Sermons on Open Hands:

Priorities-3

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 17, 2020

3 of ? Haggai exhorted those returning from exile to prioritize their relationship with God. God’s people must prioritize their relationship with God. But how can they do that? A prioritized relationship with God properly assesses...

PRIORITIES—III—Haggai 1:1-15 Attention: Priorities: Hurricane Dorian Devastated the Bahamas in August of 2019. Below is an actual picture of our TV screen showing just how Floridians are Preparing for the threat of Hurricane Dorian. Synopsis: The Weather Channel host is speaking to their man ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Authentic Versus Counterfeit Faith (Ii) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on May 27, 2024

This message examines the qualities of saving faith as revealed in Romans 4:18-22. In this chapter, Paul uses Abraham's example to teach the kind of faith response to God that ultimately leads to eternal salvation. Hint: It is not easy believism.

Intro A major theme in Romans 4 is faith. Paul is aggressively contending for justification by faith alone. The issue we are currently addressing is the kind of faith Paul has in mind when he uses the word. We know from James 2 that some forms of faith are dead and worthless. We know from Jesus’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25, Romans 8:1-39, 1 Samuel 17:37, Numbers 14:8, Genesis 12:1-20, Galatians 6:7, 2 Corinthians 10:15, Ephesians 3:20, John 6:67-68, John 14:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Three Gifts To Give The Next Generation - Mother's Day 2024

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 9, 2024

Repeatedly, tell them they are loved by their Heavenly Father. Repeatedly, tell your children that every one of God’s commands is an invitation to help yourself to happiness. Repeatedly, tell the next generation that every time the Bible says, “Don’t do this,” He’s saying, “Don’t harm yourself.”

Here are some interesting things I have heard moms say. 1. My kids sure make a lot of plans for someone who can’t drive anywhere. 2. One mom said to another, “That’s it. I’m selling my kid on eBay.” The other mom replied, “Don’t be silly! You made him. Sell him on Etsy.” 3. Nothing is lost until ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:7-9, Daniel 1:3-4, Romans 8:29

Denomination: Baptist

How Not To Be A Grumpy Christian

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Sep 17, 2023

I want to show you from God’s Word HOW NOT TO BE A GRUMPY CHRISTIAN.

So you wives tap your husbands on the shoulder and say, “Wake up! Listen, you need to hear this sermon!!! I want to preach on this subject for two reasons: (1) No one likes to be around a GRUMPY person…NO ONE! (2) You can not be an effective Christian if you are a GRUMPY CHRISTIAN! WHY ARE SOME ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11, Nehemiah 8:10

Denomination: Baptist

The Powerful Word Of God (Just Keep Sowing) - Mark 4:26-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 23, 2023

The kingdom began shockingly small, but, like a seed, had great power to produce imperceptible growth, automatic growth, and mysterious growth that will result in the glorious, eternal kingdom.

As the farmer can’t cause growth to happen, neither can man cause spiritual growth to happen. Our role is indispensable, however. Seed doesn’t grow unless it’s sown. We must not become discouraged in the work of sowing. Mark 4:26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Think About It Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Oct 6, 2023

Those who want nothing to do with God will receive their request when Jesus returns.

INTRODUCTION • People were longing for the return of the Lord, and some were more or less checking out of life, expecting Him to come at any moment. • In the last couple of chapters of 1 Thessalonians, Paul wrote to comfort and encourage the folks concerning what would happen to those who died in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Shows Us What Matters The Most

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 7, 2023

God shows us... 1. His sure plan for our salvation (vs. 1-5). 2. The great evil of His enemies (vs. 3-5, 14-16). 3. The great love we should have for our Lord (vs. 6-7). 4. Some great reasons why we should love Jesus (vs. 8-13).

God Shows Us What Matters the Most Matthew 26:1-16 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared for September 10, 2023) BACKGROUND: *Our Scripture today is Matthew 26:1-16. Here Jesus was just two days away from dying on the cross for our sins. And here, the Holy Spirit shows us some of the most important ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Good Grief?

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Nov 13, 2023

A sermon from Lamentations about how God can give hope in the midst of grief.

Good Grief? Lamentations Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 11-12-2023 Kimmy’s Gone She called me Jeff and I called her Kimmy. Unless, she was mad at me and she would call me Jefferson and I would respond with Kimberly. December 12, 2014, 13 days before Christmas, seemed ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Big, Big Family - Mark 10:28-31 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 20, 2024

There is a cost to discipleship, but that cost is dwarfed by the profit that comes when we receive the church family, dysfunctional as it is.

Mark 10:28 Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" 29 "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:28-31, Luke 18:28-30

Resurrection: Fact Or Fiction?

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 16, 2025

Some of you have played Jenga with your family, right? You seek to pull piece after piece out without the tower collapsing. If Christianity were a Jenga tower, the resurrection is the one block that, when pulled, the tower comes crashing down every single time.

Dead people stay dead.1 “Nobody goes to funerals and says, ‘What’s the over/under if this person comes alive again?’” I have yet to see one dead person come back to life. I doubt you have seen any dead person live again, either. Once people have gone down the road of death, they just don’t return.2 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Visible Faith - Part 1

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Apr 26, 2025

How does a Christian know that he/she is walking in faith? This is part one of a Bible study that addresses that question.

NOTE: New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians seeking to grow in their relationship with Jesus. This is a Bible study lesson, not a sermon. The Bible studies teach ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6, James 2:14-26, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Joshua 2:1-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thunder And Love Part 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 22, 2025

Today we are going to focus – maybe refocus on Love – John was called the apostle of Love and He knew love and truth had to be linked together to be able to live in a world which distorted both love and truth!

Thunder and Love part 2 – John the Apostle of love! Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21: 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Love – biblical love comes from God Those who love are born of God and they personally know God. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21, John 13:34, Ephesians 3:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Visible Faith Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 16, 2025

This is a Bible study lesson, not a sermon. The Bible studies teach foundational truth that are designed to challenge, encourage and, most importantly, flame the fire of hunger in the Christian who wants to learn more about who they have become in Christ Jesus.

Visible Faith Part 1 (Rev. Barry Johnson and Rev. Rodney Johnson) NOTE: New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians who are seeking to grow in their relationship ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 10:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Envy: A Deadly Sin

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

Introductory Consideration 1.

Introductory Consideration 1. "Its not fair, Tommy gets to stay up till 8 o’clock and I have to go to bed at 7:30, and he’s younger than me. I wish I had his parents." 2. "I wished I looked like she does. She’s so popular." 3. "Man, do I ever wish that I could play hockey like he does!" 4. "Did ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Whenever You Sling Mud You Loose Ground

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Oct 18, 2000

Someone well said, "whenever you sling mud, you lose ground" You not only lose ground when you sling mud i.e. insult others, and fail to live in harmony and love as Christ loved, but as we will learn today you miss the favor and blessing of God!

" Finally all of you live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing" 1st Peter 3:8-9 Introduction: In a Peanuts ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-9

Denomination: Baptist