Sermons on Following Closely:

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

The Danger Of Following From Afar (Peter's Story)

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 11, 2025

Peter’s story is a powerful warning and an encouraging reminder. Though he followed from afar and fell, he also found restoration. Let us not be casual in our walk with God. A distant walk leads to disaster, but a close walk leads to destiny.

THE DANGER OF FOLLOWING FROM AFAR (PETER'S STORY) By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 26:57–75 “But Peter followed Him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.” – Matthew 26:58 (KJV) Supporting Texts: Luke 22:54–62, John 18:15–18, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57-75

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Cost Of Discipleship

Contributed by Greg Yort on Apr 8, 2018

Call for people to become true disciples

Introduction Has anyone heard of a man by the name of Dietrich Bonhoeffer? Bonhoeffer was born into a large family in Breslau, Poland in 1906. He became a German pastor, theologian, spy, anti-Nazi dissident, and key founding member of the Confessing Church, who was one of few Christian churches in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Church Of God

Close Your Mouth And Open Your Ears Series

Contributed by Carl Willis on Apr 14, 2001

If you’re always talking you can’t be taught.

Close Your Mouth and Open Your Ears James 1:19-27 I. Listen up A. Don’t just hear B. Listen and carefully consider II. Slow down A. Don’t speak impulsively 1. Consider words 2. Carefully choose them 3. What would Jesus do? B. Slow to anger 1. Just because you are justified, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open Handed Blessings, Closed Handed Consequences

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Jul 30, 2006

When we look back on all of the gifts that have freely been bestowed upon us by God we clearly see richness, yet how freely are we giving it away? I believe that Jesus desires that we not hoard these gifts, but give them away...

How many of you know what it is like to have a kid coming up to you asking for candy? I had Pastor Adam and Emi’s kids Harry and Jordan in my office the other day wanting a lolly. How do you look into the faces of those cute kids and say, ‘no’? You can’t. I opened up my drawer and gave them each a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:7-8

How Close Do I Need To Be? Series

Contributed by Matthew Bullen on Nov 14, 2006

a great series talking about what our values need to teach us in our everyday life.

Isaiah 59:19 (KJV) -According to national studies, 1 out of every 10 teenagers believes in absolute truth. -Live and you don’t have to listen to the other areas if you do not want to. When you aim at nothing it easy to hit the bulls eye. -We have got to understand that there has to be a standard ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 59:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Close Do You Want To Get?

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Dec 1, 2007

God is inviting you to get as close as you dare to get.

December 2, 2007 Evening Service Text: Exodus 33:7-23 Subject: The Presence of God Title: How Close Do You Want to Get? I have known a lot of different people. When I worked in a factory as a young man I think I knew every one of the 200+ people that worked there. When I worked in construction ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:7-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Silent Nights - Pt. 2 - Closed Doors Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Dec 15, 2013

We enjoy "Silent Night" at Christmas, but what if every night is silent? How do we endure quiet seasons of life when nothing is stirring . . . even God?

Silent Nights Pt. 2 - Closed Doors I. Introduction Silent night, Holy night All is calm, all is bright Round your virgin mother and child Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep heavenly peace, Sleep heavenly peace! Silent Night although it is one of the most popular (top 100) Christmas Songs of all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:3-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Are You A Follower Of Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 1, 2011

Pray this, take this class, give this much money. Christianity has been minimized to a one time prayer, an occasional Bible study, and a regular monetary donation. What did Jesus really invite us to? Radical discipleship. Radical commitment. He dindn

Intro: With Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Michigan and his seemingly Universalist claims that everyone will be saved. It seems more and more the Gospel message is being muddled and what it really means to be a believer is misunderstood. From the time I was young I remember hearing just ...read more

Scripture: John 10:27

Denomination: Baptist

What Provokes Us To Follow And What Provokes Us Not To Follow?

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Aug 23, 2012

The sermon shares what provoked the disciples to follow and what provoked some to discontinue their following of jesus.

John 6:59-69 1. First let’s look at what provoked them from not following Jesus 60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" A. Partiality to other Beliefs provoked them from not following “I f Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-69

Denomination: Methodist

Counting The Cost Of Following Jesus I Series

Contributed by Steve Lotze on Jan 30, 2006

Second in the Following Jesus series about the cost of following Jesus.

Counting the Cost of Following Jesus Oct. 2, 2005, Luke 14:25-35 These are my actual notes and sermon handouts and they probably mean more to me than they do to you. If you don’t understand something in my notes – feel free to e-mail me for clarification (stevenmary7@hotmail.com). Here’s some ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"On The Mountain And In The Valley"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Feb 13, 2015

A sermon about listening to and following Jesus.

"On the Mountain and in the Valley" Mark 9:2-29 Have you ever been in a group of people where someone told a joke and everyone else laughed except you? You're thinking: "I don't get it. I missed the point." Or perhaps you are in a group of people where someone makes a point and everyone else ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-29

Denomination: United Methodist

Obedient Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Dec 2, 2014

Obedience is like being pregnant. In the same way that it is impossible to be kind of pregnant, it is impossible to be kind of obedient.

Fan… or Follower? A fan likes God when life is good. A follower obeys God when life is hard. We’ve been talking about what it takes to have a satisfied life. In week one I talked about how important it was to be a giver if you want to experience a satisfied life. Spending, getting, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Call To Adventure"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jan 23, 2014

A sermon about following Jesus.

"Call to Adventure" Matthew 4:17-22 I was speaking with an elderly man not too long ago. He had lived a good life. He had raised a family, had a good job, and was a good person. But now that he was at the end of his life, he was empty, questioning and a bit terrified. "What does it all ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:17-22

Denomination: United Methodist

Closer To God, Closer To One Another

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 23, 2013

This is the theme of our small group ministry. This sermon is a celebration and review of lessons in Genesis from this past eleven week series.

Dan Chambers is a Christian whose parents attend Mountain Creek Church of Christ. Dan has written a book entitled Churches in the shape of Scripture. In it, he explains several of the distinctive practices of the churches of Christ and why these practices matter. He has made it easy to read with ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ