Sermons on Close To:

The Yemptation Of Asceticism

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Sep 14, 2015

This is a Bible Study on some of the different ways the Church can withdraw from a missional focus and develop into a closed group of believers.

THE TEMPTATION TO ASCETICISM MATTHEW 17:1-9 LET’S BEGIN BY A DEFINITION OF WHAT ASCETICISM IS. NOUN 1. THE MANNER OF LIFE, PRACTICES, OR PRINCIPLES OF AN ASCETIC. 2. THE DOCTRINE THAT A PERSON CAN ATTAIN A HIGH SPIRITUAL AND MORAL STATE BY PRACTICING SELF-DENIAL, SELF-MORTIFICATION, AND ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

“thomas: Believing The Risen King” Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Aug 7, 2016

Jesus' meeting with Thomas reveals the problem of a unbelieving heart and the persistence of a loving Savior to draw close to Him and believe and be blessed!

8 7 2016 “Thomas: Believing the Risen King” John 20:24-31 “Inquiring minds want to know?” was the caption on a supermarket tabloid for years. Most people are innately curious. People are also generally skeptical: they want proof or evidence in order to be convinced. We ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Denomination: Baptist

Life’s Ups And Downs - Part 3 Of 3 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 27, 2019

The Lord is close to all that call upon Him in sincerity, and is abundantly generous to them, and has promised to help and save them.

17 Let me not be ashamed , O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed , and let them be silent in the grave. Let me not be ashamed, O Lord The petition is the same as in verse 1; “In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Romantic And Religious Love Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

The Christian can love on the physical level and the spiritual level. In Scripture the two become one, and are linked as closely as the body and spirit.

Love makes the world go round, says the one time popular song, and there are very few who will deny it. History reveals that one of life's greatest tragedies is to die unloved. During the Civil War, Charles Sumner was assaulted in the Senate chamber, and was seriously ill for months. ...read more

Lesson Iii.b.3: Esau's Disappointment Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 9, 2018

When Jacob had fooled his father and obtained the blessing, Esau (30) was close by, and busy preparing meat.

January 24, 2015 Commentary on the Book of Genesis By: Tom Lowe Lesson III.B.3: Esau's Disappointment. (Genesis 27:30-40). ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:30-40

Denomination: Baptist

Eschatology 1 Of 16 The Rapture Of The Church

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 13, 2022

I want you to pay very close attention today as we examine this scriptural passage that we will be reading from.

We hope these exciting things we are going to be reading about will take place during our life time, but if not during our life time, we know they will take place in the life of some Believers who will be living on the earth. Beloved, I am talking about the RAPTURE OF THE BELIEVERS! IS THE ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Rapture Of The Church

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Aug 26, 2021

II want you to pay very close attention today as we examine this scriptural passage that we will be reading from.

We hope these exciting things we are going to be reading about will take place during our life time, but if not during our life time, we know they will take place in the life of some Believers who will be living on the earth. Beloved, I am talking about the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH! IS THE RAPTURE ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Abiding In Christ PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

Explore and understand the profound truth of abiding in Christ, emphasizing the necessity, benefits, and challenges of maintaining a close, constant communion with Him.

Good morning, my brothers and sisters in Christ! Today, we're going to immerse ourselves in the profound truth found in the Gospel of John, Chapter 15, verses 1 through 11. It's all about the necessity, the benefits, and yes, the challenges of abiding in Christ. J.C. Ryle once said, "To abide in ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11

Topics: Christ Central, Keeping Christ

The Matter Of Thomas

Contributed by Laren Whaley on Apr 17, 2023

This morning’s message brings us behind closed doors with the disciples in those bewildering first days after Resurrection.

The Matter of Thomas John 20:19 - 29 (NKJV) 19Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20When He had said this, He ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-29, John 11:8, John 11:16, Psalm 139:6

Denomination: Church Of God

Hope In The Midst Of Sorrow

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 15, 2025

Sorrow is a reality of life, but it is not the final chapter. God is close to the brokenhearted, and He offers hope to all who trust in Him.

HOPE IN THE MIDST OF SORROW By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Supporting Texts: Isaiah 41:10, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Matthew 5:4, Romans 8:18, Revelation ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 41:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Are You Positioned For Revival?

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 1, 2020

The lame man, like many Christians today, didn't get his miracle in the agitated waters, because he didn't position himself close enough to the revival zone. If you want revival, you must get and stay as close as possible to the Holy Spirit.

ARE YOU POSITIONED FOR REVIVAL? John 5:1-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A professor gathered the papers after an exam and found a $100 bill attached to one of them with a note saying: "Dear Professor Smith, here’s a $100 bill which you may keep if you give me 100 points - a dollar per ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Better Hope Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 19, 2018

If you truly want to become a better person, don’t depend on the law; depend on Christ, your powerful and perfect High Priest.

In his recent book Soul Keeping, John Ortberg talks about being with friends at an open-air street fair when they spotted a mechanical bull that tries to buck people off. They guy operating the bull said, “Watching it isn't nearly as fun as riding.” So John told the bull operator that he wanted to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:18-28

Denomination: Evangelical Free

David's Mighty Men

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Oct 8, 2004

What made David’s men so mighty? They were Close, Committed, and Courageous! Let’s learn from their example.

The Mighty Men by Scott R. Bayles, preacher Church of Christ Scripture Reading: The pages of the Old Testament contain some of the most amazing stories you’ll ever read anywhere. Many of those stories revolve around a young shepherd boy who grew up to become King. David was, perhaps, the greatest ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:13-17

Denomination: Christian Church

"Attaboys” And Whistle-Blowers

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jul 14, 2004

This Wednesday Evening messages looks at Pauls closing greetings to the Roman Church as well as his final instruction regarding dealing with falsehood

“ATTABOYS” and WHISTLE-BLOWERS Romans 16:1-27 INTRODUCTION: We have reached the end of the book of Romans. Paul here takes this last written opportunity to encourage and elevate those who have been faithful in service, and to blow the whistle on spiritual wolves. In these verses it is possible ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Rest; A Faith That Shines

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Mar 20, 2006

Now if we want a faith that shines, I believe we need to look at the faith of the people the writer names in the closing chapter.

The rest; a faith that shines Hebrews 11:32-40 03/19/06 Each year or more than once a year, there will be a magazine that usually will list the top 100 people in the world. As we conclude our study of Hebrews 11, I believe we could not conclude it in any greater fashion. We come to a list of Bible ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-40

Denomination: Baptist