church!

7 Truths About the Church Ephesians 5:25-32 Introduction: What is the church? Is it a building? Is it an event? Does church begin when the doors are unlocked on Sunday morning? Does it end when the last light is off and the doors are locked? Does church begin when the music director begins ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

More Than Enough Church Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 24, 2005

Many churches function on a "survival mode" mentality, rather than a faith based plan. How can you tell the difference?

OPEN: About 100 years ago, Edgar Guest wrote the following poem: "Somebody said that it couldn’t be done, But he with a chuckle replied "maybe it couldn’t", but he would be one who wouldn’t say so till he tried. So he buckled right in with a trace of a grin on his face. If he worried he hid ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 54:1-5, Isaiah 54:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Hinders Church Growth?

Contributed by Bo Dunford on Nov 1, 2007

There is a number of things that hinders the church from growing.

ACTS 2:41-47 “WHAT HINDERS CHURCH GROWTH?” A) Church growth is normal ... Standing still and stagnation is not normal for the church! * The first century church saw believers added daily! * The early church would have kept the adding machines and the computers going to keep up with it’s ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

# 6 - Letter To The Church At Philadelphia Series

Contributed by Michael Collins on May 30, 2025

This message is based on the Letter to the Church at Philadelphia as found in Rev.3:7-13

Letter # 6 – Letter to the Church at Philadelphia Revelation 3:7 – “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens’” Jesus begins by introducing Himself ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13, 1 Peter 1:13-16, John 14:6, Matthew 5:11-12, 2 Peter 3:8, Revelation 21:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Becoming A Church Of Excellence:growth Series

Contributed by James Capps on Feb 12, 2001

Spiritual and physical growth go hand in hand in the church.

Church of Excellence: Growth Ephesians 4:1-16; Acts 2:37-47 The last few weeks we’ve been looking at what brings Excellence to the life of the church…We’ve seen a church at prayer, a church in mission, a church that is pursuing the purposes of God are all what brings us to moving in the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16, Acts 2:37-47

Denomination: Methodist

The Church - More Than A Building

Contributed by Troy Harkey on Apr 16, 2003

THE CHURCH IS MORE THAN JUST A BUILDING.

CHURCH – MORE THAN A BUILDING When we began this series of messages about the church, we used this verse as a springboard. (Eph 5:25 NKJV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, The church is the most important thing on earth. The Greek word ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

An Ode To The Messed-Up Church Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 11, 2020

This passage details the numerous efforts the Paul made to get the Corinthians back on track and the harsh reality that some churches are just a mess.

- Maybe start with the story of Pastor Mark and church “J.” THE SITUATION FOR THIS MESSED-UP CHURCH: 1. Paul handled his ministry there with integrity. - 2 Corinthians 12:11-12, 17-19. 2. Paul sacrificed for them. - 2 Corinthians 12:13, 14b, 15-16. 3. This was not the first time he’d tried ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of The True Church: Truth Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 17, 2024

Christians are to be immersed in the truth as they are sanctified in this life. We are immersed in truth as we immerse ourselves in the Word of God and as we invest ourselves in the congregation wherein the Spirit of Christ has placed us.

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” [1] Truth is in short supply in our world. Tragically, truth has been largely sacrificed for what has come to be known as “truthiness” in our world today. Perhaps that has always been the case, but it is certainly apparent that this is the case ...read more

Scripture: John 17:17

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing The Church As The Hope Of The World Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 23, 2020

It is extremely important for us to have visual acuity when it comes to seeing the church as the hope of world.

Seeing The Church As The Hope Of The World #20/20Vision OKAY – I would like to start off with 3 passages of Scripture that will lay the foundation for our conversation this morning, the 4th Sunday of the year 2020. The first is in John chapter 3… Jesus is talking with a religious leader by the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-18, Matthew 5:13-16, 2 Corinthians 5:14-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Healthy Church: One That Prays Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Sep 9, 2004

A sermon showing the pattern of prayer in the early church and that this pattern should be maintained in our lives, families, and church.

A HEALTHY CHURCH: ONE THAT PRAYS ACTS 4:23-31 ACTS 12:11-17 INTRODUCTION... (from http://www.firstphx.org/sermons/habits03.htm) Perhaps you heard the story of the woman who stepped forward after an accident preparing to help the victim. She was asked to step aside by a man who announced, “Step ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Growing Our Church With Love

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Nov 3, 2004

The commands of love in 1 Corinthians 13 aren’t just for wedding ceremonies, but for the Church and her ministry throughout the world.

THE GREATEST NEED THE WORLD HAS TODAY IS FOR THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH TO SHOW THEM AND PROVE TO THEM THAT THERE REALLY IS SUCH A THING AS THE GENUINE, CHRIST-LIKE EXAMPLE OF AGAPE LOVE. IF YOU JUST SIMPLY LOOK AT TODAY’S POPULAR CULTURE IN LITERATURE, MUSIC, ADVERTISING AND THE VISUAL ARTS, YOU WOULD ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Free Methodist

3 Marks Of A Healthy Church Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jan 31, 2007

Exposition of 1 Peter 3:8

Text: 1 Peter 3:8 Title: Three Marks of a Healthy Church Date/Place: LSCC, 11/13/05, AM I. INTRODUCTION A. Opening illustration: contrast the Andrea Yates case (postpartum psychosis) that was granted a new trial this week versus the moment of heroism at the Campbell County HS by three ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8

Denomination: Baptist