Sermons on Open Hands:

The Little Drummer Boy

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Nov 14, 2006

The tithe is a hot ticket item in today’s churches – particularly in those churches that preach a connection between wealth and God’s blessing. The tithe, in their view, is the investment strategy of heaven. Is this an accurate portrayal of the tithe?

The Little Drummer Boy Leviticus 27:20-32 Cascades Fellowship CRC, JX MI September 21, 2003 We see their smiling faces on the television. Silky smooth voice, great digs, hair just so, offering the promise of health and wealth. The key? The tithe. Offer your tithe unto the Lord – that is, to ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 27:20-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Frienship With The World Series

Contributed by David Moore on Jan 11, 2007

A look at the unhealthy relationship between Judah and his friend Hirah.

The Unequal Yoke Friendship With The World Aim: To show how our relationships with the unsaved must be tempered by our understanding of biblical Salvation. Text: 2 Corinthians 6:14 & 1 Corinthians 15:33 Introduction: Last Sunday morning we began a new series on the unequal yoke. We looked at ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 38:14-30

Denomination: Baptist

Trusting Faith Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Jan 17, 2007

A series in James about possessing a foolproof faith. This message focuses on faith that trusts God in all situations.

Foolproof November 19, 2006 Trusting Faith – James 1:5-12 Review: Last week we started into a series on James entitled – Foolproof. I asked if anyone here had perfected the Christian life – and much to my surprise no one claimed to be perfect. Imagine That! Note: James, the brother of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Mark Of Contentment Series

Contributed by Todd Stiles on Feb 1, 2007

What do we do when life treats us unfairly? This look at the trial of Jesus shows us trust life’s inequities to God’s sovereignty.

“The Mark of Contentment” Luke 23:1-25 Think with me for a moment about your greatest injustice. When did everything that was right seem to be turned upside down? What happened that made you really question the fairness of life, others, America…even God? I’m sure many of you have stories ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

3 Million Steps Forward, 2 Steps Back Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Feb 5, 2007

Second in a six-part series on the life of faith as seen in the person of Abraham

When we left him last week, he had stepped out in great faith and was on the move, going at the behest of God to a place known only to God. He had marched what must have seemed like 3 million steps. What courageous faith! What derring-do! He built two separate altars, one at Shechem and one at ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Don't Allow People Rob Your Joy Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Feb 13, 2007

Philippians is commonly called the "Book of Joy". But Paul presents several thieves that try to rob us of our joy. The second thief: "Difficult People."

DO NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO ROB YOUR JOY ILLUSTRATION: A PREACHER told about his nine-year-old daughter who one day JUMPED off the SCHOOL BUS as it stopped in front of her house and SLAMMED her way through the front door. She MARCHED up the stairs into her ROOM and again SLAMMED the DOOR. All the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

3 Reminders About Judgment Day

Contributed by T. Michael Crews on Feb 19, 2007

Exposition of Malachi 4

People can be very forgetful about important things. The great British preacher Charles Spurgeon once wrote: A man goes into an inn, and as soon as he sits down he begins to order…his dinner, his bed…He stays at the inn for some time. By and by, the bill comes due, and it takes him by surprise. ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Jesus' Church

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Feb 19, 2007

Message regarding Jesus’ building of His Church and how it will prevail.

The Power of Jesus’ Church Matthew 16:13-20 February 18, 2007 When I was a guy about Lance’s age (10 years old, I was in Little League baseball in Eagle Butte. I’d love to tell you that I was the best player on the team, and that my hitting and fielding were just awesome. But the fact of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Is God Unfair? Series

Contributed by Greg Hanson on Feb 19, 2007

How do you respond to the unfairness of life? This message looks at seven possible responses. Part 1 of a series inspired by Philip Yancey’s book "Disappointment with God."

Innocent children are dying of starvation in Third World countries. Four Canadian soldiers died when a bomb was dropped on them from the sky during a training exercise. Missionary Martin Burnham was held captive by terrorists for 376 days until he was killed in a rescue attempt. Two weeks ago, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:59-60

Denomination: Wesleyan

Jesus The True Vine

Contributed by Ray Searan on Feb 21, 2007

In this chapter, Jesus is pictured for us as the True Vine. I can imagine Jesus and these men going through the darkened streets of the city and then passing beyond the walls into the surrounding countryside. During this time of year, mid April, the grape

Text: John 15:1-11 (NASB) Introduction: The last verse in chapter 14 tells us that Jesus and the Disciples are about to leave the upper room. They are headed to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus will pray His great High Priestly prayer and will later be arrested by the mob led by Judas. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Ye Did Run Well!

Contributed by Ivan Casteel on Feb 26, 2007

INSTRUCTING THE DAILY LIFE OF BELIEVERS.

PP0614 DATE YE DID RUN WELL! Gal 5:7. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (KJV) INTRODUCTION: Much of the first five chapters of this epistle is Paul instructing the Galatians to not turn back toward the law. Some of the traditional Jews had influenced them to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:7

Denomination: Baptist

A Voice Of Hope Series

Contributed by Josh Reich on Mar 10, 2007

What is the hope that lies within all Christians, the hope people are looking for? Grace. This message looks at how to live out grace and create a grace filled culture.

Today is the last week of our series an elemental church. Hopefully, you are starting to see more of what God is calling us to and what he wants to do among us and through us as we move forward as a church. The past two weeks, we have been using 1 Corinthians 13:13 as our launching point. This ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's The Point?

Contributed by Jason Cole on Mar 12, 2007

Do you ever get tired or discouraged? Do you ever wonder what’s the point? Do you ever get tired of people rejecting your message? They aren’t rejecting you they are rejecting God. This message answers three common statements of discouragment and enco

“What’s The Point?” Introduction: Do you ever get discouraged? Do you ever feel that you are the only faithful servant of God left? Do you ever feel that you are not being effective what you are doing for the Lord? Do ever feel like the church is in a stand still? I do sometimes. Sometimes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58, 1 Corinthians 8:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Of What Kind Of Spirit Are You?

Contributed by Ray Mckendry on Mar 12, 2007

The effective work of the Holy Spirit in the believer according to Jesus’ words in John 15:26-27, & 16:4b-15

John 15:26-27, & 16:4b-15 WHEN THE HELPER COMES… 15:26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.” 16:1 "These ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Wolves In Sheep's Clothing Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 27, 2007

John gave his readers to tests to determine the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. Every generation needs to continue to test the spirits to see if they are from God.

Introduction: A. How many of you enjoy ANAGRAMS? 1. What is an anagram? It is “a word or phrase formed by reordering the letters of another word or phrase.” 2. Here are a few that I thought you might enjoy. 3. DORMITORY = Dirty Room 4. THE MORSE CODE = Here Come Dots 5. SLOT MACHINES = Cash Lost ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ