Sermons on Open Hand:

Pretenders

Contributed by Craig Benner on Feb 15, 2014

Without dissimulation. That simply means open, transparent, and honest. Whether is be in love or business, that is what God expects from us in all of our dealings.

PRETENDERS Gibeonites --Joshua 9 motivated by fear pretension cannot be equated with love. The deceit was used to make a league with Israel. The vow was unwise, but it was considered official and had to be honored. A wrong relationship now has become obligatory and thus, will have its ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 9:1-26

Denomination: Pentecostal

Holy Spirit - The Miracle Within

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 10, 2010

The Holy Spirit is "The Miracle Within" each Believer. Are we open to the leading of the Holy Spirit? Updated March 2021. .

One night... a wife found her husband .... standing over .... their infant's crib. As she watched him ...looking down at their very first child, ...... she saw on his face a mixture of emotions: .... disbelief, ... delight, ... amazement, skepticism, ... enchantment Touched by this unusual ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-17, Hebrews 13:5, Isaiah 52:7, John 16:7-8, Luke 3:15-22, 1 Corinthians 2:3-5, Romans 10:15, Acts 4:29-31, Acts 1:8, Ephesians 1:13, Romans 10:14, Acts 2:38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Let God Be God

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 2, 2025

When denial dies and we stop playing God, repentance opens the heart to mercy, and grace restores joy that guilt once stole.

There is a certain kind of silence that settles on the heart when we finally stop pretending. Not the silence of defeat, but the quiet that comes when we realize we were never meant to carry the whole world on our shoulders. When we stop trying to be God, something in us exhales—and God can ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 38:3-8, 1 John 1:9

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

I Am Obeying God... For The Most Part

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jan 31, 2003

Moses while obeying God received the chastening hand of God because like many of us he was obeying God - obeying for the most part.

¡§I¡¦M OBEYING GOD¡K FOR THE MOST PART!¡¨ Exodus 4:19-24 INTRODUCTION: Moses had been called by God to carry out the deliverance of God¡¦s people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. Moses hearing God¡¦s call obediently follows the directions of God and sets out for Egypt with his wife, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

Sacrificing Unto Idols

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 30, 2021

This message opens our eyes to the tragic consequences of idolatry, showing idolatry in 3-D, through the three terms Dispossession, Desolation, and Death.

I shared with you a few weeks ago that the Lord has impressed me to preach more on the topic of idolatry. The reason why is because I’ve been convicted that idolatry is a huge distraction that Satan uses to lure us off the path to God. The devil will use any means possible to hinder our ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 20:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Prayer To Be Spared: Hezekiah In His Palace And Jesus In Gethsemane Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 22, 2021

God was especially gracious to Hezekiah, but, by offering only limited grace to Jesus, He opened a floodgate of grace for those who believe in Him.

The Prayer to Be Spared: Hezekiah in His Palace and Jesus in Gethsemane (2 Kings 20:1-11, Luke 22:39-46) 1. You can learn a lot about human nature by reading complaint blogs. One blogger wrote, “Today, I got pulled over for a traffic violation. Thinking I could get away with it, I spoke with a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 20:1-11, Luke 22:39-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Vital Link Of Prayer And Praise Series

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Mar 1, 2010

Life is hard. Sometimes we are dealt a difficult hand. But earnest prayer leading to real praise will lift us out of life’s ruts.

Sermon Notes The Vital Link of Prayer & Praise Philippians 4:4-9 (Based in part on "The Answer to Your Problems" by Jay McPhearson) Introduction: Ever face a problem you thought would top them all? In Budapest, a Jewish man went to his rabbi and complained, "Life is unbearable for my family & ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

23. The Kingdom Parables – The Sixth – The Pearl Of Greatest Price – Part 3 Of 4 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 28, 2025

The matching church for the Parable of the Pearl of Greatest Price is the church at Philadelphia, the next in the order. Every one of these Kingdom Parables has a matching church and a period in Church History. We examine in some detail the church in Philadelphia.

23. The Kingdom Parables – The Sixth – The Pearl of Greatest Price – Part 3 of 4 WHAT DOES PHILADELPHIA REPRESENT? WHAT’S ITS PLACE IN CHURCH HISTORY? [1]. INTRODUCTION FOR PART 3 We have completed the Study of the Pearl of Great Price, and looked at the Merchantman and the formation of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46, Revelation 3:7, Revelation 3:8, Revelation 3:9, Revelation 3:10, Revelation 6:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, 2 Peter 3:8, 2 Timothy 4:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gospel In The Seven Sayings Of The Cross—pt. 8 (Rest, Peace, & Comfort) Series

Contributed by Bobby Mcdaniel on Nov 6, 2013

By placing His spirit into God's hands, Jesus demonstrated that we have promise of rest, peace, and comfort when our time on earth is done.

1. Introduction a. This morning we finish our series The Gospel in the Seven Sayings of the Cross by focusing on Christ’s seventh and final statement made from the cross. 2. A place of rest, peace, and comfort. a. Read Luke 23:46—Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:46

Have You Seen Him

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on May 30, 2009

Are you open to Jesus? Have you opened your eyes, your mind, your home, and your heart? Jesus wants to share your home and your life with Him. He provides the bread of life to all who invite Him in. Invite Jesus into every part of your life and He will

Have you seen Him? Luke 24:1-49 Have you ever walked along beside someone in a mall or on a street or maybe it happened to you in school when you started talking and carrying on a conversation then turned to find no one there listening. Even worse you turn and find some stranger beside you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-49

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Victorious Savior Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Apr 1, 2002

Just when it looked like all was lost, 700 years before it happened, the prophet Isaiah told us that victory was in hand!

INTRODUCTION  Peggy Key, of Portage, MI. said, “While driving to church on Easter Sunday two years ago, I told my children the Easter story. "This is the day we celebrate Jesus coming back to life," I explained. Right away, my 3-year-old son, Kevin, piped up from the back seat, "Will He be ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Of The Sons Of Korah

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Apr 23, 2002

Temple musicians, descendants of a rebel priest who died at God’s hand, help us explore mysteries of our faith.

OF THE SONS OF KORAH PSALMS 42–49 “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Ps. 42:2). Temple musicians, descendants of a rebel priest who died at God’s hand, help us explore mysteries of our faith. Background Book II. Most believe this second collection of psalms was assembled during the ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Talent Show (3 Of 4, Stewardship)

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on May 4, 2008

God wants to show-case you! You have an amazing talent that he wants your world to experience first-hand!

• Stewardship lesson one: God owns everything we have – everything we have has been given as a trust to manage on God’s behalf • Stewardship lesson two: The extend that we prove faithful and trustworthy in that responsibility is determined by the condition of our relationship with God • Then ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

Denomination: Salvation Army

Worship Style Vs. Substance Part Ii Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Oct 16, 2007

All humans are drawn to glorifying man, just look at the popular TV shows. Christians on the other hand should be glorifying God.

Worship: Style Verses Substance Part II Psalm 96:1-13 Purpose: To describe how to get closer to our God. Aim: I want the listener to work at intentionally worshiping God. INTRODUCTION: The media industry is obsessed with glory. Magazines and other publications seek to display the beauty and the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 96:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Get Into The Game

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2007

Jesus humbled Himself, stripped down, picked up the wash basin and the towel, and got His hands dirty. He served.

Get Into The Game John 13:1-17 September 4, 2005 Intro: Over the past three weeks, we’ve been talking together about engagement. I’ve been reading Scripture and painting pictures of what our lives, our church, and our community could be like if we each truly engaged in the vision of loving God ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist