Sermons on Drawing Near To God:

God Can Make You A "Could-Be" Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 7, 2018

A poem once declared "I'd rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are, because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star." The story of Joseph tells of God's desire to make "could-be" of all His followers.

OPEN: Milton Berle was a comedian a few decades back and he wrote a poem that went like this: “I'd rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are; because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star. I'd rather be a has-been than a might-have-been, by far; for a might-have-been has never been, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:5-11, Genesis 41:39-44, Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Trying Times

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on May 29, 2013

A comparative depiction of drawing nigh to God (Christ Jesus)in modern times as the prophets and kings (fathers) did in the early days.

Trying Times by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (5/29/2013) “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you, Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded (James 4:8, King James Version (KJV), [Patience in afflictions])”. “Let not your ...read more

Scripture: James 4:8-17

Denomination: Friends

Let Us Encourage One Another Series

Contributed by William Lock on Mar 4, 2009

Let us take the time we spend together and actually encourage one another.

Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore…Let us… Hebrews 10:19-21 Therefore, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain that is, through his flesh since we have a great priest over the house of God better than the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What To Do When Depressed Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Oct 19, 2015

Many times, we have difficulty serving the Lord when we are emotionally depressed and we don't know what to do. In this message, we will discuss the causes and the cures for depression basing from Joshua's experiences in the defeat from Ai.

WHAT TO DO WHEN DEPRESSED SCRIPTURE READING: Joshua 7:1-6 (NIV) "But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things[a]; Achanson of Karmi, the son of Zimri,[b] the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. 2 Now Joshua ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-6

Denomination: Nazarene

A Good Cry Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 12, 2012

Go ahead, have a good cry if you need to. Then let your tears draw you close to others and to God.

There is a new trend in China’s changing culture, which I find very interesting. The trend is a Cry Bar and it’s spreading to several major Chinese cities. The first Cry Bar opened eight or nine years ago (2003) in the city of Nanjing with only a sofa, a few tables, and tissues – a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:1-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

God Has Called Us To An Active Ministry

Contributed by Arthur Mathis on Oct 18, 2003

God has intended for us to speak out and tell everyone about the miracle that He has performed in our lives--we have been chosen as His royal priesthood--chosen for His purposes.

God Has Called Us to an Active Ministry Associate Pastor Art Mathis 19 October 2003 1 Peter 2:9-10 (Message Bible)—“But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praise Is What I Do PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 25, 2025

Gratitude and praise, even in ordinary or difficult moments, enrich life and draw us closer to God, making worship a daily, heartfelt practice.

Some mornings the world wakes humming. A sparrow announces the sun before it peeks over the rooftops. Coffee warms your hands while the quiet of the house rests on your shoulders like a soft shawl. On other mornings, the forecast in your heart feels gray. Bills, doctor visits, deadlines. The melody ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 104:33-34

Topics: Praise, Worship

Failing Forward, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Nov 10, 2003

Do you feel God has placed you on a shelf because of something you’ve done? Never forget that you are serving the God, not only of a second chance, but countless chances.

For some of you, it was all you could do to even come here today. You failed over and over. You had such a bad week or month that you really didn’t even want to show up today. We sometimes want to give up because of · the regularity of our sin (“I just can’t seem to stop!”), · the reproach of ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Ruth - Part 3 - Ruth 3 Series

Contributed by Todd Blair on Mar 16, 2022

Ruth chapter 3 shows us how to know God better and how to hear from Him better.

Do you know who this is? It's the Queen of England. Does anybody here know her personally? Bruce, you know everybody. Do you have her cell #? I'd like to give her a call. I have some questions. No? Well, let me ask you this. If you wanted to know the queen, what would you do? Let's say ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Trying Of Your Faith

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 9, 2006

How to respond to hardships and disappointments and actually benefit from the process.

The Trying of Your Faith 1 Peter 1:1-9[1] 8-07-05 Intro During our teaching from the book of Judges[2] we talked a lot about trouble that comes as a consequence of sin. The recurring cycle in that book involved God sending trouble to correct Israel’s disobedience –the chastening of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: Charismatic

Cleaning Up

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Nov 17, 2012

There is a conflict in the heavenlies for your life. God is fighting for you because He wants to restore that which was lost to Satan. You are valuable in His sight and considers you worth fighting for.

Cleaning Up There is a conflict in the heavenlies for your life. God is fighting for you because He wants to restore that which was lost to Satan. You are valuable in His sight and considers you worth fighting for. Matthew 23:25-26 - Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-26

Denomination: Charismatic

Why Give Thanks PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 9, 2025

True gratitude transforms our lives, drawing us closer to Jesus, deepening our healing, and opening our hearts to God’s ongoing blessing and presence.

Some of us walked in today with full calendars and thin reserves. Bills on the table, worries in the heart, a sigh that sits a little too close to the surface. We could use a fresh breath of grace. We could use the reminder that God isn’t just good to us; He is near to us. Near on the mountaintop. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Topics: Thankfulness, Gratitude

The Army Of God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 10, 2016

The role of the Church is central to the story of Revelation. How does God portray in this book, and what can this mean to us about our part in God's eternal plan?

OPEN: Harry Emerson Fosdick told the tale of a little church on the coast of England that was ruined in a hurricane. The congregation was poor and didn’t have the money to rebuild. Then one day a representative of the British Admiralty came to the preacher and asked if they intended to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 8:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Christ Event

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Mar 31, 2013

An Easter sermon that uses a video line-drawing of the Passion as part of the message.

[[[The following sermon includes a video which is a simple line-drawing narrative of the Christ Event. The video is not original. It was purchased from www.sermonspice.com and is available (as of March 2013) at http://www.sermonspice.com/product/53535/easter-drawing. The timings that are indicated ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Joy Of Prayer: Spiritual Disciplines = Spiritual Privileges

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jan 16, 2022

During this extended period of Covid 19 lockdown, we need to draw nearer to God. This sermon is about the spiritual practice of prayer.

Sermon for January 16, 2022 - The Joy of Prayer - Prayer as a Spiritual Discipline Last week Pastor Arleen introduced our current series on spiritual disciplines. If you missed that message, it was an excellent overview of what spiritual disciplines are and why they matter. You can watch that on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15, 1 John 5:14-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational