Sermons on closed:

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

The Church Of The Closed Door - Laodicea Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 19, 2017

Laodicea was the second of the seven churches of Asia to receive no commendation from the Lord. Such a state requires us to look very carefully at this church, which lived within an affluent society whose attitudes clearly rubbed off on the church.

THE CHURCH OF THE CLOSED DOOR READING Rev 3:14-22 1. INTRODUCTION Laodicea was the second of the seven churches of Asia to receive no commendation from the Lord. Such a state requires us to look very carefully at this church. Can it teach something to us today? We shall see as we move through ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Church Of God

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

Communion - Open, Closed, Or Cracked? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2020

Is the Communion Meal Open to all who profess Christ? Or is it overseen by the congregation hosting the meal and thus restricted to those who are in open fellowship with the assembly? The message is a study of this controversial question.

“In the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

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 Heart Of Heaven (Come Close) Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon introduction sets the stage for a series on Following Jesus, aiming to help listeners either connect with Jesus for the first time or deepen their existing relationship, using the analogy of how perspective changes with distance.

I’m excited to be kicking off this Following Jesus series. Over this series, we’re going to lean into 4 key themes found in the Bible and in the Following Jesus book. It’s our desire and goal that over the next few weeks you’d either connect with Jesus for the first time or you want to deepen your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:50-51, Luke 15:11-24, Luke 19:1-10

Topics: Following Jesus, Spiritual Growth, Divine Perspective

Sermon Series: Following Jesus

The Heart Of Heaven (Come Close) Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 29, 2023

God loves us and wants to be close to us. Despite our sins and shortcomings, He invites us to come to Him for healing and restoration.

Ever played that game where you think you see your friend from across the mall, so you start waving like a maniac, only to realize it's a total stranger? Yeah, we've all been there. It's funny how things can look different from a distance, right? Well, sometimes, we treat Jesus the same way. We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:50-51, Luke 15:11-24, Luke 19:1-10

Topics: Divine Intimacy, Spiritual Connection, Divine Love, Faithful Relationship

Iwant God Close To Me Series

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Dec 23, 2007

Emmanuel...God is close to us. What we really want is to feel that He is close to us.

Matthew 1:18-25 iWant God Close To Me Woodlawn Baptist Church December 23, 2007 Christmas is certainly about a lot of things: family, food, presents, shopping, get-togethers and most importantly, about the birth of Jesus Christ. For the past few weeks I’ve been preaching a series titled All iWant ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Tested

Contributed by Michael Karpf on Jun 30, 2010

God tests our faith when He closes doors, but this leads to an even better open door.

FAITH TESTED Hebrews 11:6 Thank you for the opportunity to share with you again. I’ve been asked several times, “Are you ready?” My answer is, I’m never ready. When it’s time you do it relying on God’s help. So let’s do that now. I like hearing Ptr ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:6-10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Draw Near - Part Three

Contributed by Tim Vamosi on Jan 12, 2011

Draw Near – Whatever It Takes

OPEN: Today I wanted to focus one more time on the topic of drawing near to God. In James we were told: "Come near to God and he will come near to you." This morning we are going to be looking at a woman who has a desperate faith. She was determined to get to Jesus not matter what it took. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Iron Heavens, Brass Earth

Contributed by Babatunmishe Oke on Feb 18, 2018

One of the worst situations a human can experience is what we call iron heavens and brass earth. God is always particular about the consequences of idol worship.

Leviticus 26 26 ‘You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God. 14 ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 26:14-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

When God Is Distant - Mark 15:34 And Psalm 22 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 30, 2024

What can you do when God is far away? You cry out to him and receive no comfort, no strength, it just seems like your prayers bounce off the ceiling. That actually happened to Jesus, and when it did, he quoted a psalm that teaches exactly what to do in times like that.

Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Introduction What can you do when God is far away? You cry out to him and receive no comfort, no strength, it just ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:34, Matthew 27:46

Whatever It Takes, I Must Get To Jesus

Contributed by Brad Stone on Jul 7, 2024

Looking at Peter walking on the water in a different light, we see his determination to get to Christ.

Whatever It Takes, I Must Get to Jesus Mt. 14:24-29 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

"When Life Seems To Be Closing In"

Contributed by David Washburn on Mar 25, 2002

We will each have a time in our lives where life seems to be closing in. We can turn to Stephen and draw stength and wisdom from how he coped when life closed in around him.

One day a man falls off a cliff, but manages to grab hold of a tree limb on the way down. The man calls out, “Is there anyone up there?” A voice answers back, “I am here. It is I, the Lord. Do you believe in me?” “Yes, Lord I believe, I really believe, but I can’t hold on much longer.” “That’s all ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60

Denomination: Baptist