Sermons on Open Arms:

Born Old

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 29, 2010

To experience new life, even in the senior years, means using old knowledge to gain new knowledge; to set aside pride in order to learn; and to be fully open to Christ.

We had been talking about a mutual friend. We had laughed a little at how rigid he was, how staid. We had commented that he didn’t like change; he could easily be "all shook up" when something didn’t go his way. I asked the other person in this conversation, "How long have you known John? Has he ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Rebuke Turned Back Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 22, 2009

Jesus turns from silence about His achievements to open speaking about His death. He will not follow the ambition path, the pleasure path, or the easy spirituality path.

You can admire Jesus, you can think well of Jesus, you can even love Jesus. But you cannot domesticate Him, you cannot tame Him, you cannot make Him sweet and nice and pretty. He is who He is and He says what He says, and sometimes it’s hard to take. In my experience, just about everybody out ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From Fear Series

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Mar 22, 2009

All of us have to face death, but not all of us have to fear death. A valley is not a dead-end or a cul-de-sac, but rather a tunnel opened on both ends.

The late great trumpet player Louie Armstrong tells a story about while growing up in Louisiana, having to go down to the pond and getting water for Allie May. He gets down there and is about to scoop the water out of the pond and all of the sudden coming out of the water are these two huge eyes ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Denomination: Baptist

The Idol Of Laissez Faire: Pergamum Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Nov 2, 2009

The Pergamum church was accommodating those within its body that taught doctrines and lived lives which offended God; their open-minded, laissez-faire attitude was a cancer on the church.

AMERICAN IDOLS: LOOKING AT OURSELVES AND OUR LOYALTIES THROUGH THE EYES OF JESUS THE IDOL OF LAISSEZ FAIRE: PERGAMUM REVELATION 2:12-17 Sermon Objective: The Pergamum church was accommodating those within its body that taught doctrines and lived lives which offended God. Their open-minded, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Nazarene

One On One With Jesus In Mark Part 1 Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Oct 27, 2007

Let’s open up the world of Mark and walk in to see the one he’s proclaiming! Jesus will surprise us if we honestly look at him and listen to him.

Present Mark 1-3 dramatically, by memory if possible. First Encounter with Jesus I’ve been spending time with the Lord in Mark’s gospel this week and I can’t wait to tell you what he has shown me. But let me warn you up front, it hasn’t been easy. We’ve been in a hurry. I’ve never seen such ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's All About Relationships Series

Contributed by Richard Sharp on Jan 10, 2008

In the opening verses of Galatians 4, Paul shares about our relationship with God and our relationship with others. How do they relate? How important our relationships to God?

Galatians 4:1-16 It’s All about Relationships Ben Hooper was born in Newport, Tennessee in 1870 He was born out of wedlock , to Sarah Wade. As a result, He had a tough childhood, being taunted by others. In his early school years , his Grandfather died, and his mother was forced to place Ben ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

When Jesus Says Come

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Aug 12, 2011

When Jesus Says Come: He has just opened a door for you to a greater life than you could imagine, but it will cost you something to get it.

I prophesy right now that before this message is over, somebody is going to hear Jesus say come. It’s going to be just as real for you as it was for Peter on that stormy night, Jesus has not changed and he is still calling people to walk on the water and somebody ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-32

Denomination: Pentecostal

Easter Sunday, Expectations. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Apr 5, 2015

The day of Jesus resurrection was a day of the unexpected, are we open to the unexpected taht God puts before us so that we might live in understanding of him and by his power?

Easter Sunday, expectations. I may have mentioned Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin previously. But during his day Nikolai was as powerful a man as there was on earth. As Russian Communist leader he took part in the Bolshevik Revolution 1917, was editor of the Soviet newspaper Pravda (which by the way ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-23, Acts 1:7-8

Denomination: Salvation Army

Chameleanity

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Feb 20, 2016

Chameleanity is Chameleon Christianity, the art of blending in with the world in order to avoid detection, persecution and ridicule. This is a message about Christians coming out of the closet and living our faith in the open.

Chameleanity Introduction: In one of Aesops fables he tells of the Miller, his Son, and his donkey. The two of them were riding their donkey to a nearby fair to sell him. They hadn't got very far when they met with a group of women that were chatting around a well, they began laughing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You A Piece Of Merchandise?

Contributed by Kelly Durant on Jul 16, 2016

Deceitful pastors are on the rise and are a serious problem as we often lose members to false churches. Here is a way to deal with the situation to open eyes to appreciate the freedom and truths they have/

Are you a piece of Merchandise? Capt. Kelly Durant 7-06 The fleecing of the sheep by deceiving pastors! 2 Peter 2:3 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. John ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:3

Denomination: Salvation Army

Sixth Seal Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 12, 2017

The martyrs cried, “Avenge us!” but the unbelievers on earth will cry, “Hide us!” The opening of the “sixth seal” will produce worldwide convulsions and catastrophes, including the first of three “great earthquakes."

By: Tom Lowe Date: 11/17/2015 Title: (19) Sixth Seal: Cataclysmic Disturbances (Revelation 6:12-17) Revelation 6:12-17 (KJV) 12 And I beheld when he had ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Everybody Touches Somebody Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 21, 2021

The beauty of being may be limited to the few, but the beauty of doing is open to all. Everyone of us can do beautiful things that aid the fulfillment of God's plan.

Harriet Beecher Stowe was a preacher's daughter who was born in 1811. She certainly didn't look like she would ever amount to much. She was shy and had a large nose and a hunched back. She considered herself to be quite homely. Calvin Stowe, professor of Biblical Lit. in Lane Theological ...read more

Scripture: Esther 2:15-23

Belief, Believing And Faith - Interchangeable Terms?

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jul 23, 2020

The word “believe” is broad and is open to all kinds and variations of meaning depending on what the person has in mind. What does the Bible say about belief, believing and faith?

Belief, Believing and Faith - Interchangeable Terms? Today we will be reading from Hebrews 11:1-6 We live in the era of cheap grace and easy salvation. “Just repeat after me.” “Did you mean that with all of your heart?” “You’re saved! Write that date down in your Bible and make sure you tell ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, James 2:14-26, Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Persistent Prayer

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Oct 21, 2019

Jesus teaches us to pray always, never give up, and keep the faith until he returns. This kind of prayer keeps the line open with God throughout the day.

Luke 18:1-8 Persistent Prayer George Mueller prayed for a man for 63 years to come to Christ, and finally the man did so. When Mueller died, he had documented 50,000 answers to prayer! 5,000 of those were answered on the day he prayed for them, which means that about 90% of the time he had to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Job 1:21, 2 Peter 3:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Changes Lives

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on May 8, 2012

Intercession for the lost does not guarantee salvation but it opens tremendous doors for those that we intercede for and the Lord is calling us to faithfully pray and follow that up with our testimony of love.

Last week we looked at the foundational parts of having a close encounter with God. (Close Encounters with God) We saw how God wants to meet with us every day and that face to face encounter begins with our welcoming him. Then we worship him. We pour out our hearts to him. And finally we ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:20-33

Denomination: Lutheran