Sermons on Open Hands:

Tell Grandpa He Is Dead

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 10, 2019

A study in the book of Romans 6: 1 – 23

Romans 6: 1 – 23 Someone tell Grandpa he is dead 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Shining The Light On False Teachers

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Aug 6, 2020

People who are against Christ depart from the essential doctrines or beliefs of the church concerning Jesus Christ.

Review Last time we learned how to recognize someone who is against Christ or antichrist. People who are against Christ depart from the essential doctrines or beliefs of the church concerning Jesus Christ. Though they may have started with Christ on their mind, they leave without the person of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:27-31, 2 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Alive In Christ Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 29, 2020

1) Before being alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-3) 2) Being alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-6, 8-9), and 3) After being alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:7,10).

Ephesians 2:1-10 [2:1]And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [2]in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-- [3]among whom we all once lived in the passions of our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Other

"Getting Past The Crowd To Christ"

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Jul 7, 2013

This is a very well-known story, certainly to Christians, but I'm not sure that Christians really understand the full import to them of this story. We'll not just be touching unbelievers, but we will all be getting a touch, hopefully, from the Spirit of God from this account.

"Getting Past The Crowd To Christ" I want us to turn in the Scriptures for our reading just now to Mark's gospel chapter 2. As I have been announcing, I'm going to speak this morning, on the subject of 'Getting Past the Crowd to Christ'. This is a very well-known story, certainly to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Apostolic

Deliver Us From The Evil One Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Mar 10, 2013

A discussion about "deliver us from evil" from the Lord's Prayer

Today we are concluding our series entitled: Soul Matters: Shaping life around the Lord’s Prayer. Matthew 6:9-13 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Challenges To The Journey Of Faith-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 7, 2013

2 of 4. Genesis records Abram’s encounter with God & his resultant actions of faith. Personal encounters with God call us to venture forth & journey by faith. But What are some challenges to that journey? A challenge to our journey of faith lie in...

CHALLENGES To The VENTURE/JOURNEY Of FAITH-II— Genesis 11:26—12:9 Attention: Tom is applying for a job as a signalman for the local railroad & is told to meet the inspector at the signal box. The inspector decides to give Tom a pop quiz, asking: "What would you do if you realized that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Undeceive A Desire James 1:15-17 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 13, 2021

The reason you sin is not desire. Jesus desired food but didn’t fall when tempted with food. The problem is not desire; it’s deceived desire. It’s a desire that is deceived about sin, about life and good days, and about God. This passage exposes those deceptions and the way to correct them.

How to Undeceive a Desire Suffering, Tests, and Temptation Part 9 James 1:15-17 12-7-2014 The reason you sin is not desire. Jesus desired food but didn’t fall when tempted with food. The problem is not desire; it’s deceived desire. It’s a desire that is deceived about sin, about life and good ...read more

Scripture: James 1:15-17

Bringing Brothers Together - Philippians 4:1-3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 25, 2022

Paul models peacemaking by expressing his love, which involves family warmth, heartfelt affection, desire, joy, and satisfaction.

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-3

The Blasphemy Of The Holy Spirit - Mark 3:20-30 (Matthew 12:22-37) Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 4, 2023

People often say the unforgivable sin is attributing demonic work to Jesus. But several other passages speak of an unforgivable sin, and none of them identify it that way.

Mark 3:20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." 22 And the teachers of the law who came down from ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-30, Matthew 12:22-37

Why Would You Say "yes?"*

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 16, 2023

The command God gave Noah made no sense on any level. Studying the account, we can no doubt learn something essential about faith.

“The earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, ‘I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

Navigating Our Beliefs Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 11, 2023

Navigating Our Beliefs Series: The Deconstruction Zone: Navigating Doubts and Difficulties Brad Bailey - June 25, 2023

Navigating Our Beliefs Series: The Deconstruction Zone: Navigating Doubts and Difficulties Brad Bailey - June 25, 2023 Intro In the late ’90s, Joshua Harris burst on to the Christian scene with a book titled I Kissed Dating Goodbye, a treatise on dating and courtship. The book sold millions and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:52, Matthew 28:16-17, Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Power For Pain - Philippians 3:10-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 3, 2022

Paul's quest for power, partnership with Christ in the work of redemption by suffering with him, and being conformed to the pattern of his death

Philippians 3:10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Introduction It stands to reason that if you are living in God’s universe, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-11

4 Components For Deep, Significant Relationships - Philippians 2:2 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Feb 11, 2022

The closer we get to the Lord, the easier it is to love all the different people around us. God wants us to be able to move forward with unity, even though we have diversity.

I smile, as you probably do too, whenever you see that science confirms something we already know in the Bible. Right? Or archaeology comes up with this discovery that this historical place actually was there, which the Bible talks about. Or when it comes to mental health, we know that the Bible ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Obey - Sermon On Philippians 2:7-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 1, 2023

Jesus was fully God and fully man, and the fourth aspect of his example of humility was obedience – to God and to human authorities. So God exalted him by making him Lord and Judge over all. Therefore we should obey – because of his example and because of his supremacy and lordship as judge.

Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the very form of God, did not consider that equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very form of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:7-12

Hostile Desires - James 4:1-3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 3, 2021

If you struggle with anger or are having conflicts with people, this is an important message for you. It shows how good desires become hostile desires and how to fix the problem.

James 4:1 What causes wars and battles among you? Don’t they come from your desires that wage war within you? 2 You covet something but don’t get it – you murder. And you envy, but you cannot have [what you want] - you battle and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 When you ask, you do ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-3