Sermons on Approaching:

Hands Open Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 21, 2008

Hands open may be a handshake or a salute, signalling friendship or respect. Just as those gestures affirmed Saul, we also must approach others by leading them to safety and by affirming their potential.

f I come toward you with an open hand, what does that mean? If I approach you from across the room with either one hand or both hands open, how would you interpret that? Well, of course, it would mean different things for different kinds of open hands. There is more than one way to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

From Sadness To Singing

Contributed by J. Allen Lucas on Mar 25, 2009

It is normal to fell forsaken when we feel forgotten and all of our efforts seem to be useless. But there is One who is touchable and approachable when we’re struggling with feelings of infirmity.

From Sadness To Singing Psalm 13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? [2] How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? [3] Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Is "Church” A Dirty Word? Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 19, 2008

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)

I’ve always felt a little guilty over church. I felt guilty when I didn’t attend; felt guilty when I did attend; felt guilty if I didn’t become a member; felt guilty after I became a member; felt guilty when I stayed at a certain church; and felt guilty when I left that church. Then the cycle ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Tender Mercies

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 29, 2008

God does discipline His children who approach the Lord’s Table with unholy attitudes. This is does as an act of love. If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:31, 32 GOD’S TENDER MERCIES “If we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. When we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” No doubt the title of the message appears strange to some people. How can discipline be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Addressing The Proud Person As Jesus Would

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 6, 2004

The Lord Jesus was the Master in approaching people at the point of their need. He knew how to move from a person’s felt need to their perceived need to their human need as a gateway to their spiritual need.

Addressing the Proud Person as Jesus Would (Luke 7:30-50) Illustration:The pride of your heart has deceived you. --Obadiah 1:3. As the story goes, Muhammad Ali looked up with that saucy grin of his and said in a slow, gravelly voice, "Superman don’t need no seatbelt!" Without missing a beat, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:30-50

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

…and Forgive Us Our Debts… Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jun 2, 2014

So just what is Jesus speaking about when He says, "...and forgive us our debts (transgressions)..." If properly prayed this statement changes how we approach God!

Sermon Brief Date Written: June 02, 2014 Date Preached: June 04, 2014 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Study on the Lord’s Prayer Sermon Title: …and Forgive US Our Debts…(Sermon 9) Sermon Text: Matthew 6:9-13 [HCSB] Essence of the Text: Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Holy Spirit & The Believer Series

Contributed by Thomas Donelan on Oct 4, 2010

As we continue our Sgt. Joe Friday approach of "just the facts" look at the Holy Spirit, we examine what happens when a person is saved and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the believer.

Introduction Last week we saw how the Holy Spirit ministers to the non-believer in convicting them of their wrongs and drawing them to Jesus Christ the only hope of salvation, but what happens then? Does the Holy Spirit stop or does He go further? Emphatically yes! He stays with us and goes much ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Have Been Delilvered

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Oct 11, 2021

In our text today from Romans chapter seven, there is a reference to marriage. But the purpose of the reference is to point to a spiritual truth about our freedom from the requirements of the Law as a means to approach God..

Alba 10-10-2021 WE HAVE BEEN DELIVERED Romans 7:1-6 K. Edward Skidmore was a student at Ozark Bible College (now Ozark Christian College) back in the early 1970s. He told how when he was working as a janitor at O.B.C. there were two or three times he had the opportunity to clean the floors in the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Facing The Storm Of Fear

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Dec 9, 2021

In 1999, Hurricane Floyd appeared on the radar screen as it approached the shores of Florida. Governor Jeb Bush described it as a “Monster of a storm”, that was coming in their direction, and they really did not know how to deal with it.

One of the things that made this such a dreadful storm was that it had strong winds, and it was over three hundred miles wide. Florida was blessed, because it came up to the coast line and made a turn. When South Carolina was told to “Watch out”, because the storm was heading in their direction, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:45-51

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Of John: An Introduction Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 31, 2021

Arguably with no other book, is there a larger disconnect between academic, scholarly understanding, and the way the church reads it. The intro is designed to bridge part of that gap, and explain my own approach to John.

First of all, a note on my approach: This series uses a literary/narrative approach to John, along the lines proposed by scholars like Adele Berlin, Frank Kermode, Robert Alter, or Charles Talbert, to name just a few. I assume that the author/narrator of John-- who I call "AJ"-- had ...read more

Scripture: John 9:22, John 12:42-43, John 16:1, John 2:23, John 6:66  (view more)  (view less)

God’s Loving Kindness

Contributed by Dennis Lee on May 8, 2022

Approaching this Mother’s Day message, two distinct things came to mind. The first was the lovingkindness of God, and the second was the story of Hagar. Therefore, what we will be looking at is then Hagar and the lovingkindness of God.

God’s Loving Kindness Psalm 63:3 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b38ttun-apc As I was approaching what to say for this Mother’s Day message, two distinct things came as I was in prayer. The first was to look at the lovingkindness of God, and the second was the story of Hagar. Now, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:3, Lamentations 3:22-23, Isaiah 43:1, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 107:43  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

Contemplative Prayer

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on May 10, 2022

Contemplative prayer is much like two lovers in love with each other. In contemplation we use new approaches or tools, if you will, to hear God more completely, intimately, or thoroughly.

Mark 1:35 – “35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying.” This verse reminds me of how important it is to get away by myself and totally focus on God as I pray. Two weeks ago, we spent some time talking ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35

Denomination: Baptist

Hope And Light - Carrying Forth The Mysteries Of God (Advent)

Contributed by William Akehurst on Nov 26, 2022

As we approach Christmas, let us remember that it is time to shine forth the message of JESUS. The HOPE and LIGHT of this World. We carry the Torch of HIS LIGHT and HOPE as Stewards of the Mysteries of GOD.

2022.11.27 The Wilderness Experience Stewards of the Mysteries - The LIGHT of our HOPE William Akehurst, HSWC 1st Sunday of Advent…HOPE and LIGHT. The advent candle of HOPE is lit. JESUS is OUR HOPE. And we are to not only serve HIM, but care for the message, the mysteries of GOD, which are all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Isaiah 9:2, Hebrews 11:1-3, Matthew 5:14-16, Isaiah 60:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Embracing New Beginnings SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 12, 2023

As we approach the end of the year, we gather with our loved ones to celebrate and welcome the New Year. This is a time of change and hope, a time to leave behind the past and embrace new beginnings.

Today is the last day of the year, and in just a few hours, many of us will gather with our loved ones to celebrate the New Year. While some may host parties with alcohol, we must be cautious as it can lead to dangerous consequences such as drunk driving accidents and harmful actions. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19

Topics: New Year's Day, Change, Hope

Submit Your Children Into The Hands Of Jesus

Contributed by Samuel M on Jun 30, 2024

The best approach to raise our children is to submit them into the hands of Jesus on a daily basis and remind him that they are his property and possession, and he can do whatever he wants with them.

A small testimony which happened recently: my 4-month-old niece had fever, cough, and cold throughout the night. When I was praying in the morning, I had a dream or vision, and within 30 minutes my niece’s cold, fever, and cough went away. Jesus did a wonderful miracle. In this vision, I was in a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 62:5