Sermons on Open Hands:

The Battle Within

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 11, 2021

If we want to be useful for God, we will need to learn to say "no" when our body calls for food or rest in ways that hold us back. When the devil tried to deter Jesus from his mission by tempting him to turn stones to bread when he was supposed to fast, Jesus stood strong.

Perhaps once or twice in a century a truly titanic battle occurs in which the history of earth hangs in the balance. The D-Day invasion might be one. Both armies had invested many thousands of their men, millions of dollars worth of equipment and their very best modern strategies. It was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

I Thee Wed: Jesus' Teaching On Marriage And Divorce Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Apr 16, 2021

Jesus taught that marriage is a sacred and serious undertaking by any man and woman who want to unite as one under the protection and direction of the LORD. We tend to make it less than God's ideal for us.

What I am writing down here is the product of a message I originally presented to a group of men and women during a chapel service at our local rescue mission. The topic of marriage was probably not on their list of favorites for the fact that many of them had left abusive and toxic ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:1-12, Hebrews 13:4

Denomination: Baptist

The Compassion And Justice Of God Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on May 3, 2021

This message was presented at worship service of our church in a public park. All Bible references are from the NASB.

As we have been looking at the attributes of God, we have considered how unique God is, for there is nothing like Him Isaiah 44:6b ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me. God’s qualities include being all powerful (omnipotence), God possess all the power in the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:10-11, John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Gospel?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 3, 2021

What is the Gospel? How are we to understand exactly what the Gospel is? =We can know scriptures, we can memorize verses, and we can tell people about the Bible, but what in essence is the basic message of the full Bible, cover to cover?

What is the Gospel? How are we to understand exactly what the Gospel is? =We can know scriptures, we can memorize verses, and we can tell people about the Bible, but what in essence is the basic message of the full Bible, cover to cover? To me, we see a description of two basic issues. First, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:12

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Minister Of Mayhem Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on May 5, 2021

Believers are aware of the adversary we face in this walk of faith. Since the fall of Adam, Satan has sought to hinder and defeat believers. He has power and influence, but like all of creation, Satan must submit to the sovereign power of God.

The Minister of Mayhem Esther 5: 9-14 Our text today follows Esther’s entrance before the king. She was received of Ahasuerus and promised that her request would be granted. She had invited Ahasuerus and Haman to a small banquet that served as an invitation to a larger banquet the following day – ...read more

Scripture: Esther 5:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Mothers Of Messiah-Rahab Of Jericho Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 8, 2021

She was a harlot, and an enemy of Israel. But she found salvation and received a place as one of the mothers of the Messiah!

Introduction: she was one of the most unlikely candidates to ever be in the Messiah’s family tree. She lived in a wicked city in a wicked land, and did not have a very good reputation. But somehow she became a believer in the God of a foreign country and had the privilege of being one of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Note-Worthy Observations Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 10, 2021

Who is Jesus? Who is the Messiah? This question is one of the basic questions for every living person. This passage deals with that question as Jesus asks His opponents to listen to the words of Holy Scriptures.

LUKE 20: 41-21:4 [JESUS’ LAST WEEK SERIES] NOTE-WORTHY OBSERVATIONS [Romans 1:3–4] The scribes, Sadducee and Pharisees did not dare question Jesus anymore. Why? The wisdom of His words silenced their cynicism and pride. With His opponents silenced, this controversy section concludes with Jesus ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

I Want God's Power In My Life Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 13, 2021

This is the fifth time the Great Commission is given to us in the pages of the New Testament. Say this with me: I am made for more than watching. We were made for more than two cars and satellite TV. The enemy of mission-minded Christian is to live comfortably.

This is the fifth time the Great Commission is given to us in the pages of the New Testament. Say this with me: I am made for more than watching. We were made for more than two cars and satellite TV. The enemy of mission-minded Christian is to live comfortably. Today’s Scripture “In the first ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Mothers Of Messiah-Bathsheba Of Jerusalem Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 14, 2021

The Scriptures don't say much about Bathsheba except what's mentioned in connection with her relationship with David and his family. Even so, she had the privilege of being one of the mothers of the Messiah.

Introduction: The line of Messiah Jesus began with Abraham, then Isaac, followed by Jacob and Jacob’s son Judah. Of course each man had children by his wife; except for Judah’s twin sons Pharez and Zerah who were born to his daughter-in-law Tamar of Canaan (see Genesis 38). Rahab was a prostitute ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:34, 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 1 Kings 1:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Heading To The Feast Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on May 16, 2021

This message looks at Jesus' final observance of the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus had been avoiding going to Jerusalem since Passover six months before this. We will look at this feast using three time periods designated in the text (beginning, middle, and end of the feast).

“HEADING TO THE FEAST!” John 7:1-52 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ May 16, 2021 Video Link: https://youtu.be/C7Au0CF8tLI INTRODUCTION: 1.) Today’s text in the Gospel of John is in the final year of Jesus’ ministry. A.) By this time, the religious leaders had already decided to kill ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:16, Acts 4:13, 2 Timothy 2:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Stubborn Evangelist: Part Two Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Jonah also knows about the ocean’s deep waters. But he didn’t go intentionally. And what he finds at the bottom of the ocean is not just for those who read National Geographic but for all of us. God has a massive mercy.

Today we continue a four part series entitled Jonah: The Stubborn Evangelist. Many of you know the story of Jonah, a man on the run from God. Many of us know this as an amusing story about a prophet and a “whale.” Yet, Jonah is also a man on the run from his responsibility – to share the message of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Interracial Marriage Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

Only the believer can see race from within the kingdom of God, and through the mind of Christ. We cannot expect that non-Christians will share this view. It is an exclusive Christian view.

A boy in Harvard College, many years back, got his father in Maine to come to Cambridge and see the football game between Yale and Harvard. As they sat down, the boy slapped his father on the back and said, "Dad, for three dollars you are going to see more fight than you ever ...read more

He Is My Shepherd

Contributed by Dr. Jwt Spies on Mar 18, 2021

Having insight of this Psalm

This was a psalm of David. David is someone whom most of us can associate with. As we look at his life, He knew what it was like to be a lowly servant - as he served as a shepherd of actual sheep. He knew what it was like to be on the top of the social ladder - being the king and shepherd of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1

Denomination: Baptist

Patriotic In Prayer Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

Paul is saying that no Christian can stay out of politics. If you are obligated to pray for politicians then you are involved on the highest level. The only way to stay out of politics is to stay out of the will of God on this issue of prayer for your leaders.

Paul was a man of authority who respected the authority of others. In Acts 23 it is recorded that he was struck on the mouth, and he began to rebuke the one who did it. Those who were near by asked, "Would you revile God's high priest?" Paul answered, "I did not know brethren ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Breakfast With The Devil, Supper With The Savior

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 20, 2021

Would you think it unusual if a man on death row was saved while the lethal injection chemicals were dripping into his I.V.? The thief on the cross next to Jesus began his last day in the service of Satan, but ended it in Paradise with God!

BREAKFAST WITH THE DEVIL, SUPPER WITH THE SAVIOR Mt. 27:38-43; LK. 23:39-43 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Jennifer Johnson told how her Dad began teaching business classes at a local prison through a community college. On his first night of class, he started a chapter on banking. 2. During the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:38-43, Luke 23:39-43

Denomination: Assembly Of God