Sermons on Following Closely:

So Close, Yet So Far Away Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Sep 17, 2017

A study of the Gospel of John 20: 1- 18

John 20: 1- 18 So close, yet so far away 1 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How To Build Close Relationships With Your Disciples

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus knew how to win the trust, confidence and love from His disciples because He chose men who were committed to the goals of the heavenly Father. If you really want to have close relationships, base them around mutual goals of giving God glory through

If you want to know how to build close relationships with your disciples, follow the model given by Jesus Christ. Jesus loved His disciples and they loved Him with unmitigated affection. The Lord knew how to build relationships with the twelve apostles through intimate communications, sharing ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Decide How Close You Will Be!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 5, 2021

The invitation is clear: DRAW NIGH TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NIGH TO YOU... If the earth is iron and the heavens are brass maybe someone is moving away from God. John is the only person recorded to lay his hear on Jesus' breast? How about you? At Jesus' feet!

YOU DECIDE… COME? NO BETTER PLACE THAN AT HIS FEET…. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aolcom (This is a two part lesson.) There was a bulldog that was known for being a bully in his neighborhood. His owner kept him chained to a big oak tree. The bulldog’s chain was 15 feet ...read more

Scripture: James 4:8, John 13:23, Matthew 11:28, Luke 21:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Open Doors And Closed Doors: Listen To The Spirit PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 15, 2024

Explores trusting God's plan, persisting through challenges, and promoting His ministry, as exemplified by Paul and Timothy.

Good morning, dear friends. It is a joy to be here with you again, gathered in the name of our Lord. We are here to break bread, to share fellowship, and to delve into the Word of God. We are here to be encouraged, to be challenged, and to be transformed by the power of the Gospel. Today, we turn ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:1-10

Topics: Listening, Spirit

Closing In On The Cross Of Jesus Christ - Part 5: The Perfect Commitment Of Christ Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 10, 2023

Jesus was willing... 1. To be betrayed by a false friend (vs. 45-50). 2. To be captured like a criminal (vs. 50, 55). 3. To express kindness to His enemies (vs. 51-52). 4. To suffer for the Scripture (vs. 52-56). 5. To be failed by His followers (vs. 56).

Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ Part 5: The Perfect Commitment of Christ The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 26:45-56 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 10, 2023) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 26. In this chapter, Jesus and His disciples ate their last Passover meal ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:45-56

Denomination: Baptist

One Door Closes, Another Door Opens

Contributed by Greg Moller on Feb 6, 2020

What happens when a church closes doors for the last time but Jesus isn't done with them yet.

Our ministry has been holding services as part of a mainline denominational Church ( I won't name names) and for the last couple years I had been pastoring there. I was informed a few weeks ago that the church would be shutting down and closing the church. About a week later I was informed ...read more

Denomination: Bible Church

"Lukewarm Laodicea--The Church Of The Closed Door" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 6, 2002

The consequences of complacency

"Lukewarm Laodicea-the church of the closed door" Rev 3:14-22 The Letters to the 7 Churches; Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts When I lived in Germany, I discovered the most popular soft drink overseas wasn’t Coke, Pepsi or Fanta, but mineral water, and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Congregational

Go Into Your Room, Close The Door And Pray

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Oct 17, 2013

God is calling his people to be persistent in prayer. God is calling his people to be changed, to be transformed through prayer. God is calling to those who truly enjoy and who truly yearn to spend time with Him.

Let us pray -- O' Heavenly Father, we come before you this day and we ask that you reveal more about the nature of prayer. May our hearts and our minds be open to your Word this day. We ask this in the blessed name of Jesus your son and our Savior .... Amen. A young man went into a drugstore to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 8:3-4, Matthew 6:5-6, Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Anglican

Take A Far And Close Look At The Baby In The Manger

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 24, 2020

John shows us the Word made flesh to live and die for us.

12.25.2020 John 1:1-5, 9-14 When the first Star Wars movie came out, it was rather unique in that it started with a scrolling dialogue describing what had happened prior to the movie, so you’d at least have some clue as to what was going on and be able to follow along better. The same thing ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

So Close Yet So Far Away

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Nov 1, 2003

This is a sermon the the Great Commandment with the thesis that one can not love God and yet hate people for whom Christ died. Love for humanity is proff of our love for God.

SO CLOSE, YET SO FAR AWAY MARK 12:28-34; DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9; I JOHN 4:15-21 --by R. David Reynolds In One Church from the Fence, Wes Seelinger writes: “I have spent long hours in the intensive care waiting room . . . watching with anguished people . . . listening to urgent questions: Will my ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Methodist

How We Should Draw Close To The Lord

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 31, 2022

We often hear someone saying of someone else, “HE HAS AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM.”

What do people mean when they say that? They mean that person has an attitude that is not right about some things in his life. This was exactly what James was saying about people in our text. For example, many think the Bible condemns people for having money. The Bible does not! HOWEVER, ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

So Close And Yet So Far Away

Contributed by Mike Cleveland on May 26, 2008

The invalid man by the pool of Bethesda was so close to the healing waters, but yet so far away from being healed. The Jews who heard Jesus were so close to Him, so far away from genuine faith. Many go to church, and are so close to eternal life, but so f

Let’s turn in our Bibles to John chapter 5: As you’re turning let me tell you a story I read recently....once upon a time there was an explorer by the name of “Guitan” who was famous for his daring adventures and grand discoveries. Now one day Guitan heard that there was a treasure in a cave just ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Dependence (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 7, 2010

Have we been able to identify the obstacles that keep hindering a close relationship with Christ and ask Him to help you to overcome them?

Opening illustration:  What does a teacher desire from his/her students?  What does a general desire from his soldiers?  What does a ruler desire from his citizens?  What do parents desire from their children? WHAT DOES CHRIST DESIRE FROM US? All these ...read more

Scripture: John 15:4-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon – When Following Jesus Gets Hard, Follow Jesus!

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jul 1, 2025

When following Jesus gets hard, and it will, we must remind ourselves that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Be encouraged and Follow Jesus Anyway!

Sermon – When Following Jesus Gets Hard, Follow Jesus! Scripture - John 6:66-69 “At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give ...read more

Scripture: John 6:66-69, John 6:1-12, John 6:56-59, 2 Timothy 3:12, Luke 9:23, Mark 10:28-30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Closing In On The Cross Of Jesus Christ: Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 25, 2023

Here God shows us... 1. His sure plan for our salvation (vs. 1-5). 2. The great evil of His enemies (vs. 3-5, 14-16). 3. The great love we should have for our Lord (vs. 6-7). 4. Some great reasons why we should love Jesus (vs. 8-13).

Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ: Part 1 The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 26:1-16 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared March 25, 2023) BACKGROUND: *In today's Scripture Jesus was just two days away from dying on the cross for our sins. And here, the Holy Spirit shows us some of the most ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-16

Denomination: Baptist