Sermons on Keep Near:

Destiny Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 6, 2009

The story of the holy family and their encounter with Simeon and Anna, demonstrates how we can keep the Spirit of Christmas vital in our lives throughout the year.

Luke 2: 22-40 “Destiny” INTRODUCTION Christmas 2008 is quickly fading. The radio stations, which have been playing Christmas music since early November, have switched to their normal fare. The paper for all of those brightly wrapped gifts has found its way into the trash. Batteries have been ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-44

Denomination: Lutheran

When Curiosity Isn't Enough

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 13, 2009

It is not enough to be curious about Christ, keeping your distance or living in the world unequipped. If you are merely curious, come closer and you will grow and mature.

We have a new puppy at our house. She’s about 11 weeks old. And is she ever curious! She is curious about everything. There is nothing that escapes her attention, and nothing that does not interest her. She has to sniff at the house plants; she pulls at the towels; she tugs at the bedspread ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:43-52

Denomination: Baptist

Being A Christian Without Following Jesus Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Jan 31, 2010

Part 10 and final in series, The Company We Keep, this message answers the question, “Can you be a Christian without spiritual practices?”

Being a Christian Without Following Jesus The Company We Keep, prt. 10 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers July 18, 2009 We’ve talked a lot about spiritual formation the last few weeks – how it is that you and I can begin to be formed into the image of Jesus, so that fear, anger, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:9-11

Denomination: Free Methodist

Restoring The Fallen Series

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 3, 2010

We don't want Satan to outwit us with his scheme of keeping the church from welcoming those who repent and return to the fellowship.

Introduction: A. We all know that God is at work in the world, and that Satan is busy trying to destroy and work against everything that God is doing. B. For instance: 1. And God populated the earth with broccoli and cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow vegetables of all kinds, so humankind ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Get It Right When You Have It All Wrong

Contributed by Larry Finley on Feb 16, 2010

We are tempted to keep a stiff upper lip and take a deep breath and go on with our life when we have really messed up.

HOW TO GET IT RIGHT WHEN YOU HAVE IT ALL WRONG 2/3/10 Genesis 13:1-8 S__ L__ R __ 1. RECOGNITION IS REQUIRED 1-7 A. UNSATISFIED LIVING 1-4 1. No Purpose 2. No Passion 3. No Power B. UNUSABLE TESTIMONY 5-7 1. Compromise 5 2. Conflict 6-7 2. SEPARATION IS REQUIRED 8-13 A. SEDUCTION ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Servant Of Restoration Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 4, 2010

The text contains a charge & a promise to the restored nation. The forgiven man must keep God's charge if he is to enjoy the blessings of his right standing.

ZECHARIAH 3: 6-10 THE SERVANT OF RESTORATION [1 Peter 2:1-10] Our text contains a charge and a promise to the restored nation and its members. The charge and promise can be given and followed because of the coming of the Servant-Branch and the foundation which He laid by the accomplishment of ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 3:6-10, Isaiah 49:2-4

Denomination: Baptist

Encouragement For The Faithful

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Aug 27, 2010

If we are accomplish things for the Lord, fear cannot be allowed to influence our lives. Fear will keep us from what God has for us.

Fanning the flame of encouragement 2 Timothy 1:3-14 Introduction- We have for several weeks looked at Spiritual disciplines. Forgiveness one week, the benefit of not carrying burdens and guilt around. Last ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:3-14

Denomination: Nazarene

Running The Marathon

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jun 21, 2010

The Christian walk is a long marathon -- don't grow weary, pace yourself, and keep your eyes fixed on our model and Savior Jesus!

“Running the Marathon” Text: Hebrews 12:1-4 © 2007, Sterling C. Franklin Free for your use and encouragement Story/Illustration: In high school, I ran several years of track. At the end of each season, there was a conference meet – a big gathering of schools racing against each ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Put Not Your Trust In Princes Or Political Parties Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 2, 2010

God does not call us to take political power, but to witness to the Gospel of truth, goodness and beauty, and to keep together our worship, law and ethics.

27th Sunday in Course October 2, 2010 Sacred Liturgy Series Last Sunday, a number of evangelical pastors mounted the pulpit and endorsed candidates running in the current elections. By doing so, they thumbed their noses at the Internal Revenue Service’s rulings against 501-c-3 ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Dare To Hope

Contributed by Sajeev Painunkal, Sj on Oct 22, 2010

There are no hopeless situations. Jesus asks us to trust and to keep praying. If we don't give up, miracles can happen in our lives.

Last week I went to visit an elderly nun in her retirement residence. She was very happy to meet me and we spent some time chatting. While looking around in her room, I noticed a small table in a corner of the room and three small statues facing the corner. One looked like the statue of our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

An Attitude Of Gratitude

Contributed by Jon Miller on Mar 1, 2011

This message was preached the week of Thanksgiving and shows how as Christians we can keep an attitude of Gratitude by looking at the lepers that Jesus healed in the gospel of Luke

An Attitude of Gratitude Luke 17:11-19 ILL.- A Sunday School teacher asked her class what they were thankful for. One little boy said, “My glasses.” When asked why he was thankful for his glasses, he said, “Because they keep the boys from fighting me and the girls from kissing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

What David Had That Saul Did Not

Contributed by Steven Haguewood on Jul 2, 2013

Being a man after God's own heart does not mean totally sinless but one who is trying. Keeping your eyes on the goal is the key.

INTRODUCTION 1. David spent much of his early life alone a. His best friends were sheep and his enemies wild animals b. He seems to have been alone much of his early life 2. His training as king seems to have been done in secret 3. It was even a secret ceremony when he was anointed king 4. Samuel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Absolute Love Series

Contributed by Tim White on Apr 18, 2013

God's absolute love for us removed every barrier that keeps us from Him, and He calls us to love others by removing barriers.

Have you ever heard a preacher say something that made you wince about his correctness (kind of like fasting)? Well, I am going to say something to make you wince. I am going to say something about the love of God. Then, when you are picking up stones to stone me, I am going to tell you why I said ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

He Still Came Part 3

Contributed by Greg Nance on Dec 23, 2012

Jesus coming was told about in the Old Testament prophets and fulfilled as recorded in the New Testament gospels. God keeps a record of our lives too.

Today Jenny and I celebrate our 34th anniversary! Yesterday, we were reminiscing and thinking about how God has blessed us through these years. I could never have imagined having such a wonderful life with three children and now ten, going on eleven grandchildren. But I believe that God knew it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:25-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Bread Of Life

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Oct 28, 2012

Physical bread can keep a person alive for a long time, but the body will still die. Jesus, on the other hand, is bread that gives everlasting life.

This is an interesting portrait of Jesus, since bread is a substance known and used by every society on the face of the earth. While some like meat and others don't, or some like vegetables and others don't, most people like bread. Bread is one of the few foods that can be tolerated by most ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-51

Denomination: Baptist