Sermons on Arms Wide Open:

The Upper Class Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

It is hard for modern American Christians to get their minds open to the mind of Christ on this issue because it goes against the grain of our culture. The New Testament, however, is loaded with teachings about being servants.

When soldiers for the 6th Massachusetts Militia were attacked, and many were wounded at the start of the Civil War, they were brought to Washington, D. C. Clara Barton had been a teacher in Massachusetts, and she recognized some of the wounded soldiers as her former students. She went to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-30

"Have A Believer’s Eye For Blessings”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Feb 21, 2022

In our sermon today we will hear our Savior say that those who are poor, hungry, weeping, and persecuted are blessed. We need him to open our eyes to see how that can be so!

The prophet Elisha was a wanted man. The king of Aram (a nation to the northeast of the Holy Land) was at war with Israel. Aram is also called Syria and it was pretty much in the same area as modern-day Syria. But Elisha was frustrating all of his battle plans. Through God’s power ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Show Me Your Glory

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 4, 2022

When God chooses to open up the flood gates and rain down His showers of blessing, we usually don’t realize it until after we are completely drenched. This message brings encouragement to those who are facing trials and difficulties.

This morning’s message is entitled, “Show Me Your Glory,” and I want us to look at God’s blessings today. I want to open by having us consider how the Lord’s blessings are similar to a jet aircraft flying at supersonic or near-sonic speeds. Did you ever hear a jet fly overhead and you looked ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

"Guarding The Heart Of Your Home" Series

Contributed by Kendall Hicks on Apr 25, 2016

The idea for this series came from a series of the same name that is offered free by Life.Church. You can find it at open.church. There you will find videos, transcripts, outlines, and graphics. This message is loosely based on the life.church series.

INTRO: Raising kids made me realize that much has changed from the time I was a child until the time I became a parent; especially, in the area of child protection. For instance, when I was a child, I’m not sure car seats were even invented yet. Truth is, the first car with seatbelts that I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ruth The Risk Taker Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 11, 2021

She pushed open the door into the life of Boaz, and by her assertive risk taking pushed herself into the blood line of the Messiah. Ruth is only famous, and was only used of God, because she was a risk taker.

Fort Lee, which is now Charleston, West Virginia was under attack in 1791. Colonel George Clendenin assembled his men to ask for a volunteer to ride to Lewisberg over 100 miles away to get powder. They were almost out, and their survival depended upon a renewed supply. No one volunteered, for ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-13

Facing Temptations Head-On

Contributed by Beth Garrod-Logsdon on Mar 1, 2010

Drawing the opening verses of this passge, we are reminded that through the power of God's Holy Spirit, we can face our temptations head-on, rahter than avoid them which is our first inclination.

Facing Temptations Head-On Luke 4:1-13 & Romans 10:8-13 (Lent 1C) Rev. Beth Garrod-Logsdon Wilmore Presbyterian Church Well, here we are again – the first Sunday of Lent. The day when the mood and emotions of worship seem to take a downhill slide – the hymns become more ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Inside Connections And The Jewish Trial Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 31, 2003

Peter’s denial and the Jewish trial of Jesus opens our eyes to the nature of sinful mankind and society...and to God’s Sovereign Purposes which cannot be thwarted

Note: this is a bulletin insert that I included with the sermon. The actual sermon follows below it. Ed Inside Connections and The Jewish Trial of Jesus (Luke 22:54-65; John 18:12-27; Matt. 26:57-75; Mark 14:54-72) Have you ever noticed this verse about John sneaking Peter into the courtyard ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:54-65, John 18:12-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Tearing Down The Temples Of Hell Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 13, 2005

Paul had an open door of OPPORTUNITY. There were many OBSTACLES. God helped him to OVERCOME! Link included to Formatted Text version, Handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Tearing Down the Temples of Hell Acts 19:8-27 Paul stayed in Ephesus for 3 full years…not his normal pattern. There was much work to be done there, and w/ a pop. of 300,000 people, it was the capital of the Roman province of Asia. 1. Paul’s opportunity I Cor. 16:8-9 But I will tarry at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:8-27, Acts 19:23-41

Denomination: Baptist

Can Humans Have Integrity?

Contributed by Douglas Vincent on Nov 22, 2005

Satan challenges God asumption that Job is righteous. The open question of Job is, "Can humans serve God for who he is?" Can they have real integrity.

When I was a child my mom had to promise me she would give me a prize if I was good in the grocery store. I didn’t get that many prizes. But the motivation for my goodness was a prize. As I matured my Mother would ask me to be good in the store out of respect for her and the other shoppers. ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Methodist

The Gospel Of God (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Nov 16, 2002

Paul opens his letter to the Romans reminding them of the Promise of God! As Paul states "the gospel . . . is the power of God unto salvation" and it is also the central theme of Romans.

The Gospel of God (Part 2) Romans 1:7–17 Introduction People for two thousand years have been refuting and overthrowing this book, and yet it stands today as solid as a rock. Its circulation increases, and it is more loved and cherished and read today than ever before. People make about ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:7-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Born Old

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 29, 2010

To experience new life, even in the senior years, means using old knowledge to gain new knowledge; to set aside pride in order to learn; and to be fully open to Christ.

We had been talking about a mutual friend. We had laughed a little at how rigid he was, how staid. We had commented that he didn’t like change; he could easily be "all shook up" when something didn’t go his way. I asked the other person in this conversation, "How long have you known John? Has he ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

It's All About Relationships Series

Contributed by Richard Sharp on Jan 10, 2008

In the opening verses of Galatians 4, Paul shares about our relationship with God and our relationship with others. How do they relate? How important our relationships to God?

Galatians 4:1-16 It’s All about Relationships Ben Hooper was born in Newport, Tennessee in 1870 He was born out of wedlock , to Sarah Wade. As a result, He had a tough childhood, being taunted by others. In his early school years , his Grandfather died, and his mother was forced to place Ben ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Rebuke Turned Back Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 22, 2009

Jesus turns from silence about His achievements to open speaking about His death. He will not follow the ambition path, the pleasure path, or the easy spirituality path.

You can admire Jesus, you can think well of Jesus, you can even love Jesus. But you cannot domesticate Him, you cannot tame Him, you cannot make Him sweet and nice and pretty. He is who He is and He says what He says, and sometimes it’s hard to take. In my experience, just about everybody out ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From Fear Series

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Mar 22, 2009

All of us have to face death, but not all of us have to fear death. A valley is not a dead-end or a cul-de-sac, but rather a tunnel opened on both ends.

The late great trumpet player Louie Armstrong tells a story about while growing up in Louisiana, having to go down to the pond and getting water for Allie May. He gets down there and is about to scoop the water out of the pond and all of the sudden coming out of the water are these two huge eyes ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Denomination: Baptist

One On One With Jesus In Mark Part 1 Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Oct 27, 2007

Let’s open up the world of Mark and walk in to see the one he’s proclaiming! Jesus will surprise us if we honestly look at him and listen to him.

Present Mark 1-3 dramatically, by memory if possible. First Encounter with Jesus I’ve been spending time with the Lord in Mark’s gospel this week and I can’t wait to tell you what he has shown me. But let me warn you up front, it hasn’t been easy. We’ve been in a hurry. I’ve never seen such ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ