Sermons on Lift Up Your Heads O Gates:

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by David Henderson on Dec 22, 2015

A cross is much more than a piece of jewelry.

Take Up Your Cross Scripture: Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Mark 8:34 (NIV) (Hold up one of the crosses.) You know what this is, don't you? Of course you do, it is a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34

Denomination: Baptist

Give Up Your Rights Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 20, 2022

To gain a hearing for the gospel, know your rights and give up your rights.

Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Who! centers around two characters: Horton, an elephant living in the Jungle of Nool, and the tiny mayor of Whoville, which is an extremely small world, which resides as a speck on a clover that Horton carries around. Vlad, an evil vulture, chases Horton to grab the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18, 1 Timothy 5:17-18, Philippians 2:5-9

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Take Up Your Cross Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Mar 14, 2022

What does it look like to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus?

[IMAGE] Philippine Passion Play - practice of literally crucifying people (voluntarily). The practice began in 1962 after a popular play about Jesus’ death. One man, Ruben Enaje, (as of 2019) had been hung on a cross 33 times. Many men and women have voluntarily submitted to temporary crucifixion ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Take Up Your Cross Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Feb 25, 2026

In a world that tells us to put ourselves first, Jesus calls us to something deeper — a life of surrender, courage, and true freedom. What does it really mean to take up your cross today? Let’s explore that together

Introduction: Following Gets Real Up until this point in Mark’s Gospel, following Jesus has felt exciting. Crowds. Miracles. Teaching that stirs hearts. People are curious. Hopeful. Drawn in. But right here (Chapter 8) — everything changes. This is the moment where Jesus stops talking ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Take Up Your Cross Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Jesus calls us to take up our cross, which means embracing the pain, loneliness, and partnership that comes with following Him. The journey may be difficult, but the reward is worth it.

Today, we're gonna talk about something taking up our crosses, and I've got a cool object lesson to help us understand it better. But first, let's dive into the message. You know, life can be pretty hard sometimes, right? Jesus actually told us that we'd face some tough times. Check out what He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, John 16:33

Topics: Discipleship, Spiritual Sacrifice, Divine Love, Redemption

The Glory In The King's Gate

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on May 1, 2008

The routine and "hum-drum" responsibilities of life are what elevate men to great places.

THE GLORY OF THE KING’S GATE TEXT: Esther 6:12 Esther 6:12 KJV And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. I. INTRODUCTION -- THE COMMON LIFE -I find myself somewhat indebted to Linda Little who taught me 11th grade ...read more

Scripture: Esther 6:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Our Response To The Move Of God Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Feb 8, 2020

Habakkuk 3:2 – O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

I. Entering In A. Our Attitude Determines Our Altitude Psalms 100:4 - Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 1. Having the right attitude goes a long way in obtaining the right things. 2. Having the wrong attitude will shut ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:4, Psalm 145:1-21, Psalm 145:1, Psalm 145:4, Psalm 145:21, Psalm 145:5, 1 Timothy 2:8, Psalm 24:7, Psalm 47:6, Psalm 33:3, Psalm 47:1, Psalm 24:3-5, Habakkuk 3:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

The Two-Man Lift

Contributed by Neal Gracey on Mar 18, 2025

When something was too heavy for us to lift, it was a policy at my work that anything over 50 lbs. was to have a two-man lift. This way the heavy object could be lifted without injury! Prayer is similar at times!

The Two-Man Lift Ephesians 6:14-18; 1 Samuel 38-40 When something is too heavy for you to carry, what do we do? We ask for help, hence – “The Two-Man Lift!” This was a policy where I used to work… Over 50 lbs., get help!! Knowing that God wants us to pray as if we are fighting and defeating the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:38-40, Ephesians 6:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

O How I Love Your Word

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 28, 2019

Not just reading the Scriptures, or hearing them, but speaking them, owning them!

O HOW I LOVE YOUR WORD. Psalm 119:97-104. Psalm 119:97. The Blessed man avoids the walk of the ungodly, the stance of sinners and the seat of the scornful. ‘But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law does he meditate (both) day and night’ (cf. Psalm 1:1-2). A similar dichotomy is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:97-104

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stand Up - Speak Up

Contributed by Larry Grant on May 22, 2022

With Holy Ghost Power COMES Holy Ghost Problems! When you are at your highest in ministry it is often when the sect of Sadducees (the elite) are filled with indignation! But God calls us to Stand Up & Speak Up!

Scripture: Acts 5:14-25 Standing Up and Speaking Up Let me set the scene. The apostles were meeting regularly at the Temple in Jerusalem in Solomon’s Porch, an area just beyond the Gate called Beautiful by the Eastern Wall. Acts teaches us increasingly people believed and were added ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:14-25

Denomination: Baptist

Head-First Or Heart-First

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jan 5, 2012

How do you solve problems and resolve conflict... with your head or heart? Personally, I don't like it when others come at me feelings-first because I feel so ill-equipped. I usually charge head-first into issues, but that generally doesn't bode well w

How do you solve problems and resolve conflict... with your head or heart? Personally, I don't like it when others come at me feelings-first because I feel so ill-equipped. I usually charge head-first into issues, but that generally doesn't bode well with the softer sex (if you know what I ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Gate

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Jan 25, 2010

ONE IN A SERIES OF MESSAGES DEALING WITH THE "I AM" STATEMENTS IN THE BOOK OF JOHN

I AM THE GATE JOHN 10:1-10 INTRODUCTION: TODAY WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN OUR STUDY OF THE “I AM” STATEMENTS THAT JESUS MAKES IN THE BOOK OF JOHN. NOW THERE IS NO CHRONOLOIGICAL ORDER TO FOLLOW IN THESE STATEMENTS, AND THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY RELATED TO EACH OTHER. WHAT I’VE TRIED ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Healing At The Beautiful Gate

Contributed by John Dobbs on Apr 26, 2020

In this brief story I want to notice four principles for thriving in our spiritual lives no matter the circumstance.

Healing At The Beautiful Gate Acts 3:1-10, 16 Introduction Last week we left the disciples looking up into the sky at Jesus who was ascending to be at the Father’s side. In Chapter Two the amazing story of the Day of Pentecost. Visible presence of the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised. A ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Love Your Enemies" Series

Contributed by Kendall Hicks on Apr 5, 2016

I do not write out sermon manuscripts. This is a brief outline of the first message in the series "Say What? (Some Head-Scratching Statements of Jesus)."

INTRO: It’s Valentine’s Day, so let’s start with a quick survey: Has anyone here every broken-up with someone before Valentine’s Day so you wouldn’t have to buy them a present? (Don’t tell me I’m the only one!). Yes, I have done that. When I was single, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Am The Gate

Contributed by Susan Babb, Osl on May 27, 2014

Jesus is the Shepherd who is the gate for the sheep to find life abundantly.

I am the Gate John 10:1-10 I. Intro. A. story of a spy captured and sentenced to death by a general in the Persian army. 1. general had the strange custom of giving condemned criminals a choice a. the firing squad and ’the big, black door." b. spy to the ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Methodist