Sermons on Closeness:

Balaam Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 20, 2022

In order to avoid the angel, the donkey presses close to one side, crushing Balaam’s foot.

Balaam Balaam (Fast Facts) • Stories about Balaam occur in Numbers 22-24. • He is the son of Beor and a prophet in Pethor near the Euphrates River. • Scholars are not sure of the meaning of his name. • Some think it might mean either “glutton” or “foreigner.” • Others see a compound of “Bel” and ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Suppose You Were The Devil

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 30, 2022

One of the alarming things that is taking place today in America is the amount of businesses that are closing down daily.

Some are closing: (1) Due to Covid 19 (2) Some due to the shipping of jobs to other countries (3) Some due to inflation (4) Some due to supply If this trend continues some fear there will not be enough businesses for the citizens of this country to find a place of employment to feed their ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25, 2 Corinthians 9:7

Denomination: Baptist

The Man Who Is No Longer Blind. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Mar 7, 2023

John 9, the man who was born blind, are we as open to Jesus as he was or closed to Jesus?

John 9:1-41 A man who is no longer blind. One of the sports that I participated in as a young bloke was caving, the Nelson region has some amazing caves, and I had a few adventures with the Nelson Caving Club. Plus, we would do a few caving trips just as a group of friends. One thing that I ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41, John 7:1, John 8:12

Denomination: Salvation Army

Jehoiakim Series

Contributed by John Oscar on Oct 2, 2022

Showing the church that the spiritual conditions in Judah closely match those of today's America

The Last 3 Kings of Judah- Jehoiakim CCCAG, Sept 18th, 2022 Scripture: 2 Kings 23:36-24:4 Have you ever trusted in the wrong person? (Feelings of betrayal) We had a discussion recently at work about trusting people. The opinions varied from “I don’t trust anyone” to “I’m by nature a trusting ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

All The Way To The End Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 23, 2023

Today’s readings from the NT close out both the book of Acts and the Gospel of John.

Saturday of 7th Week in Easter 2023 Today’s readings from the NT close out both the book of Acts and the Gospel of John. The apostle John was almost certainly the disciple who lay against Christ’s breast at the Last Supper, and here, right at the last paragraph of his Gospel, he repeats what can ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:16-31, John 21:20-25

Denomination: Catholic

Questions Churches Must Ask Themselves

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Nov 6, 2023

Do not be a Sardis. If the glory has departed, close the doors and merge with a church where God is moving.

Rev 3:1  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.  I am afraid that there are many churches in this situation. Growing up ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

Focus On The Finish Line Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jul 8, 2022

I imagine that all of us have at some time run out of gas - or come close!

Introduction I imagine that all of us have at some time run out of gas - or came close! Ezra Dyer writes for Car and Driver. He wrote about the time he was driving a Lamborghini Huracan. “The first time I fired up the Huracán, the gauge cluster flashed a warning to fill up. But the fuel ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Great Expectations: Much Given – Much Required

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 15, 2014

The life of total commitment that God requires of us is only possible through a close relationship with Him. Our text gives us four main keys to help us develop a close relationship with Yahweh and to live a life that is totally devoted to Him.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Much Given – Much Required Deuteronomy 10:12-22 Introduction: Have you ever wondered what God wants from you? Most of us probably have given at least some thought to that question. Micah 6:8 asks the same question, “What does the LORD require of you?” His ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:12-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Turning Your Failure To Success Series

Contributed by Pastor Dr. Tim Awotide on Nov 9, 2017

Failure doesn't mean you will not succeed, it only means you have to work harder. Many that gave up didn't know how close they were to success. If they realise how close they were to success they won't giving up.

Luke 5:1-11KJV “And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Are You A Follower Of Jesus

Contributed by Darrin Fish on Sep 3, 2015

The biggest threat to churches today is fans who call themselves Christians but they aren’t interested in following Jesus. They want to be close enough to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them. Adopted from "Not a Fan"

Are you a Follower of Jesus • For a lot of us as Christians we dismiss this question because it almost feels redundant or unnecessary. When it comes to life people generally fall into 2 categories 1. The Jesus Fish on the back of the car group • These are the people who think the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Christian Church

Eyes That See

Contributed by Lewis Martin on Apr 7, 2025

Jesus tells a parable in Luke 16 that pulls back the curtain—revealing what happens when we live with closed eyes and closed hearts. It’s the story of a rich man, a poor beggar named Lazarus, and the eternal consequences of spiritual blindness.

Sermon: "Eyes That See" (Luke 16:19-31) Scripture Reading (Luke 16:19-31 - NLT): 19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Nazarene

Rev. #76~21:1-8 According To The 7 Dispensations, We’re Close Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Oct 29, 2010

Here, in the New Jerusalem, we have something totally unique: a sinless, pure, community of righteousness, a holy city. Problems arise when believers expect this kind of community now, or fail to realize that it only comes down out of heaven. T

Rev. #76~21:1-8 ACCORDING TO THE 7 DISPENSATIONS, WE’RE CLOSE 10-23-19 Listen as I read our text for today; Rev..21:1-8 1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Closing In On The Cross Of Jesus Christ - Part 3: How To Triumph Over Our Troubles Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 31, 2023

1. Wake-up to our shortcomings (vs. 31, 33-35). 2. Keep worshiping the Lord (vs. 30). 3. Keep trusting in God's Word (vs. 31). 4. Keep waiting on the Lord (vs. 31-32).

Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ Part 3: How to Triumph over Our Troubles The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 26:30-35 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared March 31, 2023) BACKGROUND: *Today in Matthew 26 we are closing in on the cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus and His disciples ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:30-35

Denomination: Baptist

Closing In On The Cross Of Jesus Christ - Part 4: Wake Up, Christians, Wake Up! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 5, 2023

God wants us to: 1. Wake up to the suffering of our Savior (vs. 36-38). 2. Wake up to the seriousness of our sin (vs. 38-39). 3. Wake up to the strength we need from our Savior (vs. 40-46).

Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ Part 4: Wake Up, Christians, Wake Up! The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 26:36-46 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 5, 2023) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 26. By this time, the Lord and His disciples had finished their last Passover meal ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Baptist

Closing In On The Cross Of Jesus Christ - Part 6: When Ungodly Men Judged God Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 19, 2023

When ungodly men judged God... 1. There was treachery (vs. 57, 59-61). 2. The charge was blasphemy (vs. 62-65). 3. The penalty was God's plan (vs. 66). 4. The cruelty was vicious (vs. 67-68). 5. The Lord's victory was sure to come (vs. 64).

Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ Part 6: When Ungodly Men Judged God The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 26:57-68 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 19, 2023) BACKGROUND: *Today in Matthew 26, we are getting ever closer to the cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus and His ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57-68

Denomination: Baptist