Sermons on How To Be Close To God:

Communion - Open, Closed, Or Cracked? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2020

Is the Communion Meal Open to all who profess Christ? Or is it overseen by the congregation hosting the meal and thus restricted to those who are in open fellowship with the assembly? The message is a study of this controversial question.

“In the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

Close Encounters Of The Jesus Kind

Contributed by Carl Greene on May 10, 2008

A sermon challenging each member of the congregation to answer Jesus’ question... "But what about you? Who do you say I am?"

A Close Encounter of the Jesus Kind Matthew 16: 13-16 —William Willimon, “Who do you say that I am?” August 22, 1999, Duke Chapel Web Site, chapel.duke.edu. A student came to me and asked me to explain to her the difference between Christianity and Judaism. She is in love with a student who is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-16

Denomination: Methodist

Closing In On The Cross Of Jesus Christ - Part 3: How To Triumph Over Our Troubles Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 31, 2023

1. Wake-up to our shortcomings (vs. 31, 33-35). 2. Keep worshiping the Lord (vs. 30). 3. Keep trusting in God's Word (vs. 31). 4. Keep waiting on the Lord (vs. 31-32).

Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ Part 3: How to Triumph over Our Troubles The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 26:30-35 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared March 31, 2023) BACKGROUND: *Today in Matthew 26 we are closing in on the cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus and His disciples ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:30-35

Denomination: Baptist

Visionary View: Are Your Eyes Closed To The Truth Of God? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 13, 2023

Today, let us embark on a journey together, seeking to open our eyes to the profound truths that God has laid out for us in His Word. God desires us to have open eyes, open ears, and open hearts to receive His truth.

Visionary View: Are Your Eyes Closed to the Truth of God? Today, let us embark on a journey together, seeking to open our eyes to the profound truths that God has laid out for us in His Word. Opening Prayer: Let us begin with a word of prayer. Heavenly Father, we come before you with open hearts ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:10, Proverbs 20:12, Matthew 13:13-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Huddled Behind Closed Doors

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Apr 14, 2020

Today, many are huddled behind closed doors, fearing the dreadful disease - Coronavirus.

Message/Devotion April 19, 2020 John 20:19-31 Huddled Behind Closed Doors As I read today’s gospel message, it was abundantly clear to me that today masses of people are huddled behind closed doors due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Some are in a self-imposed lockdown. Some are in a lockdown ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10

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

Behind The Closed Doors Of Easter

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Mar 25, 2008

There isn’t a locked door strong enough to keep Jesus out.

Behind Closed Doors of Easter John 20:19-29 Mar. 23, 2008 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor Introduction A A Muslim said to a Christian, "WE Muslims have one thing you Christians do not have. When we go to Medina (Saudi Arabia), we find a coffin and know ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Of The Closed Door - Laodicea Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 19, 2017

Laodicea was the second of the seven churches of Asia to receive no commendation from the Lord. Such a state requires us to look very carefully at this church, which lived within an affluent society whose attitudes clearly rubbed off on the church.

THE CHURCH OF THE CLOSED DOOR READING Rev 3:14-22 1. INTRODUCTION Laodicea was the second of the seven churches of Asia to receive no commendation from the Lord. Such a state requires us to look very carefully at this church. Can it teach something to us today? We shall see as we move through ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Church Of God

From Behind Closed Doors

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 9, 2011

Sermon for Ascension Sunday, 2011

Luke 24: 44 – 53 / From Behind Closed Doors Intro: The following item appeared in the Lewiston, Idaho Tribune – “The crossword puzzle which should have appeared in today’s Tribune appeared instead in yesterday’s together with the answer to the puzzle that should ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-53

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Is It Important To See God As A Missionary God?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 21, 2003

Understand the grounds upon which missions rest otherwise we will tend to give in to the hostile, apathetic or incorrect views that people have about the great commission. Many people think that the Christian missionary enterprise is politically disruptiv

Why is it Important to See God is a Missionary God? – (Gen. 12:1-20) Quote: God only had one Son and He sent Him to earth as a missionary. W. T. Watson Quote: For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory both now and to day of eternity. (Rom. 11:35,36) 1. God is a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How’s Your Heart? Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Dec 9, 2009

It was the practice of Jewish teachers to try to sum up the hundreds of laws into great overarching principles that people could focus on. In Mark 12 we see an encounter a teacher of the law had with Jesus in this hope of discovering the great “one thing

WHAT THE BOOK SAYS ABOUT LOVE Part 1 HOW’S YOUR HEART? Mark 12:30 Ezekiel 36:26-27 Sunday, February 8, 2009 Pastor Brian Matherlee In the movie City Slickers 39th birthday of Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal) and he is not happy about it. His two friends are having crises of their own and they buy a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26-27

Denomination: Wesleyan

God! How Do We Keep Going?

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jul 6, 2025

“BREAKING: President’s ‘Big Beautiful Budget’ bill passes—millions to lose healthcare, protections gutted, rural hospitals closing.” And I wanted to cry out: God! Do you see what they’re doing?”

Sermon Title: “God! How Do We Keep Going?” Scripture: Luke 10:17–20 & Galatians 6:9–10 (NRSVue) Preached at a Bethesda UMC rural African American church in South Carolina By Rev. Amiri B. Hooker Date: July 6, 2025 Introduction: God! Beloved, I have to be honest with you. The other day I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:17-20

Denomination: United Methodist

God-Approved Prayer Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Aug 14, 2007

Exposition of Acts 4:23-31 about the reaction of the early church to persecution by going to prayer and God answering in a mighty way

Text: Acts 4:23-31, Title: God-Approved Prayer, Date/Place: NRBC, 8/19/07, AM A. Opening illustration: 9 out of 10 American say they pray, 8 out of 10 say they pray regularly, 6 out of 10 say they pray daily, even 2/3 of unchurched people say that they pray… B. Background to passage: After the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Baptist

Reconnecting With God

Contributed by Ivy Drafor Amenyah on Jul 9, 2024

We often move away from God without noticing it. We all need to return to Him, approach Him and reconnect with Him. This needs to be periodic

We often move away from God without noticing it. Let us return to Him, approach Him and reconnect with Him. God always wants us to be in close fellowship with Him, since the days of Adam in the Garden of Eden. Our sins keep moving us from Him. We often withdraw ourselves from Him in our mind (our ...read more

Scripture: James 4:6-10, James 1:6-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How The End Begins

Contributed by Monte Brown on Oct 25, 2009

There is a danger when we get to close to sin. It all starts when we pitch our tents toward Sodom.

Introduction How does a person end up with their lives in a mess. They feel that they have failed. Their marriage is ruined. Their finances are in trouble. They have lost their job. They feel all alone. If you throw a ball straight up in the air when does it start to come down? ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:5-12

Denomination: Baptist