Sermons on Arms Wide Open:

Defending The Faith Series

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on May 20, 2025

In the opening verses of Jude, we’re reminded that following Christ means embracing a new identity—one marked by complete submission and ownership by Jesus. This message calls the Church to stay alert and defend the faith from subtle internal threats that distort grace and divide the body.

It’s the end of June of 2023. Crazy, isn’t it? Well I guess not really - that’s how time works. But, May 1st of this year marked half a decade that I’ve been here at New Hope, and in fact, this month, although it’s almost over, marks exactly 2 full years since I’ve started preaching here. Kind of a ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-4, Jeremiah 17:9-10, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Gifts Under Christmas Tree

Contributed by Alan Balatbat on Apr 27, 2004

Just a few days before Christmas, a postal worker at the main sorting office found an unstamped, handwritten, messy envelope addressed to God. Curious, he opened it and discovered that it was from an elderly woman who was in great distress because all of

Introduction: Just a few days before Christmas, a postal worker at the main sorting office found an unstamped, handwritten, messy envelope addressed to God. Curious, he opened it and discovered that it was from an elderly woman who was in great distress because all of her savings—$200—had been ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:7-8

Denomination: Baptist

Disobedience And Defeat Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on Jun 1, 2005

Today’s message is one of warning. It is a cautionary lesson from the Bible that I pray you will listen to very carefully with a mind and heart that is open to God’s Spirit. Though this is not a message of joy, it is one of great consequence for your fu

Disobedience, Defeat, and Discipline Text: Joshua 7 Several weeks ago I began a study in Joshua’s conquest of Canaan, drawing lessons for our own advance into the place of abundant blessing in the presence of God! Are you taking your promised land, moving into a life that is filled with the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Time For Choice Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on Jun 1, 2005

The daily choice whether we will open the door of our life or ignoring His request to fellowship with us is ours to make! God, in spite of his great love for us and his vast power, will never kick in the door to our hearts.

A Time for Choice! With this message, we close this series from Joshua, about possessing our Promised Land, moving into God’s provisions for your life. I pray that you have realized that God has prepared a phenomenal life that stretches from the ‘now’ into the ‘forever’ for each of us. And, I ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

It Says What It Means! Does It Mean What It Says? Series

Contributed by James Mccullen on May 9, 2005

Please read all the introduction before judging this sermon. It is my desire to preach the Bible during the entire sermon. Please note all points and sub-points are tied to the scripture. This sermon is expository in style, you will have to open, and k

It Says What It Means! Does It Mean What It Says? James 5:13-15 (13) Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. {14} Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-15

Denomination: *other

When You Are New In The Church Series

Contributed by James Mccullen on May 12, 2005

This message will guide us when we are new in A church. It is my desire to preach the Bible during the entire sermon. Please note all points and sub-points are tied to the scripture. This sermon is expository in style, you will have to open, and keep

WHEN YOUR NEW IN THE CHURCH Gal 1:18-24 NASB {18} Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. {19} But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. {20} (Now in what I am writing to you, I ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:18-24

Denomination: *other

A "Fast" Message - Fasting - Prayer

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 25, 2005

"God’s 9 Main Purposes for Fasting" from Is. 58 make for a great outline and eye-opening sermon for your committed crowd. Also, Biblical admonitions on the Benefits and Dangers to consider when fasting. Free Powerpoint at website.

A Fast Message From God Is. 58:6-8 PowerPoint at: http://www.gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FastMessage.html I. Definition of Fasting Fasting=a voluntary withdrawing from food and/or drink, or other fleshly appetite, for a specified period of time. 3 most basic types of fasting mentioned in the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Graves That Couldn't Be Shut

Contributed by Dennis Cocks on Apr 2, 2006

In our text we see the singularly most important and impressive truth of the resurrection is a cemetery filled with graves which men were powerless to close. These graves were opened at the time that Jesus died; but those inside the graves would not come

EASTER: THE GRAVES THAT COULDN’T BE SHUT TEXT: MATTHEW 27:50-54 INTRODUCTION: Let me begin by reviewing the sermon that I gave two weeks ago titled “Was Jesus Crucified On Good-Friday?” If you still have your chart, please take a look as I remind us of the timeline. We learned from Lev. 23 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:50-54

Denomination: Baptist

Thessalonica And Berea Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 25, 2005

Paul centres his message on the historic Jesus, arguing from Scripture that he’s the Messiah. He persuades people by careful argument, opening the Scriptures to allow people to discover the truth for themselves. And he works as a leader of a team, includi

It’s interesting that we think of Paul as someone who stands out on his own. He’s the great apostle to the Gentiles, a man who stands head and shoulders above the rest. Yet in reality he was a man who loved to work as part of a team. He started out with Barnabas, then joined up with Silas, then he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

Denomination: Anglican

Repent Or... What???

Contributed by Greg Nance on Mar 30, 2008

Repentance is part of the salvation song of God’s people. God has graciously left the door open for us to come home. But to get back we must turn back and continue to make corrective adjustments in our walk with the Lord.

Luke 13:1-9 Consider a few verses that speak of the call and gift of repentance: Isa 30:15 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. Isa 59:20 "The Redeemer ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prepare For Battle

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Feb 17, 2008

Today in Canada we see a nation that is ever more secular and less and less Christian. In fact in our Provincial Legislature the current Premier Dalton McGuinty wants to abolish the practice of reading The Lords Prayer at each opening session.

Prepare for Battle Ephesians 6:10-20 We last looked to Gods word and studied the Beatitudes that Jesus gave us from the Sermon on the Mount. We covered a broad list of attitudes and characteristics that we as Christians are called to reflect in our lives as Gods children. It is not a list that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Freedom Isn’t Free

Contributed by Steven Platt on Jun 7, 2002

Memorial Day Sermon. It opens honoring those who gave their lives for our country, but ultimately honors those who gave their lives for our King. It closes with the ultimate Memorial Service for us as Christians, the Lord’s Supper.

Freedom Isn’t Free October 12, 2000. To some people, this may be a loved ones birthday. To others, maybe the day they bought their first new car. October 12, 2000. Undoubtedly, mothers were busy making Halloween costumes or perhaps even a few were beginning to buy Christmas gifts ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Parable Of The Friend At Midnight Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 7, 2007

Putting persistence in our prayers--When Jesus was asked by His disciples to teach them to pray, He said they need to ask, then seek, and knock until the door opens. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Friend at Midnight Luke 11:1-13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FriendAtMidnight.html INTRODUCTION 1. In studying the parables of Jesus, we have seen how He used the parabolic method of teaching on different subjects.... a. Mostly on the theme of the kingdom of heaven b. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Seeds Of Change Series

Contributed by Andy Almendarez on Dec 11, 2006

In the gospel of Matthew we see a few recurring themes: True spirituality; living by faith; and achieving greatness. All of these themes overlap to some extent. Matthew 18 begins with the disciples re-opening these issues again by asking Jesus a question.

SEEDS OF CHANGE Matthew 18:1-4 In the gospel of Matthew we see a few recurring themes: True spirituality; living by faith; and achieving greatness. All of these themes overlap to some extent. Matthew 18 begins with the disciples re-opening these issues again by asking Jesus a question: (v. 1) At ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-4

Denomination: Holiness

The Evidence Of Faith

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 28, 2012

This passage pictures one of the great lessons of the gospel and that is the evidence of faith. Jesus has just challenged us to open our eyes and look because the fields are white for harvest. Of course, He was talking about witnessing, about sharing th

Tonight’s passage is a fairly short passage and is really a very simply passage, but it pictures one of the great lessons of the gospel and that is the evidence of faith. We are still in chapter 4 of John verses 43-45. Jesus has just challenged us to open our eyes and look because the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:43-45

Denomination: Baptist