Sermons on Arms Wide Open:

Yes, It's Mother's Day!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on May 11, 2020

Today is Mother's Day, & this used to be such an easy Sunday for preachers because we could preach sermons filled with warm, happy illustrations. And everybody wore flowers.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (This is a shorter & newer [2020] version of a previous message.) TEXT: Proverbs 23:25; Ephesians 4:15 & 32 ILL. A man came home from work one afternoon & found his three ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:25, Ephesians 4:32, Ephesians 4:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Iraq In Prophecy

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 5, 2008

The historical background and evidences of Iraq in prophecy.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Iraq is the second most mentioned nation in the Bible after Israel. (Mesopotamia, Babylon, Assyria, Nineveh, Chaldees, etc.). 2. The name Iraq is a recent name and Baghdad is a modern city. B. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When Conflict Lies Unresolved

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 9, 2004

The cost of unresolved conflict in our lives

PEARL HARBOR VILLAIN BECOMES EVANGELIST (See story that follows) > He chose to become at odds with his past… family… culture…just as Jesus said we must be prepared on one level not to bring peace… yet he was called to become a missionary of true peace. · Motivated by anger… to love · From a purpose ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Look And See If There Be Any Sorrow Like My Sorrow – Focus On Nigeria Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 7, 2024

Not all believers are aware of the continuing atrocities against Christians in Nigeria from the hand of wicked Islam. We examine some of this and look at practical issues in martyrdom. We must stand with our fellow Christians being killed and tortured in Nigeria and other nations. Pray for them.

LOOK AND SEE IF THERE BE ANY SORROW LIKE MY SORROW – FOCUS ON NIGERIA There is one certainty in following God, be that 4 000 years ago right up to our current time. It will be a road of sorrow and isolation and persecution. It always has been that way because there is always a war raging. It ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:4, Galatians 4:29, 2 Timothy 3:12-13, Revelation 2:10, Psalm 22:13-14, Psalm 69:2-3, John 15:18-20, 2 Corinthians 10:4, Hosea 11:8, Romans 8:17-18, Acts 7:55-56, Acts 7:59-60, 2 Timothy 4:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Almost Is Not Enough

Contributed by Steve Malone on Aug 9, 2004

AS WE STUDY THE EARLY PART OF THE BOOK OF JOSHUA TODAY, WE WILL SEE THAT OUR JOURNEY INTO OUR PROMISE LAND IS LIKE THE ISRAELITES JOURNEY IN 4 RESPECTS.

"ALMOST, IS NOT ENOUGH" TEXT: JOSHUA 1-4 INTRODUCTION [1:1-9] I am sure that most of us have heard the expression that Almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. To almost hit your target with a grenade or to almost get a ringer, sometimes is good enough, sometimes it is all ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Every Mother's Child Matters

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 7, 2010

Sarah's me-ism blinded her to Ishmael's value; Abraham's comfort blinded him to how best to support Hagar and Ishmael; Hagar, like many of our mothers, had to trust God in the desert. We today must support the Hagars of this world.

The barren landscape seemed to dance before her eyes, as she looked toward a horizon littered with debris, strewn with the rubbish of thousands of careless people who had gone this way. Filthy and dirty as it was, though, it seemed to dance before her eyes, for the sun was high above and hot; the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

…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

Do I Even Belong?

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 31, 2025

Through Christ, every orphaned heart finds adoption and belonging—turning lament into song and distance into home in the Father’s embrace.

I. The Song That Never Dies Every culture has its songs of longing — the melodies that rise from somewhere words cannot reach. The Irish have “Danny Boy.” The Armenians sing “Dle Yaman.” The Jews mourn “By the Rivers of Babylon.” And from the dark fields of the American South came one of the most ...read more

Scripture: John 14:18, Romans 8:15-17, Luke 15:11-24, Philippians 3:20, Revelation 21:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Obeying God

Contributed by Jerry Eckhart on Oct 25, 2003

One prophet forgot what God told him and paid the price.

Obeying God 10/26/03 1 Kings 13 Verses 1 – 3 “And behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the Lord unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. (2) And he cried against the altar in the word of the Lord, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the Lord; behold a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 13:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

Insights Into Successfl Parenting

Contributed by Ray Ellis on May 4, 2009

The foundation for successful families is based on how adequately parents teach their children the commandments of God.

“Insights Into Successful Parenting” Deuteronomy 6:1-9 Someone has collected some interesting prayers given by children. 1. Dear God, Thank you for the baby brother but what I asked for was a puppy. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up. Joyce 2. Dear God, is it true my Father ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Storm Before The Calm Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 24, 2006

[Hurricane Katrina--1 year later.] Jesus and His disciples are on a stormy sea, and we can learn much about our voyage thru life by way of this passage. Link included to formatted MS Word text and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Storm Before the Calm Matthew 8:23-27 1 year ago this week a powerful storm and devastating surge came to the Gulf Coast. Though it’s calm now and the waters receded, left in the wake is devastation still to this day. Oft in literature life is compared to a voyage at sea. The same is so in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

Tapped In To The Powerful Love Of Christ Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Nov 15, 2006

As Ephesians transitions from the "theological" to the practical, it hinges on a crucial prayer of Paul for them to be filled with power to know God’s love. It is this indwelling of the HS/Christ that enables us to walk in love and all that we are admoni

Tapped In to the Powerful Love of Christ Love is All you Need—the Beatles Love can be a powerful force Hug Video (other examples in my life? getting a note from my 6th grade girlfriend. Or patience from my wife of 15 years though I don’t deserve it) Human Love only goes so far • I love those ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Now Thank We All Our God

Contributed by Christopher Goelzer on Feb 4, 2004

Empower and Encourage the beleivers to live their lives as living sacrifices to the God that lived and sacrificed for them.

NIV Psalm 103:1 Of David. Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran

Do Unto Others

Contributed by Pablo Catala on May 31, 2019

Forgiveness

“A hacked Sony e-mail posted by WikiLeaks … reveals that Ben Affleck demanded that the PBS show ‘Finding Your Roots’ remove the fact that one of the actor’s ancestors owned slaves,” reports the Boston Globe. In a July 22, 2014, e-mail, the show’s host, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Narrow Road Series

Contributed by Bruce Hamsher on Apr 1, 2003

Interstate Highways vs. Country Roads

“The Narrow Road” Matthew 7:13-14 Theme: Roads to the Resurrection Intro: Travel – It’s good to know your destination. It’s imperative that you sit down, look at the map and decide on the best way to get to your destination. You would be foolish not to do so. You must ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Mennonite