Sermons on Open Hands:

"love Is Not A Concept"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 19, 2023

A sermon about finding love by experiencing the love of God.

“Love is Not a Concept” 1 John 4:7-21 Last week I finished reading a best-selling novel written by Barbara Kingsolver called “Demon Copperhead.” It’s set in the mountains of Southern Appalachia and starts when the protagonist, a boy named Damon who comes to be called Demon is born. Born to a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Getting Serious About Sin

Contributed by Guy Glass on Apr 21, 2023

As sin has become more acceptable in our society, it has become more acceptable in our churches. This message looks at what the Bible has to say about sin and then how we as followers of Christ should see sin as well. Sin is a virus!

GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT SIN INTRODUCTION: THINGS HAVE RADICALLY CHANGED IN THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN AROUND. I AM SURE REGARDLESS OF AGE, MOST EVERYONE CAN SAY THAT. WE IS MOST SIGNIFICANT TO ME IS THE WAY IN WHICH ACTIONS THAT USED TO BE CLEARLY DEFINED AS SINFUL, HAVE SLOWLY MORPHED INTO ACCEPTABLE ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 14:12-16, Ezekiel 28:11-17, Romans 5:12, 1 John 1:9

Denomination: Baptist

Esther Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Apr 21, 2023

God is not done writing our stories. We may not have chosen to be in the circumstances we find ourselves in, but if we hang on - if we choose faith and trust - knowing that if it is not good yet, it’s because God is not done yet, then one day we will see our lives from His vantage point.

Bible Stories ESTHER Romans 8:28 April 22, 2023 The book of Esther is a true narrative. The story begins in the third year of Xerxes the Great (Ahasuerus), who was King of Persia from 486-465 BC. Xerxes threw a 6-month long feast to honor the officials, princes and nobles that made up the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Love Reigns Over Our Present. Week 3.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 1, 2023

God’s great mercy became a transforming reality through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Love Reigns Over Our Present. Week 3. Romans 12:1-2 Last week, I gave three points in being new creations: POINT #1 – Out With the Old, and in with the New! POINT #2 – God’s Love For Us, and God’s Love Through Us. POINT # 3 – Our Wrongness Is Replaced By God’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, Psalm 51:16-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Heavenly Jerusalem.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Oct 15, 2024

What believers want most, Confidence. Abiding faith. Peace, God is with me; therefore, it will be okay. The power of love in action.

Heavenly Jerusalem. Galatians 4. Do you realize as a saved, blood bought Son or Daughter of God, you have heavenly Jerusalem living within you. (Christ in you... you have become the temple for the Holy Spirit, 1 Cor. 3.16. Galatians chapter 3 & 4 teach us that before Jesus Christ, we were ...read more

Scripture: John 1:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Pastor's Heart Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Oct 18, 2024

A Pastor’s heart is one that cares about his flock in such a way that they want to follow Jesus the same way they do.

A Pastor’s Heart Text: Acts 20:1-7 Introduction 1. Illustration: When I was in Bible college, one of my professors showed me great honor by telling me, “Mark, you are an unusual combination of the head of a scholar and the heart of a pastor.” 2. At times in my ministry, I have struggled with that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

7 Reasons For King Saul’s Downfall Series

Contributed by Sam Jo on Oct 20, 2024

King Saul, the man who started off so well but fell off so hard, it’s like he tripped on his own crown! Saul's story is a classic example of how things can go wrong when we stop listening to God. He had so much potential, yet he ended up as a cautionary tale.

Today, we’re going to talk about King Saul, the man who started off so well but fell off so hard, it’s like he tripped on his own crown! Saul's story is a classic example of how things can go wrong when we stop listening to God. He had so much potential, yet he ended up as a cautionary tale. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:13

Denomination: Lutheran

Seize The Moment! Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Oct 21, 2024

Based on 1 Chronicles 29 - Challenges hearers to seize the moment & give sacrificially to God.

“SEIZE THE MOMENT!” 1 Chronicles 29 FBCF – 10/20/24 Jon Daniels INTRO – Sermon about sacrifice – Anyone ever been to Mt. Rushmore? 4 faces – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, & Teddy Roosevelt. TR most known for the “Rough Riders.” When everyone else was reluctant to take ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Unlocking God's Voice In The Chaos Series

Contributed by Apostle Dr. Belinda V. Broadnax on Oct 24, 2024

This sermon focuses on hearing God’s voice in the midst of life’s chaos and distractions. It highlights how God speaks through the noise of life and offers practical steps to unlock His voice for guidance, peace, and clarity.

Life in today’s world is louder than ever before. The constant stream of news, social media, responsibilities, and personal struggles can feel overwhelming. Amid the noise, it can seem impossible to hear God’s voice. Many people ask, "Where is God in all this? Why can’t I hear Him?" It ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:10

Denomination: Other

Choose Wisely

Contributed by Les Buttolph on Nov 14, 2024

As Election Day 2024 approaches, we face worldly decisions. Joshua confronted Israel with the spiritual decision to serve the Lord. Like Israel, we must choose wisely.

I doubt there’s anyone here that doesn’t know Tuesday is Election Day. You may have already voted early. We can look forward to Tuesday’s TV or radio news coverage about the voting turnout, and the partial results all day, then into the night when the results are projected and winners announced. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:16-18, Galatians 5:13-26

Denomination: Methodist

When David Almost Became Saul

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 20, 2024

David allowed the same spirit of revenge that was on Saul to influence him into murdering all the men of Nabal’s house. God sent Abigail to save him from ruining his character. May God give us such friends! who'll save us from doing wrong!

WHEN DAVID ALMOST BECAME SAUL 1 Samuel 25:13-31 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A boy refused to take a bath. His mother insisted. He still objected. His mother asked, “Why do you think you shouldn’t?” 2. He replied, “My Sunday school teacher said we shouldn’t do anything in private we wouldn’t do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:13-31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Don’t Be A Turkey This Thanksgiving

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 23, 2024

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time: that's when we do the four “F’s”: Family, Food, Football and Fun. Can you think of anyone who's not happy about Thanksgiving? Yes -- the Turkey! So don't Be A Turkey on Thanksgiving!

DON’T BE A TURKEY THIS THANKSGIVING Phip. 2:14 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. The day before Thanksgiving, an elderly man in Phoenix called his son in New York and said to him, 2."I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing. 45 years of misery is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Forerunner Of Hope Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Nov 27, 2024

Today we begin a journey through Luke’s Gospel.

Forerunner of Hope Luke 1:1-25 Introduction Many churches will begin today focused on a season of Advent or expectation of the coming Christ. The themes of Advent, often signified by the lighting of candles, are Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. We will use those themes this month as well. Today we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jacob - The Exile Years Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Nov 28, 2024

Yahweh had promised to go with Jacob and He had also promised to bring him back to the land of Abraham and Isaac.

November 30, 2024 When we left Jacob last week, he had arrived in the land of his mother’s people - Mesopotamia. Yahweh had promised to go with him and he had also promised to bring him back to the land of Abraham and Isaac. And so, the exile years begin. Not knowing where he was, Jacob ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

It's A Wonderful Life Ii

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Dec 2, 2024

I wonder how many people have been touched by this simple film. People who have seen it have testified that it gave them hope. Hope is what Christmas is all about. The Scripture passages we read this morning are all about hope.

Every year about this time television stations bring out of their vaults an old black and white film that is still popular today. They have already shown it this year. The film is It’s a Wonderful Life. In the film, George Bailey never felt like he amounted to much in life. He had dreams of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Baptist