Sermons on Close Relationship:

A Garden Enclosed

Contributed by Steven Cook on Nov 22, 2000

This message from the Song of Songs teaches us concerning the unique relationship between Christ and His Bride: The Church.

“A Garden Enclosed” Song of Solomon 4:9-5:1 By Dr. Steven G. Cook I. Introduction A. READ TEXT – Text Verse (5:1) B. In Song of Solomon 4:1-8, the shepherd/King praises the Shulamite girl for her beauty. C. What a picture of the relationship of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Bride, the Church! D. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Love Me? A Haunting Question For A Busy Church

Contributed by Tom Lawson on Jan 6, 2001

An inductive sermon exploring the idolatry of our (often Christian) busyness in light to the need for "Sabbath times" of relationship-building

DO YOU LOVE ME? A Haunting Question for a Busy Church John 21:15-17 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15 I love my wife Linda. I do. Now, to be honest, there are times that I do not enjoy being with her. But I do love her. To be painfully honest, she’s not a very exciting person for me to talk. There ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17, Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Clinging To Christmas

Contributed by Joel W. Lohr on Dec 28, 2001

A New Year’s sermon encourageing people to cling to the new life that is our’s through a relationship with Christ.

Now that Christmas has passed us by, there are many people who are prepared to go back to the way that things were a few weeks ago before the Holiday season forced its way into our lives making our schedules very very hectic. But, the encouragement for us comes from scripture today to each of us ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-14

Denomination: Baptist

The People Of The Covenant Lord: The Church Is The People, Not The Steeple Series

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Jul 8, 2002

This sermon as part of the series on the covenant relationship of God and His people, explains the form and function of the church as the people, not the steeple.

INTRODUCTION: C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters, writing, of course, as an elder devil to a younger devil, "One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see her spread out through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Permitted But Not Blessed

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 22, 2007

Sometimes God will permit us to do things that are detrimental to us. Spiritual discernment is a must in our relationship with God.

PERMITTED BUT NOT BLESSED TEXT: Numbers 22:20-22 Numbers 22:20 22 -- “And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.” “And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:20-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Want To Be Truly Healed? Include Gratitude!

Contributed by Philip Gill on Oct 16, 2007

To give thanks, to show gratitude is crucial for our wellbeing and our proper relationship with each other, with nature and with God.

Want to be Truly Healed? Include Gratitude. This morning’s gospel story presents us with two basic needs that can sometimes be in competition. One is that we need to be satisfied with our lot if we are to be in the least bit ‘happy’. The other need is to be able to look beyond that same situation ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Anglican

The Secret Of Success

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 8, 2007

What is the ultimate secret of success in business, in your career, in sales, in school, in sports, in all relationships, in life, in everything?

SERMON OUTLINE AND NOTES Bridgewater United Methodist Church -- Pastor Don Hawks 07. 15.07 THE SECRET OF SUCCESS Colossians 3:1-17, 23-24 Pew Bible, NT pp. 190 ANSWERS TO BLANKS--- INTRODUCTION: Don’t hold your nose! QUESTIONS TO ASK: 1--hold back; go all out; 2-- real Master, God CONCLUSION: ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-24

Denomination: Methodist

The Secret Of Success

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 12, 2007

What is the ultimate secret of success in business, in your career, in sales, in school, in sports, in all relationships, in life, in everything?

SERMON OUTLINE AND NOTES Bridgewater United Methodist Church -- Pastor Don Hawks 07. 15.07 THE SECRET OF SUCCESS Colossians 3:1-17, 23-24 Pew Bible, NT pp. 190 ANSWERS TO BLANKS--- INTRODUCTION: Don’t hold your nose! QUESTIONS TO ASK: 1--hold back; go all out; 2-- real Master, God CONCLUSION: ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-24

Denomination: Methodist

Seeing Jesus In A New Light Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 8, 2011

Seeing Jesus as Savior and Lord and having a relationship him is vital for Christians as we carry on his mission and ministry.

Matthew 17:1-9 “Seeing Jesus in a New Light” INTRODUCTION When I was growing up, I often read a children’s magazine entitled, Highlights. No, I didn’t read it because of its great editorials. I was into the pictures. There was always one page that had a picture with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

New Year's Resolutions For Christians

Contributed by Robert Sickler on Dec 31, 2011

Improving ourselves in a self-focused way is not necessarily bad but it must come second to improving our relationship with Jesus.

CHRISTIAN NEW YEARS RESOLUTION WORLDLY RESOLUTIONS We are at the transition point between the end of one year and the beginning of a new year. What happened in the old year, good or bad, is done and we cannot change it; we simple must live with the results of the past. In living with the past, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Denomination: Christian Church

Be Honest Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Nov 2, 2008

Getting honest about sin and its affects upon our relationship with God and the remedy for sin in our life

Be Honest 1 John 1:8-2:11 Be honest with yourself about sin (1:8) Be honest with God about sin (1:9-10) Be honest about the Remedy for sin (2:1-2) Be honest with yourself about your relationship with God (2:3-11) Test yourself (2:3) Test your Actions Test your Affections Slide There is a ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Free To Serve Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 7, 2009

This message encourages listeners to use their freedom, not to indulge themselves, but to serve others and so satisfy the law and heal their relationships.

Free to Serve! (Galatians 5:13-15) A pastor in Kansas City, Kansas, was organizing opportunities for people in his church to do small acts of kindness as a demonstration of Christ’s love in the community. He phoned several neighborhood grocery stores and Laundromats for permission to do specific ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Love Connection

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Nov 29, 2007

Every action, word, and relationship we have must be governed by love or its impact will be void of lasting value.

LOVE CONNECTION 1 Corinthians 13 Sunday, February 4, 2007 Pastor Brian Matherlee Introduction In the book, “Children’s Letters to God: The New Collection”, a little girl named, Nan, writes this letter: “Dear God, I bet it is very hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Mother's Broken Heart: Lessons From Jesus' Words To Mary From The Cross

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on May 21, 2008

Jesus’ words to Mary from the cross speak to our relationships with our parents and also our spiritual family.

Mary proudly holds her newborn baby boy as she and her husband enter the temple court. Only forty days ago she gave birth to her firstborn Son. Today they have made the short trip from Bethlehem to dedicate her firstborn son to the Lord. As they make their way through the crowd, an elderly man ...read more

Scripture: John 19:23-27, John 19:23

Denomination: Baptist

A Faith Like Abraham Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on May 29, 2008

When we examine Abraham’s faith, we discover a model which leads us to a relationship with God.

A Faith Like Abraham Romans 4:13-25 * The word Faith carries many different meanings. First, it means “belief in, devotion to, or trust in somebody or something and many times without logical proof.” In fact, true faith will defy logic. Faith also denotes a ‘system of religious belief or the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:13-25

Denomination: Baptist