Sermons on Doors Close:

Free Indeed: The Power Of Pride Series

Contributed by Tim Huie on Jan 23, 2009

While we might not think it, pride can be an open door that Satan uses to inflict harm on us.

THE POWER OF PRIDE James 4:6-7 1 Peter 5:5-8 1. Illus. of Loraine at GPBC • Came to see me. Had a list of weird things going on in her life, things that were destroying her but that she had no explanation for. • As I listened, I began to try to fit what she was telling me into a model. Physical? ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Increase Our Faith For Total Dependence

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Oct 20, 2022

The rich ruler wants to know what to do for salvation. Jesus slams the door on him. Why? Find out.

10.23.22 Luke 18:18–30 18 A certain ruler asked Jesus, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one—God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery. You shall not murder. You shall not steal. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:18-30

Denomination: Lutheran

5 Upon This Rock Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Mar 25, 2020

As the church was closed, we had to go to printed meditations, so this is a much shorter version of what was originally planned.

Matthew 16:13-20 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Mind Of Christ

Contributed by Craig Smee on Nov 27, 2005

A close look at how our mind can run away with us, but we need to adopt the mind of Christ.

1. THE MIND….(SLIDE ILLUSTRATION) So much goes on in our mind. Day to day management. Breathe in breathe out. Left leg right leg when walking. We don’t even think about it – shake hands. I mean one of the lines my mom used to ask me and it sticks in my head: What the hell were you thinking. I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-8

Denomination: Christian Church

"reliance In An Age Of Growing Chaos"

Contributed by John Huyser on Apr 24, 2023

Who hasn't pulled into the wrong driveway, knocked on the wrong door, absent-mindedly lifted the handle of the wrong car door or let a ball go astray into another yard? What is triggering all the senseless violence? How do we process this as believers and regain our sense of safety?

Once a month – every 29.5 days according to NASA, we have a full moon where the sun fully illuminates the moon’s visible disk. We observe full moons in the clear nighttime skies without much thought. But long known to those in law enforcement or medicine, full moons can trigger behavioral and ...read more

Free To Forgive

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 14, 2025

Forgiveness releases your heart from the prison of bitterness and opens the door to God’s healing, mercy, freedom, and restored relationships.

INTRO – THE HARDEST COMMAND AND THE SWEETEST FREEDOM There are certain things Jesus says that sound beautiful when you read them on the page… and then they hit like a hammer when you realize He means them. “Love your enemies.” “Bless those who curse you.” “Pray for those who despitefully use ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:23-32, Matthew 18:21-35, Matthew 6:14-15, Luke 6:36, Colossians 3:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

A Tale Of Two Prayers

Contributed by Rev Ken Shedenhelm on Apr 16, 2013

Knowing ourselves to be a sinner opens the door to salvation, whereas self-righteousness separates us from our God and our neighbor.

"A TALE OF TWO PRAYERS" It was just another day, like all the days that came before, and two men entered the temple to pray, as men had done for centuries. One of the men was a Pharisee. He was a man, to use Mark Twain's phrase, "who was good in the worst sense of the word." The other man was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Embracing God's Opportunities SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

God knows how to open the door of opportunity to us to do his work. And though there are many that oppose his work, none can impede it. Even the gates of hell cannot prevail against it! I Cor 16:9, "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."

In his letter to the Corinthians from Ephesus, Paul expresses his desire to reunite with the Corinthian converts and spend significant time with them. However, he acknowledges that he must wait until God completes His work in Ephesus, where a great and effective opportunity has been opened for him. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:9

Topics: God's Provision, Overcoming Opposition

The Romance Of Redemption Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 29, 2020

Humble yourself before the Lord and find recognition, resources, and best of all, a close, personal relationship with your Redeemer.

Christian Herter was running hard for reelection as governor of Massachusetts, and one day he arrived late at a barbecue. He’d had no breakfast or lunch, and he was famished. As he moved down the serving line, he held out his plate and received one piece of chicken. The governor said to the ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-22, James 4:10, 1 John 2:17, John 1:12, Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 1:3, 1 Peter 1:4, 2 Peter 1:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Loose Lips Sink Ships

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Feb 10, 2010

The secret to victory...any victory, is closeness with Jesus...knowing Him...drawing near to His presence will reveal what is in our hearts. The reason many Christians continue to gossip and slander is because they never really have been close to Christ.

LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS JAMES 3:1 12 Last week I spoke to you about the thoughts that come into our minds and how we can hatch snake eggs and weave spider webs if we don't begin to learn to think Scripturally. We have to be very careful about our thought life. I also printed Philippians 4:8 on the ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

What Really Counts Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Nov 28, 2015

We are told what really counts. Paul closes the letter to the Galatians with his own hand and using large letters. It would be like using bold print in an email. It is his way of saying pay close attention to this section of the letter.

Some things are simply more important than others. When you receive junk mail do you give it the same importance as priority mail? I use a different wake up call system when I have an early morning appointment that is really important. I may set two alarms if I do not want to be late under any ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

On The Threshold Of The Supernatural

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 13, 2015

We can get close to a miracle and never experience it.We have to press-in in prayer to Jesus and get so close that we cross over the threshold of the miraculous. Jonathan did that in his battle with the Philistines. Read on.

ON THE THRESHOLD OF THE SUPERNATURAL 1 Sam. 14:6-15,23 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: BOUDREAUX DUMPING TRASH 1. Boudreaux pulled over on the side of the highway and was dumping his trash beside the road. 2. A policeman spotted him, turned around, got out and walked up to him. “Boudreaux, what ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:6-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Innkeeper

Contributed by James Buchanan on Dec 1, 2003

The third in a series on The Three People Missed at Christmas. This focuses on a personage of the innkeeper, who was so close to the Savior, but missed the boat.

Have you ever missed the boat? Have you ever gotten so wrapped up in things that you have missed out on the main reason for doing what you do? The rich industrialist from the North was horrified to find the southern fisherman lying lazily beside his boat, smoking a pipe. "Why aren’t you out ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Straight Talk For Saints And Sinners

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 23, 2010

Parable of Mustard Seed & Narrow Door (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Straight talk about the Kingdom (vs 18-22) • illustration #1: like a mustard seed (vs 19). • illustration #2: like yeast (vs 21). (2). Straight talk about salvation (vs 23-33). • Entrance to the Kingdom is not automatic (vs 23-24). • Entrance to the Kingdom is a struggle ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:18-33

Denomination: Brethren

Ruth Scene 4 Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Mar 1, 2013

Christ died on the cross for you; he went to the grave for you; and even today he stands at the door of all people and knocks...notice he doesn’t crash the door, we have to invite Him in, take the gift of eternal life by faith. Ruth gave Boaz permission a

Ruth has come all the way from the land of Moab into the heart and home of Boaz. And we who were one time strangers, far from God, without hope in the world, are now sealed in the heart and home of Jesus. We today have been redeemed into the family of God, and one of these days we are going to live ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-22