Sermons on Unfriendly:

Church Growth

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 27, 2001

More ideas on what it will take to make a church grow.

CHURCH GROWTH Acts 18:7-8 INTRO.- ILL.- Top 10 Ways You Know You’re In A Bad Church 10. The church bus has gun racks. 9 . The church staff consists of Senior Pastor, Associate Pastor and Socio-pastor. 8. The Bible they use is the "Dr. Seuss Version." 7. There’s an ATM in the lobby. 6. The choir ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:7-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Wrestle God And Win Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Apr 20, 2002

We win with God by losing.

HOW TO WRESTLE GOD AND WIN Genesis 32:22-32 S: God’s blessing Th: Prayer: A Passion for His Presence Pr: WE WIN WITH GOD BY LOSING. ?: How? KW: Needs TS: We will discover in Genesis 32 three needs that we have in order to win in our losing battle with God. Inductive The _____ need we have is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Rewards Of Giving

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on May 20, 2002

God ensures that generosity will be a mark of authentic biblical community by rewarding those who give.

May 19, 2002 Big Idea: God ensures that generosity will be a mark of authentic biblical community by rewarding those who give. INTRODUCTION It’s been a very interesting week, hasn’t it? Since we were here last Sunday, the Cubs haven’t won a single game. (And they’ve had 6 tries!!) Star Wars, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Praying Dangerously

Contributed by Bob Hunter on May 21, 2002

The Bible is full of dangerous prayers. Search me, stretch me and send me are examined. Each prayer has an oject lesson to go with it.

"Praying Dangerously" Pastor Bob Hunter Springwater Church (A similiar, but not identical message is available at Willowcreek.com by the title, "Dangerous Prayers.") Objects needed for message: 1 flashlight, 1 suitcase, 1 stretchy cord I want to talk to you about praying dangerously. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24, Isaiah 6:1-12

Denomination: Holiness

Your Memorial Before God

Contributed by James May on May 27, 2007

Preached on Memorial Day but can be easily altered for any time. Our prayers and service are the memorial that we offer to God.

Your Memorial Before God By Pastor Jim May The Book of Acts contains a story that I would like to bring to you this morning. It’s all about a memorial that God has for all of us who serve him. Since this is Memorial Day weekend I thought it would be good to think about what God considers to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

On-Star -Navigating In Our Culture Series

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Sep 2, 2006

This is the initial message in the On-Star sermon series. Teaching Christian to navigate the difficult issues that face us in the 21st Century. This series explores; Immigration; MySpace.com; the Marriage Ammendment and more...

“ON-STAR” – PART ONE Teaching Christians to Navigate in this Culture John 10:10 - ©Dr. Larry L. Thompson (2006) Introduction: Some time ago a member from another church said, "Our church looking for a really great year…and it appears the year we’re looking for is 1961. If it ever comes back, ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10

Denomination: Baptist

Room For Improvement Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Oct 22, 2006

Joshua, Pt. 1

JOSHUA: BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS The names and the lives of Joshua and Moses were inseparable, but Joshua’s rise was not predicated on Moses’ fall. Joshua’s rise was not spectacular or sensational. His star was continually in the ascendancy and Moses’ fall only propelled his successor to the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Pursuing Holy Thoughts, Part One Series

Contributed by Mike Gilbert on Jun 30, 2007

Part One of Two-Part Message in Pursuing Holy Thoughts, distinguishing between that which is presented as truth and truth as Scripture accurately presents it.

PURSUING HOLY THOUGHTS (Part One of Two) *INTRO> In the Antarctic summer of 1908, Sir Ernest Shackleton and three companions, plus two ponies, attempted to travel to the South Pole. However, weeks after they set off, with their rations all but exhausted, they turned back toward their base, their ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Exchange

Contributed by Robert Bravo on Jul 1, 2007

When we come to christ he offers us the ability to exchange an old way of life for a new way of life.

The great exchange Matthew 16:21 - 28 (NIV) 1. Ask to turn to the scripture. 2. Set the Stage: The scene starts out with Jesus and his disciples coming into Caesarea Philippi a. Jesus was asking His disciples whom do the people think the son of man is? b. They answer “some say John the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Nazarene

What Does 9.11 Make Of Us?

Contributed by Don Hawks on Sep 6, 2002

In spite of the tragedy, what “man meant for evil, God used for good”, thus how will Christians and American citizens be a part of the reshaping of culture since 9.11.01?

(Power Point available--email author) SLIDE 1 “WHAT DOES 9.11 MAKE OF US?” 8:30 with Video presentation (adapted from Leonard Sweet’s message on 9.11) Slide 2 “Night fell on a different world.” These are some of the first words President George Bush used to reflect on September 11, 2001. Slide ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:20, Romans 13:8-10

Denomination: Methodist

Did Jesus Really Exist? Series

Contributed by Randy Croft on Nov 15, 2002

Evidence for the Existence of Jesus.

Did Jesus really exist? by Randy A. Croft BigFoot In the summer of 1924, Kelso, Washington. According to the Sunday Oregonian on July 13, five miners encountered the ``mountain devils’’ in the wilds of Mount St. Helens. One of the men, Fred Beck, shot one of the creatures and watched its ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:17-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gift That Jesus Gave

Contributed by Chris Talton on Dec 19, 2003

Though Jesus gave trouble to his disciples, He gave them some other things to get them through the trouble. He wanted the trouble to accomplish some things in them.

Dec. 14, 2003 John 15:26-16:4, 32-33 “The gift that Jesus gave” INTRODUCTION Did you know that there are a multitude of ways to get yourself into trouble at Christmas? Buying the wrong gift can get you into trouble. Maybe you heard about the guy that bought his wife a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From Satanic Prison

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Oct 16, 2005

The enemy and his agents ensnare and imprison people, including Christians, Jesus sets people free from all forms of captivity.

The Bible reveals that the ministry of Jesus Christ is diametrically opposed to that of the devil and his agents. While the enemy and his agents ensnare and imprison people, including Christians, Jesus sets people free from all forms of captivity. This message is filled with the power to break ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Closer Look At Giving Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Feb 23, 2004

There are many misconceptions about a Christian’s responsiblity to give to the Lord. In this message we will examine what the Bible says regarding giving to the Lord.

A Closer Look at: Giving Introduction: I like the old story about the guy who came to church with his family. As they were driving home afterwards he was complaining about everything. He said, “The music was too loud. The sermon was too long. The announcements were unclear. The building was hot. ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Feeders Of The Strongman

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Jun 8, 2005

The enemy’s activities thrive where his victims are ignorant of who he is and how destructive his agenda for man are.

The enemy’s activities thrive where his victims are ignorant of who he is and how destructive his agenda for man are. That is why the Bible warns that we should not be ignorant of the devices of the devil. Lack of knowledge about the existence and operations of strongmen has led to untimely death ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:29, Luke 11:21-23

Denomination: Pentecostal