Sermons on Closer:

Which Branch Do You Want To Be?

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Apr 28, 2021

As we think about Jesus being The Vine, this sermon challenges us to think about our relationship with Christ and how we move into closer relationship through our lives.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. One thing that I am not is green-fingered, I know how to mow a lawn, and how to pull up weeds, although if I’m being honest they are more likely to be flowers, and I know that roses should be pruned. I don’t know why this is the case, I just ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Anglican

Wrestling With God Submitting The Devil

Contributed by Michael J Mcinally Jr. on Aug 8, 2015

This was my first time preaching, I shared this message with the young adult group at our church I pray that someone will find it useful and it helps you grow closer to God.

Wrestling with God Submitting the Devil Before I was saved, I definitely was living for the world. I was trying to make as much as I could so I could get as much stuff as I could. The more I got the more I wanted and but I never was truly satisfied. I spent a lot years living for me but with no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, John 1:14, Psalm 68:19, Psalm 61:8, Isaiah 58:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: *other

Should Christians Use Imagination In Prayer And Worship?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jul 8, 2023

Since the first century, every Born-Again Christian has a desire to draw closer to God through prayer and worship because the Holy Spirit occupies their spirit, mind, and body.

Prayer is part of the daily sanctification process by the Holy Spirit to prepare us to meet Jesus face-to-face when we leave this world and enter eternity (John 16:13-15; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:16-21). Many 'techniques' have risen to help people along the path ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:6, 1 Corinthians 2:9, John 1:1-3, Proverbs 29:18, Hebrews 11:1, Joshua 1:8, Philippians 4:8-9, Mark 7:20-23, Genesis 6:5, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Provides Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Nov 17, 2023

Reconnecting with God is crucial for us - as humans we often make the kind of choices that end up moving us farther away from God rather than closer to Him.

Reconnect With God: He Provides       Isaiah 5:1-7 Introduction Reconnecting with God is crucial for us - as humans we often make the kind of choices that end up moving us farther away from God rather than closer to Him. In our series Reconnect with God we are focused on four ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Does The Bible Teach Meditation And Guided Imagery

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Apr 12, 2024

There is a resurgence of the word 'meditate' being used in churches today about personal devotional prayer as a way to draw closer to God as a person contemplates His divine attributes.

Many 'techniques' have risen to help people along the path of daily sanctification by learning how to pray and worship, which has resulted in something called contemplative spirituality, also known as meditation, guided imagery, centering, or listening prayer, using imagination and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3, Joshua 1:8, 1 Timothy 4:11-16, Romans 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Submit And Resist PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

Encourage believers to recognize the source of conflict in their lives, submit to God's authority, and resist worldly temptations in order to draw closer to God and become the people He created them to be.

Good morning, church family! Today, we are going to dive into a passage from the book of James that speaks directly to our hearts and our daily struggles. Before we dive into this passage, I'd like to share a quote from C.S. Lewis that captures the essence of what we will be discussing today. He ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7-10

Topics: Elements Of Repentance

The Man Who Discovered What He Already Knew Series

Contributed by Tim George on Feb 5, 2001

Many people spend their whole lives searching for something of value when it is closer than they could ever imagine. James was such a man who needed to discover what he already knew.

Once there was a band of poor Brazilian goat headers who decided to make a long journey to California in search of gold. They took with them bags of rocks they used in a gambling game. Unfortunately, most of them died on the dangerous journey. One young man made it to San Francisco with nothing but ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

A Tale Of Two Mountains Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2007

which mountain are you hanging around? One full of misconceptions about God that keep you far away, or one that draws you irresistibly closer by the very nature of its goodness?

A Tale Of Two Mountains: Hearing God Through Hebrews 12 Heb 12:18-24 Mar 11, 2007 (3rd week of Lent) Intro: Do you ever feel afraid to come to God? Maybe it is because we are afraid of punishment – we are aware of some place that we have messed up, something we’ve done that was wrong, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Wonderful Birth Of Promise Series

Contributed by Todd Leupold on May 29, 2007

Join me in taking a closer look at the heavenly message declared to an unsuspecting teenage girl. It is a message about “the wonderful birth of PROMISE” that we can all learn and be encouraged by!

Heavenly Messages of Christmas #3: “The Wonderful Birth of PROMISE” INTRODUCTION: For the past two weeks, Pastor Ellison has started us in a wonderful series of messages reflecting on the heavenly messages proclaimed in the days surrounding the very first Christmas. We have reflected ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Zacchaeus: Searching For Jesus

Contributed by Major Gerardo Balmori on Apr 2, 2011

As we dig into this scripture, I want us to examine the two main characters. First, we’ll take a closer look at Zacchaeus, and then we’ll notice the star of the show: Jesus.

Mayor Gerardo Balmori The Salvation Army INTRODUCTION As we dig into this scripture, I want us to examine the two main characters. First, we’ll take a closer look at Zacchaeus, and then we’ll notice the star of the show: Jesus. I. ZACH: THE PROFILE OF A NORMAL GUY Zach represents every person who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

Looking Forward To Eternity

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Feb 19, 2018

The Day of the Lord is coming! While we do not know the day or hour, the signs of the times are showing that we are getting closer to the return of our Savior. Will you be found doing the Lord's will?

Looking Forward to Eternity 2 Peter 3:1-13 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 Christians, are you looking forward to spending an eternity with Jesus? Even in the absence of the signs of severe famines and wars (Matthew 24:7) here in North America, has not seeing a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-13, Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Baptist

Conduct That Pleases God

Contributed by Clarence Clough on May 15, 2013

This portion of Scripture strongly encourages Christians to live lives of unceasing prayer, praise, and practical sanctification. God pleasing, Bible based conduct draws us closer to God and to each other.

CONDUCT THAT PLEASES GOD TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (KJV), “1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Denomination: Church Of God

David: His First True Love Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 21, 2020

We sometimes forget that David was human and would enjoy companionship. One day he found his first true love and she was closer than he ever thought possible.

Introduction: David was a young man when Samuel anointed him to be king over Israel and only a few years older, most likely, when he went into battle against Goliath. In the days and months afterwards, God was with him and blessed him in every way. But something that was not mentioned is David’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:20-27, 1 Samuel 19:1-17, 1 Samuel 25:44

Denomination: Baptist

4 Components For Deep, Significant Relationships - Philippians 2:2 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Feb 11, 2022

The closer we get to the Lord, the easier it is to love all the different people around us. God wants us to be able to move forward with unity, even though we have diversity.

I smile, as you probably do too, whenever you see that science confirms something we already know in the Bible. Right? Or archaeology comes up with this discovery that this historical place actually was there, which the Bible talks about. Or when it comes to mental health, we know that the Bible ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Are You Leaving Too

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Feb 2, 2015

Things get hard in life, things get tough, and it really is your choice, everyday, are you going to walk away from Him, or are you going to walk closer beside Him?

John 6:66-69-From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and ...read more

Scripture: John 6:66-69

Denomination: Baptist