Sermons on Open Hands:

Slaves Submit

Contributed by Peter Baumgartle on Feb 13, 2024

1 PETER 2:18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

1 PETER 2:18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. WHAT??? Does the Bible justify slavery??? In 2019, The 1619 Project was published. The 1619 Project, by former New York Times writer ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Parable Of The Mustard Seed Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Mar 5, 2024

What did Jesus mean by this parable and how can I grow in the Kingdom through His words

Dr. Bradford Reaves CrossWay Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD www.mycrossway.org There is an ongoing trend in the Church today that I am constantly aware of and continually speak out against, and this is the apostate church. This is not about personal preference or stylistic differences that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:18-20

Denomination: Brethren

All For One Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 28, 2022

Jesus gave all he was, all he had, for each one of us.

Anybody here remember Alice Cooper? No, she didn’t used to attend this church. As a matter of fact, she isn’t even a she. Alice Cooper is a man. He’s a rock star from the early seventies, the first "shock rock" act. I suppose you could call him an early Marilyn Manson. He used to parade ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Stay In Hope In A Dark World

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Nov 28, 2022

One could say we all have a hope meter inside each of us, the amount of hope we have in any given moment. Maybe my hope meter is at 100% full up, I’m centered on hope, this is where jesus wants me to be, in my mind and heart.

Showing up at the first pastor’s job 3 years ago was pretty scary stuff. It was me, a cook, a caseworker, and a driver. That was it. New officer, scared, unprepared, hoping that somehow, he can make a difference in this crazy world. Not knowing a single person in the city, driving in late at night. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-2, Romans 15:8-13, Romans 8:22-30

Denomination: Salvation Army

Living In Peace Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Dec 2, 2022

An advent series inviting the people to live in God's peace.

God’s Peace December 4, 2022 We’re in one of the most drama filled months of the year. As we prepare for Christmas, planning menus, shopping, parties and family gatherings. And when we get together with family, that can lead to some interesting, some funny and some not so fun moments. I’m ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Fourth Sunday In Advent: Love Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 23, 2022

We sometimes hear a lot about love during Advent and the Christmas season. May we never forget the incredible love God has for us. John 3 isn't usually a Christmas text but what Jesus said there is good for Christmas, too.

(Based on and edited from a message preached at First Baptist Church, Chamois, MO on 12-18-22. This is not an exact transcription.) Introduction: There is no greater expression of love, anywhere, when we think about how Jesus left Heaven to come to this earth, to be born like us, live with us, die ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

You Have Found Favor With God Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

Continuing Christmas series. Looks at Mary as a proper response to what would ordinarily terrify us.

Mary didn’t just suddenly appear on the earth. She was born, just like any other baby girl. She wasn’t from a thriving center of commerce and wealth. She was from a little town in the region of Galilee - a town where someone asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” We know something ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Growth & Flourishing Of The Christian Mind

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 2, 2021

God works in mysterious ways, as they say. And how truly mysterious it is and difficult to comprehend. Just when you think you've discovered a way in which God operates, he surprises you with another.

God works in mysterious ways, as they say. And how truly mysterious it is and difficult to comprehend. Just when you think you've discovered a way in which God operates, he surprises you with another. At times he seems distant. At times it seems hopeless. At other times he is close. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:33, Isaiah 40:31

Denomination: Salvation Army

A New Song Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

God is infinite, and therefore, only infinite creativity is worthy of Him, and adequate to glorify His name. It is also essential to keep joy alive in the worshipper. Variety is the spice of life, and a new song is like a tonic that lifts and enables us to feel afresh the love that is always there.

It is easy for us to do what the psalmist urges us to do, "Sing to the Lord a new song." The number of new songs to sing today is enormous. Back in 1891 Dr. Julian in his famous Dictionary of Hymnology examined four hundred thousand hymns, and he did not cover them all. There are, ...read more

Growth Is Success Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 6, 2021

Paul is not scolding the Corinthian Christians because they are immature babes in Christ. That would be as foolish as scolding a baby for not being a man. It is not only legitimate, it is absolutely essential that churches have immature babes.

Conrad Hilton, president of the world's leading hotel organization, has all his life prayed for God's guidance to help him grow. Mr. Hilton is a professing Christian who, like many other successful Christians in the world of business, feels that we should never be content with what is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

A Full Time Father Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

Any father who fails to live his faith just as well save his breath. Children imitate what is, and not what ought to be. Children of bad fathers can still find good examples of faith to follow, but every father should want to be that ideal for his own children.

A Berlin policeman was crossing the street when a robber raced by him with an angry store manager in hot pursuit. To the surprise of hundreds of on lookers the policeman didn't make a move. The robber got away and the police department was flooded with calls from indignant citizens. When the ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-5

Under The Shadow Of His Wings (Part 2)

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 16, 2021

This message was written in June 2020 to address the Corona Virus pandemic. This passage from Psalm speaks of how God will send His angels to deliver us from evil and from the pestilence.

Last week, I introduced Part 1 of our message by saying that we have endured some crazy events in America during the first six months of 2020, with the impeachment trial; the Corona Virus pandemic; and then racial and civil unrest, accompanied with looting, rioting and terrible violence. And I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:9-16

Denomination: Baptist

Tag School Yard Games #2 Series

Contributed by Mitchell Leonard on Apr 23, 2021

As Jesus called the disciples, He calls you and I today. Tag, you're it.

3/21/21 A.M. “Tag” Matthew 4:13-22 School Games #2 A couple of weeks ago I preached an IMPORTANT MESSAGE on, “RED ROVER, RED ROVER let Mitch come on over.” If you missed it, you’ll be OK. This morning I want to go back to the SCHOOL YARD. I guess I’ve been REMINISCING too much lately. But I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:13-22

Denomination: Baptist

Screen Life: An Ancient Wall & A Call To Arms

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 28, 2021

The lights shine brightly. I can hardly see in fact. The window is in front of me, pouring light. But I can't see. My mind is infatuated, obsessed. A kind of dementia overcomes me. I can't help but look.

The lights shine brightly. I can hardly see in fact. The window is in front of me, pouring light. But I can't see. My mind is infatuated, obsessed. A kind of dementia overcomes me. I can't help but look. I try to look away, but it recaptures my attention. I know there is a real world out ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:3, Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Salvation Army

You Gotta Serve Somebody

Contributed by Christopher Arch on May 1, 2021

This is from a series I preached on Romans.

Title: “You Gotta Serve Somebody” Scripture: Rom. 6:15-23 Type: Series/Expository Where: GNBC 5-2-21 Intro: Bob Dylan wrote a song in 1979 that would appear on the “Slow Train A Coming” album. The song is aptly appropriate for the section of Romans we are examining today: “You Gotta Serve ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:15-23, Romans 6:1-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible