Sermons on Open Hands:

A Call To Build God's Temple: Prioritizing The Local Church

Contributed by Barnabas Park on Nov 21, 2025

Just as God commanded the Jews who returned from exile to “build a temple,” New Testament Christians are called to build the local church to which each belongs—a spiritual temple founded on Jesus Christ.

A Call to Build God's Temple: Prioritizing the Local Church (Haggai 1:1-11) 1 In the second year of Darius' reign, on the first day of the sixth month, the prophet Haggai delivered the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, son of Jehozadak, ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-11, 1 Corinthians 3:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

22. The Kingdom Parables – The Sixth – The Pearl Of Greatest Price – Part 2 Of 4 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 28, 2025

We cover a lot of ground in this message. Christ is the Merchant who left heaven’s precious glory behind to purchase this priceless Pearl. We look at so many aspects from the formation of the pearl, and Christ and His Church, and confirming scriptures. Lots of points here.

22. The Kingdom Parables – The Sixth – The Pearl of Greatest Price – Part 2 of 4 This most interesting Parable, most misunderstood, is a delight to study because of the deep truth that comes from it. In Part 1 we saw that the Merchant Man is Jesus Christ who gave up all He had (and ALL that was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46, Ephesians 5:25-27, 2 Thessalonians 3:5, Romans 8:39, Romans 3:9-12, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Isaiah 55:1, Isaiah 55:7, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Luke 19:10, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Genesis 2:21-23, Revelation 19:7, Ephesians 5:23, Ephesians 5:25-30, Ephesians 5:32, Matthew 16:18, Revelation 19:7-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Elevate To The Next Level: "Transformational Thinking”

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Nov 30, 2025

If we’re serious about changing our lives, we need to start by transforming the way we think. This message will explore our need to reflect on God—His goodness, greatness, and closeness. If we don’t begin changing our thinking, nothing will change.

Elevate to the Next Level: “Transformational Thinking” Watch on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=328O82FD4cY Our minds are an extraordinary creation of God. They process billions of bits of information and recall 800 memories per second. No computer can match the mind’s ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:7, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, 1 Corinthians 10:23, Romans 8:28, Psalm 147:5, Jeremiah 32:27, Psalm 69:14-16, Psalm 112:1-4, Psalm 34:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

The Plain Truth About Christmas – The Season And The Day Series

Contributed by Timothy Ogada on Dec 21, 2025

Christmas is Coming!

Christmas is coming! But where did Christmas originate? Was Jesus born on December 25th? If Christmas is the chief of the Christian holidays, WHY do so many non-Christians observe it? The word "Christmas" means "Mass of Christ. It came to the Protestants from the Roman Catholic ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 12:29-31

When Rights Are Wrong

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Dec 29, 2025

Just because you have a right to do something doesn't mean that it is right for you to do it.

Just because our Scripture reading for this week was 1 Kings doesn't mean that it was easy to decide what to preach on. It's so full of illustrations of the use and misuse of power that I could probably spend the whole month before moving on to 2 Kings, which is just as rich with examples ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 11:42-43, 1 Kings 12:1-19, Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

In The Meantime

Contributed by Alvan Lewis on Jan 6, 2026

What are we supposed to do while we wait?

In the Meantime… Revelation 15 Written: Friday, August 8, 2025 The following is a hypothetical story. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. A retired couple were walking together through the Mall. He thought they were out for a leisurely stroll. She stopped in front of ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

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

Sermon – Advent Continues: Peace On Earth And Goodwill Towards Men

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Dec 5, 2024

Our relationship to God is the most important of all relationships, and if we are not at peace with Him, we will never have peace in our hearts or be at peace with others. Good News, peace on earth!

Sermon – Advent Continues: Peace on Earth and Goodwill Towards Men Scripture Text: Luke 2:8-14 “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14, Romans 8:35-38, Philippians 4:11, John 14:27, Romans 5:8-10, Romans 5:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

The Devil Trap. - Fear, Worry And Anxiety

Contributed by Louis Mare on Dec 10, 2024

Let me ask you: how many of you have ever driven in thick fog? You cannot see ahead, you cannot see the road signs, and you cannot see other vehicles. As I describe this, what feeling are you currently experiencing?

Well, good morning Newlife Church, and yes, 2024 is almost upon us. Man, this year seems to have flown by, and we’re already in December, preparing for the carol service tonight. I know many of you, like me, are wondering, “Where has this year gone?” It felt like January was just yesterday. I also ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:24-31, 1 Kings 19:2-4, John 8:44, John 8:32, Isaiah 41:10, 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 12:2, Philippians 2:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

He Will Speak Peace

Contributed by John Newton on Dec 10, 2024

We focus on peace in the Second Sunday of Advent, in Psalm 85.

I wonder how many of you, when you’re reading a book, take time to examine the copyright page or read through the backflap or the author’s bio. I have to admit that as often as not I am one of those people. When I’m reading a book I can often find it helpful to know a little bit about who wrote it ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal