Sermons on Closing The Gate:

When Doubt Is Called Proof

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 27, 2025

True prophets invite testing; a claim that denial proves authenticity is a closed loop and never the biblical measure of God’s voice.

Opening – The Self-Proving Prophet Let me start with a single, startling sentence: > “One proof I have that I am a prophet of God is if you deny that it is so.” Let it sink in. It sounds clever at first, like a riddle that wins no matter how you answer. If you agree, the claim is ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 8:20, Matthew 7:15-20, 1 John 4:1, Acts 17:11, John 10:37  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

An Enemy Within (1 Samuel 18)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 14, 2025

How often do we find an enemy who is close to us? Let's look at 1 Samuel 18.

Will faithful servants of God have enemies even from within? How should we treat them? Let’s begin in 1 Samuel 18. Did Jonathan and David become the best of friends? As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

But If From There PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

God wants to be found and is always close to us, and we must continually seek a deeper relationship with Him through wholehearted pursuit.

Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, it's truly wonderful to see all of your smiling faces today as we gather to worship and seek the Lord together. Have you ever felt like God is distant or hard to find? Well, I have some incredible news for you today: God wants to be found and He is closer ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:29

Topics: God's Presence

Revolutionary Servants

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 9, 2009

In Nehemiah 11, the people are faced with the challenge of re-populating the holy city of Jerusalem. Since the walls and gates of Jerusalem were now restored, it was important that the builders inhabit their capital city and make the population grow. Now

Revolutionary Servants Nehemiah 11:1, 12:26 In Nehemiah 11, the people are faced with the challenge of re-populating the holy city of Jerusalem. Since the walls and gates of Jerusalem were now restored, it was important that the builders inhabit their capital city and make the population grow. Now ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

One Day In Your Temple - Psalms 84:10 Series

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jul 29, 2011

Psalms 84:10 One day spent in your Temple is better than a thousand anywhere else; I would rather stand at the gate of the house of my God than live in the homes of the wicked. (GNB)

One Day In Your Temple - Psalms 84:10 Psalms 84:10 One day spent in your Temple is better than a thousand anywhere else; I would rather stand at the gate of the house of my God than live in the homes of the wicked. (GNB) I. One Day Spent In Your Temple II. 1000 Days Elsewhere Is Nothing ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Peter Goes With The Men From Cornelius Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 8, 2017

While Peter was pondering in his heart the vision he had received from the Lord, the servants of Cornelius arrived at the gate and asked for him. Directed by the Spirit he went down from the housetop to greet them.

April 27, 2014 By: Tom Lowe Title: Peter Goes with the Men from Cornelius (10:17-22) Scripture (Acts 10:17-22) 17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

Led To Golgotha Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 30, 2020

Christ is sentenced to be crucified. He was forced to carry the heavy cross, but as the procession neared the gate, He succumbed to exhaustion and fell to the ground, unable to go any further. The cross is then forced upon one Simon of Cyrene.

HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS (35) Led to Golgotha Scripture: Matthew 27:31-34; Mark 15:20-23; Luke 23:26-33 (focal passage); John 19:16, 17 Tom Lowe 3/23/2008 Christ is sentenced to be crucified. He was forced to carry the heavy cross, but as the procession neared the gate, He succumbed to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:26-33, Matthew 27:31-34, Mark 15:20-23, John 19:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Rich Man And Lazarus Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 28, 2025

In today’s text we have a story about a wealthy man and an impoverished man whose stories intersect at the gate of the wealthy man. This is a haunting story and one that features people with opposite experiences in life and death.

The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31 Introduction Luke’s gospel is known for having a lot to say about riches and poverty. We might assume that Jesus mostly talked to poor people, but we know he spoke to the Pharisees, many of whom would have been wealthy. (16:14) He also was known to hang ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Honoring Dad And Mom

Contributed by Greg Nance on Oct 9, 2012

Honoring God is closely followed by honoring parents. This is no accidental order in the Ten Commandments list. We do well to pay attention here and help our children follow this.

Don’t you enjoy watching your kids learn as they grow up? Think of all the things you teach your children: How to walk, talk, pray, trust God, follow Jesus, Bible characters, eat, clean up, tie shoes, dress, share, sit quietly in church, get along with brothers or sisters, and on and on. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Laying The Foundation For Revival Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Oct 24, 2006

Revival started with a foundation of prayer. Israel’s physical state was a reflection of their spiritual state. Nehemiah’s quest wasn’t just about rebuilding the walls and gates of Jerusalem. It was also about reviving the hearts and minds of the peopl

(This sermon is part of a series preached in the first few months of arriving at the church, which had been without a "preacher" for 3 years.) Laying the Foundation for Revival Show the Blueprints and Plans of our church from years past—class rooms, family life center, new worship area, more ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bethel

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Dec 15, 2016

Jacob, following an amazing dream in which he saw a ladder or stairway extending between heaven and earth, with the Lord standing above it, exclaimed "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

Note: I have developed a simple set of slides in PowerPoint to use in the delivery of this sermon. They're not fancy, but they do help to keep attention focused on the points being presented. If anyone is interested in having the PowerPoint file, email me at sam@srmccormick.net with the word ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Door Is Open Series

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Aug 10, 2023

What doors are open in your church and in your heart today. Let's look at a couple of doors that need to be open today, tomorrow and forevermore.

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13 Theme: Doors Title: Come on In – the Door is Open What doors are open in your church today? Let’s look at a couple of doors that need to be open in every church. INTRO: Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! It’s such a simple word - ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13, Matthew 18:21-22

Denomination: Nazarene

Cowboys & Christians

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Oct 24, 2005

Evangelism sermon, showing similarities between cowboys and Christians. A very close take-off from the sermon of a friend of mine; Pastor Steve Shepherd of Jonesboro, AR.

Cowboy Joe was had just come back from going to church for the first time, and was in the bunkhouse telling the other cowhands about his experience. He said, “When I got there, I parked my pick-up in the corral. Charlie, a worldly cowboy said, “That would be the parking lot, Joe.” Joe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: *other

The Shepherd & The Sheep 1 Of 6 Series

Contributed by Charles La Porte on Jun 5, 2017

The Promise For His Sheep: Jesus calls us to a similarly close relationship with Him where we instantly recognize His voice (and it doesn’t take 25 years either)

The Shepherd & The Sheep The Promise For His Sheep John 10:1-11 Recognizing Yvonne’s voice… I can hear her call me “Charless” and I don’t need to see her, I don’t need to be looking at her to know without any doubt that its Yvonne… Jesus calls us to a similarly close relationship with Him where ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Thin Place Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of "thin places" - special locations where individuals feel particularly close to God - and emphasizes the importance of seeking God in these places, using Psalm 122 as a guiding scripture.

The Seed family was at Forest Home a week ago. Forest Home is a Christian Camp 90 minutes from here in the San Bernardino Mountains. We’ve been going to Family Camp since Bryan and Amy were in elementary school. We love it there. It has mountains, a lake, a creek, a swimming pool, pine trees, oak ...read more

Topics: Thin Places, Prayer, Fellowship

Sermon Series: Psalms For All Seasons