Sermons on Open Hands:

Now Matter Who Wins, You Will Lose

Contributed by Joel Smith on Oct 30, 2008

This sermon is a relentless drum beat of negativity concerning America’s political predicament with a brief flicker of hope at the end. Theme: Demigods disappoint and enslave.

In the early days of our Republic pastors would set aside the Sunday before election day to preach a sermon about the coming vote. In those days they would name names and tell the congregation who to vote for. Now, thanks to a 1954 law, churches can no longer speak out in the same way. If they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Meaning Of Life...and Death Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Oct 30, 2008

To live is Christ; to die is gain. This is the great creed of the Christian who wants to live a joyful life whether in this life or the next.

THE MEANING OF LIFE…AND DEATH I emailed a friend recently who is an adventurer. I told him that I look back on his exploits with awe and sometimes I live vicariously through his ventures. He emailed back and said, “Don’t live through me… early in July I started tearing my dad’s old barn down (to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-26

Denomination: Mennonite

Take A Stand For Jesus Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Nov 4, 2008

In a world that is hostile to the message of Jesus, do we dare to stand for him whatever the cost?

TAKE A STAND FOR JESUS Taking a stand on any issue requires conviction. You have to believe that what you are standing firm on is somehow the most righteous position you can think of. Without this conviction you will be swayed by persuasive argument to give up your position, or at least to see ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30, Philippians 1:28

Denomination: Mennonite

True Values: Love Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Nov 7, 2008

Love is the distinguishing characteristic of all true believers.

True Values: Love Text: 1 Jn. 3:11-18 Introduction 1. Illustration: On December 2001, the “Leaning Tower of Pisa” was finally reopened to the public, after having been closed for almost a dozen years. During that time, engineers completed a 25 million dollar renovation project designed to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18

Denomination: Methodist

Love God Or Enjoy Life...is This Our Choice? Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Nov 10, 2008

sermon 4 in first John series

Love God or Enjoy Life – Is this our choice? Turn with me this morning to 1 John 2:15-17. Slide Last week we finished reading about the encouragement that John was giving to different maturity segments of the church. He knew that life is difficult sometimes and wanted to point out a few things to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting Out Of Our Comfort Zone Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Dec 9, 2008

Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit and being willing to get out of our comfort zone.

A lot had happened to the church since where we left off in chapter four. Persecution of Christians broke out in Jerusalem (primarily at the hands of Saul), the Christians have become targets, so all but the Apostles flee Jerusalem. Doesn’t sound like a very good situation, people forced to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Methodist

Tis The Season To Get It Right

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 15, 2008

1- tis the season to get it right about righteousness 2- tis the season to get it right about getting right 3- tis the season to get it right about death

INTRO.- ILL.- One man said: Last year when I called my parents to wish them a happy New Year, my dad answered the phone. "Well, Dad, what’s your New Year’s resolution?" I asked him. "To make your mother as happy as I can all year," he answered proudly. Then mom got on, and I said, "What’s your ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14, Deuteronomy 6:10-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Others Hurt You

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Dec 15, 2008

All our lives we have heard that two things are certain - death and taxes. But another thing needs to be added to that list of sure things - hurts. It is inevitable that as we go through life people will hurt us.

WHEN OTHERS HURT YOU 2 TIMOTHY 4:14-15 All our lives we have heard that two things are certain - death and taxes. But another thing needs to be added to that list of sure things - hurts. It is inevitable that as we go through life people will hurt us. Sometimes they hurt us by ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:14-15

Wonderful Words Of Life

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 17, 2008

Knowledge of the Bible is essential for us to life fruitfully, and it is critical to pass on that knowledge to our children, for whom it can be made exciting.

I’m glad they’ve brought "All in the Family" back on TV. I never did see what the fuss was, frankly, when it came out the first time. And now it still seems fresh and insightful and funny. To me, the best pieces of business in "All in the Family" are those scenes in which Edith starts out to ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:44-47

Denomination: Baptist

The Name "Jesus"

Contributed by David Scudder on Dec 23, 2008

“Truly, no name can banish fear like the name of Jesus: it is the beginning of hope and the end of despair.” Spurgeon

The Name “Jesus” Matthew 1:21 Purpose: To display Christ’s role as savior. Aim: I want the listener to glory in who Jesus is and worship Him passionately. INTRODUCTION: "There are two hundred and fifty-six names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I suppose this was because He was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Don't Let Me Fail Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 25, 2008

God is in control, therefore we can pray for Him to not lead us into temptation and deliver us from evil.

Tonight we come to the end of our study in the Lord’s Prayer. And we end right back where we started. We end with recognizing God for who He is. We end with praising Him for His kingdom. For His power. And for His glory. But before Jesus takes us there, He takes us to a much more difficult ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13

Denomination: Baptist

The Test Of Fellowship Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Nov 26, 2008

The Bible does plainly teach that it is possible to know for sure you are a Christian, but that assurance is to be built on facts. This introduces a series of three tests by which anyone can know beyond a shadow of a doubt whether or not they are a child

A Study of the Book of 1st John “Back To the Basics” Sermon # 4 “The Test of Fellowship” 1 John 2:3-11 John states the purpose of writing his letter in 1 John ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven's Benefit Package

Contributed by Bishop Talbert Swan on Mar 28, 2010

Living for God provides us with the best benefits in the world.

Heaven’s Benefit Package Pastor Talbert W. Swan, II Psalms 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: A lot of people work a job only because they need the benefits. One of the hallmarks of the recent campaign for president was the cost of health insurance, which has ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:2

Denomination: *other

Escaping Temptation

Contributed by Ivan Casteel on Oct 11, 2009

Explaining why temptation comes and how to cope with it.

PP2010-30 DATE ESCAPING TEMPTATION! 1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; . (KJV) Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Denomination: Baptist

Maundy Thursday Communion Message: Sitting With The Enemy Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 30, 2010

There is an important lesson we need to learn. You can’t sit with the enemy, and warm yourself by the enemies fire, and not be burned !

MAUNDY THURSDAY Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper. The word “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in Maundy Thursday refers to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:14-62

Denomination: Pentecostal