Sermons on Closing The Gate:

Close Encounters Of The Holy Kind Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 31, 2014

Isaiah encountered the living God and responded with a sense of awe and service.

1. Peter Marshall once prayed before the U.S. Senate: "Lord, we thank you that we can come to you just as we are. But remind us that we dare not leave as we came." (Senate Chaplain, '47-48) 2. What are some purposes of worship? a. Respect God; Love God; Honor God b. Dying in Service Little ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Just How Close Are We? Series

Contributed by Bill Burress on Oct 27, 2008

This message refers to when Christ raptures His Church.

“Just How Close Are We?” Whether you are a Christian or not one question seems to be on every ones mind lately is, “Are we close to the Tribulation, or as some refer to as the end of the world?” I mean just look around at what has taken place in the last year. Fuel prices have caused ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Standing Close To The Lightning Strike

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 19, 2009

God will get our attention and force us to make choices, despite our desire to avoid decisions or our wish to be secular. When the lightning strikes it may be painful but it will be about grace.

You can most certainly expect God to attract your attention. I cannot tell you exactly how He will do it, but I do know that He will do it. He will attract your attention. Many of us face a spiritual issue called inattention. Distraction. Inattention. We are not paying attention to what God is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:20-39

Denomination: Baptist

Stay Close To The One With The Key

Contributed by Grant Macdonald on Jun 4, 2012

How can a church be really successful?

I am always thankful for Bill, but a couple of days ago, I was particularly thankful! Some of you might have noticed this recycling bin next to me. If you didn't notice it, you need to work on your powers of observation. (And no, this isn't my subtle way of tipping you off to the fact that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Close Encounter With A Loving God

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Apr 25, 2017

Gods mercy and grace are wondeful

A Close Encounter with a Loving God Intro: As the great white hunter stalks his prey thru the sultry jungle of Africa, the prey is running for his life; but to no avail because nothing escapes the skills of the great white hunter. The prey is trembling with fear as the hunter closes in. Can you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Safe Place To Come Close

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

Humility and gentleness are keys for creating a church fellowship where people feel safe to come close to one another.

Last week we started with the dilemma of two porcupines on a very cold night, who needed to snuggle up close to each other to stay warm. But the closer they got the more they pricked each other with their quills, so they pulled apart. But the more they pulled apart, the colder they got. So it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, Matthew 11:28-29

Huddled Behind Closed Doors

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Apr 14, 2020

Today, many are huddled behind closed doors, fearing the dreadful disease - Coronavirus.

Message/Devotion April 19, 2020 John 20:19-31 Huddled Behind Closed Doors As I read today’s gospel message, it was abundantly clear to me that today masses of people are huddled behind closed doors due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Some are in a self-imposed lockdown. Some are in a lockdown ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open House, Closed Minds

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 2, 2018

Life is about attitudes! You are a product of your menial everyday choices. The Pharisee invited Jesus to his house, but never gave him the proper care. Yet, they judged the lady that did what she could...

AN OPEN HOUSE WITH A CLOSED MIND? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com THERE WAS AN INVITATION FROM A PHARISEE, HE WAS A VIP (VERY IMPORTANT PERSON), SEARCH YOUR HEART AND YOUR ATTITUDES… BAD ATTITUDES ARE CHOICES… WHY ALL THIS WASTE? Luke 7:37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:37-47

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Church Of The Closed Door - Laodicea Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 19, 2017

Laodicea was the second of the seven churches of Asia to receive no commendation from the Lord. Such a state requires us to look very carefully at this church, which lived within an affluent society whose attitudes clearly rubbed off on the church.

THE CHURCH OF THE CLOSED DOOR READING Rev 3:14-22 1. INTRODUCTION Laodicea was the second of the seven churches of Asia to receive no commendation from the Lord. Such a state requires us to look very carefully at this church. Can it teach something to us today? We shall see as we move through ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Church Of God

Trust God And Close The Book

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 17, 2016

often times in life and ministry there is nothing you can do, it is out of our hands... THEN WE MUST TRUST GOD AND CLOSE THE BOOK.

THERE IS A TIME FOR US TO CLOSE THE BOOK AND TRUST GOD By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com We need to learn THE APPLAUSE OF MEN IS SO SHALLOW AND SO VAIN. Applause is vanity? It fades so quickly. We call Jesus' 7th entry into Jerusalem the TRIPUMPAL ENTRY. They were applauding and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:20-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When The Mirror Is Too Close

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jul 9, 2023

When Paul switches from them to us

- Read Romans 2 Last week we sought to address the question, “What happened to America”, What happened to my country. I believe most of us can admit that the second part of Romans 1 is a pretty fair description of what America looks like today. Look there again at Romans 1:28. - Read Romans ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Closing The Door For A Divine Encounter

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 14, 2025

The widow in 2 Kings 4 teaches us that divine encounters require faith, obedience, and separation. When we shut the door—removing distractions and focusing on God—miracles begin to unfold.

CLOSING THE DOOR FOR A DIVINE ENCOUNTER By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Kings 4:1-7 "Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Open Tomb, Closed Case Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Apr 26, 2025

In our cynical world today, it's hard to trust anyone. All the institutions have been shown to be engaged in fraud, lying, and deception. But we can trust the Word of God and the God who gave us that Word.

Open Tomb, Closed Case Text: John 20:1-29 So we just celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And like I said last Sunday, it’s the most amazing event in all of human history. So even though we’re going to be back in John’s Gospel this morning, we’re right at the point ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-29, Romans 1:1-4, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Privilege Of Being Close To God Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 10, 2025

The privilege of being close to God is beyond words. It is the wellspring of true life, joy, direction, and power. This invitation is not extended to a select few—it is for every believer who chooses to draw near with a sincere heart.

THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING CLOSE TO GOD By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 73:28 Supporting Texts: James 4:8, Exodus 33:11, Hebrews 4:16, Psalm 27:4, John 15:4-7 INTRODUCTION: Closeness to God is not a burden—it is one of the highest honours ever granted to mankind. It is an open invitation ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:28, James 4:8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Walking Close With God Daily Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 10, 2025

To walk closely with God daily is not a religious routine, but a personal and intentional lifestyle. It involves a continuous, living relationship with the Lord marked by love, obedience, fellowship, and dependence.

WALKING CLOSE WITH GOD DAILY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Micah 6:8 Supporting Texts: Genesis 5:24, Amos 3:3, Psalm 63:1, Galatians 5:16, John 15:4-5 INTRODUCTION: To walk closely with God daily is not a religious routine, but a personal and intentional lifestyle. It involves a continuous, ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:8, Genesis 5:24, Amos 3:3, Psalm 63:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God