Sermons on Open Hands:

God: No Change, Know Hope Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on May 5, 2009

This series explores the person of God and seeks to know him better. In this introduction we study the immutability of God, his unchanging nature.

GOD: NO CHANGE, KNOW HOPE Marriage counselors teach us that there are two words that couples should never use: “always” and “never.” These two words have such absolute meaning no one could ever possibly be one or the other. A husband could say that his wife is always nagging him to fix things ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:13-20

Denomination: Mennonite

Pride And Prejudice Series

Contributed by David Heflin on Jan 27, 2009

This is a sermon I used for Mother’s Day about the Syrian Phoencian woman and her incredible encounter with Jesus

Pride and Prejudice Mark 7:24-30 5/11/08 (Mother’s Day) PSCOC Intro: 41/41 cent stamps. I went into the post office on Friday to mail off some fundraising letters. I needed 41 stamps. So, I asked the cashier for 41 stamps. She thought I had asked if they had 41 cent stamps, which of course, is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Daddy, Please Don't Rebuild Jericho

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Jan 30, 2009

A message that emphasizes the power of a father.

DADDY, PLEASE DON’T REBUILD JERICHO TEXT: Joshua 6:26 l. INTRODUCTION -Every child has a builder. That builder may be his mother or father or brother or grandmother or randdaddy or even collectively they can work as a whole in building children. -Despite what we may even be willing to admit a ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:26

Denomination: Pentecostal

Giving With Intent Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Feb 17, 2009

In today’s world many are struggling financially, this series is to help us understand how to be rich in a way that honors God ( Adapted from a series by Craig Groeschel, lifechurch.tv)

As a parent, when I had young children, I remember times that I would give something to one of my children and ask them to share it with their brother/sister. For example you are on a trip in the car and hand child “A” a bag of French fries and ask them to share it with their brother/sister. Before ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Denomination: Charismatic

Im Not As Full As I Like To Be (Filled With All The Fullness Of God)

Contributed by Mark Jones on Feb 23, 2009

speaking of the hunger in our lives-we develop an increasing hunger for whatever we feed upon-directed by our deepest desire.

I�m Not As Full As I Like To Be EOLS: We control the things that we hunger for, and we can be filled with hunger for God. It�s funny how God can birth a sermon within our hearts through the simple, daily things in our lives. This one was birthed in my heart around the family table a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19

Denomination: Methodist

Life, Liberty, And The Pursuit Of Holiness

Contributed by Phil Smith on Feb 23, 2009

The pursuit of happiness is a western deception that even takes Christians captive. As followers of Christ, we are in the pursuit of holiness; to glorify God by becoming what he means for us to be. Holiness is the wonderful opportunity of grace.

Ro 8:22-23 - 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (NIV) 1. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cultivate Patience & Faithfulness Series

Contributed by Chad Garrison on Mar 2, 2009

We are all called to continually "Cultivate" the Fruit of the Spirit. Here we focus on Patience & Faithfulness.

Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit Patience/Faithfulness A Quick Recap: cul·ti·vate vt 4. to improve or develop something, usually by study or education 5. to develop an acquaintance or intimacy with somebody, often for personal advantage Galatians 5:22-25 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-27

Denomination: Foursquare

The River Nile: Drawn Out Of The Waters Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 4, 2009

Racism grows out of the fears of the oppressors and attacks the leaders of those they fear. But God draws out of the waters that were intended to drown those whom He will use to lead His people to victory.

The River Nile. The great river of Egypt, a historic stream that rises in the heart of Africa and flows northward for hundreds and hundreds of miles, bringing life to Egypt. Langston Hughes says, "I’ve known rivers; I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Prayer For His Converts Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Mar 9, 2009

Paul reminds his converts that the mystery of God, that we’re to show God’s glory through our unity under Christ has been revealed in the gospel, then prays that the power of God might be given to the church so they can achieve that end.

Have you noticed how the more you want something the more likely you are to pray for it? And to pray for it consistently. That means if you want to know what someone is really passionate about see what they pray for regularly. Well Paul is about to let us in on the great desire of his heart. He’s ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-21

Denomination: Anglican

Our God, Our Guide

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Mar 13, 2009

We all need direction to get us where we need to go and the divine compass and guide of our lives will show us every step of the way, if we will only let Him lead.

Our God, Our Guide Griffith Baptist Church – 3/15/09 P.M. Service Text: Psalm 48 Key verse: Psalms 48:14 - For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Premise: We all need direction to get us where we need to go and the divine compass and guide of our ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 48:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Promises, Promises Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 16, 2008

God never changes and God keeps His promises. We come to faith through the promise as people of old came to faith through the promise --- and the promise is Jesus Christ.

While I was waiting for my coffee I struck up a conversation with a college age woman about Christianity. It turns out that she had grown up in the church and had some great memories of the church…but as she grew older she had lost interest in church. She cited various issues in the church that she ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:15-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Like A Tree

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Oct 23, 2008

Your alignment with God’s word will determine where you stand (sit, and walk) on any issue. Advice from Scripture is better than advice from anybody else.

Like a Tree Psalm 1 Why do some people have all the luck? I understand that luck is a fabricated force that many people use to explain how apparently random forces fall one way instead of another. I’m not saying that luck exists. I am simply pointing out that many people, us included, sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Mennonite

Today We Get To Vote!

Contributed by Monty Newton on Oct 31, 2008

Today is an historic day... today we get to choose whom we will serve and how we will serve.

Title: Today We Get to Vote! Text: Joshua 24:1-3 and 14-24 The Big Idea: Today is an historic day… today we get to vote. Today we get to choose. Introduction: On Tuesday the absentee ballots, the mail-In ballots, the early-voting ballots, and the ballots cast that day will be counted and a new ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Identity Through God's Eyes Series

Contributed by Mark Nichols on Nov 3, 2008

We are God’s masterpiece! That tells us a lot about our identity!

TEXT: Ephesians 2:10 TITLE: How God Views Me (Identity part 2) SERIES: Identity TOPIC: Identity in Christ OCCASION: November 2, 2008 PROP.: We are God’s masterpiece! That tells us a lot about our identity! INTRODUCTION: Good morning! (The dangers of mistaken identity!) This past week, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10, Jeremiah 29:11-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Suicide Eulogy

Contributed by Tim Smith on Nov 3, 2008

This is a eulogy of a high school principal who committed suicide

Today we are faced with a painful and perplexing situation we could never have imagined. A mother, grandmother, co-worker, mentor, teacher, daughter and friend has been inexplicably and unexpectedly taken from us. We cannot pretend that we are not shocked and grieved by the death of Earline. The ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-27

Denomination: Methodist