Sermons on Being Close To God:

Put Out Into The Deep! Deeper, Close.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 17, 2025

Are we satisfied to stay the same? God's plan is to PUT OUT INTO THE DEEP. There is more. Ezekiel saw a revival of a closer personal walk with God.Will we stay in shallow waters?

PUT OUT INTO THE DEEP? LOOKING FOR THE CURE? COME DEEPER… By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) (TWO PART) FINDING DEEPER MEANING… SHALLOW V. DEEPER. I was in the 7TH grade and we lived in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. My mom wanted us to learn how to ...read more

Scripture: James 4:8, Luke 5:4, Ezekiel 47:1-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Safe Place To Come Close

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

Humility and gentleness are keys for creating a church fellowship where people feel safe to come close to one another.

Last week we started with the dilemma of two porcupines on a very cold night, who needed to snuggle up close to each other to stay warm. But the closer they got the more they pricked each other with their quills, so they pulled apart. But the more they pulled apart, the colder they got. So it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 11:28-29

Huddled Behind Closed Doors

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Apr 14, 2020

Today, many are huddled behind closed doors, fearing the dreadful disease - Coronavirus.

Message/Devotion April 19, 2020 John 20:19-31 Huddled Behind Closed Doors As I read today’s gospel message, it was abundantly clear to me that today masses of people are huddled behind closed doors due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Some are in a self-imposed lockdown. Some are in a lockdown ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Just How Close Are We? Series

Contributed by Bill Burress on Oct 27, 2008

This message refers to when Christ raptures His Church.

“Just How Close Are We?” Whether you are a Christian or not one question seems to be on every ones mind lately is, “Are we close to the Tribulation, or as some refer to as the end of the world?” I mean just look around at what has taken place in the last year. Fuel prices have caused ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Communion - Open, Closed, Or Cracked? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2020

Is the Communion Meal Open to all who profess Christ? Or is it overseen by the congregation hosting the meal and thus restricted to those who are in open fellowship with the assembly? The message is a study of this controversial question.

“In the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

Open House, Closed Minds

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 2, 2018

Life is about attitudes! You are a product of your menial everyday choices. The Pharisee invited Jesus to his house, but never gave him the proper care. Yet, they judged the lady that did what she could...

AN OPEN HOUSE WITH A CLOSED MIND? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com THERE WAS AN INVITATION FROM A PHARISEE, HE WAS A VIP (VERY IMPORTANT PERSON), SEARCH YOUR HEART AND YOUR ATTITUDES… BAD ATTITUDES ARE CHOICES… WHY ALL THIS WASTE? Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:37-47

Denomination: Assembly Of God

On Being Peacemakers Series

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Jun 23, 2009

Part III of the Four Part Vision: As the redeemed children of God, we are called to live lives that reflect the peace that Christ won for us on the Cross. This message is a practical introduction to Biblical Peacemakers.

Texts: “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ’every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Close Encounters Of The Jesus Kind

Contributed by Carl Greene on May 10, 2008

A sermon challenging each member of the congregation to answer Jesus’ question... "But what about you? Who do you say I am?"

A Close Encounter of the Jesus Kind Matthew 16: 13-16 —William Willimon, “Who do you say that I am?” August 22, 1999, Duke Chapel Web Site, chapel.duke.edu. A student came to me and asked me to explain to her the difference between Christianity and Judaism. She is in love with a student who is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-16

Denomination: Methodist

Pay Close Attention To "It"

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 8, 2002

How Peter encourages us to listen to the Word of the Prophets very carefully - referring to the Transfiguration.

February 10, 2002 2 Peter 1:16-21 16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Close Encounters Of A Third Kind

Contributed by Kenneth Jarman on May 17, 2008

This sermon explains three different types of encounters with Christ

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF A THIRD KIND By: Pastor Ken Jarman OPEN DOOR OUTREACH MINISTRIES, NEW BERN, NC 28560 Sunday May 18, 2008 ACTS 9:1 –9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest And asked letters from him to the synagogues of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Should We Close 2024 Praising God?

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Dec 27, 2024

How do you view the year 2024? Whatever happened this year, let's have right perspective so that we can praise God and give Him thanks.

We will soon leave the year of 2024. Some people see 2024 as a difficult or even bad year because they experienced so many problems this year, whether in finance, relationships, or health. They may even lose something precious or someone they loved this year. So, they are disappointed with God and ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Slammed Doors

Contributed by Bala Samson on Aug 24, 2014

Friend, we need fortitude to hang on to God and wait for Him! I repeat fortitude!

Slammed doors! Revelation 3:8”I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Have you had doors slammed on your face? I have had many, many, many, so much ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Heart Of Heaven (Come Close) Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon introduction sets the stage for a series on Following Jesus, aiming to help listeners either connect with Jesus for the first time or deepen their existing relationship, using the analogy of how perspective changes with distance.

I’m excited to be kicking off this Following Jesus series. Over this series, we’re going to lean into 4 key themes found in the Bible and in the Following Jesus book. It’s our desire and goal that over the next few weeks you’d either connect with Jesus for the first time or you want to deepen your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:50-51, Luke 15:11-24, Luke 19:1-10

Topics: Following Jesus, Spiritual Growth, Divine Perspective

Sermon Series: Following Jesus

When Open Doors Close Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Mar 17, 2013

Start of the 2nd missionary journey - Powerpoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). A New Partner (15:40-41): (2). A New Helper (16:1-5): (3). A New Vision (16:6-10) (4). A New Convert (16:11-15) SERMON BODY: Ill: • One day when C.S. Lewis was in the tool shed in his garden. • And he noticed a sunbeam shining across the shed. • And it ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:1-5

Denomination: Brethren

Close Enough To Feel The Scars Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on May 8, 2006

Final in the Series "Near to His Heart: The Gospel of John." Easter Sermon, Jesus invites us to draw near in spite of our doubts and questions.

Birthday invitations—the kids start on them months before the party because they want people to come. For the last several months I’ve been sharing stories from the Gospel of John about Jesus invitation to us—the invitation to come near to Him. This morning we both celebrate His resurrection and ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God