Sermons on Open Arms:

Faith Transforms Who We Are Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on May 12, 2025

Faith is not about having the right answers or a spotless record—it is about seeking God, surrendering to His work in us, and walking faithfully each day. Transformation is not instant, but it is inevitable when Christ truly lives in us.

### **INTRODUCTION: A Faith That Shapes Us Deeply** Video Ill.: Sermon bumper 3 ****Mother’s Day Moment (Briefly Acknowledged)** Today is a special day in our country, where we pause to honor and appreciate the women in our lives—mothers, grandmothers, spiritual mothers—whose faith has shaped us ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Says No

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Oct 15, 2003

It is hard to understand why God doesn’t answer our prayers as we would like. When God says no, He never says, "Because I said so!" ALSO USEFUL FOR FUNERAL SERVICE

Parents often have to tell their children, “no.” From time to time God tells His children no also. We have all experienced the confusion and disappointment that floods our hearts when God tells us no. + Isaiah 40:10-15 10See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:10-15, Isaiah 55:8-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Joy To The World

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Aug 1, 2005

Examining this Christmas Song

Ps. 98 Joy To The World The Gospel In Hymns - Albert Bayley Imagine a little man 5 feet high; a large head made bigger with a huge wig, a hooked nose small piercing eyes, a frail and sickly body; the whole combination looking more like an embryo than a fully developed organism; that was the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 98:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Amazing Grace

Contributed by Bledar Valca on Feb 19, 2007

Amazing Grace Sunday

AMAZING GRACE Philemon When, in England, William Wilberforce initiated his long campaign to outlaw slavery in the British Empire, he did not act as a social reformer. He was moved by Christian compassion: he acted because he cared about those helpless chattels that the majority in his day viewed ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Remembrance 2021

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Nov 11, 2021

A Sermon for Remembrance 2021

In the name of the Living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. The ebb and flow of life is slowly starting to find its rhythm again after almost 2 years of unrest and worry for so many, and while there are many who have found a new routine, we know that the Pandemic is still amongst us, so ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8

Denomination: Anglican

From A Loser To A Leader

Contributed by Mike Turner on Aug 17, 2003

God uses a man who considers himself a loser to become a powerful leader ! God can do the same thing with you and I.

From A Loser To A Leader Judges 6:1-40 Story & Song: Stuart Hamblin The chimes of time ring out the news--another day is through. Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you? You may have longed for added strength, your courage to renew. Do not be disheartened, for I bring hope to you ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Truth About The 2nd Coming Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 9, 2002

What you don’t know about the 2nd coming could be fatal.

OPEN: The church was packed and the preacher was wound up to a fever pitch speaking on the 2nd coming of Jesus. Quoting Jesus’ promise, he shouted out “I am coming soon!’” He preached some more and said even more loudly “I am coming soon!!” He preached a little longer and threw his arms up in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Reconciliation

Contributed by Ronald Fair on Apr 20, 2002

Psalm 32 is a wonderful record of redeeming grace showing the happiness of a man whose sins had been forgiven. This Psalm is David’s own experience and is a model for all who need forgiveness.

The Blessedness of Reconciliation Introduction: Psalm 32 is a wonderful record of redeeming grace showing the happiness of a man whose sins had been forgiven. This Psalm is David’s own experience and is a model for all who need forgiveness. The Psalm opens with I. The Joy of the one ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-2

Denomination: Methodist

Revelations; Truth & Misconceptions.part 1.

Contributed by Anthony Smith on May 29, 2005

The Book of Revelations is one of the most, if not the most, misunderstood books in the Bible. There are many Theologians and Ministers that believe and teach that Revelations is fulfilled.

Revelations; Truth & Misconceptions. The Book of Revelations is one of the most, if not the most, misunderstood books in the Bible. There are many Theologians and Ministers that believe and teach that ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Buzzard, The Bat, And The Bumble Bee

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Feb 1, 2006

Scripture: 1 John 5: 1-5 Purpose: To share how we can overcome difficult times by focusing on Jesus.

Scripture: 1 John 5: 1-5 Purpose: To share how we can overcome difficult times by focusing on Jesus. Introduction: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5

Denomination: Other

Can We Take Christmas

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

For many of those that are among us, however, each Christmas becomes more and more difficult to endure. It is a joyous time, but there is also more loneliness, depression, heartache, and disappointment at this time than any other of the year. Can we en

I read a story this past week about a woman who, in early December had stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few things on her lunch break. One of them was a cinnamon-scented air freshener. She had smelled a candle with the same scent in the store but wanted to know exactly what the air ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4

Denomination: Methodist

The Christian Husband Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jan 31, 2007

Exposition of 1 Peter 3:7

Text: 1 Peter 3:7 Title: The Christian Husband Date/Place: LSCC, 10/9/05, AM A. Opening illustration: Panel of Women debated on what they thought was a perfect man, a guy who was ‘with it’. You would have thought they would have decided upon some actor or athlete even a wealthy tycoon. They ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7

Denomination: Baptist

I Love The Commercialism Of Christmas--No Joke!

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 9, 2007

I don’t think any of us are really ready to give up the traditions of this holiday season. So why not think about what we love about this time of the year? (Based on an article by Rev. Thomas Shepherd) ________________________________________

How do you like this time of the year? Shopping center parking lots clogged with car headlights like a starry night sky in the country. Mindless, but welcoming music drifting over hordes of harried, hopeful, hesitantly happy holiday hunters. Shop ’til you’re top-heavy, arms full of packages, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

Peas And Carrots Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Feb 19, 2008

Exposition of Acts 11:1-18 about the preservation of unity in the early church in the wake of Cornelius’ conversion and Peter’s return to Jerusalem

Text: Acts 11:1-18, Title: Peas and Carrots, Date/Place: NRBC, 2/24/08, AM A. Opening illustration: Forest Gump, peas and carrots B. Background to passage: As we mentioned last week, the entrance of the Gentiles into the Christian community through the providentially arranged meeting of Peter and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Wicked Prospering Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Feb 1, 2007

Exposition of Habakkuk 1:1-17

Text: Habakkuk 1:1-17 Title: The Wicked Prospering Date/Place: LSCC, 8/6/06, PM I. INTRODUCTION A. Opening illustration: After the funeral of Soren the other night I was thinking about the “injustice” of men like him with a passion for God being taken so young, and how you have the people that ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist