Sermons on Arms Wide Open:

The Vultures And The Carcass (Sermon On The Rapture)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Aug 21, 2025

I want to read Luke 17:37 for out text verse which is probably going to cause some of you to scratch your head wondering what this verse is talking about. But I will explain the meaning of this verse later in this sermon.

Look at… Text: Luke 17:37, Introduction: Because the Lord loved people, He used everything available to teach people. Jesus was the master teacher. • Thousands would gather to hang on every word He spoke. • People traveled far and wide just to hear him teach. • The lessons he taught ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:37

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas: The Announcement That Changed Everything

Contributed by Kenneth Booker on Dec 23, 2025

• Before Mary ever heard a word… • Before Joseph ever had a dream… • Before shepherds ever looked up and saw angels shining in the sky… • Heaven had already made an announcement.

CHRISTMAS: THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING MATTHEW 1:18–25 • Before Mary ever heard a word… • Before Joseph ever had a dream… • Before shepherds ever looked up and saw angels shining in the sky… • Heaven had already made an announcement. Isaiah 7:14 declares: “BEHOLD, A VIRGIN SHALL ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Bible Church

Matchless Love

Contributed by David Dewitt on Aug 12, 2004

This is a devotional written for our church newsletter on the love Christ has for each one of us

Matchless Love Ephesians 3:18-19 Do you understand what it means to know that Jesus loves you? 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:18-19

Denomination: Church Of God

Are You A Fan Or A Follower?

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 2, 2011

Don’t just cheer on Jesus; be a part of Jesus.

Focus Passage: Luke 9:23 -25 Introduction: Explain the difference between being a fan and being alumni when it comes to Sooner football. Then church. Where we may wear a cross, we don’t bear the cross. You can come to church, know all the songs, open your Bible and take notes, walk out to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-25

Denomination: Baptist

Peer Pressure, Part 1, Good Or Bad Series

Contributed by Richard Laraviere on Sep 14, 2007

Teaching concerning the positive and negative aspects of peer pressure.

Peer pressure, The good, the bad and the ugly Part 1 Peer pressure. Good or bad? Introduction 1. What do you have in common with the people in these pictures? 2. We all face the strangling power of peer pressure TEXT: 1. Proverbs 1:10, 15 says, "My son, if sinners entice you, do not ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:10-15

Denomination: Mennonite

Ayin Adonai (Eye Of The Lord)

Contributed by Beulah Praiselin on Jan 27, 2017

God is omniscient; He knows everything actual and possible.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. Proverbs-15:3 Agreeing to this verse, nothing ever gets out the observation of God, and then nothing ever surprises him. He always delivers the right plans in place to achieve exactly what he wants. The eye of the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:3

I Am

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 30, 2022

In the book of John, Jesus says “I AM” seven times. Seven is the number of completeness, spiritual perfection.

I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE – John 6:35 • Fed thousands with a few fishes and bread • Exodus 16:35 – children of Israel ate manna • As in many cultures, bread is a staple of life • Bread sustains physical • Jesus sustains spiritual I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD – John 8:12 • Jesus wanted followers to ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35, John 8:12, John 10:11, John 11:25, John 14:6, John 15:1, John 10:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Staying Alive

Contributed by Victor Yap on Feb 5, 2017

Jewish Exile

STAYING ALIVE (ISAIAH 54:1-10) Two beggars are sitting on a park bench in Ireland. One is holding a cross and the other a Star of David. Both are holding hats to collect contributions. People walk by, lift their noses at the man with the Star of David and drop money into the hat of the man with the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 54:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Parables, Gifts Wrapped In Red Series

Contributed by Kyle Gray on Dec 7, 2012

This is NOT a breakdown on specific parables and meanings, it's a study into WHY Jesus used parables.

Gifts Wrapped in Red Welcome Campuses as we kick off the Gifts Wrapped in Red series! The final road before we get to Christmas! Can you believe it? How many of you are bringing guests to the Christmas service? You should know before we even begin…RED is my favorite color! It catches the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

For Spiritual Power Series

Contributed by Scott Jewell on Feb 4, 2024

Paul was writing from prison yet prayed for the church that they gain spiritual power. What is this power and how can it empower us today?

One of Terri’s all-time favorite movies is Aladdin. Now, I’m not talking about the live-action remake. If you’re going to watch Aladdin with her, it had better be the original Disney cartoon. The villain of the movie was Jafar, the grand vizier of Agraba. Jafar was the chief advisor, second in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Leaving Troubles Behind In A World Full Of Them

Contributed by Jason Eastridge on Mar 7, 2003

this message was written to encourage our church, while urging them that they must put their troubles behind them.

Leaving Troubles Behind In A World Full Of Them John 14:1-7 Introduction: Background: John is writing to new Christians and is searching non-Christians. The key purpose of the book of John is to prove conclusively that Jesus is the Son of God and that all who believe in Him will have eternal ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Transmitting A Legacy Of Righteousness-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 27, 2015

1 of ? Genesis records the transmission of a legacy of righteousness. We must transmit a legacy of righteousness to our progeny. But how can it be done? A device for transmitting a legacy of righteousness is my..

TRANSMITTING A LEGACY Of RIGHTEOUSNESS—Genesis 4:25—5:5(32) Attention: In the 1800’s it was discovered that a voice message could be sent over a series of electric wires to a distant location within a matter of minutes. The telephone’ would eventually supersede sending ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 5:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Wake Up And Fight For Your Life!

Contributed by C Jordan on May 22, 2012

Jesus came to give us life, but we are at war. Therefore, we must wake up and fight for our life.

WAKE UP AND FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE! OPENING FUNNY STORY: As the coals from our barbecue burned down, our hosts passed out marshmallows and long roasting forks. Just then, two fire trucks roared by, sirens blaring, lights flashing. They stopped at a house right down the block. All twelve of us raced ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10

Denomination: *other

When Dry Bones Can Live Again

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 1, 2021

Symbolically, this vision is about the resurrection of Israel as a nation. The dry and disconnected bones represent how God’s people had been defeated, divided and scattered in exile. Only God can reconnect their bones, unite them and bring them back together as a country!

WHEN DRY BONES CAN LIVE AGAIN Text: Ezekiel 37:1 - 14 Ezekiel 37:1-14  The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones.  (2)  And he led me around among them, and behold, there were ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: United Methodist

The Timing Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 23, 2021

What we want to see is that though timing may not be everything to Christmas it is plenty, and a focus on the timing of Christmas events can be quite revealing.

Timing may not be everything, but it is plenty. At the dedication service of the Statue of Liberty a boy was to wave a flag indicating that Senator William Evarts had finished his speech. This way the signal for men high in the head of the statue to let go of a giant French flag, which in turn ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7