Sermons on Open Hand:

The Spirit Helps Us Serve When We Are Misunderstood, Maligned Or Mistreated

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 22, 2001

The Spirit Helps us Serve When we are mistreated, maligned, or mistreated

Jan 23rd I Cor. 4:8-13 Theme - The Spirit gives us the supernatural capacity to serve while being mistreated, misunderstood, and maligned. Have you ever wondered how the Godly can serve during times of mistreatment? There is more power in the open hand than in the clenched fist. Consider how ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:8-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Puzzle Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 25, 2018

The story in Acts 8, that tells of Philip's preaching in Samaria resulting in an Evangelism Explosion, contains 3 puzzles that many folks overlook. What are these puzzles and what can they teach us about our walk with Christ?

OPEN: People have created puzzles for centuries. There’ve been crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, Rubik's cube, and scads of others in all shapes and sizes. The better the puzzle, the more difficult it is to solve, and by that standard, one of the Holy Grails of such puzzles is this one: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:3-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 3) Discovering God In Surprising Ways Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 4, 2024

Many of us have had moments when we expected God to act a certain way, only to be surprised by how He actually revealed Himself. Perhaps you were praying for a breakthrough, but God brought transformation in a different form.

The Unexpected Jesus: Discovering God in Surprising Ways Introduction Today, I want to explore a theme that could radically transform your relationship with God: the idea that Jesus often shows up in ways we least expect. Many of us have had moments when we expected God to act a certain way, only ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-7, Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 139:7-10, Mark 5:25-34, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Luke 5:4-11, Isaiah 6:8, Hebrews 13:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Pure And Unadulterated

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 21, 2011

It doesn't matter how active you are in ministry if you are teaching a distorted Gospel.

Some of you may remember my telling of an incident that took place in our Presbytery last fall. A woman pastor from the Netherlands was received into membership in our Presbytery even though she does not believe that Jesus is God, or in the atonement - that is, that the death of Jesus on the cross ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Great White Throne Judgement Considered In Detail – Part 3 Of 4 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 21, 2025

We know God is just and does righteously. This time we look at an important aspect of God’s judgement - DEGREES OF PUNISHMENT AND PENALTY. No one will have an excuse before the great white throne. What about those who never heard of Jesus Christ or God’s forgiveness?

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT CONSIDERED IN DETAIL – PART 3 OF 4 These studies open up the subject of the great white throne from Revelation 20. It is a terrifying time, so that the earth and heavens flee away. No Christian is judged at the great white throne though all the Church, the Bride ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:46-48, Revelation 20:11-12, Matthew 10:14-15, Matthew 11:20-24, Matthew 12:36-37, Romans 1:19-20, Matthew 12:41, Acts 4:12, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:12, Matthew 12:30, Genesis 18:25, Revelation 20:13, Revelation 20:4-6, Ephesians 4:8, Habakkuk 3:2, Romans 2:4-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What God Has Given To Us(2013) Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Nov 25, 2013

Chapter 5 is a new beginning. THEREFORE: Pointing backwards, ‘because of all that I have proven you can now count on these wonderful truths’. Pointing backwards but moving forward with hope

Chapter 5 is a new beginning. Chapters 1-3 demonstrate that sin is an issue that every man, woman, and child must deal with. ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALLEN SHORT. Chapter 4 Paul shows us that dealing with this problem is only possible through one means. Works righteousness is impossible….even ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

The Three

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

As we continue to look at the Apostles Creed we consider what it means to believe in the "forgiveness of sins." Are your sins forgiven?

Introductory Considerations 1. Call in education among many today to go back to basics - "the 3 R’s" - reading, writing, and rithmetic. It may be easy to learn all kinds of other things, but if basics not there a student is in trouble. 2. Today I call on us to go back to basics. To look at the 3 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Do I Need A Shepherd? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 21, 2020

Jesus said He was the good shepherd. But why do I need Him to do that? Why can't I get along just fine without Him?

OPEN: Several years ago in the country of Turkey, a flock of sheep made the news. It seems that the shepherds of the flock had been eating breakfast when their sheep began to wander off. Now, ordinarily this wouldn’t have been a problem, except the flock was just a stone’s throw away from a cliff. ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Treats His People Better (Exodus 11:1-10) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 9, 2022

God doesn't treat all people the same. Also, bonus discussion of OT slavery-- it's not what you think.

The last few weeks, I've found myself struggling with the relentless nature of God's plagues. I don't really even have words to explain how working through this has affected me. But when you find yourself thinking about the plagues off and on during the day while you work, and then ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 11:1-10, Deuteronomy 15:1-18

The Tug Of Heaven Is Growing Stronger Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 21, 2022

If you are walking at a distance from the Lord, then the tugging on you is worldly based The world tugs on the carnal Christian. They who walk closely with God, welcome God’s tugging. The message looks at heaven's tug to be home with the Lord. We also look at death.

THE TUG OF HEAVEN IS GROWING STRONGER INTRODUCTION “When you feel the tug on the line, pull it up.” That order could fit many situations but it would be effective for raising ore in a bucket from a mine shaft. One below fills the bucket, and when the tug is felt then the one above pulls up the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:20-25, Psalm 31:15, Revelation 1:17-18, Psalm 116:15, 2 Corinthians 5:5-9, Hebrews 11:8-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Servanthood Is Greatness Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Aug 21, 2007

In the world, greatness is determined by how many people serve you; but, in God’s kingdom, greatness is determined by how many people you serve.

Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). That was His personal mission statement. If I’m to be a follower of Christ, what marked His life should mark mine. My personal mission statement ought to be “serving ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 2 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 25, 2020

The first two psalms are often considered to be designed as a pair serving as an introduction to the 150-psalm collection. The first psalm describes the difference between the blessed man and the evil man, and Psalm 2 is about triumph over the forces that oppose the faith.

For Sermon Central researchers: I have posted a series of 15 sermons on the Psalms. In recent personal studies I have found the psalms to be richer and more thought-provoking than I had fully appreciated. I had too often swept swiftly through psalms without slowing down to inquire as thoroughly as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12, Acts 4:27-28, Hebrews 1:6, Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 103:8, Psalm 145:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Just Tenting Series

Contributed by Vance Elzinga on Jun 22, 2007

Also drawing from 2Cor5.1-5, this Fathers Day sermon challenges us to let others see that we regard this life as "tenting."

HOOK Story of an influential teacher... and the legacy that we all might leave. Post-exile emerging generation… What kind of legacy would they leave? Question for every generation. YOU The desire to leave an impact on kids, have them turn out, etc... Identify with the desire to see kids thrive ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Living In The Contentment Zone Series

Contributed by Ralph Juthman on Jan 26, 2009

Third in a three part series on giving and stewardship

‘KEYS TO UNLOCKING GOD’S BLESSING ON YOUR LIFE” p.3 Learning to Live in the Contentment Zone 1 Kings 21:1-16; 1 Timothy 6:6; Philippians :11-12 By Rev. Ralph Juthman INTRODUCTION: Paul writes to Timothy, and instructs him to warn the rich in the church not to become complacent in their wealth. Paul ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Glorious Giving Series

Contributed by W. Alderman on Jan 31, 2006

This is a message from the author’s book, "Christian Stewardship"

GLORIOUS GIVING 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 INTRODUCTION: There is no giving that is so glorious as Godly giving. This section will show how such giving takes place when Paul reminds the church at Corinth that they had made a commitment nearly a year earlier, and had not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Denomination: Baptist