Sermons on Open Hands:

Role Of The Spirit

Contributed by William Yates on Jul 14, 2004

On His final night with the disciples, Jesus reassured them that the Holy Spirit would come. He defines in John 16:5-14 three roles the Holy Spirit would have.

The Work of the Holy Spirit John 16 5"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ’Where are you going?’ 6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come ...read more

Scripture: John 16:5-14

I Can Change People Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 19, 2004

Third in a series on popular illusions. We think we can change others, but shaming them will not work. Nor will forcing them. Only a spiritual-relationship crisis will do so. Help them see how sin injures Christ and they will change.

There have always been folks who have thought they could change the world, people who were unwilling to leave things as they are, who want to make a difference, who want to get things done. They want to change the world. The trouble is, they usually run up against harsh human reality. Eighty or so ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

And Who Is My Enemy?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 7, 2004

How do I love my enemy?

In a recent column in Leadership Weekly, Gordon MacDonald, a retired pastor and editor at large for Leadership, a journal for pastors, reflected on a comment from Louis Berkhof who said, "God does not want us as objects but as covenant partners, partners who can converse. He desires our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-47

Denomination: Church Of God

The Elijah Church - The Last Day Church

Contributed by Mike Hullah on Feb 9, 2004

A comparison of Elijah and John the Baptist with the emerging Church of the last day. First in a series for those of a prophetic persuasion.

THE ELIJAH CHURCH IS A LAST DAY CHURCH We are commencing a study on the Prophet Elijah as a type of the Last Day Church. The prophet Malachi likens Elijah as one who will come before the Day of the Lord. Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of The Seed

Contributed by David Insell on Feb 17, 2004

This is an article I wrote for a newsletter that goes into prisions in the United states.

In this edition we are going to look at the power of the seed. I am going to explore the potential of the seed. I want you to look with me at Isaiah 55:11. We could call this ‘The Power of the Word.’ But we are going to call it ‘The Power of the Seed.’ When we look at Mark 4 it talks about the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What On Earth Am I Here For? Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 22, 2004

1. Why am I alive? -- To be loved by God. 2. Does my life matter? -- I was made to last forever. 3. What is my purpose? -- To get to know God.

(Note: The outline and some of the content of this sermon are from Rick Warren’s Forty Days of Purpose material.) In the scripture we have read today, Paul is speaking to a group of Greek philosophers. Now these men were not atheists or agnostics. Neither were they anti-religious. In ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-24

Denomination: Methodist

God's Promised Paradox Series

Contributed by David Haun on Feb 29, 2004

A stewardship sermon for pledge Sunday for for teaching as to how stewardship applies to our life.

GOD’S PROMISED PARADOX Luke 6:38 Dr. David L. Haun Hope Christian Church, Tamarac, Florida February 29, 2004 There are two language concepts that are confusing to some: the Paradox and the Oxymoron. Oxymoron’s are the joining together of what appears to be opposite and absurd concepts. There ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38, 1 Corinthians 16:2-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stick To One Model

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 1, 2004

A sermon on sexual immorality from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Sermon for 2/29/2004 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Introduction: More and more people seem to forget Henry Ford’s sage advice when asked about his rule for marital bliss and longevity on his 50th wedding anniversary. He replied, “Just the same as in the automobile business, stick to one model.” Stick to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, Hebrews 13:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Venus And Mars In The Beginning Series

Contributed by Keith Manry on Mar 2, 2004

Part 1 in a series entitled "Love Sex and Lasting Relationships". Part 2 - "What Women Wish Men Knew About Women"

There are few subjects in life that ignite as much passion and longing within us as our desire for love, our interest in sex, and our hope for lasting relationships. No matter who we are, what background we come from, how intelligent we are, or how old we are, we all long to be loved. Every one of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18

Denomination: Methodist

Don't Make Belshazzar's Mistake Series

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

A look at Daniel 5 where we learn to avoid the mistake of Belshazzar and repent while we have the chance.

Situation in Babylon The situation in Babylon has changed since the last chapter and the last of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar has died and there have been several coups as various different people have seized the throne only to be overthrown. The latest occupant on the throne, Nabodinius has kept the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-31

Denomination: Holiness

These Are The Days Of Elijah Part 1 Series

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

Number one in a series looking at the imagery in the modern Hymn These are the days of Elijah, looking at Elijah and being faithful to the word of God.

Introduction These are the days of Elijah. It’s a popular modern hymn. Sorry, but I refuse to call a song a chorus when it has two verses and a chorus just because it was written later than the 18th century. But anyway its quite a popular modern hymn. However, as with so many of our hymns and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-7, 1 Kings 18:1-46

Denomination: Holiness

These Are The Days Of Elijah Part 6: The Rest Series

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

Number 6 in a series looking at the imagery in the modern Hymn These are the days of Elijah, looking at all the bits of the song that I couldn’t pad out to a full sermon.

Introduction Over the past month we have been looking at the Biblical imagery in the song, These are the Days of Elijah and seeing what lessons of revival or renewal we can learn from it. Tonight we finish the series. While there may be one or two lines that I could force a whole sermon out of, as ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Hebrews 10:32-39

Denomination: Holiness

"The Ministry Of Availability"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Nov 2, 2004

God will use what we make available to Him. In the passage in Luke 5:1-11, we see that, even with a smelly, old fishing boat and a broken net, Jesus used what Peter made available for Him to use.

“The Ministry Of Availability” INTRODUCTION: God has a ministry for every one of His children … NOT JUST the Pastor. EVERY Christian has a ministry … every one of YOU! Not all will be great soul-winners … BUT … we all have a part in leading others to Christ. We are ALL a link in the chain … ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

How To Have A Fresh Start

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Nov 10, 2004

How do you start over in a dead-end life?

In the old movie, City Slickers, there is a scene in which three friends are together, and one of them is telling the others about how he has messed up his entire life. He’s lost his wife. He’s lost his child. He’s lost his job. He’s lost his self respect. He’s lost everything. He is ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:10-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Getting To Know God – Jehovah Shalom – The Lord Is Peace Series

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 14, 2004

A Study of the names of God - Jehovah Shalom – The Lord is Peace.

Getting to Know God – Jehovah Shalom – The Lord is Peace I want to take a survey this evening. I have several pictures here. I want to find out which of these you most relate to when I mention the word peace - P-E-A-C-E. I’ve got a picture of • a guy asleep on a couch • a soldier waving the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-2

Denomination: Baptist