Sermons on Drawing Close To God:

The God Of Great Turnarounds Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on May 22, 2023

The story of Esther and Mordecai is full of plot twists, unexpected outcomes, and surprise endings, all reminding us that we serve a God of great turnarounds. Do we have “Hamans” in our lives? From the story of Esther and Mordecai we can draw encouragement for our lives today.

Introduction Video Ill.: The Story of Esther - Second Look Films (segment 4) We are continuing our study today based loosely on Max Lucado’s book, You Were Made for This Moment. When we started, we saw that Esther and Mordecai just wanted to blend in — to be cosy in the Persian culture. Don’t ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:17, Jeremiah 12:1, Acts 17:31, Psalm 7:11, Mark 12:29-31, Matthew 5:43-45, Isaiah 58:6-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The One Who Knows You

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Sep 12, 2006

They say as you go through life, it isn’t as important what you know as it is whom you know. Well, they’re close to being right...

They say that as you go through life it isn’t as important what you know as whom you know. This morning, I want to suggest this is true, but I’ll go even one better. It’s not even so much who you know, but the one who knows you. Even in a competitive, knowledge-based industry like computers – ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Cry Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 17, 2018

Go ahead and have a good cry, and let your tears draw you closer to God and to others.

Real men DO cry at times, but there are rules. Recently, GQ magazine shared those rules in a humorous article actually written by a woman. She said, “Male crying is not new. It's been happening for as long as men have had eyeballs. But it was almost always done behind at least three closed doors.” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:1-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Close To The Cross, But Far From Christ? You Don't Have To Be.

Contributed by Scott Sharpes on Mar 1, 2004

During those last days of Christ, there are many who were close to the cross, yet chose to be far from Christ. Asks the questions, "How close am I?" Powerful closing illustration: True Story

Title: Close to the Cross, But Far From Christ? You Don’t Have to Be! 03/2004 West Side Text: Matthew 27:29-56 and Luke 23:26-29 A.M. Service Purpose: Asks the question: How Close Am I? ******************************************************* Introduction: A. Open with personal comments about Mel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:29-56, Luke 23:26-29

Denomination: Nazarene

Consider Your Life Pt 1 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jun 21, 2018

First of three messages drawing principles from Haggai. This message looks at God's first two admonitions to consider their calendar and their priorities.

Chico Alliance Church Pastor David Welch "Consider Your Life” Pt 1 Introduction Have you ever worked your head off and found little satisfaction when it was all over? Do you feel like the more money you earn the less there seems to be? Does whatever you do feel like a pointless chore or a bitter ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Repairing The Wickets

Contributed by Ruthie Velazquez-Paredes on Oct 31, 2021

What is a wicket? Opening or entrance made in a wall.

Isaiah 58:12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls (wickets), Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Introduction: Two of the best-known companies in this city have a slogan that catches my attention: 1) ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:12

Denomination: Church Of God

Friendships Are Important - Friends Accomplish More - Alone Is Dangerous! Series

Contributed by John Wright on Feb 13, 2010

Friendship are important when they are with the right people, friends can accomplish more together than they can by their self and often times trying to go through life all alone is dangerous, both physically and spiritually.

Introduction 1. Open your bibles please to 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. Hold this reference. 2. There are many passages that teach the importance of having friends. They teach that two are better than one in most all situations. 3. We will discuss some of the passages from the bible that will help us ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Ecclesiastes 4:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God’s Spirit~ Alive And Well!

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jun 29, 2016

Today’s text reveals that there are only two ways to live life. Paul draws several contrasts between existence ruled by the flesh and the new life of the Spirit.

God’s Spirit~ Alive and Well! Romans 8:1-11NASB The late baseball legend Gil Hodges told this story. Once, when he was managing the Washington Senators, he discovered four of his players had broken curfew the previous night. Immediately, he called a team meeting and said, "I know who you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Knock, Knock

Contributed by John Mccormack on Jun 5, 2013

OPEN THE DOOR! LET CHRIST IN!

KNOCK, KNOCK INTRODUCTION: JOHN, THE WRITER OF REVELATION, SENT SEVEN LETTERS TO VARIOUS CHURCHES. SOME CHURCHES WERE COMPLIMENTED; SOME WERE NOT. THE LAODICEA CHURCH WAS NOT COMPLIMENTED, RATHER, REBUKED (REVELATION 3: 15). SPIRITUAL INSIGHT: REVELATION 3: 20 (NKJV) BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Denomination: Baptist

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

Imitating Greatness Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 9, 2009

We can be like Jesus if we live in close fellowship with Him. Here are some areas that will help us be more like Jesus.

Imitating Greatness Ephesians 5:1-20 Intro: One awesome thing about living your life for God is that He never asks you to do anything that you could not do with His help. He will definitely ask you to do things you could never do on your own, but we need to remember that the same one who calls us ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Cup Of Salvation

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Apr 20, 2016

What causes the psalmist to break out in his expression of love? The salvation of the Lord. Close to death, the Lord delivered him.

Psalm 116:1-19 The Cup of Salvation 4/20/00 Introduction Some of you may have picked up in the order of service that we are going through the six psalms of ascent sung by pilgrims making their way to Jerusalem for the Passover. As would have been traditional, Jesus and his disciples most likely ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Single Most Important Secret To Keep You From Falling Away

Contributed by Coz Von on May 12, 2014

I am Growing in leaps and bounds,but not commited enough, knowlegde can set you free but knowledge can condemn you as well as a lack of groath & commitment. will I be lost because I draw too close to be able resist anymore - Is the narrow road too narrow?

As I draw closer to God, God in turn draws closer to me. I've been growing constantly as a result of this relationship. I am Growing in leaps and bounds, at a steep and steady pace: I am falling and growing at the same time, but should I fail, I will be lost, right? How bad would it be if I love ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Wants You To Have A Healthy Heart

Contributed by James May on Mar 18, 2014

Our heart can only be healthy if we are close to God's heart. God can heal the wounded spirit and the sin sick and broken heart.

God Wants You to Have a Healthy Heart Sunday, March 16, 2014 We live in a world that is filled with hurting people. There are so many ways that people can be hurt and most of the world around them would never see the pain they bear. The physical pain that many suffer from injuries or some type of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Not Far From The Kingdom Of God”

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 13, 2003

When the time runs out in the life of an individual, “coming close” to the kingdom of God leads to far more than disappointment...it ends in eternal separation from God.

“NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD” "Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?" Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: ’Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34, Mark 12:34

Denomination: Baptist