Sermons on Arms Wide Open:

The Gospel Happens In Athens Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 2, 2018

When it comes to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, it helps if we understand the approach Paul took. Let’s look at 3 principles that will help us become more frequent sharers.

The Gospel Happens in Athens (Acts 17:16-34) 1. Philosophers can be interesting and sometimes deep. Joke about 2 Greek philosophers arguing: Euclid tells the other: You've been a very good pupil this past year, Eubulides, but now it's time for you to pay the 50 drachma you owe me for all the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Easter Key

Contributed by Martin Ellgar on Jan 9, 2015

A drama for children: The Easter Key.

The Easter Key Introduction: The children’s talk for today is based on part of the Easter Sunday story, (Mark 16: 1-4). Theme: God opens doors. Aim: To teach that God opened the door to the tomb of Jesus so that all may see and learn that Jesus is risen. Materials: 1. One metal key for ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-4

Denomination: Lutheran

Tolerance Of Others Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 12, 2025

Tolerance is a Christian virtue rooted in love, humility, and understanding. It involves accepting others with their differences in opinion, background, and level of spiritual maturity.

TOLERANCE OF OTHERS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Romans 14:1-4 "Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarrelling over disputable matters. One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Ready To Suffer Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 15, 2011

If we want to be ready to suffer for Christ, we must arm ourselves with His attitude, choose to abandon our sin, expect abuse, and anticipate God's approval.

Recently, I read about a fictitious manual for Peace Corp volunteers headed for South America. It offers advice on how to handle a chance encounter with an anaconda (a large type of boa constrictor). The advice comes under the heading, “What to Do If Attacked by an Anaconda”: #1) If ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Smile On The Face Of Papa-God

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Sep 2, 2018

A sermon on Sun-bathing and Son-bathing, the sacred heart, and the God who wraps his arms around us in love. Preached at St Joseph the Worker Northolt for their

Deuteronomy 4:7 “For what other great nation has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him?” When I was a teenager the church I went to after I became a Christian had a big statue like this one (point to the statue of the Sacred heart). Jesus with his arms outstretched ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:5-12

Denomination: Anglican

Peacemaking Owns The Future

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 16, 2010

Our dedication to arms-building reflects our personal insecurity and our lack of faith. God is Lord of History and efforts to make peace build His Kingdom.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC May 3, 1987 It’s a great gift to be self-contained, to be so secure within your own person that whatever is happening around you just does not get to you and shake you. It's a great gift to have the presence of mind to focus on what you need ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Baptist

A Warriors Plea Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Feb 27, 2022

In times of war, God’s Word gives us encouragement to pray for our armed forces because our fighting men and women are in harm’s way.

Category: Prayer for Battles, War, Intercession A Warriors Plea The Bible Calls us to Pray for Our Service Men and Women 1 Samuel 12:23, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord for failing to pray for you.” Who was Samuel: Samuel was born as the result of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Philadelphia's Door Of Opportunity Series

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Feb 22, 2002

Encouragement to walk through every "open door" of opportunity that God gives us for ministry.

WHEN WE ARE FACED WITH NEW AND EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY AND WE TELL OURSELVES "I CAN NEVER CHANGE, THAT’S NOT MY STYLE" OR SAY "THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN," WE PRESUME TOO MUCH AND BELIEVE TOO LITTLE. IN JESUS CHRIST, GOD RENDERS ALL OF OUR FINAL CONCLUSIONS PREMATURE AND ALL OF OUR TALK ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Free Methodist

Bereans

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 12, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: Are you an open-minded person? Do you want to open your mind on GOD's Words? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To be like the Bereans IV. TEXT: Acts 17:11 (NLT) 11 And the people of Berea were more open-

I. EXORDIUM: Are you an open-minded person? Do you want to open your mind on GOD's Words? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To be like the Bereans IV. TEXT: Acts 17:11 (NLT) 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Losing My Religion Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

To be able to break away from tightly held beliefs, there has to be a conversion of the heart and mind

Losing my Religion Acts 10-11 After several years of trying to bring about change from the inside, former President Jimmy Carter announced that he’s severing his ties with the Southern Baptist church over its treatment of women. “I have been a practicing Christian all my life and a ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Finish Your Race Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Feb 21, 2016

This is Part 6 of my series titled "Choices" and is titled "Finish Your Race." The message focuses on the motivation behind what we do for Christ and how we live out our Christianity.

Choices Part 6 Finish Your Race Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Matthew 7:13-23; 25:31-46 Introduction This message is part six and the conclusion of my series “Choices.” In my message on last Sunday I asked you to choose love. The reason that I asked you to choose love is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Support Your Local Pastor...

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 24, 2009

This is an open letter to encourage people to see the man of God as the man of God and help support him...

Dear FRIEND! HELP! DON’T ALLOW A MAN OF GOD TO DROWN... Many preachers have a crisis after years of ministry. Preachers are hurting and they do not know how to find relief. They may act strong before the people, but broken behind the scenes... I have been in ministry several years and there can ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 22:16-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Liberation Of Peter From Prison Series

Contributed by Jerry Smith on Mar 18, 2021

God works a miracle opening physical doors for Peter. The miracle you need may not be physical doors, but God can open all doors according to His will.

We continue our study of doors in the Bible. We have studied: • God shutting the door of the Ark • The figurative open door of opportunity to the church of Philadelphia • Jesus symbolically being the Door to Salvation • We are to choose to enter the door to the narrow road to Heaven • Today we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

"Risky Business"

Contributed by David Washburn on Jan 23, 2003

Being healed/changed and following God is risky business, but man, is it eye opening!!

Wanting to improve or better yourself is risky business. Whether you’re going back to school to complete or further your education; whether you’re a mother who’s made the decision to reenter the work force; whether you’ve changed careers; whether you’ve relocated for the betterment of your family ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Rentless Love

Contributed by Patty Groot on Aug 4, 2025

Today’s passage is one of the most vulnerable, heart-wrenching moments in the entire Bible—not from a human being, but from God Himself. It’s raw. It’s emotional. And it’s all about the relentless love of God for His people—even when they run from Him.

I want to begin today by asking a question that might hit close to home for some of us: Have you ever loved someone who didn’t love you back? You gave and gave, and they walked away. You sacrificed, you showed up, you forgave—again and again—but they just… didn’t return it. Maybe it was a child. A ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-11