Sermons on Open Opportunities:

The Tragedy Of Unrepentance-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 29, 2011

1 of 4. Cain’s lack of repentance & subsequent grudge, ended in his brother’s murder. Willful unrepentance opens the door to tragedy. But What are its losses? The tragedy of unrepentance is a Lost...

THE TRAGEDY OF UNREPENTANCE—Genesis 4:1-24 Attention: There was a painter named Jack, who was very interested in making a dollar where he could. So he often would thin down his paint to make it go a wee bit further. As it happened, he got away with this for some time. Eventually the Presbyterian ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Samaritans

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jul 22, 2001

When it comes to having people as a part of his kingdom: 1. God breaks all the rules. 2. God wants everyone to know him. 3. God wants us to open our eyes.

Times are changing, and it is rocking our country to the core. Cultural shifts are happening so fast that most of us cannot keep track of them. The country that our grandparents loved and grew up in no longer exists. It used to be that you graduated from high school and worked for one company ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-26

Denomination: Methodist

Why Jesus Wants Us To Be Initiators Instead Of Remaining As Passive Recipients

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The Lord expects us to initiate opportunities with the power of the Spirit to bring others to a saving and growing faith in our Lord Jesus. It is not enough to passively receive what He gives freely. "Freely we have received, therefore, freely give."

Illustration: We love because He first loved us. (I JOhn 4:10) Illustration:John Wesley traveled 250,000 miles on horseback, averaging twenty miles a day for forty years; preached 4,000 sermons; produced 400 books; knew ten languages. At eighty-three he was annoyed that he could not write more ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living Hope Series

Contributed by Mark Elkins on Jan 27, 2011

I am truly discovering that life’s obstacles are truly opportunities for God to show just how awesome He really is. Obstacles give us God stories! Do you need a God story today?

LIVING HOPE 1 Peter 1 My son asked, “If Sea World really loves animals, then why do they keep them captive?” What a deep question. Maybe you can relate. If someone loves you, then why are you still held captive? If people in your world love you when why do they keep you captive? ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is This Man?

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jul 3, 2018

Ministry is filled with interruptions. Unseen & unplanned events occur while we head towards what we think we are suppose to be doing. God presents opportunities to turn these interruptions into displays of His Grace and Love. Yes it is about the journey.

Who is this man? Mark Chapter 5 Team building is a very important element in leadership. The Team needs clear objectives and purpose. In our time that has translated into "Mission Statements". These are often too wordy or broad to capture the essence of just what the goals are. Jesus was the ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Our Part In The Healing Process

Contributed by Bruce Ferris on Jan 14, 2006

Whenever one speaks of healing in Christian circles, it brings to mind a well know passage of Scripture in James chapter five. This passage outlines steps of obedience the Christian is to follow in offering God the opportunity to heal if He chooses. God

Whenever one speaks of healing in Christian circles, it brings to mind a well know passage of Scripture in James chapter five. This passage outlines steps of obedience the Christian is to follow in offering God the opportunity to heal if He chooses. God is The Healer and Scripture is clear on ...read more

Scripture: James 5:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

How Often I Would, But You Would Not

Contributed by John Gaston on May 3, 2023

God uses the metaphor of a hen to describe His love for us. We look at why He wants to gather us, the means He uses to do so, and the dangers of ignoring His call. Missed opportunities become judgments!

HOW OFTEN I WOULD, BUT YOU WOULD NOT Matt. 23:37-38 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Here’s an early Mother’s Day joke. A pastor was talking to a teenage boy; “I want to teach you about a higher power.” 2. The teen answered, “You mean, my Dad?” The pastor laughed, “Haha! No! Much higher than that!” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:37-38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Steps To Receiving God's Guidance

Contributed by Judith Bucklin on Dec 15, 2003

Three things the wise men believed helped them be open to God’s guidance. Those three things are still important to us today in our desire to be guided by God.

Steps to Receiving God’s Guidance Matthew 2:1-12 Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for speaking to us once again this year through the birth stories of Jesus. You encourage and inspire us through the experiences of Mary and Joseph. You stir our hearts once again. Now as we think about the wise men and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Scriptures And The Eucharist

Contributed by William Baeta on Apr 12, 2002

“When He was at the table with them; He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised Him.” Luke 24:30-31

Theme: The Scriptures and the Eucharist Text: Acts 2:14, 22-28; 1 Pet. 1:17-21; Lk. 24:13-35 Whenever we buy something new, we always find a manual with it. The manual is essential especially when we have no idea of how to set up and use the product. The manual explains and teaches us what ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Worthy Is The Lamb!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jun 28, 2002

I think that for a majority of Christians the Book of Revelation is one of the most neglected books in all the Bible. It has a message for Christians today, & yet many never even open it.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH, BROWNSVILLE, TX I am going to read the 5th chapter of Revelation in its entirety. It is short, & yet it is such a majestic chapter that there is no place conveniently to stop. (READ Rev. 5.) A. I think that for the great majority of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"An Early Christmas Present”

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Dec 3, 2001

God has a pile of gifs that He wants you to have. But He doesn’t want to wait for a specific time or day; He wants you to open them now.

Intro: As a little boy when Christmas time would approach one of the most tortuously exciting prospects of Christmas morning was seeing the ever increasing pile of presents under the tree. I never had any trouble understanding the old saying, “slow as Christmas”. Every December just drug by for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"A Dinner Invitation. Are You Coming?"

Contributed by Jerry Depoy on Aug 22, 2005

In this parable, you will find five reasons why people neglect the invitation to come to Christ. At first, we will look at the flimsy excuses given, and then we will lay open their hearts to the truth!

Title "A Dinner Invitation" > >Introduction: Jesus is having supper. Someone says, "Won’t it be wonderful when we are having supper with you when you come into your kingdom." Jesus gives this parable. > >In this parable you will find five reasons why people neglect the invitation to come to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-24

Denomination: Baptist

Shut Your Filthy Mouth Series

Contributed by Brad Froese on Jun 29, 2006

Your mouth has the amazing power to be either full of good, or full of evil. Today, the message for all of us is “Shut your filthy mouth, and open your righteous one!”

Do you notice the difference between the way your breath smells before you go to be and the way it smells when you get up? “Last night my breath smelled pretty righteous!” but in the morning your spouse is saying, “Shut your filthy mouth!” Your mouth has the amazing power to be either full of ...read more

Scripture: James 3:5-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Gospel Of Jesus: When God Shows Thru Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 26, 2006

The beatitudes--The opening lines of ’the greatest sermon ever preached by the greatest preacher Who ever lived!’ Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

When God Shows Thru [The Beatitudes] The Gospel of Jesus Matthew 5:1-5 One Sunday as they drove home from church, a little girl turned to her mother and said, "Mommy, there’s something about the preacher’s message this morning that I don’t understand." The mother said, "Oh? What is it?" The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-5, Matthew 5:2

Denomination: Baptist

In The Beginning ...

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Jan 20, 2007

As described in the opening verses of John’s Gospel, God reveals five aspects of Jesus Christ: 1. Eternal 2. Creator 3. Incarnate 4. Saving 5. Welcoming

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Good Morning. Today is the First Sunday after Christmas. And while the image of the baby Jesus in the manger is still fresh in our minds, John explains to us who Jesus is and why ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican