Sermons on How Close:

Iron Heavens, Brass Earth

Contributed by Babatunmishe Oke on Feb 18, 2018

One of the worst situations a human can experience is what we call iron heavens and brass earth. God is always particular about the consequences of idol worship.

Leviticus 26 26 ‘You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God. 14 ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 26:14-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Longings For Your Life #3: Renewal Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 8, 2015

How to be renewed: 1. Move closer to our Master (vs. 18-22). 2. Hold on to your hope (vs. 23). 3. Be strongly committed to God's Church (vs. 24-25).

God's Longings for Your Life #3: Renewal Hebrews 10:18-25 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Sept. 14, 2014 BACKGROUND: *Over the past two Sundays, we looked at some of God's greatest desires for our lives. And we began with God's rescue: God wants to rescue all of us ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:18-25, Mark 1:35

Denomination: Baptist

How Long O Lord? Series

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Nov 11, 2013

19 times we find this phrase in the Psalms, and that same sentiment has been echoed by countless millions of others. We examine the depth and types of suffering summed up in that expression and close with encouraging thoughts.

How Long O Lord This morning I want to bring a message from a question we find repeated over and over again in the Psalms. I want to show you that it is one of the major themes of the book of Psalms and most of you have probably never even noticed it, (as a recurring theme) because we are too busy ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Daddy, Stay Close By Me, Catch Me If I Fall!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Aug 20, 2013

The book of Jude closes with the above beautiful scripture which says that God is able to keep us from stumbling and present us holy and blameless before God. How lovely!

Daddy, stay close by me, catch me if I fall! Jude 1:24”Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” When my son Joshua was a little boy, my husband would take him to the park and it would be ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:24

Denomination: Pentecostal

How Do You View The Cross?

Contributed by Allan Kircher on May 31, 2009

You may be have been foolish at the cross by the mockery of your life and lips and your actions. These people get so close to the cross but choose to deny the blood it shed.

How do you view the Cross? It is the grandest single chapter in the entire Bible. And at the center of the Christian faith stands the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We sometimes think that Easter should be celebrated only once a year. But actually every Sunday—the first day of each ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Return To Me

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 9, 2009

Prayer is one of the overriding themes of the book of Nehemiah and the secret to his success. The prayer in chapter one is the first of 12 different prayers recorded in the book. Nehemiah begins with prayer in Persia and closes with prayer in Jerusalem. H

Return to Me Nehemiah 1:4-11 Let me ask you a question, “How many of you gained weight over the holidays?” Now that we’re in the New Year, how many of you have made New Year’s resolutions to lose that weight? To eat better and exercise? And how many of you have started to work toward those ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:4-11

Denomination: Methodist

Pray Without Ceasing

Contributed by Michael Buckingham on Jun 24, 2011

Are you close to God? Do you feel like you need to or want to get closer to God? Read this sermon about prayer and find out how you can hold a real conversation with God!

Pray Without Ceasing 1 Thessalonians 5: 17 says “pray without ceasing” which is the title of our sermon today. I have recently been reading the biography of George Muller, and like many others I have been very much inspired in reading about his amazing prayer life. It is recorded that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

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

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

Part 30: The Blessings Of Being Close To God Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jan 12, 2012

When we draw close to God... 1. He will move us to the ultimate place (vs. 1-2). 2. He will give us His ultimate protection (vs. 3-10). 3. He will show us His unfolding prophecy (vs. 9-16).

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 30: The Blessings of Being Close to God Psalm 91:1-16 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Grayson Baptist Church - August 27,2017) (Revised August 18, 2025) BACKGROUND: *James 4:8 makes a great promise to us when it says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Part 30: The Blessings Of Being Close To God

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Aug 18, 2025

When we draw close to God... 1. He will move us to the ultimate place (vs. 1-2). 2. He will give us His ultimate protection (vs. 3-10). 3. He will show us His unfolding prophecy (vs. 9-16).

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 30: The Blessings of Being Close to God Psalm 91:1-16 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Grayson Baptist Church - August 27,2017) (Revised August 18, 2025) BACKGROUND: *James 4:8 makes a great promise to us when it says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

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