Sermons on An Open Door:

Psalm 2 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 25, 2020

The first two psalms are often considered to be designed as a pair serving as an introduction to the 150-psalm collection. The first psalm describes the difference between the blessed man and the evil man, and Psalm 2 is about triumph over the forces that oppose the faith.

For Sermon Central researchers: I have posted a series of 15 sermons on the Psalms. In recent personal studies I have found the psalms to be richer and more thought-provoking than I had fully appreciated. I had too often swept swiftly through psalms without slowing down to inquire as thoroughly as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12, Acts 4:27-28, Hebrews 1:6, Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 103:8, Psalm 145:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Tamed Tongue

Contributed by Rodney Fry on May 29, 2022

The Bible says a great deal about the tongue. David prayed for the Lord to set a watch and keep the door of his lips. The writer of Proverbs declared that the hypocrite with his mouth destroyed his neighbor. Jesus warned about judgment regarding use of the tongue (Matt. 12:36–37).

The Tamed Tongue Scripture: James 3:1–12, especially verses 8–10 No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and ...read more

Scripture: James 3:8-10

Denomination: Baptist

When I Kneel Before The Father

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Feb 3, 2008

What God is saying about prayer and praying in this text. 1- Prayer is a membership-matter 2- Prayer is a power-producer 3- Prayer is an eye-opener 4- Prayer is a filler-upper 5- Prayer is a glory-getter

INTRO.- ILL.- Someone said: A friend of mine took his small son with him to town one day to run some errands. When lunch time arrived, the two of them went to a familiar diner for a sandwich. The father sat down on one of the stools at the counter and lifted the boy up to the seat beside him. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Set Apart: How God Launches Movements PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 19, 2025

God moves powerfully when His people worship, fast, and pray together, listening for the Spirit’s direction and responding with obedient, unified action.

Some of the greatest moves of God begin in the most ordinary rooms. A small circle of friends. A whispered hymn. A hunger that words can’t quite describe. Picture it: believers, shoulder to shoulder, hearts steady and still, waiting in worship. No spotlight, no stagecraft—just saints who want the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-3

Topics: Spirit-Led Mission, Local Church

How Is The New Covenant Better Than The Old? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 19, 2018

In what ways is the new covenant better than what Moses shared?

What Should We Do? Embrace the better new. - Sometimes Christians seem to pine for the Old Testament way of doing things. A couple examples: a. Getting to see God show up physically with smoke and lightning fireworks. b. Having a list of rules to follow. - A larger problem than that, though, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

Finding God's Blessing After We've Been Wandering Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

This sermon discusses the need to return to God, not just return to doing good. Is religious activity enough to get God's blessing?

- Background on the book: - Addressed to the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon in 538 B.C. Two years later they started to work on the temple, but opposition led that to be put aside for 16 years. - This opening statement comes right after the restarting of the temple project. - ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of Effective Ministry

Contributed by David Dewitt on Nov 10, 2001

Peter reveals the patterns for effective, life changing and life giving ministry

Marks of Effective Ministry Acts 9.32-43 July 6, 1997 Evening Service Introduction 1. People taking time with me to help make the adjustment 2. Ministry is all about making time: Jesus made time for the sick, Annias took time to minister to Saul, Paul took the time to train Timothy and to write ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:32-43

Denomination: Church Of God

The Call To Be The Church Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Mar 19, 2019

Want an overall outline? Fix your focus. Forgo your feuding. Face your foolishness. Forsake your filthiness. Figure out your freedom. Function as a family. Factor in your future. Now just be found faithful.

THE CALL TO BE THE CHURCH I CORINTHIANS 16:1-24 INTRODUCTION: Want an overall outline? Fix your focus. Forgo your feuding. Face your foolishness. Forsake your filthiness. Figure out your freedom. Function as a family. Factor in your future. Now just be found faithful. Because Jesus is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

When Peter Got Hungry

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 5, 2015

God went to great lengths to bring together Cornelius and Peter. On this meeting hinged the salvation of all the world. With the “keys” of his Apostolic ministry, Peter opened the gates, not realizing that billions of people would enter.

WHEN PETER GOT HUNGRY Acts 10:1-48 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Things are going badly for Israel. The economy is in a tail spin, inflation is getting higher and immigrants are flooding in from all over. Problems, problems, problems, but what to do? 2. So the Knesset holds a special session to come ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-48

Denomination: Assembly Of God

(Resurrection) Life Is Full Of Surprises

Contributed by Michael Pahls on May 19, 2001

Peter’s explanation of the events leading to the conversion of Cornelius (a Roman soldier and Gentile) bears witness to the surprising and yet familiar ways of God and points us to the new possibilities for surprise that the Resurrection message opens in in our lives.

Fifth Sunday of Easter - Year C May 13, 2001 Acts 11:1-18 1st CENTURY PALESTINE: A WORLD WITHOUT SURPRISES This passage is all about the surprising works of God but to get the surprise you must have the back story. Hang in there, the payoff in this passage for your life is worth the extended ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Divine Jealousy Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 6, 2025

If you want to keep from being deceived, follow only a leader, who, like a father, jealously guards your pure devotion to Christ, generously cares for you, and genuinely shows you his true self.

Pastor John Ortberg asks us to imagine picking your car up from the shop after a routine tune-up, and the technician says, “This car is in great shape. Clearly you have an automotive genius to take great care of your car.” Later that day, your brakes fail. You find out you were out of brake fluid. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The "rock And Wave" Of Evangelism

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Feb 24, 2024

Jesus did not behave the same in every situation. Sometimes, he stood like a "rock" and other times he disrupted like a "wave." This is a short explanation of two ways in which we can be impactful in a way that brings others closer to Christ to the glory of God the Father.

What is the rock and wave of evangelism? This is a framework of how to function as light in a world of darkness. Jesus told his followers that “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) Let’s take a deeper dive into that: 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, Colossians 4:5-6, John 18:28-40, Matthew 21:12-13, John 12:49, John 5:19, Isaiah 42:8  (view more)  (view less)

Run With Hope Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Apr 16, 2022

Mary ran from the tomb to the city, and Simon and John ran from the city to the tomb in desperation. However, Thursday night became a nightmare for the disciples, and fled the scene.

Theme: Run with Hope Text: John 20:1-9 Happy Resurrection Day!! Greetings: The Lord is good and his love endures forever. We began the lent with the theme “Throw Off Hindrances - Run with perseverance - Fix your eyes upon Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-3). On this resurrection day, Easter Sunday morning, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

Light In The Darkness: A Call To Holiness

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 26, 2025

Church, we are living in a time when the lines between light and darkness are blurred, when the world celebrates what it calls “harmless fun.” But I came to tell you today: God is not mocked! What fellowship does light have with darkness? What communion does Christ have with Belial?

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Play the video “Ghouls, Grace and the Gospel.” INTRODUCTION: A PAGAN LEGACY Brothers and sisters in Christ, as the people of God chosen to walk in His marvelous light, we are called to live separated from the unholy ways of the world. Today, as we reflect on the culture ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Invitation To Worship Series

Contributed by Todd Leupold on Jan 16, 2008

Part 1 in series about living lives of worship. Focus of this opening message is a powerful reminder that God has invited us to live and participate in Him - it is up to us to how we may respond and what that may mean.

INVITATION TO A LIFE OF WORSHIP Part 1 in series, “LifeSongs*: Lives of Worship” Rev. Todd G. Leupold Perth Bible Church Sunday January 13, 2008 AM * Title inspired by the name of the song and album by “Casting Crowns.” Overall series inspired and, to some degree adapted, from the writings of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:11-27

Denomination: Baptist