Sermons on Closing The Gate:

When You Can't Get Up

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Aug 11, 2007

There are too many people who become recluse when we can’t get up. Instead of getting surrounded with people to help us, most of us try to eat the problem away or starve the problem away and stay behind closed doors.

I was chatting with my younger sibling brother this week and I told him what I was preparing my sermon for Sunday. I gave him my subject, “When you can’t get up.” He said, “Sing I’m satisfied with Jesus here and stay in bed.” After we laughed that one out he asked what it was really about. When I ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

Are You Wired For The Kingdom Of Light? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 12, 2011

God lit up the night with angels to celebrate Christ’s birthday. We can light up the world when we do the same... but are we wired to do that? (Uses a famous sycronized home light display as the opening and closing of the sermon).

Open with youtube video of Christmas lights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F44d2IzCrKo (beautiful synchronized Christmas light display featuring “Carol of the bells”) APPLY: The light show you just saw was put together by the Holdmans of Pleasant Grove, Utah. For the past few years 1000s of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Developing The Outward Focus Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 17, 2014

Paul has addressed our personal lives, church life, family life. These are introverted concerns, about us and those we are close to. As he concludes his letter, he wants to make sure we also transition to an extroverted focus.

Developing the Outward Focus (Colossians 4:2-6) 1. I have my taxes all done. I am one of those persons who gets stressed up by paper work and red tape, so I found it stressful just preparing my stuff for the tax preparer. So I have to tell an IRS joke. 2. The pastor got a call form the IRS. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Free Refills Of His Goodness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 16, 2010

Mary & Martha said that Lazarus was the one whom Jesus loved. But how could Jesus treat a friend like He did? Why would He callously stay away while this close friend died... and He could have prevented it?

OPEN: “How many of you know the name of the brother of Mary and Martha who Jesus raised from the dead?” (most of the audience raised their hand). Who was it? Lazarus. Read text: John 11:1-47 followed by prayer. ILLUS: A few years back I read a story about a may village in southwest ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-47, John 11:1-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is God A Has Been? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 23, 2010

When one of the Sons of Korah looked at the current horrible disasters, he could not understand why God allowed these things. Like him, we struggle with reconciling God’s character and what God permits, especially when it strikes close to home.

Is God A Has Been? (Psalm 44) 1. We do not have a lot of information about the Sons of Korah, but we do about their competing group, the Sons of Asaph. 2. According to I Chronicles 25:1-3, "David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 44:1-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What The Bible Says About Prayer Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 24, 2012

What is Prayer? To say that prayer is “conversation with God” is an oversimplification.” Prayer is the sincere desire of our souls spoken to God. Prayer is what allows us to establish closeness with the Creator. Prayer creates an awareness of God’s co

February 6, 2003 Title: What the Bible Says About Prayer Text: “And when you pray…” (Matt. 6:5). Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:5-13 What is Prayer? To say that prayer is “conversation with God” is an oversimplification.” Prayer is the sincere desire of our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Touched By Others And The Passing Of Time

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Aug 26, 2013

This was a message for a unique worship service. A little country church that closed its doors years ago, and now just has one service a year. This was a Memorial service for all those who had died from the community over the previous 40 years.

TOUCHED BY OTHERS AND THE PASSING OF TIME Mark 14:1-11 INTRODUCTION: 1.) Today is certainly a special time as we assemble to remember the lives and contributions of members of this community who over the years have gone to be with the Lord. 2.) Today, I want us to see a good friend of Jesus. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Strength To Stand-11 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Dec 5, 2017

11 of 11. Paul closes his direction to the Ephesian church by encouraging them to find their strength in the Lord. But where or how do God's people find strength to stand victorious? God’s people acquire strength to stand victorious thru a distinct...

STRENGTH To STAND-XI—Ephesians 6:10-20 Attention: Self-Conscious At The Gym: I was self-conscious about going to the gym, because I thought the pounds I had put on would make me stand out among the spandex-clad regulars. I chose a treadmill in the corner so I'd be inconspicuous. However, as I ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Rejected God

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 22, 2018

We can call ourselves Christians, go to church, give our tithes, etc. and yet have rejected God effectively. The picture Jeremiah gives of life in Judah comes close to life in the Christian West, with several gods competing for our loyalty.

[Sermon preached on 4 March 2018, 3rd Sunday in Lent / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] It is so endearing at times to see little children in a big supermarket or shopping mall. They come in with mom or dad, but as soon as they see something interesting—toys, candies, pets, or anything else that ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:16-26, John 8:46-59

Denomination: Lutheran

Memorial For A Dear Friend

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 11, 2017

A funeral message delivered on the death of a close friend. Though a good woman, she never professed Christ, nor did her family confess the Saviour. Nevertheless, they were good to me over a long period of time, showing respect for the Faith of Christ.

“Just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” [HEBREWS 9:27, 28]. Among the most difficult services over ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27-28

Denomination: Baptist

Strength To Stand-10 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 25, 2017

10 of 11. Paul closes his direction to the Ephesian church by encouraging them to find their strength in the Lord. But where or how do God's people find strength to stand victorious? God’s people acquire strength to stand victorious thru a distinct...

STRENGTH To STAND-X—Ephesians 6:10-20 Paul urged the Ephesian church to find their strength in the Lord by effectively arming themselves. The church must acquire God’s strength to stand victorious. Where & How can the church find strength to stand victorious? 12 distinctions of the Christian ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

Three Things To Remember This Mother's Day

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on May 10, 2015

In this message, we will study closely the right attitude to our mothers, how we express our appreciation to them and the result when we honor them. The more we express our love and appreciation to our mothers, the longer our lives will be on earth.

Exodus 20:12 (NIV) "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." There are three things we are going to talk about from this verse: 1. What is the right kind of attitude we need to show towards our father and mother? We are to HONOR ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: Nazarene

The Man And His Message Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 22, 2017

Confessing sin is more than just speaking words; it may involve a broken heart. The mature Christian and those living close to God, recognize that their sin is degrading and offensive to a Holy God. Deep sorrow will flow from the heart when sin is confe

-AD 25-27- Judean Wilderness The Man and His Message (Isaiah 40:3) Matthew 3:2-12, Mark 1:2-8, Luke 3:3-14 All four Gospels quote Isaiah 40:3, and they assign it to John the Baptist, therefore I will accept their testimony. John the Baptist would fulfill this prophetic verse. A voice of one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:2-12, Mark 1:2-8, Luke 3:3-14

Denomination: Baptist

Faith In Three Letters

Contributed by Isaac Magsino on Jun 24, 2020

What if you could see the future, what will you do? This is the question of Clark Kent to his mom – Martha in Smallville series. Clark: Mom, if you could see anything, what would you do? Martha: Learn to close my eyes

FAITH IN THREE LETTERS Text: Habakuk 3:18 June 21, 2020 Riverside Church of Christ Intro: What if you could see the future, what will you do? This is the question of Clark Kent to his mom – Martha in Smallville series. Clark: Mom, if you could see anything, what would you do? ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Calms Our Fears And Reconnects Us

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 16, 2021

In today’s text, we know that ten of Jesus’s twelve of disciples were staying behind closed doors in the Upper Room because of fear. This sermon seeks to address how Jesus ministers to us and how we are called to witness to others.

JESUS CALMS OUR FEARS AND RECONNECTS US Text: Luke 24:36-49 Luke 24:36-49  While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."  (37)  They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-49

Denomination: United Methodist