Sermons on Open Up:

You Can't Walk With Jesus With Eyes Wide Shut Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 13, 2015

To walk with Jesus is to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow him.

Title: You Can’t Walk with Jesus with Eyes Wide Shut Text: Mark 8:31-38 Thesis: To walk with Jesus is to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow him. Overview Riding on a wave of impressive demonstrations of power Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" Then he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

12 Year Old Faith

Contributed by Joel W. Lohr on Oct 23, 2001

Encouraging folks to grow up into Christ and not be content to settle for an "adolescent" faith.

12 Year Old Faith Ephesians 4:1-16 I learned something recently that I had never thought of before... I guess it was new information to me because one of three things is true... Either kids have changed since I was was in Jr. High, or I have gotten so far along at ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Test Of Faith

Contributed by Derek Melanson on May 24, 2006

Just as God tested Abraham by calling him to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice, God also calls us to give up, to sacrifice, to trust even when tested.

“A Test of Faith” Genesis 22: 1 –19; Hebrews 11: 8 – 12, 17 – 20 Introduction: Testing 1, 2, 3 Tell the story of the student who took an hour extra to complete an exam and the professor who waited for him only to tell him that he was going to fail because he took the extra time. Does anyone here ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Biggest Loser

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 15, 2006

The path in the Christian life to gain is loss. Up is down, and down is up. To know Christ we must look at other things in our life as rubbish, dung, loss.

Intro: The Biggest loser is one of the hottest new reality shows. This is what TV.com had to say about the show, “this compelling new weight-loss reality drama in which two celebrity fitness trainers join with top health experts to help overweight contestants transform their bodies, health and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

Read 'em And Weep

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Sep 23, 2008

This week we will address the emotional area of the 7 areas of our lives that we give up (7UP) to God’s control to be a holistic community that follows Jesus.

7UP: Read ‘Em and Weep John 11:33-35 September 21, 2008 This week we are going to address the emotional area of our lives that we need to give over to God. Of the seven areas that we are to give up to God (7UP to God), these is probably one of the most desperately needed areas for people. It is ...read more

Scripture: John 11:33-35

Denomination: Church Of God

The Notables Of The Early Church Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 14, 2008

he Church is made up of God’s people. This was true from the beginning and is true today. But who were those people who made up the earliest church?

The Notables of the Early Church (Acts 1:12-14) 1. Following Jesus Christ has never meant deserting the human race and living in seclusion -- or putting on an image of otherly-worldness -- if there is such a word. True, some Christians have chosen to live this way, like the Amish. But most have ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:12-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do We Really Love Jesus?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 13, 2013

Sometimes we get a wake-up call, like Peter did. Our culture is assailing Christianity. Will we wake up and take action--prayer, fasting and giving?

Third Sunday of Easter 2013 “Do You Love Me?” There’s an old story about a farmer who had a mule to sell. When the buyer came around to see the mule, he tried several times to get the mule to pull his wagon. The mule would not move. The seller was walking off with his money ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:27-41

Denomination: Catholic

"Keep On Keepin On My Fellow Warriors" Series

Contributed by Brad Henry on Jul 23, 2014

This lesson relates the Ironman race to the Race of Life. Never give up , never give up and the glory revealed to you in the end will far surpass any trials now.

The Ultimate Decision July 23, 2014 It is hard to believe that 9 years ago this weekend I did the Ironman in Lake Placid, NY. The distance for the race is a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike and then a marathon 26.2 miles. The total comes out to 140.6 miles. Ever since my bike accident and all my ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

It's Payday

Contributed by Robert Parker on Mar 30, 2007

God said I will raise up the Tabernacle of David which has fallen down. God promises to raise us up as well through the power of the Word of God

13 Amos (9:11) On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins and Rebuild it as in the days of old; (9:12) That they may possess the remnant of Edom, And all the Gentiles who are called by my name, Says the Lord who ...read more

Scripture: Amos 9:11-13

Denomination: Christian Church

The Truth About Judging Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 31, 2023

we are going to examine the text in the context of Jesus’ sermon and then apply it to our lives today. It is not up to the text to agree with you, but rather it is up to you to come to agreement with the text.

Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD www.mycrossway.org If there is one verse in the Bible that everyone will know, regardless of their faith, it is Matthew 7:1: “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.” So, it is common that most people will take one of two ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Brethren

How To Be A Successful Nobody Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 6, 2021

Jesus did not expect the lad to feed the five thousand. All He needed was for the boy to give what he had. It is up to us to do our best, and up to Christ to do the rest.

Years ago a very famous organist was giving a recital on a new organ. The wind was pumped by a small boy behind a screen. The boy pumped his heart out at this recital, and he was glad for the intermission half way through the program. Out in the vestry of the church the boy looked up at the great ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-13

Can You Live However You Want, And Still End Up With Jesus? (Revelation 14:6-20) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 13, 2023

Ch. 14 gives three pictures, rooted in OT thought, of what God's wrath is like. All are (arguably) symbolic, but all are something to be avoided. An encouragement to be faithful, and endure suffering.

Can you live however you want, once saved? (Revelation 14:1-20) One of the main themes in the book of Revelation that we've seen, especially in the last few weeks, is that the church will suffer on earth. Revelation has described this suffering using a number of different images, and symbols. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 14:1-20, Jeremiah 51:6-10, Genesis 19:24-29, Isaiah 63:1-6

Vision Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Mar 16, 2022

Vision Series: Rising Up January 9, 2022 – Brad Bailey

Vision Series: Rising Up January 9, 2022 – Brad Bailey Intro Last week we were away in San Diego... following our youngest son’s basketball tournament... and joined Sunday by way of livestream. So this morning I want to express my personal new year’s cheer. Goes without saying.... few of us were ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Of Streams And Pathways Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 15, 2007

A call to unity amidst the great diversity that makes up our churches.

Of Streams And Pathways Series: How Broad Is The Kingdom Of God Jan 15, 2006 Intro: Last Sunday I introduced you to nine different “Sacred Pathways” – nine different ways that different people worship, experience, and respond to God. We linked them to nine different examples from Scripture: ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

Reading The Bible Literally

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 7, 2020

Paul's instruction that the Corinthians were to "greet one another with a holy kiss" provides a nice open door for discussing whether we are to take the Bible literally. This message looks at four considerations that we need to keep in mind to read the Bible correctly.

- I have four questions for you as we begin. Let me hear an “Amen” if you agree with what I say: a. The Bible is the Word of God. b. We believe in the Bible. c. The Bible is literally true. d. When I came into church, I greeted everyone with a holy kiss. - Where were all the cries of “Amen” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:12

Denomination: Baptist