Sermons on Closing The Gap:

Open Handed Blessings, Closed Handed Consequences

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Jul 30, 2006

When we look back on all of the gifts that have freely been bestowed upon us by God we clearly see richness, yet how freely are we giving it away? I believe that Jesus desires that we not hoard these gifts, but give them away...

How many of you know what it is like to have a kid coming up to you asking for candy? I had Pastor Adam and Emi’s kids Harry and Jordan in my office the other day wanting a lolly. How do you look into the faces of those cute kids and say, ‘no’? You can’t. I opened up my drawer and gave them each a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:7-8

Go Into Your Room, Close The Door And Pray

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Oct 17, 2013

God is calling his people to be persistent in prayer. God is calling his people to be changed, to be transformed through prayer. God is calling to those who truly enjoy and who truly yearn to spend time with Him.

Let us pray -- O' Heavenly Father, we come before you this day and we ask that you reveal more about the nature of prayer. May our hearts and our minds be open to your Word this day. We ask this in the blessed name of Jesus your son and our Savior .... Amen. A young man went into a drugstore to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 8:3-4, Matthew 6:5-6, Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Anglican

Silent Nights - Pt. 2 - Closed Doors Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Dec 15, 2013

We enjoy "Silent Night" at Christmas, but what if every night is silent? How do we endure quiet seasons of life when nothing is stirring . . . even God?

Silent Nights Pt. 2 - Closed Doors I. Introduction Silent night, Holy night All is calm, all is bright Round your virgin mother and child Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep heavenly peace, Sleep heavenly peace! Silent Night although it is one of the most popular (top 100) Christmas Songs of all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:3-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Part 30: The Blessings Of Being Close To God Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jan 12, 2012

When we draw close to God... 1. He will move us to the ultimate place (vs. 1-2). 2. He will give us His ultimate protection (vs. 3-10). 3. He will show us His unfolding prophecy (vs. 9-16).

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 30: The Blessings of Being Close to God Psalm 91:1-16 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Grayson Baptist Church - August 27,2017) (Revised August 18, 2025) BACKGROUND: *James 4:8 makes a great promise to us when it says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

So Close And Yet So Far Away

Contributed by Mike Cleveland on May 26, 2008

The invalid man by the pool of Bethesda was so close to the healing waters, but yet so far away from being healed. The Jews who heard Jesus were so close to Him, so far away from genuine faith. Many go to church, and are so close to eternal life, but so f

Let’s turn in our Bibles to John chapter 5: As you’re turning let me tell you a story I read recently....once upon a time there was an explorer by the name of “Guitan” who was famous for his daring adventures and grand discoveries. Now one day Guitan heard that there was a treasure in a cave just ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

One Door Closes, Another Door Opens

Contributed by Greg Moller on Feb 6, 2020

What happens when a church closes doors for the last time but Jesus isn't done with them yet.

Our ministry has been holding services as part of a mainline denominational Church ( I won't name names) and for the last couple years I had been pastoring there. I was informed a few weeks ago that the church would be shutting down and closing the church. About a week later I was informed ...read more

Denomination: Bible Church

Take A Far And Close Look At The Baby In The Manger

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 24, 2020

John shows us the Word made flesh to live and die for us.

12.25.2020 John 1:1-5, 9-14 When the first Star Wars movie came out, it was rather unique in that it started with a scrolling dialogue describing what had happened prior to the movie, so you’d at least have some clue as to what was going on and be able to follow along better. The same thing ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

You Decide How Close You Will Be!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 5, 2021

The invitation is clear: DRAW NIGH TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NIGH TO YOU... If the earth is iron and the heavens are brass maybe someone is moving away from God. John is the only person recorded to lay his hear on Jesus' breast? How about you? At Jesus' feet!

YOU DECIDE… COME? NO BETTER PLACE THAN AT HIS FEET…. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aolcom (This is a two part lesson.) There was a bulldog that was known for being a bully in his neighborhood. His owner kept him chained to a big oak tree. The bulldog’s chain was 15 feet ...read more

Scripture: James 4:8, John 13:23, Matthew 11:28, Luke 21:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How We Should Draw Close To The Lord

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 31, 2022

We often hear someone saying of someone else, “HE HAS AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM.”

What do people mean when they say that? They mean that person has an attitude that is not right about some things in his life. This was exactly what James was saying about people in our text. For example, many think the Bible condemns people for having money. The Bible does not! HOWEVER, ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Closing In On The Cross Of Jesus Christ: Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 25, 2023

Here God shows us... 1. His sure plan for our salvation (vs. 1-5). 2. The great evil of His enemies (vs. 3-5, 14-16). 3. The great love we should have for our Lord (vs. 6-7). 4. Some great reasons why we should love Jesus (vs. 8-13).

Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ: Part 1 The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 26:1-16 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared March 25, 2023) BACKGROUND: *In today's Scripture Jesus was just two days away from dying on the cross for our sins. And here, the Holy Spirit shows us some of the most ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

So Close, Yet So Far Away Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Sep 17, 2017

A study of the Gospel of John 20: 1- 18

John 20: 1- 18 So close, yet so far away 1 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Part 30: The Blessings Of Being Close To God

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Aug 18, 2025

When we draw close to God... 1. He will move us to the ultimate place (vs. 1-2). 2. He will give us His ultimate protection (vs. 3-10). 3. He will show us His unfolding prophecy (vs. 9-16).

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 30: The Blessings of Being Close to God Psalm 91:1-16 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Grayson Baptist Church - August 27,2017) (Revised August 18, 2025) BACKGROUND: *James 4:8 makes a great promise to us when it says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Open Doors And Closed Doors: Listen To The Spirit PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 15, 2024

Explores trusting God's plan, persisting through challenges, and promoting His ministry, as exemplified by Paul and Timothy.

Good morning, dear friends. It is a joy to be here with you again, gathered in the name of our Lord. We are here to break bread, to share fellowship, and to delve into the Word of God. We are here to be encouraged, to be challenged, and to be transformed by the power of the Gospel. Today, we turn ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:1-10

Topics: Listening, Spirit

Standing In The Gap (Part One) You Shall Live And Not Die Series

Contributed by Hazel Whited on Apr 4, 2005

The power we have as christians to stand in the gap for those we love.

You Shall Live and Not Die Sermon or lesson one of two We are not only going to be talking about interceding in prayer for our loved ones, but how we as Christians can break the chains that bind by calling the things that are not as though they were. (Positive speaking) Psalms 118:17 (KJV) (Put ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

(Section 9) Why The Gap Theory Won't Work

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Jun 20, 2018

Henry Morris, a Young Earth believer, debates that the Old Earth is impossible.

IX. Why The Gap Theory Won't Work by Henry M. Morris http://www.icr.org/pubs/btg-a/btg-107a.htm A. Those who advocate the gap theory agree that the six days of the creation week were literal days, but they interpret them only as days of recreation, with God creating again many of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal