Sermons on Closed Mind:

Parables Of The Kingdom – The First - The Sower Or Rather The Soil – Part 1 Of 7 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 30, 2025

Today we commence a study of the 7 Parables of the Kingdom found in Matthew’s Gospel. The first is the Parable of the Sower (more to the point, “The Parable of the 4 Soils.”). There are 7 parts for this parable and in Part 1 we look at the Parable as a whole. I hope you enjoy.

PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM – THE FIRST - THE SOWER OR RATHER THE SOIL – Part 1 of 7 THE INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES We are going to study the seven parables Jesus spoke to the people. Matthew states the setting for these – {{Matthew 13:1-2 “On that day Jesus WENT OUT OF THE HOUSE and was sitting ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-2, Matthew 13:36, Matthew 13:3-4, Matthew 13:5-6, Matthew 13:7, Matthew 13:8-9, Matthew 7:15, Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 13:9-11, Luke 8:10, John 3:16, Luke 19:10, John 5:40, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 13:11-15, Matthew 13:14-15, Isaiah 6:9-10, Luke 11:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Realistic Humanism Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 28, 2006

Our chief purpose in being human is to love God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. How can we do that after the fall? Through God’s power, through God’s Holy Spirit, given to all who have faith in Jesus Christ.

What is it that God desires of us as men and women? Why has he made us in his image? What’s our reason for being here? There are probably a number of answers that someone might give to those questions. The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks: "What is the chief end of man?", then gives the answer: ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Anglican

Unshakable Faith Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Jul 24, 2024

There are going to be times in life when you are trusting God and things do not make sense in our mind, but still stands strong in our heart. There will be times when things seem to be going in the wrong direction-- but you know God is leading the way. What gives us an unshakable faith?

Have you ever heard the phrase, “And they lived happily ever after”? Probably most people think this phrase originated from Walt Disney but actually the while the phrase was used, often it was not actually put into song by Disney until its 10th anniversary of Disney in 2017. The phrase actually ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-40

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit Of The Antichrist

Contributed by Jeff Simms on May 19, 2003

Describes the Spirit of the Antichrist and how it demonstrates itself today

The Spirit of the Antichrist 1 John 2:18-24 Primary Purpose: To identify the spirit that is antichrist. What did the antichrist do? 1. vs.19 They went out from us. This shows that they weren’t really of us. 2. vs.22 Deny that Jesus is the Christ. To deny the Son also denies the Father. That ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

Qualifications For An Innovator

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Today we hear a lot about innovators who start up their own dot-com business. Many innovators are not afraid to fail because they believe in the importance of change. An innovator is a person who does not mind introducing a new way of doing things to othe

Illustration:Perhaps you may remember Hank Luisetti, the great basketball player of a few decades back. When Hank came along, virtually every basketball coach in the country insisted that his players shoot with two hands. Instead of two hands, Hank used a jerky, funny-looking, one-handed jump shot. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Using Anger As A Tool

Contributed by Guy Glass on Oct 26, 2004

USING ANGER AS A TOOL INTRODUCTION: Anger is often given a bad name in our minds. Yet, God has given anger, just as every other emotion, to us. The issue is not to be or not to be angry, but how we can be angry biblically. So for the next few weeks,

USING ANGER AS A TOOL INTRODUCTION: Anger is often given a bad name in our minds. Yet, God has given anger, just as every other emotion, to us. The issue is not to be or not to be angry, but how we can be angry biblically. So for the next few weeks, we are going to look at the issue of anger, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:22

Denomination: Baptist

Love Of Neighbour

Contributed by William Baeta on Oct 26, 2002

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: you shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law an

Theme: Love of neighbour Text: Exodus 22:20-26; 1 Thess. 1:5-10; Matt. 22:34-40 Jesus encountered opposition from the people we would least expect to oppose Him. He was opposed of all people by the religious leadership of the Jews. His critics were always trying to trap Him without success. In ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40, Exodus 22:20-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Five Steps How To Lead Person To Christ!

Contributed by Tony Abram on Apr 6, 2008

Every Christian should know the steps needed to lead a person to Christ. Here are some basic steps all Christians should know. God bless you and yours and may this outline of scriptures be in your mind and heart and always be ready to give a reason for th

FIVE STEPS HOW TO LEAD PERSON TO CHRIST! Every Christian should know the steps needed to lead a person to Christ. I remember back in a western town in Australia being stopped by 6 teenagers when they heard me say hello to them. They asked me if I was an American and what was I doing in their ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:31-32

The Challenge Of Change: God's Love Series

Contributed by Daniel Owens on Jan 6, 2008

In the midst of an ever-changing world, we need things that never change on which to hang our hearts and minds. God’s Love for us will never change. That’s not only good news for the new year, but Great news for our entire life.

Well, here we are this morning already into a new year: we stand well inside the door of the new Millennium - the 3rd millennium. A chapter in the book has been written and a new chapter is about to begin. Have we learned anything from the past chapter? Will it teach us anything about the new ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Genesis 6 - Part 6 - Does God Make Mistakes? I Mean, He’s God, Right? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 18, 2009

Does God make mistakes that He regrets? I mean He’s God, right? He is supposed to be perfect. If He’s emotional then doesn’t that indicate weakness? And if he changes His mind all the time, where does that leave me?

Genesis 6 - Part 6 - Does God make mistakes? I mean, He’s God, right? I’ve done some pretty stupid things in my life that I have regretted. What about you? We all make mistakes. Some more serious than others. People in Noah’s day, however, couldn’t have cared less about their sin. They were ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Exodus 9 - What Does It Take For The Lord To Get Your Attention? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 25, 2009

God gives people time to respond to Him. And that’s why we are still here. He doesn’t just zap us out of existence. Even the plagues showed God’s patience in giving Pharaoh opportunity to change his mind.

Exodus 9 - What does it take for the Lord to get your attention? In Exodus 9, Moses goes to Pharaoh again and says "Thus says the Lord, let My people go!" Pharaoh says "no!" and three more plagues come to Egypt, just as Moses predicts. Even though Egypt’s livestock die, and the people develop ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 9:1-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Man Determined

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Apr 16, 2010

When I think about those words the first thing that comes to mind is the scripture in 1st Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not

“A man determined” By District Elder M.L. Maughmer, Jr. Nehemiah 6:15-16 “So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth [day] of [the month] Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard [thereof], and all the heathen that [were] about us saw [these things], ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:15-16

Denomination: Apostolic

Give Thanks Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Jul 5, 2010

If we have our minds centred in Christ, focussed on the things that please God, then we won't need a rule book. If God's word dwells in us the way our lives are hidden with Christ then we'll do things that please God automatically.

Paul has just finished telling the Colossians to stay away from those who want to tie them down to human rules and regulations. He says these rules are of no use to you in controlling your human desires. He says “Why would you want to subject yourself to human regulations when Christ has died ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17

Denomination: Anglican

The End Of Faith?

Contributed by Chris Surber on Sep 13, 2007

Dear saints of God do not believe the lies that this increasingly secular culture would have you accept! In order to be a person of faith you need not abandon the mind which God gave you. And in order to be a person of reason you need not abandon faith i

The End of Faith? Psalm 14 Introduction One day the zoo-keeper noticed that the orangutan was reading two books - the Bible and Darwin’s Origin of Species. Surprised, he asked the ape, “Why are you reading both those books?” “Well,” said the orangutan, “I just wanted to know if I was my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1-7

Denomination: Christian Church

Lord, You Want Me To Do What???

Contributed by Kenneth Tankersley on Feb 20, 2009

HAS GOD EVER TOLD YOU TO DO SOMETHING THAT JUST BOGGLED YOUR MIND? MOST OF US WILL ANSWER NO TO THIS QUESTION, BUT MANY HAVE BEEN TOLD THINGS BY THE LORD THAT SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE. TO US IT MAY BE A HUGE, EVEN IMPOSSIBLE TASK, BUT TO GOD IT IS JUST EVERYDA

LORD, YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?!!!!!!!!!!! CBC 2/09 TEXT: Matt 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. WITH GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. HAS GOD EVER TOLD YOU TO DO SOMETHING THAT JUST BOGGLED YOUR MIND? MOST OF US WILL ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:26

Denomination: Baptist