Sermons on Open Up:

Moses’ Disobedience

Contributed by John Lowe on May 13, 2015

This time they are complaining that there isn’t enough water for the people. This murmuring led to mutiny, so they came together against Moses and Aaron. They had finally come to the point where they took up arms against their leaders.

Moses’ Disobedience Keeps Him from Entering the Promised Land Numbers 20:1-12 We are only told about a few incidents that happened during the forty years Israel was in the wilderness. What we do know makes me think that they were out of God’s will most of the time. We can ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 20:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Love Conquers All

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Nov 27, 2023

The love of God overcomes fear if we choose to open our hearts to its supreme reality. The greatest source of blessing and peace we can ever know is found in trusting in his love.

A pastor shared the story of going deep-sea fishing in Florida with his brother when their boat lost all of its electronics, including the communications and GPS functions. They were out of sight of land, and since it was an overcast day there was no way for them even to tell east from west. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43, 1 John 4:16-18

Yielding Wild Grapes: Prophet Margins Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Aug 12, 2022

How is God calling us to address grapes gone wild in our contexts? Be mindful, however. Jesus did this in his opening homily in Nazareth after reading from this very book, Isaiah.

When I was in seminary, I was introduced to Chateau Elan Winery & Resort. This place well above my pay grade Spanning 3,500 acres of rolling hills and wooded forests, Chateau Elan reigns as North Georgia’s premier destination resort. A favorite for weekend getaways, corporate retreats, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-7

Denomination: United Methodist

Soul Food

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jun 17, 2015

In order to live with Christ, we have to die to our worldly way of life and take up his life-a life of forgiveness, goodness, trust and service. If we are grounded in Christ’s unconditional love, we are free to lead like Jesus and love and serve others.

The passage we have just heard from John’s Gospel is part of the lengthy “bread of life” discourse in which Jesus shows that he is the only way we can satisfy the hunger we have in our souls. Hunger is a powerful motivator. When we are physically hungry, we get something to eat. ...read more

Scripture: John 6:41-51

Denomination: Anglican

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

World War Won! - Memorial Day - Independence Day Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 25, 2003

Good for this time of continuing war...Eye-opening scriptures to help lay people understand why war is sometimes necessary, and sometimes even recommended by God. Link included to Formatted Text and Powerpoint.

World War Won! Prov. 14:34 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/WarAndFreedom.html Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. We take our freedom for granted. Here we sit today, praying, singing, fellowshipping, worshipping God together, reading His Word…w/out fear of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:34

Denomination: Baptist

The Upper Class Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

It is hard for modern American Christians to get their minds open to the mind of Christ on this issue because it goes against the grain of our culture. The New Testament, however, is loaded with teachings about being servants.

When soldiers for the 6th Massachusetts Militia were attacked, and many were wounded at the start of the Civil War, they were brought to Washington, D. C. Clara Barton had been a teacher in Massachusetts, and she recognized some of the wounded soldiers as her former students. She went to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-30

Something Beautiful For Jesus

Contributed by Scott Nichols on Mar 25, 2017

This message looks at the actions of Mary as she breaks open the bottle of perfume and anoints Jesus during Holy Week. It challenges us to ask the question what can we do for Jesus that is beautiful?

She hesitates in the doorway separating the two rooms. Through the opening she sees her sister Martha hard at work helping Simon’s wife prepare the evening meal in the kitchen. She listens to the laughter and conversation as it drifts through the house. She hears Simon make a joke at Peter’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Divine Deliverance Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Mar 5, 2022

It is so amazing that God’s timing and ways are amazing. God was in control and it was the perfect time for the princess to come to the river, to see the ark and that the baby actually cried at that moment when she opened the ark.

Psalm 91:15, says,“He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.” (AFV) As we continue our meditation based on Psalm 91, we will dwell on the aspect of God who delivers us in this study. The Israelites multiplied greatly We read ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:15

Denomination: Other

The Parable Of The Persistent Widow

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Oct 14, 2019

if you want something bad enough, you need to have faith, pray and never give up

Luke 18:1-8 Welcome once again to the Parable Parade. In Year C of the Episcopal Liturgical Calendar, we read a lot of scripture from Luke. And Luke LOVED to relate Jesus’ parables. For those of you who are tired of trying to figure out the real meaning, you will be happy to know that we are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Episcopal

Be A Powerhouse Christian Battleship

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 5, 2021

The story is told of Sherlock Holmes and his trusted colleague Watson. Holmes and Watson were out camping, sleeping, later that night Holmes woke up Watson. And Holmes asked him,”Watson, look up, what do you see?”

Be a Powerhouse Christian Battleship The story is told of Sherlock Holmes and his trusted colleague Watson. Holmes and Watson were out camping, sleeping, later that night Holmes woke up Watson. And Holmes asked him,”Watson, look up, what do you see?” Watson looked up and replied,”I see stars and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-31

Denomination: Salvation Army

Wholly Devoted Eyes Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 7, 2012

To be wholly devoted to God, we must have wholly devoted eyes. To have wholly devoted eyes we must have eyes that are focused on God, closed to evil, and open to the needs of others.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a woman who rushed to her doctor. 1. Looking very worried and all strung out, she rattled off, “Doctor, take a look at me. When I woke up this morning, I looked at myself in the mirror and saw my hair was all wiry and frazzled up, my skin was all wrinkled ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:22-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Message 7 - 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 – Now We Look At The Wrath Of God And Salvation – Part 1 (Verse 9) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 29, 2022

This message looks at aspects of the wrath of God where the subject is examined. The great truth is that Christians will never enter the wrath of God because the Saviour bore that wrath for each of us.

MESSAGE 7 - 1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 5 – NOW WE LOOK AT THE WRATH OF GOD AND SALVATION – PART 1 (Verse 9) DESTINED NOT FOR WRATH, BUT FOR SALVATION {{1Thessalonians 5:9 “God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”}} We will consider just this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Revelation 6:16-17, Romans 1:18-32, Luke 13:2-5, Romans 2:5, Colossians 3:5-6, Romans 5:9, Isaiah 53:5-6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 19:30, Revelation 9:20-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

6 Lessons From Hitting Rock Bottom

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 1, 2013

We're all going to hit rock bottom, the challenge is to build up from there with Christ.

There are two powerful emotions that motivate people to make dramatic changes in their lives:inspiration and desperation. It is often the case; a person finds their greatest inspiration in the most desperate of situations. When a person hits rock bottom, and they reach the lowest point in their ...read more

Denomination: *other

Pray Confidently Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jun 19, 2024

What the opening phrase from the Model Prayer does not mean (From Red Letter Prayer Life by Bob Hostetler, chapter 6 of same title). Preached for Father's Day

HoHum: Three boys in the schoolyard were bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, “My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he then calls it a poem, they give him $50.00.” The second boy says, “That’s nothing, My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9, Exodus 3:7-8, Isaiah 40:28, Isaiah 54:10, Psalm 103:8-13, Psalm 139:7-10, 2 Corinthians 9:8, 2 Corinthians 9:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ