Sermons on Open Up:

Making The Jail House Rock

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on May 25, 2022

God needs to shake things up in the church and free us from our self-imprisonment.

Making the Jail House Rock Acts 16:16-34 The text we read this morning has been a popular one for Vacation Bible Schools for many years. The cardboard props of the wall of the jail house and the barred windows has “imprisoned” many a child or saint in the skit. someone pulls the string, and the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

And Then.... Number 1 (New Beginnings) Born Againn Series

Contributed by Joel Newman on Jan 21, 2022

It is because of advent, as spoken by the prophets that a journey can begin. A journey which is made up of grace.

And Then…. #1 New Beginnings A series regarding the journey to: “His Lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23 NKJV) Proposition: Either start the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:23, Isaiah 43:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Living The Legacy

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Nov 15, 2006

Shared on commitment Sunday of a capital campaign challenging the church to rise up and leave a legacy.

Living the Legacy, Making Disciples October 29, 2006 Joshua 24:1-24 Intro: When Ohio State played for the NCAA Championship in 2003, coach Jim Tressel wanted to encourage his players to step up to another level. In his pre-game speech he asked a powerful question: “What do you want to be ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Where God Lives

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jul 20, 2015

When we are in Christ and Christ is in us, God takes up residence within us.

Title: Where God Lives Text: Ephesians 2:11-22 Thesis: When we are in Christ, God takes up residence within us. Introduction The United States of America has often been referred to as a “melting pot” where people from many different countries, races, and religions, all hoping to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Before The Supreme Court - Mark 14:53-65 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 20, 2024

Why does Jesus remain silent at his trial? And why does he speak up at one point? We'll learn from his example when we should keep quiet and when to speak up.

Mark 14:53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:53-65, Matthew 26:57-68, John 18:12-14

Sermon # 2 - Stand On God's Promises And His Faithfulness Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jan 18, 2024

Each one of us is a member of God’s body the church. God is building His church and the gates of hell will never prevail against it. Let us stand firm on God’s promised and His faithfulness and be united as a church.

Today, the seventh Sunday after Easter is observed by many all over the world as Pentecost Sunday to commemorate the day when the Holy Spirit of God was made manifest to the disciples and believers in the early church. In order for this to happen we read in Acts 2:1, “When the day of Pentecost ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1, Matthew 16:18, Numbers 22:3, Numbers 23:9-10, Genesis 13:16, Exodus 1:20-21, 2 Timothy 2:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

A Morning Prayer Series

Contributed by Bobby Oliver on Jun 2, 2018

David looks up to God in the morning, David chooses God in the morning, and David is victorious in God in the morning (and all day!).

A Morning Prayer Psalm 5:1-12 - We’re continuing our study through the book of Psalms, and this week, we’re up to Chapter 5. - In this chapter, we read a morning prayer by David to God Almighty, full of wonderful truths. - As I was thinking about morning prayer, my thoughts went back to Iraq. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Let God Make The Most Of Your Life Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Oct 28, 2021

God wants to help us make the most of our lives, so... 1. He tells us to wake-up (vs. 11-12). 2. He tells us how to walk (vs. 13). 3. He tells us what to wear (vs. 12, 14).

Let God Make the Most of Your Life The Book of Romans Romans 13:10-14; Ephesians 6:10-17 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared October 28, 2021) BACKGROUND: *Here in Romans 13, God's Word has been telling us how to live the Christian life. We have seen that God wants us to obey man-made laws, -- ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:10-14, Ephesians 6:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon # 41 - Set Aside Selfishness Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Aug 1, 2025

Selfishness when left unchecked can become the cause for division and rift in close relationships. Let’s learn some valuable lessons on how to identify selfishness, and the ways to handle it so we become more Christ-like and mature in the way we relate with others.

We read in Ephesians 4:14-15, “Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind of the teaching of deceitful people, who lead others into error by the tricks they invent. Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:14-15, Philippians 2:4, Genesis 25:27-33, Hebrews 12:17, Genesis 26:34-35, Genesis 27:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Stretching For The Impossible

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Oct 10, 2022

This sermon focuses on the 1. The man who had the withered hand 2. His encounter with Jesus and 3. His healing. It is the micro story in the middle of a macro story about the Sabbath Day - it is how the presence of Jesus brings transformation.

Scripture: Luke 6:6-12; Psalm 27 Theme: Stretching for the Impossible This sermon focuses on the 1. The man who had the withered hand 2. His encounter with Jesus and 3. His healing. INTRO: Grace and peace this morning! Have you ever heard the phrase - “you are too close to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:6-12

Denomination: Nazarene

Preparing To Worship God

Contributed by Timothy Jones on Jan 27, 2003

If we are going to bring honor to Christ, we must prepare to worship, not just show up....

Preparing to Worship God-Pastor Tim Jones Exodus 19 1. Everything takes preparation! ?Those that Fail to plan-Plan to Fail? a. When your kids go to school-you don?t just go off to college- b. Weddings-You don?t just get married???? c. Moving into a new home?.. d. It all takes Preparation Joke: A ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-15

Denomination: Holiness

Who Prays In A Modern Global Society?

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on May 16, 2014

Prayer is not for the faint of heart. It requires a well-made up mind to serve the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Who Prays In A Modern Global Society? By Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (May 16, 2014) “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (I Peter 3:12 King James Version, KJV ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:12-22

Denomination: Friends

Serving God In Uncertain Times Series

Contributed by Jonathan Goats on Jul 8, 2003

there is hope when we make up our minds to serve God in uncertain times!

I Kings17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word." Skip down to…… I Kings 17:10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-14

Denomination: Church Of God

Is Your Theology Oppressive Or Liberating?

Contributed by Kelly Durant on Feb 27, 2016

A brief history of the church leading up to the question of what theology is the most advanced and why.

Is Your Theology Oppressive or Liberating? Captain Kelly Durant Peter 1:15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 2. As time goes on usually there is progress and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:15-16

Denomination: Salvation Army

Lighting The Way!

Contributed by K. Heath Mcdougal-Deans on Jan 11, 2020

We are the ground troops in charge of lighting the darkness on this earth. We can light up the world with our attitude. We can light up the world with service and good deeds. And, last but never least... lighting the way with LOVE!

Lighting the Way! ILL.- It was at the end of the school year, and a kindergarten teacher was receiving gifts from her pupils. The florist’s son handed her a gift. She shook it, held it overhead, and said, "I bet I know what it is. Some flowers." "That’s right!" the boy said, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-9, Matthew 5:14-16, John 8:12

Denomination: Other