Sermons on Closing The Gate:

Bearing Spiritual Fruit

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Feb 29, 2008

Jesus said - "every bracnh in ME (this means Christians) that does not bear fruit He [the Father] takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He [the Father] prunes, today lets look more closely at this.

BEARING GOOD FRUIT (John 15:1-10) INTRODUCTION Each fall I take my children to the apple orchard just down the road from my house. Last year as we were walking through the orchard, I noticed my youngest son (Ben) picking up an apple off the ground to eat. The apple was rotten and I told him not ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-10

Denomination: Orthodox

Philadelphia: The Church With The Open Door

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 9, 2020

Like Smyrna, the Lord offered only encouragement for Philadelphia, with no rebuke. They were a people of little strength, and yet they held great potential. Christ promised to open doors no man could close. He reminded them of His preeminence and the security of their future.

Philadelphia – The Church with the Open Door Revelation 3: 7-13 Philadelphia is the sixth church addressed by Jesus. Like Smyrna, Jesus offered no rebuke, only encouragement for their faithfulness and endurance in the midst of opposition. Jesus knew they were a people of “little strength,” and yet ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

Following The Heart Series

Contributed by Thomas Donelan on Jun 22, 2010

Ruth goes out into the fields to glean, and winds up in the middle of God’s will by her humility and obedience. We can learn from Ruth’s example.

Introduction I want to pick up with the though we ended with last time: Lastly, a prayer (paraphrased from Tommy Tenny in the “God Chasers” : Lord, break out of the box we try to put you in and destroy everything in our lives that is not of You. Mess up our schedules, plans, and ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parables Of Jesus: The Lost Sheep & The Lost Coin Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 15, 2022

Time and again in the New Testament we see Jesus sharing parables and stories related to shepherds and sheep. It’s very very common. From psalm 23, talking about the rod and staff of the shepherd, to Jesus calling himself “the gate for the sheep” it’s throughout the scriptures.

“Dr. Andrew Bonar told me how, in the Highlands of Scotland, a sheep would often wander off into the rocks and get into places that they couldn't get out of. The grass on these mountains is very sweet and the sheep like it, and they will jump down ten or twelve feet, and then they can't ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

I'm Missing Out Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Mar 5, 2007

Part 6 of 6 in series Every Thought Captive. Dr. Joe Hendricks bring this series to a close examining the idea, "I Miss My Old Life." He covers why this happens to people and how to take that thought captive and keep living for God.

“I’m Missing Out” Every Thought Captive, part 6 Wildwind Community Church February 25, 2007 Today I want to bring our Every Thought Captive series to a close. As most of you know, every week we have looked at a different lie people believe that causes various types of spiritual problems. Today ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Denomination: Free Methodist

Anger Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 11, 2015

God knows our tendency to struggle in the area of anger. His Word gives us some instruction in this matter. Let’s pay close attention so that we might honor God in all things – even in our anger.

Series: There’s an App for That “Anger” Matthew 5:21-26, 39, 43-48 Open In Lille, France, a woman became fed up with neighbors parking outside of her home blocking her gate. For weeks, she asked and pleaded with them to not do it. She woke up before dawn one morning to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Christians Suffer

Contributed by Maria Saunders on Aug 21, 2013

Peter wants the elect of God to not lose hope but to realize that suffering is one tool that God uses to prepare us for life and service in the Kingdom of God. A close view of our text reveals four things that God promises to His elect who are enduring trials and tribulations, sufferings

"In His kindness God called you to His eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation" (1 Peter 5:10) NLT. In this 1st letter of the Apostle Peter, he expresses from first-hand ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10

Denomination: Baptist

When Christians Suffer

Contributed by Maria Saunders on Aug 21, 2013

Peter wants the elect of God to not lose hope but to realize that suffering is one tool that God uses to prepare us for life and service in the Kingdom of God. A close view of our text reveals four things that God promises to His elect who are enduring trials and tribulations, sufferings

"In His kindness God called you to His eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation" (1 Peter 5:10) NLT. In this 1st letter of the Apostle Peter, he expresses from first-hand ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10

Denomination: Baptist

The Problem With Pursuing Your Passion

Contributed by Ken Henson on Nov 16, 2015

1. Everyone says “Follow your heart”. But “The heart is deceitful above all things . . ." 2. we tend to be passionate about things we're good at, but getting good takes a lot of work 3. It's difficult to see the difference between passion and addiction

The most common career advice people hear these days is that in order to be happy you have to pursue your passion. This is the first generation I’m aware of that has swallowed such a lie. Today I’d like to present three problems, huge reasons that pursuing your passion as a path to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5-12

Denomination: *other

"Doubt Cannot Hide The Resurrected Jesus”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 9, 2024

Kathleen Noris has written: “To believe is not a matter of the mind but a matter of the heart.” The eleven were no different that Thomas. Belief in His resurrection had to move from their “mind” to their “hearts.”

In Jesus Holy Name April 14, 2024 Text: Luke 24:38-39 Easter III Redeemer “Doubt Cannot Hide the Resurrected Jesus” On this Sunday after Easter Jesus meets His disciples in the Upper room where they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:36-49, Luke 23:38

Denomination: Lutheran

Will God Send People To Hell? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 24, 2014

There are many people who are uncomfortable with the idea that God sends people to hell. Does He? And if He does, what kind of people does He send there?

OPEN: Calvin Coolidge was known for his dry wit and the fact that virtually nothing seemed to upset him or disturb him. Before Coolidge became President of the United States, he was a senator in the Massachusetts State Senate. Apparently one of Coolidge’s responsibilities was to decide which ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

David, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ricky Nelms on Jul 24, 2010

This is Part 2 of looking at the life of David. This is part of the sermon series "Close Encounters" where we're looking at the lives some of the great Bible characters. The outline is: 1)David's Sin With Bathsheba, and 2)David's Sin In Numbering The P

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS SERIES 7 – DAVID, PART 2 This morning, we are continuing with our sermon series on CLOSE ENCOUNTERS You say, “Pastor, you’ve been preaching on this for a long time, how much longer are you going to preach on this?” Until we have CLOSE ENCOUNTERS Because ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:36

Denomination: Pentecostal

The 6 Last Plagues Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Jun 6, 2024

Now every person has made their choice and destines have been decided. The door of mercy is closed. All those who have willingly chosen to follow Satan will experience the full force of God’s holy displeasure against sin.

June 08, 2024 Revelation 14 concludes with 2 great harvests – the Wheat Harvest and the Grape Harvest. God’s people are represented as the Wheat gathered into Christ’s barn while the unrepentant are represented as Grapes trodden in the winepress of God’s wrath….. Chapters 15 and 16 build on ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 15:1, Revelation 7:16, Revelation 15:5-8, Revelation 16:1-16, Exodus 7:16-25, Exodus 10:21-23, Psalm 119:105, John 1:1-4, Isaiah 44:24-28, Isaiah 45:1, Revelation 19:11-16, Exodus 8:1-15, 2 Peter 3:9-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Da Vinci Con - Is Jesus Really God?

Contributed by Brian Harrell on May 5, 2006

The Da Vinci code claims that Jesus’ divinity was established by a close vote. This message looks at what Jesus said about Himself, what others said, what history proves about His divinity.

Cracking the Da Vinci Code #2 – Was Jesus God? Over the past 25 years there have been several attempts in Hollywood to smear, put down or challenge the Christian faith. For some reason Christians tick off the Hollywood elite. It may be the same reason that cockroaches, rats, skunks and mice don’t ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

It's A Question Of Loyalty

Contributed by Doane Brubaker on May 3, 2007

Jesus’ question to Peter, "Do you love me more than these?" could be taken in at least three ways, each posing an important challenge to look closely at our own devotion to the Savior.

Let’s start with an easy question. Have you ever been betrayed? If so, you know the pain of broken trust. Now for a more difficult question; Have you ever been the betrayer? It isn’t a difficult question because you don’t know the answer, but because the answer can be very painful. If you’ve ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Denomination: Mennonite