Sermons on Open Up:

The Master's Guide To Your Best Self

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 31, 2021

A unique, positive slant Jesus' challenge to deny self and take up one's cross. Specific stories about what that really means.

THE MASTER’S GUIDE TO YOUR BEST SELF—Mark 8:27-38 What is the one topic everybody in the world is interested in? It is not sports…not politics…not who will be the next Bachelor…not _____ (Pastor: Be creative and specific.) All you have to do to find out what people care most about is go on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

You Are Called As A Servant Not A Master

Contributed by Richard Papafio on Jun 19, 2019

A servant is always ready to serve, even when wages are not coming in, he looks up to his Master, hoping for the best, knowing that many have been paid before him and even after him so he will surely receive his wages so he will always serve

May the peace of the Lord be with you. Topic: *YOU ARE CALLED AS A SERVANT NOT A MASTER* 1 Corinthians 9:15-19 King James Version (KJV) 15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:15-19

Denomination: Charismatic

Growing In Wisdom: Even 12 Year Old Jesus Needed To Learn

Contributed by Jessica Linde on Jan 6, 2025

By looking at the story of 12 year old Jesus wandering away from Mary and Joseph to go to the Jerusalem Temple, this sermon’s ultimate goal is to highlight that Jesus is fully Man as well as fully God, thus He needed to "grow in wisdom" just like the rest of us.

Because today marks the Christian feast of Epiphany—the day in which the Three Kings (the Magi) finally arrived in Bethlehem to adore the newly born Christ Child—this also means that today marks the official end to the liturgical season of Christmas! ?Now for some of us here, this might be a sad ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Go! And… Live In The Power Of "It Is Finished!” - John 19:30 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 29, 2025

It is finished! - the royal declaration of the King of kings, proclaiming that the mission was complete, the debt paid, the way made open for sinners to be reconciled to God.

Go! And… Live in the Power of “It Is Finished!” - John 19:30 John 19:30 – New Living Translation Introduction: The Cry That Changed Everything John 19:30 (NLT): “When Jesus had tasted it, he said, ‘It is finished!’ Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.” Church, imagine for a moment ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30, Luke 24:44-47, Colossians 2:13-14, John 3:16-17, Romans 10:9, Hebrews 12:1-2, Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 22:1-18, Genesis 3:15, Romans 6:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Disturbed Family Series

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Feb 4, 2009

The opening scene of the book is tragic for we find three graves in Moab. Let’s notice the story behind these 3 graves.

Edward Boone said, "The book of Ruth is the history of a Jewish family, who, like the prodigal of Luke fifteen, went into the far country of Moab and there "began to be in want." W.G. Heslop writes, “The book of Ruth consists of less than 100 verses, and yet it would be impossible to exhaust it ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Forgiving Father Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Feb 14, 2006

God never gives up on his children.

THE FORGIVING FATHER A. As much as we like to believe that our Heavenly Father is a God of COMPASSION, MERCY, and GRACE, there are still some Christians who have difficulty accepting God’s complete FORGIVENESS. 1. There are those who look at their lives as being so STAINED with SIN that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:17-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who Do You Say That I Am? Series

Contributed by David Asch on Jan 18, 2005

Today we are going to see how Jesus can open your eyes, and what you will see when he does.

WHO DO YOU SAY I AM? Mark 8:22-9:1 INTRO: The Truman Show features Jim Carrey as a naive insurance salesman whose humdrum existence is, unbeknownst to him, being telecast live around the globe 24 hours a day. The film evolves from an intriguing premise. A corporation, personified by a sovereign ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Giving Thanks In Disappointments

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 3, 2014

Are you facing a situation in which you could be disappointed? Why not set up a celebration to count your blessings no matter what the outcome?

Opening illustration: After receiving his second Academy Award, Denzel Washington said to his family, “I told you, if I lost tonight, I’d come home and we’d celebrate. And if I won tonight, I’d come home and we’d celebrate.” Denzel, a Christian, was trusting God, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Free To Forgive

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 14, 2025

Forgiveness releases your heart from the prison of bitterness and opens the door to God’s healing, mercy, freedom, and restored relationships.

INTRO – THE HARDEST COMMAND AND THE SWEETEST FREEDOM There are certain things Jesus says that sound beautiful when you read them on the page… and then they hit like a hammer when you realize He means them. “Love your enemies.” “Bless those who curse you.” “Pray for those who despitefully use ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:23-32, Matthew 18:21-35, Matthew 6:14-15, Luke 6:36, Colossians 3:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Manipulating God

Contributed by Philip Cunningham Iii on Dec 17, 2007

Opening people’s eyes to the true intentions of their heart in terms of why they profess to worship, encouraging them to surrender completely to God.

Sunday AM – Lynn Haven – 12/09/07 FOCUS: • Manipulating God • Surrendering to God FUNCTION: • To open people’s eyes to the true intentions of their heart in terms of why they worship God A. Pleasantries B. This is a sermon that we all should have heard a dozen times already, and I dare say ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dying To Know

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 8, 2025

Death is not the end; when Christ’s trumpet sounds, God’s love and power will open every grave and restore life.

A passerby, unwilling to let the rhyme have the last word, pulled out a black marker and added: > To follow you, I’m not content, until I know just where you went. That small dialogue between chisel and marker captures the universal question. Everyone who has ever wandered through a graveyard ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7, John 11:11-14, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 20:4-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Book Of Lamentations – Part 23 – Clouded Prayer – Refuse And Rejects – John Newton – Israel’s Enduring Enemy - Chapter 3:44-46 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 8, 2025

Prayer that does not get past the ceiling; Israel will be restored; the remarkable story of John Newton (Amazing Grace); the off-scouring and refuse of the world; enemies’ mouths are against God’s people – Moab and Islam and their hatred – all these are considered here in this study.

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 23 – CLOUDED PRAYER – REFUSE AND REJECTS – JOHN NEWTON – ISRAEL’S ENDURING ENEMY - CHAPTER 3:44-46 In the last four verses we were thinking about the personal aspect of the people in realising what God had done to the nation and why that had to happen. The people ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:44, Isaiah 30:26, Isaiah 61:1, Luke 18:10-12, Luke 18:13, Lamentations 3:45, Jeremiah 30:24, Lamentations 3:46, Obadiah 1:10-11, Obadiah 1:12-14, Psalm 137:7, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Check The Rock!

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 27, 2004

We at Easter need to be COOL by doing the following actions: 1. Check the rock. 2. Observe the empty tomb. 3. Open our spiritual eyes. 4. Look and see Jesus.

Check the Rock! It Rocks! COOL!: Easter Sermon 2004 Thesis: We at Easter need to be COOL by doing the following actions: 1. Check the rock. 2. Observe the empty tomb. 3. Open our spiritual eyes. 4. Look and see Jesus. Scripture Text: Matthew 28:1-20; (Play on CD) Luke 24:1-10; Mark 16:1-8 So ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20, Luke 24:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Hard Heart

Contributed by Julia Cramer on Nov 21, 2021

The story of deliverance from Pharaoh's point of view. The Egyptian perspective opens our eyes to a deeper meaning as to why Ramses II had a hard heart and God had a purpose for every plague.

(Brief Introduction is given by Moses dressed up): We’ve all heard the story of how God delivered His people through my hand, Moses. He used me and my brother Aaron to bring ten plagues upon Egypt. But what would the story sound like from Pharaoh’s point of view? This morning, Pharaoh is here to ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

The Banquet PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 13, 2023

To emphasize that God's invitation to His kingdom is open to everyone, but it is our responsibility to accept it and prepare ourselves appropriately for His divine banquet.

Good morning, family. Today, we're going to dive into Matthew 22:1-14, a passage that talks about a royal banquet, a gathering of sorts, but this isn't just any feast. It’s a feast with an invitation extended by the King Himself. Sadly though, the invitation is often rejected. But here's the twist ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

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