Sermons on Drawing Close To God:

Prayer Plus

Contributed by Alan Stokes on Dec 9, 2000

This message draws upon several texts in the Epistle of James and shows how prayer accompanied by a relationship with God is powerful and effective.

This morning we are going to be looking at the book of James. The theme of the James’ letter in the Bible is “Faith Plus”. It’s good to have faith, but that faith must also make a difference in the life of action and in the works we do. The key verse of the entire letter of James would ...read more

Scripture: James 4:8, James 1:6-7

Denomination: Holiness

The Christmas Story

Contributed by Jimmy Dillon on Apr 9, 2008

This looks at the way God has tried to draw us to Himself throughou the ages and finally sends the ultimate gift of Himself.

The Christmas Story Matt 21:33 - Pray - I want to tell you a Christmas Story, but it’s probably not a Christmas story that you have heard at Christmas - But it is truly the Christmas Story - I want to first review the story…to make you aware of the story…it is a parable that Jesus told - ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33

Denomination: Baptist

God Is God Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Nov 8, 2013

To live a life of thankfulness we must have a foundation of the reasons for our thankfulness... the first is that God is God!

Sermon Brief Date Written: November 1, 2013 Date Preached: November 3, 2013 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: Building a Foundation for a Thankful Life Sermon Title: The 1st Piling – God is God Sermon Text: Isaiah 40:25-31 [HCSB] Essence of the Text: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:25-31

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does Gratitude Matter? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 15, 2023

This sermon explores the transformative power of gratitude in our lives, encouraging us to appreciate our blessings and draw closer to God.

Good morning, dear friends. We gather here today with hearts full and spirits high. The air is filled with a sense of hope, a sense of expectation. We are here to share in the Word of God, to find solace, strength, and wisdom. Our focus today is on a powerful passage from the Bible. It is a passage ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Topics: Gratitude

God’s Calling Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

The sermon will explore the concept of God's call to every individual for salvation and service, emphasizing the need to discern this call amidst life's distractions.

Welcome church family! I’m very excited today as we begin a powerful 3-week series together. Called & Anointed draws upon the testimonies of Samuel the prophet and David, the king of Israel. A.W. Tozer once said, "God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity we plan ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 1 Corinthians 12:7

Topics: God's Calling, Salvation, Apostolic Power

Sermon Series: Called & Anointed

The Controversy And Confrontation That Jesus’ Kingdom Brings Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 14, 2021

A look at the three closing promises Simeon makes - all of them challenging. What do we learn from these and where do we see these happening in Jesus' ministry?

SAFE AND HARMLESS? Is Jesus’ Kingdom like “no more tears” shampoo? - Have a bottle of Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo and talk about the old “no more tears” promise. It was safe and harmless. A PIERCING SWORD: Simeon speaks of a Kingdom that is less happy and harmless and more controversial ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35

Denomination: Baptist

Letting God Be God Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 20, 2008

To pray as Jesus prayed is to have the same understanding of God as He did: a firm but compassionate father, a giver who expects us to learn appreciation, and an empowering forgiver.

Introduction to Series Praying As Jesus Prayed Every fall I like to take at least two Sundays to focus on some aspect of that most basic of all the disciplines of the Christian life, the discipline of prayer. I do this for several reasons. First, building in a specific emphasis on prayer in our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Noah - The Man Who Saved The Human Race Series

Contributed by Bob Marcaurelle on Aug 27, 2019

Looking at OT history, chronologically, through the eyes of its men and women, we see the clearest example of how God will punish wickedness at the close of history and separate those who are right with Him from those who are not rignt.

NOAH - THE MAN WHO SAVED OUR RACE Gen. 6-9; 2 Peter 2:5 A missionary to China drew on a blackboard an ancient Chinese word for flood. Chinese words are actually line drawings or pictures. The word for flood was a boat and eight people. Like many other ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-8

Denomination: Baptist

Making Peace Series

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Mar 17, 2014

Peace is one of the themes in the Bible. It opens with peace and closes with peace in eternity. Jesus has come to make peace for us. So that in turn we can be a peacemaker for others that do not know Christ

In his book, The Fall of Fortresses, Elmer Bendiner tells the story of an unusual flight he took as part of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber crew as navigator during World War II. On a raid over Germany, the plane was hit in the fuel tank by anti-aircraft fire. But despite a direct hit, the tank did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Baptist

The Heartbeat Of Prayer

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 9, 2025

Prayer is the living heartbeat of discipleship — not changing God’s will, but drawing our will into His presence until we see and live as He does.

(A Check Up on Prayer) Introduction – The Spiritual Health Exam If you’ve ever gone in for a regular checkup, you know how it goes. The nurse checks your blood pressure, your pulse, your breathing, and maybe draws some blood. The idea isn’t that anything’s wrong — it’s simply wise to know how ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Peter 3:12, Ephesians 6:8, Romans 15:30, Colossians 4:12, Psalm 66:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

From Slavery To Redemption Series

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on May 15, 2007

This is a look at the opening pages of Exodus and God redemptive work from slavery to redemption looking at the circumstances that brought it all about and its application for us today.

The Book of Exodus: From Slavery to Redemption (Key verse: Ex 6:6)other texts for guidance Ex 1:8 – 17 2:23 – 24. 11:1-5 12:29-30 The book of Exodus theme is one of redemption out of slavery and divine guidance through the provision of God’s law and His guidance through the wilderness to the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 6:6

Denomination: Baptist

Double Vision Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 7, 2010

Exposition/conclusions from Daniel 11 about the truths that we can draw from God's oversight and prophecy of coming kingdoms

Text: Daniel 11:2-12:4, Title: Double Vision, Date/Place: NRBC, 5/30/10, AM A. Opening illustration: Speak about the writer of Ecclesiastes and his view from under the sun and the discouragement that followed. B. Background to passage: Daniel’s writing in the book has been somewhat cyclical. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Practice Of Simplicity & Generosity Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Nov 15, 2007

In a culture of affluence we must practice simplicity and generosity if we are to love God first and draw closer to him.

Last week I said we suffer from a sickness in this country, it is the sickness of hurry, and we talked about the need to slow down, prioritize our time, and spend time being still before God. But there is a second sickness we have in this country, the sickness of affluence, riches, greed, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Methodist

Consider Your Life Pt 3 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jun 21, 2018

Last of three messages from Haggai drawing observations from the last two of God's five messages to Israel.

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch "Consider Your Life” Pt 3 Review God had given favor in the eyes of Cyrus the Persian ruler and he allowed them to return to their homeland. God stirred the hearts of nearly 50,000 people to pack up and leave their familiar surroundings. Some of the ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Deadly . . . Greed And Envy! Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Mar 10, 2018

Continuing our look at the 7 Deadly Sins. Focusing on greed and envy as we seek to draw closer to God.

7 Deadly Sins Greed and Envy March 11, 2018 The 2015 American Freshman Survey asked thousands of incoming students about their goals and aspirations. 81.9 % checked "becoming very well off financially" as an "essential" or "very important" life objective. That’s an astounding percentage. But ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, Luke 12:19-34

Denomination: Baptist