Sermons on Church Closing:

Sermon # 16 - The Lord Is Close At Hand Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on May 1, 2023

When our situations are gloomy and dark and there seems no hope, remember the Lord Jesus is close at hand and He specializes in transforming lifeless situations to those brimming with life and fruitfulness.

In Mark 16:1, we read, “And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.”(KJV) The Lord Jesus as He had already predicted to His disciples on several occasions, was crucified on a cross at ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1, Luke 8:1-3, John 20:10-11, John 20:14-15, John 11:3, John 11:6, John 11:32, Numbers 17:5, Numbers 17:8, Luke 2:48-49, Luke 1:32, Colossians 1:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Close To The Enemy's Fire

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Jan 24, 2024

While Jesus is on trial, Peter is warming himself at the enemy's fire

Close to the Enemy’s Fire Mark 14:53-64 Good morning. Solomon asked in Proverbs 6:27, Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? NKJV According to bibleref.com, “This passage of Proverbs warns of the dangers associated with adultery. This statement is echoed by a common ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:53-64

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Should Churches Do Business?

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Aug 3, 2013

A church should be an active, contributing member of its community, rather than a closed-off mini-community that keeps to itself and this can extend to becoming involved in business or in the business community.

Churches in business Luke 19:13 - So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, “Do business till I come.” God always intended for the priesthood to reinvest a portion of the tithe, with the expectation of a return. It was part of His plan to show ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:13

Denomination: Charismatic

Apocalypse Of The Church

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jan 25, 2022

The apocalypse described in Mark's Gospel can be viewed as a prophecy that can occur today! Churches need to stop the bleeding loss of membership before it is too late. Christ's love will make that change.

Apocalypse of the Church Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Mark 13:14-23 14 “But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 15 “aThe one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:14-23

Denomination: United Methodist

Church For The Churched

Contributed by Steve Hereford on Aug 25, 2006

Who is the church for? Believers or unbelievers? Or to use more contemporary terms - churched or unchurched. Listen today as Pastor Steve addresses who is the church in the midst of the seeker-sensitive movement.

Recently I was invited to attend a church planters conference in Lake Yale. At that conference I was exposed to various teaching and methods for reaching the unchurched. As I sat there and listened and took notes, I couldn’t help to think how we have somehow missed it when it comes to the purpose ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Churches That Survive

Contributed by Stephen Funderburk on Feb 28, 2007

jesus gives the keys for the churches survival in a hostile world

Intro: the other night a report was given that about 3000 churches close annually in the United States. When you hear a report like this the first thought is I wonder what attributed to the decline and closure of a church. Did it lose vision? Did it get older and not make adjustments to minister to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:16-19

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Secret Weapon For Getting People To Want Jesus Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 19, 2018

In this passage Paul speaks of throwing his "heart wide open" to the Corinthians. Could it be that the deep relationships that will come from doing that might be the church's secret weapon for attracting people to Jesus in a culture overwhelmed by loneliness?

DANGER SIGNS ON CHURCH FRIENDSHIPS: Shallow conversation, safe prayer requests, and busy pastors. - Sometimes church members can be mean to each other, but even in good times many church friendships are characterized by their lack of depth. What are some of the signs? a. Shallow conversation. - ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Can The Community Depend On Shipps Baptist Church?

Contributed by Mickey Bell on Jun 14, 2007

If we were to close our church doors today, would the community even know we were gone?

Can the Community Depend on Shipps Baptist? Jonah 1:4-6 Not too long ago, I read a statement I have not been able to get off my mind ever since. You may recall it and then again maybe it didn’t sink in to your mind. Here’s the statement: If Shipps Baptist Church were to close its doors tonight, ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Tested

Contributed by Michael Karpf on Jun 30, 2010

God tests our faith when He closes doors, but this leads to an even better open door.

FAITH TESTED Hebrews 11:6 Thank you for the opportunity to share with you again. I’ve been asked several times, “Are you ready?” My answer is, I’m never ready. When it’s time you do it relying on God’s help. So let’s do that now. I like hearing Ptr ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:6-10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

When God Is Distant - Mark 15:34 And Psalm 22 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 30, 2024

What can you do when God is far away? You cry out to him and receive no comfort, no strength, it just seems like your prayers bounce off the ceiling. That actually happened to Jesus, and when it did, he quoted a psalm that teaches exactly what to do in times like that.

Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Introduction What can you do when God is far away? You cry out to him and receive no comfort, no strength, it just ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:34, Matthew 27:46

Draw Near - Part Three

Contributed by Tim Vamosi on Jan 12, 2011

Draw Near – Whatever It Takes

OPEN: Today I wanted to focus one more time on the topic of drawing near to God. In James we were told: "Come near to God and he will come near to you." This morning we are going to be looking at a woman who has a desperate faith. She was determined to get to Jesus not matter what it took. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Looking For The Perfect Church: Part One Series

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Jan 11, 2003

If you are looking for the perfect church just close your eyes and pretend there is nothing else going on in the world. Jonah did and look where it got him.

January 12, 2003 Morning Service Text: Jonah 1:1-17 Subject: Running from God Title: Looking for the Perfect Church: Part One There are people out there who move from church to church to church hoping that someday they will find just the right one. It will be the one where everything is just ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The City Of The Living God

Contributed by John Kilough on Feb 3, 2005

Building on our desire to cry out for the presence of the living God by drawing close to Him.

The City of the Living God Heb 12:18-29 18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

Iron Heavens, Brass Earth

Contributed by Babatunmishe Oke on Feb 18, 2018

One of the worst situations a human can experience is what we call iron heavens and brass earth. God is always particular about the consequences of idol worship.

Leviticus 26 26 ‘You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God. 14 ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 26:14-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Whatever It Takes, I Must Get To Jesus

Contributed by Brad Stone on Jul 7, 2024

Looking at Peter walking on the water in a different light, we see his determination to get to Christ.

Whatever It Takes, I Must Get to Jesus Mt. 14:24-29 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:24-29

Denomination: Baptist