Sermons on Wealth Transfer:

Help! My Church Isn't Growing

Contributed by Bob Gillchrest on Jul 7, 2005

What does the Bible say about why a church isn’t growing and how it can be corrected.

Help! My Church Isn’t Growing In many ways pastors and churches are judged by whether or not their church is growing. It becomes painful to admit to the brethren that we haven’t seen growth in a church we pastor - whether addition by baptism or transfer. What does the Bible have to say about ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Open Handed Blessings, Closed Handed Consequences

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Jul 30, 2006

When we look back on all of the gifts that have freely been bestowed upon us by God we clearly see richness, yet how freely are we giving it away? I believe that Jesus desires that we not hoard these gifts, but give them away...

How many of you know what it is like to have a kid coming up to you asking for candy? I had Pastor Adam and Emi’s kids Harry and Jordan in my office the other day wanting a lolly. How do you look into the faces of those cute kids and say, ‘no’? You can’t. I opened up my drawer and gave them each a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:7-8

The Model Prayer - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Aug 7, 2006

This is a continuation of examining the elements of Jesus’ prayer as it gives us a glimpse in a living, breathing example of form and structure that God desires for effective prayer.

The Model Prayer – Part 2 Griffith Baptist Church – 8/6/06 P.M. Service Text: Matthew 6:9-13 (verses 11-13) Theme: The elements of Christ’s model prayer give us a glimpse into a living, breathing example of form and structure that God desires for effective prayer. Introduction: Once there ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Disciple's Cross

Contributed by Gary Birch on Feb 27, 2007

Following Jesus has become too easy for many people. We like to take the benefits without the discipline and responsibilities. What does it really mean to take up our cross and follow him?

The Italian freedom fighter Garibaldi offered his men only hunger and death to free Italy. Garibaldi had an incredibly committed volunteer army. He would appeal for recruits in these terms: “I offer neither pay, nor quarters, nor provisions; I offer hunger, thirst, forced marches, battles and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-28

An Encounter To Remember

Contributed by Carl Benge on Apr 28, 2007

Personal Encounters with Jesus

Many of us can recall some moment in time that stands out as a turning point in our lives. Maybe even some very important person, you may have met, whether at a fair, or town celebration or even on an airplane. For example, take my best friend from back home, Craig. When he was in fourth grade, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:8-11

Denomination: Methodist

Seek God's Supreme Pleasure

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on May 19, 2007

Do you have any idea how the Sovereign God finds pleasure? Is His Supreme Delight exclusively His and only His Sovereign prerogative that we would be unable to partake during this present time?

“He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him’” (Matthew 17:5, ESV). We find pleasure in our hobbies, in our job, in our friends, in our family, or in whatever that we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:5

Denomination: Baptist

More Than Just Seven Days Series

Contributed by Charles Mallory on May 30, 2007

By starting with Palm Sunday, we journey through the significant days of Holy Week that lead to the victory on Easter Sunday.

THERE IS A CERTAIN TIME OF YEAR THAT HAS ALWAYS PERPLEXED ME AS A PASTOR. IT IS A TIME THAT SHOULDN’T. I AM SPEAKING OF THE WEEKS OF LENT AND THE HOLY WEEK. FOR SOME STRANGE REASON, I HAVE HAD TO ADDRESS AND DEFEND THE FACT THAT THESE ARE NOT OBSERVANCES RESERVED ONLY FOR THE CATHOLIC FAITH. THE ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-12

Denomination: Free Methodist

Christ's Powerful Empathizing Example

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 16, 2004

Here are nine ways that Christ exemplified empathy

Christ’s Powerful Empathizing Example John 11:35 - Jesus Wept Illustration:When my sons were young, one of them stubbed his toe and grimaced with pain. Seeing him trying bravely to bear the agony of those moments, I said, "Son, I’m truly sorry. My toe hurts for you." Lifting his head, he ...read more

Scripture: John 11:35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Daniel Chapter 7 Series

Contributed by Rev. Bruce A. Shields on Nov 14, 2005

Daniel Chapter 7 Outline

Daniel 7 Kingdoms in Collision 1 - God turns defeats into triumphs - The temple was attacked 2 - God reveals the future - God is King of all 3 - God is the redeemer of His people - Counterfeit God 4 - God Rules over all - Reminds Nebuchadnezzar He is King 5 - God of Justice and Judgment - Vessels ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:1-28

Denomination: Bible Church

The Complications Of Neglect Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 7, 2005

Although doing nothing can sometimes be the best choice, more often people do nothing, not out of choice, but out of fear, neglect, or procrastination; as a result, others needlessly suffer.

The Complications of Neglect (I Kings 1) Reception Grade (how my people responded; alertness, compliments, relevance, etc.): A+ 1. One of the lowest feelings in life is when we create problems for other people. 2. Back when I was in college…ECAP…Jim typed up key punch cards….one computer for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 1:1-53

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Ten Universal Elements Of Church Planting Movements

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 1, 2003

Ten universal elements of church planting movements by David Garrison

Ten Universal Elements of Church Planting Movements (David Garrison) After surveying Church Planting Movements around the world, we found at least 10 elements present in every one of them. While it may be possible to have a Church Planting Movement without them, we have yet to see this occur. Any ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let There Be A New And Better Way

Contributed by Samuel Wilder on Jan 9, 2005

Making changes is tough and too often we do what Moses did and snap back to doing things the way we’ve always done them, but that’s not always God’s way!

“Let There Be a New and Better Way” – Numbers 20:8-12 January 2, 2005 Read Numbers 20:8-12 Ask: Do you notice anything wrong in that passage? Look again… – God tells Moses to gather up three things: Aaron, his brother and “assistant pastor”; the staff, the symbol of Moses’ work as ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 20:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Though I Be Absent

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 22, 2008

Pre-Vacation Message. Paul shows the church how to follow God and not man. We should see a summer surge, not a summer slump. No more, "When the cat’s away the mice will play!" Link inc. to text, audio, PowerPoint.

THOUGH I BE ABSENT Col. 2; Phil. 2; I Cor. 3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ThoughIBeAbsent.html One of the Apostle Paul’s greatest joys was to hear about one of his churches continuing to grow and serve God…one of his deepest fears was that they would backslide in his absence. Col. 2: 5 For ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Clearly Defined

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Nov 29, 2007

There are two kinds of dead faith and only one kind of living faith. And God is the Judge of which kind we have.

Passage: James 2:14-26 Intro: Last winter we had a nasty cold snap here. 1. lots of trees that looked dead on our campus, but that have all come back 2. daughtter Amy and her husband Brycen not so fortunate. 3. 3 Ficus trees, all lost leaves, and in spite of valiant efforts, never ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Empathize As Jesus Did: "Jesus Wept"

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 28, 2004

The hurting ones need sympathy, They need to know we’re there; A quiet word, a tender touch Assures them that we care.

Empathize as Jesus Did (John 11:35) "Jesus Wept" 1. Jesus knew that people generally do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. The Lord really empathized with people by using the power of the Spirit to identify with all aspects of their lives. Jesus fully comprehended the ...read more

Scripture: John 11:35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational