Sermons on Open Hand:

The Woman Who Defied Death Series

Contributed by Andy Payne on Apr 30, 2009

In the book of Esther, we clearly see God at work in the lives of individuals and in the affairs of a nation. Even when it looks as if the world is in the hands of evil people, God is still in control, protecting those who belong to him.

Esther The Woman Who Defied Death Intro: Recently I came across a humorous list of things Hollywood has taught us.”  It doesn’t matter if you’re heavily outnumbered in a fight involving martial arts. Your enemies will patiently wait to attack you one by one, by dancing around in a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Proper Attitudes Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Rule Digal on Aug 11, 2008

Prayer is our communication line to God. Let us keep it always open, operative, and if possible, busy. God is very eager to respond to our prayers more than we are eager to receive the answer of our prayers.

Attitudes of Prayer Luke 11: 5-13 Note: Some materials of this sermon are taken from sermoncentral.com This morning we will examine the parable which is commonly called: “The Friend at Midnight.” Jesus gave this parable to His disciples after giving them the model prayer in response to their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Make Way For The King!

Contributed by Brian Williams on May 2, 2025

People are looking for peace, but the age old question is “where can it be found?” Would we like the Psalmist (Ps 24:7-10) open up our hearts and let the King of Glory come in?

The week prior to Palm Sunday, Jesus and his disciples were traveling to Jericho on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Along the way, He was teaching, healing, seeking the lost - doing everything that pointed to Him as the Messiah. His disciples had the idea that He was going to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:29-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preparing For Easter: Simon Peter-Sifted Now To Strengthen Later

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 16, 2023

Sifting wheat doesn't always mean using a hand-held sifter. The Lord Jesus Christ gave Peter a warning that Satan wanted to "sift" him, but gave him encouragement as well.

Full disclosure: Sermon Central has a message of mine based on this text called “When Thou Art Converted”. This message is different, not just an edit or a rewrite. Also, this message was based on a sermon preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO on March 12, 2023. This is not an exact ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Least Of These

Contributed by Chris Surber on Mar 17, 2007

Our Heavenly Father welcomes us regardless of our failures. We can never stray so far that he will not run to us with open arms when we return. And He is honored by our faithfulness.

“The Least of These” Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 (Year C Lent 4) ESV Introduction Last year a former homeless man was buried at the prestigious St. John’s Episcopal Church, across from the White House. St. John’s is called the “church of presidents” since nearly every U.S. leader since James Madison has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Christian Church

Facing Temptations Head-On

Contributed by Beth Garrod-Logsdon on Mar 1, 2010

Drawing the opening verses of this passge, we are reminded that through the power of God's Holy Spirit, we can face our temptations head-on, rahter than avoid them which is our first inclination.

Facing Temptations Head-On Luke 4:1-13 & Romans 10:8-13 (Lent 1C) Rev. Beth Garrod-Logsdon Wilmore Presbyterian Church Well, here we are again – the first Sunday of Lent. The day when the mood and emotions of worship seem to take a downhill slide – the hymns become more ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Decadence Of The King Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 24, 2021

Esther lived within the Persian Empire, an environment hostile to the Hebrew people. Although their situation seemed dire, God had a plan to preserve and prosper His people. The opening passage provides insight to the culture in Persia.

The Decadence of the King Esther 1: 1-9 The opening chapter of Esther reveals the ungodly condition of the society in which God’s people were dwelling. It was a culture that possessed and promoted unbridled lusts and insatiable appetites. The people within Media and Persia had one goal in life: ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

How Will You Be Remembered?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 4, 2012

A legacy is something that is handed down or remains from a previous generation or time. The memories one leaves are part of that legacy. How will you be remembered? Years from now, when someone mentions your name, what memories will be invoked?

How Will You Be Remembered? Proverbs 10:7 “The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” Maxwell House Coffee sponsored a weekly CBS television comedy-drama series called “I Remember Mama” which ran from July 1, 1949 until March 17, 1957. It ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:7

Denomination: Baptist

Missions Work In Zambia

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on May 30, 2009

Have you ever cleaned fish? It is a messy smelly job that requires you to get your hands dirty. Missions work can be like that sometimes. Yet what beautiful things can be accomplished when we try.

Missions Work in Zambia There is a man in Zambia named Jimmy Kongwa. He has been a guest at our church. He and his wife Ivy work tirelessly to rescue the children of their country from disease, starvation, forced labor and a life of crime. They do it through an agency we support called Kids ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Mrs. Zebedee

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on May 10, 2020

“Mrs. Zebedee,” the mother of James and John, gets a bad rap for her request to Jesus for places in the kingdom on the right and left hand of Jesus. Actually, there are some good qualities for mothers on Mother’s Day to emulate.

Mrs. Zebedee A Mother’s day sermon Charles Sligh May 10, 2020 NOTE: PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon in my archives NOTE: Adapted from a sermon by Melvin ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Train Up A Child Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Sep 15, 2004

#11 in the Proverbs and Parables series The Parable of the 4 soils applied to child raising with use of Proverbs. How to raise children so they will not have HARD HEARTS, SHALLOW HEARTS, OR DISTRACTED HEARTS, but so they will have OPEN HEARTS

TRAIN UP A CHILD Proverbs 21-22 SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 8:4-8 INTRODUCTION: We’ve been studying Proverbs and Parables for about 3 months now … in sermons and in the Pueblo groups. This week’s section of Proverbs contains one of the most-quoted verses. Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living A Successful Christian Life

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Aug 30, 2014

By the world's standards the men and women in Hebrews 11 were anything but successes but in God's eyes they succeeded. Based on their testimony, the opening of Hebrews 12 tells us what it will take for us to live successful Christian lives.

Living a Successful Christian Life Hebrews 12:1-3 What comes to your mind when you hear the term "a successful Christian"? How you answer is dependent on your definition of success. Many consider success to be power, prosperity, and prestige. The most common definition of success given is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Necessity Of The Gospel Series

Contributed by Neil Olcott on Apr 28, 2011

This sermon opens this series (The Cross Files) on the significance of the Gospel message that is found in Scripture. The four main points are borrowed from the book, "What is the Gospel", by Greg Gilbert. This sermon is to rekindle the passion we, as b

Intro: And it is specifically good news about our relationship with God. We all like to receive good news, especially if it addresses some bad news we've just received. If you've just been told that you have cancer, for example, it's good news when the doctor tells you that it is a type that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Mother’s Day - Little Foxes In Our Homes

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Mar 13, 2001

Little foxes are getting through the cracks & crevices of our homes, & they have been opening the way for its destruction. As a result, today's homes are often not what God intended them to be.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2016) TEXT: Song of Solomon 2:15 Today is known as Mother’s Day in the U.S., & for most of us it is a very special day. Telephone companies tell us that it is by far their busiest day of the year. It is a day ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 2:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Earthquakes Examined Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 20, 2021

The first thing I learned about earthquakes in the New Testament is that they can be completely positive with no harmful effects. Our text is a case in point. Paul and Silas are delivered from prison by the violent earthquake that opened all the doors.

It was in Santa Clara, California, in the summer of 1988 that Lavonne and I experienced our one and only earthquake. We were in a motel and the bed began to vibrate like it does when you put a quarter in the machine at the side of the bed. It only lasted a few seconds, but even that made ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:22-34