Sermons on Open Minded:

Lydia's Conversion Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Aug 5, 2019

To establish that Lydia’s obedience to the gospel followed the same “pattern of conversion” outlined in the Book of Acts. She attended to the words spoken by Paul and Silas, believed in the Lord, and was baptized with her entire household.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Lydia’s Hearkening unto Paul 2. Lydia’s Faithfulness to the Lord 3. Lydia’s Baptism into Christ Introductory Remarks. 1. Our lesson today will discuss the theme: “Lydia’s Conversion.” What will be abundantly clear is that her “obedience to the gospel;” followed the same ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:13-15, Acts 8:12, Acts 18:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas - Part 2

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Oct 9, 2020

We have learned that Paul is showing through the practice of his day regarding a child who is heir to the family’s fortune that Jews and Gentiles were in their “spiritual childhood” before Christ...

(Gal 4:1 NKJV) Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, (Gal 4:2 NKJV) but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. (Gal 4:3 NKJV) Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus And The Agnostics - Mark 11:27-33 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 11, 2024

Jesus has awesome authority, and it’s beautiful to us because it protects us from ourselves and others, it grants us all the freedoms we enjoy, and it authorizes us to act on his behalf without fear.

Mark 11:27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?" 29 Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:27-33, Matthew 21:23-27, Luke 20:1-8

If You Believe, You Will See God's Glory (John 11:1-54) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 21, 2022

And if Jesus can raise Lazarus from the dead, anything is possible.

Today, we are going to read through a great story. For the most part today, I'm going to keep my hands off of it, and just let it speak for itself. [It's also a big story, and I have to fly higher to grab it in one week]. John 11:1: (1) Now, there was a certain sick one, Lazarus from ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-54

The Gospel Of John: An Introduction Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 31, 2021

Arguably with no other book, is there a larger disconnect between academic, scholarly understanding, and the way the church reads it. The intro is designed to bridge part of that gap, and explain my own approach to John.

First of all, a note on my approach: This series uses a literary/narrative approach to John, along the lines proposed by scholars like Adele Berlin, Frank Kermode, Robert Alter, or Charles Talbert, to name just a few. I assume that the author/narrator of John-- who I call "AJ"-- had ...read more

Scripture: John 9:22, John 12:42-43, John 16:1, John 2:23, John 6:66  (view more)  (view less)

Jude Addresses Christians With Practical Advice For Living In The World – Jude 1:17-23 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 24, 2022

We must know the true, so we can expose the false. We must know the false, so we can uphold the good. Jude encourages his readers to build themselves up in their faith followed by several commands for Christian living so they keep themselves unpolluted by the world.

JUDE ADDRESSES CHRISTIANS WITH PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR LIVING IN THE WORLD – Jude 1:17-23 Jude 1 v 17 “but you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, Jude 1:18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there shall be mockers, ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:17-23, Matthew 20:19, Matthew 27:29, 2 Peter 3:2-4, Titus 3:10-11, 1 John 2:15-17, Romans 8:8-9, Romans 8:26-27, Revelation 2:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Consider The Claims Of Christ"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Aug 27, 2010

Consider carefully the things Jesus said about Himself

(Various texts) Over the years I have heard many opinions about Jesus expressed by people who, at least in my presence and to my knowledge, have demonstrated no desire to put forth any effort to find out what is said or known – or can be known – about Him in any context outside of that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:38-43

Denomination: Orthodox

The Wrong Way To Be Right - Philippians 3:1-10 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 27, 2022

The question of how to be a good person is one of the (few) essentials of Christianity. It begins with rejoicing.

Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, watch out for those men who do evil, watch out for the mutilation. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-10

The Bible Is The Word Of God

Contributed by Kyle Gray on Mar 5, 2012

Dispelling the myths about the Bible, and its origins

The Bible Is The Word of God 2/12/2011 Over the centuries Christians have been screaming just give us a reason to prove that the Bible is wrong. Give a reason to prove that it’s not the inspired word of God. Give us a reason to believe that its contradictions an errors and ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Christianity Homophobic? Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 29, 2023

Is Christianity Homophobic? Series: The Deconstruction Zone: Navigating Doubts and Difficulties Brad Bailey – July 23, 2023

Is Christianity Homophobic? Series: The Deconstruction Zone: Navigating Doubts and Difficulties Brad Bailey – July 23, 2023 Note: The notes here are more extensive than what was actually shared due to time requiring moving more briefly and quickly through parts. All the main points were shared and ...read more

Scripture: John 8:2-11, Mark 2:15-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus, Filling Up Israel's Gaps (Isaiah 7) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 9, 2024

Builds off Brandon D. Crowe's article "Fulfillment in Matthew as Eschatological Reversal." Broadening people's perspectives on how the NT "fulfills" the OT.

Today marks an expected rabbit trail off our rabbit trail. I'm going to try to introduce you to one of the most complicated subjects in all of biblical study-- the way the NT uses the OT. And then next week, we will inch our way back closer to the rabbit trail I'd planned on taking. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-17, Isaiah 8:5-10, Matthew 1:18-23, Matthew 5:17-18, Matthew 2:13-15, Hosea 11:1-7, Matthew 23:23-39  (view more)  (view less)

How To Experience Joy In The Midst Of Trials (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Tony Miano on Dec 8, 2000

Today we’re going to look at how our knowledge of the Truth and the maturity of our faith can determine the level of joy we can experience, even when life seems to be hitting us over the head with a hammer.

How To Experience Joy During Trials (Part 2) James 1:3-4 Preached by Pastor Tony Miano Pico Canyon Community Church November 12, 2000 A Little Levity: With the dust settling from our recent elections, I had an opportunity to review some sound bites that were overlooked by mainstream media. One ...read more

Scripture: James 1:3-4

Denomination: *other

Greater Works (John 14:12-14) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 19, 2022

How can we have a lifestyle, of greater works than Jesus?

This morning is going to feel a little different. There's been a few things in the back of my mind I've wanted to try to teach for a while-- and wrestle with myself-- and I just haven't taken the time. Today, I'm going to try to work through these things. The other thing ...read more

Scripture: John 14:12-14

Jesus Is Greater Than Moses, Part 2 (John 6:22-51) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 28, 2022

Eat Jesus' bread-- the bread still available-- and you will live forever.

Chapter 6 is really one long story, and we are supposed to read it all at once (5:1, 6:1, 7:1 all begin with "After these things," marking new sections). But it's 71 verses, and I can't hold that much together at once. I tried, and I started to lose my mind a little. Today, ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-51, Deuteronomy 18:18

Christians And Wisdom Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 10, 2018

There were among the Gentiles wise philosophers who considered the Gospel foolishness; and although the apostle, with tongue in cheek, had called the Gospel ministry the foolishness of preaching, and the foolishness of God, and even though he had . . .

September 1, 2012 Lessons on First Corinthians By: Tom Lowe Lesson 2.5: Christians and Wisdom Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2.6-2.16 1 Cor 2.6-16 (KJV) 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Denomination: Baptist