Sermons on Closer Together:

What's Going On Around Here?

Contributed by Rev Ken Shedenhelm on May 1, 2013

In the so-called mainline churches, many members cling to the adage, "We've never done it that way before!" As the religious people in Jesus' time discovered, hanging on to the old will blind us to the new thing that God is doing in our midst.

Our lectionary passages this morning concern radical change, perhaps none more radical that Peter's vision in the 11th chapter of Acts. Most of us don't give much thought to what we eat and, if we do, our concern is more with calories than holiness. We don't consider food groups to be "clean" or ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:14-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Father's Day 2025: Our Children's Needs Are Still The Same

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Jun 7, 2025

Our children grow up and live in a world that is experiencing great and rapid change. Nevertheless, their needs from their parents are still the same. What are they?

Opening: Our children grow up and live in a world that is experiencing great and rapid change. They live in a very advanced technological era where everything is computerized and uses Artificial Intelligence. They cannot be separated from the internet. Social media has become ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:13, 1 Timothy 5:8, Proverbs 3:1-2, Proverbs 4:1, Deuteronomy 4:9-10, Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 3:11-12, Proverbs 15:5, Deuteronomy 6:4-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Building Family

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 10, 2009

God has given us His Church to be our support system. Through Christ we are bound together in a community of faith. Belonging to Christ, we belong to each other. Through Christ, God has made us a family, a community of faith. This is our God-given support

Building Family Acts 2:42-47 The huge redwood trees in California are the largest living things on earth and the tallest trees in the world. Some of them are 300 feet high and more than 2,500 years old. You would think that trees that large would have a tremendous root system, reaching down ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus Wants To Heal Your Broken Heart Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Nov 29, 2019

The story of Lazarus shows us how: 1. Jesus comes and calls us closer to Him (vs. 27-32). 2. Jesus hurts when we hurt (vs. 32-38). 3. Jesus delivers us from doubt (vs. 37-43). 4. Jesus defeats our death (43-44).

Jesus Wants to Heal Your Broken Heart The Gospel of John John 11:27-45 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - April 19, 2017 (Revised November 29, 2019) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to John 11 to continue our study of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. In this miraculous Bible ...read more

Scripture: John 11:27-45

Denomination: Baptist

A Disciple. Me?

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Aug 11, 2003

Who is a disciple and what does it cost?

Luke 14:33 So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me. Salvation is free but it’s not cheap, did you catch that? Salvation is free but it’s not cheap. Christ said, and I quote So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me.What a statement, any one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Wesleyan

Reflections On The Day Of Pentecost

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Jun 22, 2001

THIS SERMON IS ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM THE EVENTS ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST NAMELY 1.TIMING 2.TOGETHERNESS 3.TWINKLING 4.TRANSFORMATION 5.TESTIMONY 6.TRUST 7.TEMPLE

REFLECTIONS ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST *********************************** OUTLINE 1.TIMING 2.TOGETHERNESS 3.TWINKLING 4.TRANSFORMATION 5.TESTIMONY 6.TRUST 7.TEMPLE THE MESSAGE REFLECTIONS ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST *********************************** 1.TIMING The timing of God is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-47

Denomination: Pentecostal

Be Transformed

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

In this coming year we hope to work well together as a church in the tasks to proclaim Christ and to worship Him. Before we can do so as a church, we as individuals need to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Introductory Considerations 1. One of most beautiful expressions of worship and praise is Handel’s Messiah - I love to hear good orchestra play this wonderful work and listen to choir sing the chorus. 2. Perhaps I am picturing an ideal situation in my mind, but I like to think of the church as an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Overcoming Divisive Attitudes

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Many great congregations have suffered from people with divisive attitudes. The Lord has placed each of us in His body to be lovingly united in spirit, intent on one purpose, striving together for the faith of the gospel.

Overcoming Divisive Attitudes Illustration:A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and asked, "Do you have anything to say?" The monk replied, "Food bad." After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts. ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Importance Of The Resurrection

Contributed by Rickey Broach on Mar 30, 2002

ALTHOUGH THROUGH HIS BIRTH, LIFE, AND DEATH CHRIST DID A WONDERFUL JOB OF BRINGING GOD AND MAN BACK TOGETHER AGAIN, HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE RESURRECTION ALL HE DID WOULD HAVE BEEN IN VAIN

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION MATTHEW 28:6 – 7 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:6-7

Denomination: Church Of God

"The Table" By Dr. E. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Nov 9, 2004

Two bits of advice, Always drink upstream from the herd and never loose sight of the important things in life. Especially as a Christian the purpose and blessing of coming to the Lord’s Table. Let’s examine this together!

Introduction Introduction It is called a variety of things: Eucharist, Holy Communion; The Lord’s Table; The Lord’s Supper. It isn’t what it’s called as it is that we Remember! I believe that today’s Church and Congreation has lost sight of the preciousness of the Lord’s Table. What we SEE is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:18-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Puzzle Of Powerful Patience Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 5, 2006

Christians come in all different shapes and sizes. Different backgrounds make it difficult for them to all get along. Patience is the Spirit given quality that helps us fit everyone together into a church that praises God.

OPEN: How many of you like to put together jigsaw puzzles. Diana and I have always doing that… although we’ve not done it nearly so much since we’ve had kids. Sometime ago, I ran across the following article: “Everything I needed to know about life, I learned from a jigsaw puzzle.” 1. Establish the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Has Your Name Been Changed?

Contributed by James May on May 1, 2005

Names in the Bible have very special meanings and often, when placed together, give special messages to God’s people. Has your name been changed to tell the story of Jesus in your life?

HAS YOUR NAME BEEN CHANGED? By Pastor Jim May All through the Bible there are lists of names called genealogies. Since we do not believe that there are any accidents in the placing of these names, I thought it might be interesting to see what a few of them would tell us. Every name in the Bible ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Stephen: His Life & His Love; Pt 1 By Dr. Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Sep 7, 2004

While in seminary, I was asked, "What is the best translation of the New Testament?" I replied, "My Grandmother." Today Stephen serves as our best example of the qualities of a servant. Let’s examine them together!

Introduction I. I was standing in the hall following Chapel at Seminary and was asked by a fellow student, what I thought was the best translation of the New Testament was, I replied, "My Grandmother..." Surprised my friend continued his questioning by returning with, "I didn’t know your ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Laborers In The Vineyard Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 15, 2007

Is God really fair? Our Lord’s Justice, Faithfulness, Sovereignty, and Judgment all come together as He answers Peter’s questions. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

The Laborers in the Vineyard Matthew 20:1-16 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/LaborersInVineyard.html I. THE SETTING A. THE CONVERSATION WITH THE RICH YOUNG RULER - Mt 19:16-22 1. Jesus had been approached by this man with a question concerning eternal life 2. In the course of their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Making A Touchdown

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jan 26, 2015

Sermon for Super Bowl Sunday. Baptism and Communion are two things Christ meant to unite us. When people are able to look beyond their differences and come together to celebrate these holy sacraments then it is the greatest "Touchdown" in history.

Making a Touchdown “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, Ephesians 4:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational