Sermons on Closed Heavens:

Close Encounters Of The Jesus Kind

Contributed by Carl Greene on May 10, 2008

A sermon challenging each member of the congregation to answer Jesus’ question... "But what about you? Who do you say I am?"

A Close Encounter of the Jesus Kind Matthew 16: 13-16 —William Willimon, “Who do you say that I am?” August 22, 1999, Duke Chapel Web Site, chapel.duke.edu. A student came to me and asked me to explain to her the difference between Christianity and Judaism. She is in love with a student who is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-16

Denomination: Methodist

From Behind Closed Doors

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 9, 2011

Sermon for Ascension Sunday, 2011

Luke 24: 44 – 53 / From Behind Closed Doors Intro: The following item appeared in the Lewiston, Idaho Tribune – “The crossword puzzle which should have appeared in today’s Tribune appeared instead in yesterday’s together with the answer to the puzzle that should ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-53

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Doing Close Up Work Series

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Dec 7, 2011

I. No Soul Is So Lost But The Lord Can Find It II. No Situation Is So Small But The Lord Can Use It. III. No Strength Is So Feeble But The Lord Can Increase It. IV. No Start Is So Small But The Lord Can Magnify It

- You need another lens to do close-up work - Macro lens on water + Without water, you can’t have life! - Water covers about 70% of the Earth’s surface - Mayo Clinic Guideline 8x8 (8 oz x 8 glasses) - An American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than a typical person in a ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Denomination: Baptist

When Open Doors Close Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Mar 17, 2013

Start of the 2nd missionary journey - Powerpoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). A New Partner (15:40-41): (2). A New Helper (16:1-5): (3). A New Vision (16:6-10) (4). A New Convert (16:11-15) SERMON BODY: Ill: • One day when C.S. Lewis was in the tool shed in his garden. • And he noticed a sunbeam shining across the shed. • And it ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:1-5

Denomination: Brethren

Following Close Behind The Lord

Contributed by Lay Man on May 26, 2015

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. - Jeremiah 17:7 I have found myself many times going on in a work for the Lord and at some-point realizing that the Lord let me go on ahead without Him. We have all experienced ..

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. - Jeremiah 17:7 I have found myself many times going on in a work for the Lord and at some-point realizing that the Lord let me go on ahead without Him. We have all experienced this in some ways, it is like talking to an ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open House, Closed Minds

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 2, 2018

Life is about attitudes! You are a product of your menial everyday choices. The Pharisee invited Jesus to his house, but never gave him the proper care. Yet, they judged the lady that did what she could...

AN OPEN HOUSE WITH A CLOSED MIND? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com THERE WAS AN INVITATION FROM A PHARISEE, HE WAS A VIP (VERY IMPORTANT PERSON), SEARCH YOUR HEART AND YOUR ATTITUDES… BAD ATTITUDES ARE CHOICES… WHY ALL THIS WASTE? Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:37-47

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When God Closes The Door

Contributed by Jason Miller on Mar 29, 2010

A story of someone that wanted to do something for God, but God told him no. Instead of letting his human nature take over and throwing a temper tantrum, or becoming jealous or callous, he did everything he could to enable the person that God had called t

When God Closes the Door, Don’t Build a Wall in Front of It 1Chronicles 22:1-11 First, I just want to say it’s good to be back behind this pulpit. I really missed not being able to share with you a month ago, when my turn came around. It would’ve been a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 22:7-16

Denomination: Mennonite

Closed Doors And Open Hearts Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jul 13, 2016

This sermon is a brief survey of Paul's Second Missionary Journey. I try to draw lessons from Paul's experiences that can apply to our journey with God.

Introduction: A. Many years ago, a certain mountain man, by the name of Shorthorn Bill, had become a noted guide in the Montana Territories, but he decided to move to Colorado. 1. Having settled outside Denver, he again began working his trade as a trail guide, principally with wealthy easterners ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Safe Place To Come Close

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

Humility and gentleness are keys for creating a church fellowship where people feel safe to come close to one another.

Last week we started with the dilemma of two porcupines on a very cold night, who needed to snuggle up close to each other to stay warm. But the closer they got the more they pricked each other with their quills, so they pulled apart. But the more they pulled apart, the colder they got. So it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 11:28-29

Close The Gaps - Circle The Wagons

Contributed by Val Black on Oct 21, 2019

God's work never goes forward without opposition from the enemy. In fact, opposition is almost always caused by success and not failure. In building the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah faced much opposition but he knew what to do and now we can know also.

Nehemiah 4:7-23 (NLT) “But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. 8  They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:7-23

Denomination: Charismatic

Huddled Behind Closed Doors

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Apr 14, 2020

Today, many are huddled behind closed doors, fearing the dreadful disease - Coronavirus.

Message/Devotion April 19, 2020 John 20:19-31 Huddled Behind Closed Doors As I read today’s gospel message, it was abundantly clear to me that today masses of people are huddled behind closed doors due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Some are in a self-imposed lockdown. Some are in a lockdown ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open Tomb, Closed Case Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Apr 26, 2025

In our cynical world today, it's hard to trust anyone. All the institutions have been shown to be engaged in fraud, lying, and deception. But we can trust the Word of God and the God who gave us that Word.

Open Tomb, Closed Case Text: John 20:1-29 So we just celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And like I said last Sunday, it’s the most amazing event in all of human history. So even though we’re going to be back in John’s Gospel this morning, we’re right at the point ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-29, Romans 1:1-4, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When The Mirror Is Too Close

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jul 9, 2023

When Paul switches from them to us

- Read Romans 2 Last week we sought to address the question, “What happened to America”, What happened to my country. I believe most of us can admit that the second part of Romans 1 is a pretty fair description of what America looks like today. Look there again at Romans 1:28. - Read Romans ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Closing The Door For A Divine Encounter

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 14, 2025

The widow in 2 Kings 4 teaches us that divine encounters require faith, obedience, and separation. When we shut the door—removing distractions and focusing on God—miracles begin to unfold.

CLOSING THE DOOR FOR A DIVINE ENCOUNTER By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Kings 4:1-7 "Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Privilege Of Being Close To God Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 10, 2025

The privilege of being close to God is beyond words. It is the wellspring of true life, joy, direction, and power. This invitation is not extended to a select few—it is for every believer who chooses to draw near with a sincere heart.

THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING CLOSE TO GOD By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 73:28 Supporting Texts: James 4:8, Exodus 33:11, Hebrews 4:16, Psalm 27:4, John 15:4-7 INTRODUCTION: Closeness to God is not a burden—it is one of the highest honours ever granted to mankind. It is an open invitation ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:28, James 4:8

Denomination: Assembly Of God