Sermons on Close Relationship:

No Excuse For Excuses

Contributed by Troy Borst on Nov 5, 2005

God wants to have a relationship with us and He wants that relationship to be the most important. But, we make excuses.

NO EXCUSES FOR EXCUSES LUKE 14:15-24 INTRODUCTION... School Time Excuses Douglas Bernstein, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois recently asked faculty members for the ‘most unusual, bizarre, and amazing student excuses’ they had ever heard. He gt dozens of responses from his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:15-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Jesus Said About Our Behavior, Intro Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Sep 30, 2012

People tell us that it's not about rules it's about a relationship, but doesn't that relationship come with expectations?

What Jesus Said about our Behaviour Intro If you have been keeping track this is the fourth series that we have taught this year based on “What Jesus said about. . .” In April we spoke about “What Jesus said About Money” and we focused on Jesus’ words concerning how ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Present Perfect

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 11, 2011

Our behavior should reflect our relationship with the perfect God, rather than our relationships with imperfect people.

Once upon a time, long long ago, in a galaxy far far away, that passage from Matthew changed my life. Well, it wasn’t another galaxy, exactly, but it was certainly another world. And it certainly feels like a longtime ago. I started working for the Pillsbury Company over 30 years ago. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Get Active!

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Feb 1, 2015

There is a vast difference between professing one's relationship to Christ and one demonstrating the reality of one's relationship to and faith in Christ.

Get Active Hebrews 10:23-32 There is a vast difference between professing one's relationship to Christ and one demonstrating the reality of one's relationship to and faith in Christ. Paul in writing to Titus (Titus 1:16) speaks of a group of professing Christians and says, "They profess to know ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-32

Denomination: Baptist

What Is A Friend? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 19, 2025

The sermon emphasizes choosing wise, loving friendships that nurture faith and character, trusting God’s guidance to build relationships that help us flourish and avoid harm.

If you want to see tomorrow, look at the faces around your table today. The people who share your coffee and your commute, your prayers and your plans—these voices shape the volume of your soul. Companions can calm our fears or kindle them. Counsel can steady our steps or scatter them. God cares ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:26

Topics: True Friends, Fake Friends

Your First Family: Minister Well To Them Series

Contributed by Darren Mccormick on Jan 11, 2006

Speaks to the idea that our family at home is the second most important relationship we have, following, of course, our relationship with God.

AM Sermon preached at Syria Christian Church January 9, 2005 "Your First Family: Minister Well To Them" [TITLE SLIDE] When Americans hear the words first family---their thoughts typically race to the occupants of the White House---the president and his family. And some of you reading the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:18-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Getting To The Heart

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Nov 13, 2022

Religion is about keeping and maintaining laws and traditions, but Jesus nullifies these rules and regulations in favor of a relationship, and within that relationship all the laws of God are contained and worked out. It is through this relationship that we can get to the heart of God.

Getting To The Heart Watch on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o5NlL02LPU There is a popular phrase that is used when we want to get to the bottom of something, or of our need to get to the most important aspect of something. We say that we need to get to the heart of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23, Matthew 22:37-39

Denomination: Foursquare

The People Who Know Their God

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Jul 27, 2020

All of us love to do exploits. Everyone wants to accomplish something great. Who doesn’t like to do great things? However, believe me, we all can carry out, not just exploits, but great exploits. There is only one condition for that. We must know our God – the Creator of heaven and earth.

All of us love to do exploits. Everyone wants to accomplish something great. Who doesn’t like to do great things? However, believe me, we all can carry out, not just exploits, but great exploits. There is only one condition for that. We must know our God – the Creator of heaven and earth. Daniel ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15, Hosea 11:4, Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 18:24, Isaiah 40:31, Exodus 32:4, Exodus 20:18-19, Exodus 19:5-6, Mark 12:29, Daniel 11:32  (view more)  (view less)

Be A Peacemaker Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 10, 2007

To make peace is not to compromise or avoid confrontation. Abraham set us a good example. We must have the desire to make peace, treasure the relationship, be generous in heart and avoid a self-centred view of things.

JOHN PIPER says the cry of the beatitudes is this: “Get a new heart!” • They are not good suggestions, but what every Christian ought to be. • The beatitudes counter the false understanding that a person can be saved without being changed. Or: that a person can inherit eternal life even if his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Vindicating God (Part 4) Gods Plan, Our Pursuit Series

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Sep 23, 2008

This is the 4th in vidicating God. Paul again shows Gods electing love through the prophets, and closes the chapter with the human response required.

ROMANS 9:25- 33. VINDICATING GOD (PART 4) GOD’S PLAN OUR PURSUIT... HAVE YOU EVER BEEN THROWN INTO THE DEEP END OF THE SWIMMING BATHS AS A CHILD, WHEN YOU COULDN’T SWIM? I’VE EXPERIENCED IT......FOR ALL YOUR WORTH YOU TRY AND KEEP YOUR HEAD ABOVE WATER BUT TO NOW AVAIL YOU BEGIN SINKING, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

Rekindling Your First Love Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Dec 28, 2008

The first churches in history were just like the churches now...and they have a lot to teach us about staying close to Jesus.

Sermon for CATM – December 28 – Churches of Revelation – Ephesus and Sardis – Revelation 2:1-7; 3:1-6 Today we begin a 5-part series on the Churches of Revelation. Yes, it is a bit odd that we’re beginning such a series on the last Sunday of the year and that we will be starting the new year with ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is Faith?

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Aug 7, 2010

Faith is a action word. It is not something you hold, but something that holds you. It is a relationship with Jesus Christ and will drive us to have a deeper relationship with Him.

What is real faith? Hebrews 11:1-10 Introduction I want to talk to you a minute about faith. I have heard it all. My faith is personal. My faith is what I believe. Faith is ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Embracing Change — Making Room For Pure Religion

Contributed by Ron Auch Jr on Jun 1, 2025

Change is never easy. But in the Kingdom of God, change is often the doorway to growth. The Church has always been called to adapt—not by compromising truth, but by shedding old forms that no longer serve the mission.

“Embracing Change — Making Room for Pure Religion” Authentic Worship, Missional Evangelism, and the Call to Genuine Relationship Todays Scriptures: • James 1:27 • Matthew 4:19-22 • Acts 10:34-35 • John 4:23-24 • Matthew 28:18-20 Change Isn’t a Threat—It’s a Call Change is never easy. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27, Matthew 4:19, Matthew 4:20, Matthew 4:21, Matthew 4:22, Acts 10:34-35, John 4:23-24, Matthew 28:18-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Power For The Church Series

Contributed by Ron Murphy on Nov 9, 2006

Power For the Church is found in depth of relationship with Christ.

Introduction I. Our foundational verse this morning is Ephesians 3, verse 16 - 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; II. The letter to the Ephesians, and in particular Chapter 3 is speaking of the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Methodist

Forgiving And Forgetting Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Jun 20, 2006

Forgiveness is essential to a healthy relationship (especially a marriage).

[Read Ephesians 4:25-32. Ask the congregation to look for statements that can be applied to marriage.] Series: MARRIAGE MATTERS Sermon Title: Forgiving and Forgetting When we are hurt or offended or wronged by someone, the intensity of our pain will be directly proportional to the closeness of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:32

Denomination: Baptist