Sermons on Close To:

The Astonishing Experience Of Gift Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 5, 2009

Mary is the opposite of Eve, totally open to the plan of God as Eve was closed in, and thus she was able to accept the Greatest Gift, Jesus Christ.

Immaculate Conception December 7-8, 2009 Caritas in Veritate “Charity in truth places man before the astonishing experience of gift.” (CV 34) These words of Pope Benedict from the encyclical begin a new section that is incredibly appropriate for the solemnity we celebrate today, the patronal ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:9-20

Denomination: Catholic

Jesus Prays For Us

Contributed by Greg Nance on Dec 12, 2009

Jesus prayer in John 17 closes with a powerful request for us who believe through the message of his first disciples. We are called to be one!

Opening story... Robert Putman, a Professor at Harvard, wrote a book called Bowling Alone. In it he documents the decline in community life over the last four decades. He got his title from this “trivial yet telling example”: the percentage of adults who belong to a bowling league today is only ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finding God’s Comfort

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 29, 2010

In some of the storms of life, God intervenes and shelters us. In others, He allows us to be exposed so that we will be pressed more closely to Him.

Opening illustration: Whether we are reading the daily paper, listening to the radio, or watching TV, the news is filled with what one might call the fruits of discouragement and even despair. Life is like a continuous newsreel showing the futile actions of people trying to live without a biblical ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:25-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

18 Principles For Church Life Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Nov 11, 2008

In Paul’s closing words to the Thessalonians, Paul offers 18 principles for healthy church life regarding leaders, ministry, worship and the Holy Spirit.

For the past several weeks we have focused on a letter that missionary Paul wrote to a young church he started in the city of Thessalonica. He wrote this letter in 50 A.D. and, of all the books in the New Testament, this one was written first. When he gets to the last part of his letter, Paul ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

Denomination: Brethren

Four Principles For Following Jesus Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Apr 1, 2008

What might happen if our church were to follow the Starbucks example and temporarily close its doors to examine the way we follow Jesus?

Starbucks Opens A new Starbucks has opened, of all places, at St. Rita’s Medical Center. We had never tasted Starbucks coffee, so last Wednesday we stopped in to see what it was like. With all the flavors and sizes and prices up on the board, it wasn’t easy to decide what we would order ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-6

Denomination: Brethren

Do You Love Jesus?

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 12, 2008

If you love Jesus... 1. Take a close walk with the Lord. 2. Find the right work for the Lord. 3. Surrender your wants to the Lord.

Do You Love Jesus? John 21:1-22 Sermon by Rick Crandall McClendon Baptist Church - Feb. 10, 2008 *Do you love me? I suppose everybody has asked -- or at least thought about that question sometime in their life. Jesus asked Peter and He is asking us today, “Do you love me?” *Of course we have ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Have You Been With Jesus? Series

Contributed by Victor Ramlall on Aug 3, 2011

Having a close and personal with Jesus in makes a great difference in your outlook and expectations and energizes you to expect the extraordinary things from an EXTRAORDINARY GOD!

In chapter 3 is the first recorded miracle in the Book of Acts Act 3:1-10 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. (2) And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Model Father

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 28, 2010

This parable teaches us to seek a close relationship with our children. We need train our children by instruction and example in the way they should go.

A Model Father 06/15/08 AM Text: Luke 15:11-24 Introduction ILL: It’s the third Sunday in June, and I’d like to say happy Father’s Day to all the dads here today. Father’s day owes its existence primarily to the persistence of one Sonora Smart Dodd. Sonora got the idea for Father’s day in 1909 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Are Not Hopeless

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Dec 14, 2019

When people lose hope they make bad decisions and live in darkness, despair and loneliness. Jesus has come to make nigh or close to Him.

Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of The Law

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 17, 2020

When we examine the 10 Commandments more closely we understand the inner logic of God that forms them. We understand the Spirit of the Law.

February 16, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Matthew 5:21-37 The Spirit of the Law Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. When I was growing up, my sister Sarah received a science kit for her ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Responsibilities Of A Christian Wife And Mother

Contributed by John White on May 10, 2019

A close look at the relationship and responsibilities God gave to the first couple confirms His high and noble purpose in creating man and establishing the first home.

Responsibilities Of A Christian Wife And Mother EPH. 5:21-24 "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (22) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Purpose Of Storms Series

Contributed by John Oscar on Jun 2, 2019

Ever wonder why God allows hard times and situations? Find out how God uses the storm to keep us close to HIM.

Storms of Life Series The Purpose of Storms CCCAG June 2nd, 2019 Today we are going to explore the foundational truth behind why God allows different types of Storms to come into our lives. Scripture- 1 Cor 3: 10-15 Intro: Yellowstone In 2002 my family and I traveled to Walla Walla WA to see my ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Dread And Trepidation Or Security And Glory? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 24, 2018

The closing argument: your choice is between returning to the dread and trepidation of Mount Sinai or the confidence and glory of the heavenly Mount Zion. Which will you choose?

Dread and Trepidation or Security and Glory? (Hebrews 12:18-29) 1. A lady went to a psychiatrist complaining of a terrible phobia. “Every time I lay down on my bed I get this terrible fear that there is something underneath. “Wow” responded the psychiatrist “I’ve never heard of such a phobia, but ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Wants You To Have A Healthy Heart

Contributed by James May on Mar 18, 2014

Our heart can only be healthy if we are close to God's heart. God can heal the wounded spirit and the sin sick and broken heart.

God Wants You to Have a Healthy Heart Sunday, March 16, 2014 We live in a world that is filled with hurting people. There are so many ways that people can be hurt and most of the world around them would never see the pain they bear. The physical pain that many suffer from injuries or some type of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

His Footprints Left No Trace!

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 25, 2013

We all know people who will not stop and ask for directions. God closes the way to our past and opens the way to a new and better future.

His Footprints Left No Trace! “Your way went straight through the sea; your pathways went right through the mighty waters. But your footprints left no trace!” Psalm 77:13-20 (CEB) Intro: We all know people who will not stop and ask for directions. I recently saw an Insurance company ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 77:13-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational