Sermons on Open Up:

The Church Alive And On Fire

Contributed by Spencer Miller on Jun 11, 2013

It is quite clear that the church is under attack. It’s open season on pastors and the entire church as well. It is almost as if the world system is pushing the church into a corner and challenging the church to produce its credentials

4 The Lord will wash away the filth from the daughters of Zion. He will wash away the blood from Jerusalem. With a spirit of judgment that burns like fire, he will make everything pure. 5 Then the Lord will create a cloud of smoke in the day and a bright flame of fire at night over every building ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 4:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Letter To The Church At Sardis: Appearing Alive, But Actually Dead Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Feb 15, 2023

Sardis was a large and beautiful city in it’s time, with powerful defenses that made the residents over-confident in their ability to defend themselves from invading armies.

"In an address I lately heard, the speaker said that the blessings of the higher Christian life were often like the objects exposed in a shop window, one could see them clearly and yet could not reach them. If told to stretch out his hand and take, a man would answer, I cannot; there is a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1

Denomination: Salvation Army

"Unless The Lord Builds The House"

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Sep 20, 2017

The opening line of Psalm 127 emphasizes a theme that runs through both Psalm 127 and 128 – without God’s direct and crucial involvement in its building and protection, no house, city, or family will survive.

Note: I have developed a few slides in PowerPoint that I used in delivering this sermon. They're not fancy, but if anyone is interested in them I will send them to you directly by Email. Send your request to sam@srmccormick.net with the word Slides in the subject. “UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:22-23, Isaiah 66:1-2, Galatians 4:9-11, Matthew 15:7-9, Psalm 128:1-6, Psalm 127:1-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Contributed by Charles Newman on Mar 14, 2009

In our message this morning, we will see how three miracles, (Jesus walking on water, Peter walking on water, Storms/winds cease) open our pathways to a bridge over the troubled waters of life.

BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS Matthew 14:22-33 In our message this morning, we will see how three miracles, (Jesus walking on water, Peter walking on water, Storms/winds cease) open our pathways to a bridge over the troubled waters of life. Jesus has just got done with one of His famous miracles, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33, Matthew 14:22

Denomination: Methodist

Which Way? Series

Contributed by Terry Hovey on Jan 30, 2023

There's only two options open to us...the narrow way which leads to eternal life, or the wide way which leads to eternal death. Heaven or hell. Which will it be?

Mat 7:13-14 Do you know what any good preacher does when he begins to wind down his sermon? He tries to pull together everything he has already said and guide his audience to his ultimate goal of bringing them to a decision. For the Christian preacher, the decision he is leading his audience ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Methodist

Helping Hurting People

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Oct 4, 2004

1- 1- Look out and be touched 2- Reach out and touch 3- Look up and be touched

INTRO.- God gives to us so that we can give to others. God comforts us so that we can comfort others. The Christian life is about loving, giving, caring, comforting, etc. Hurricane-weary victims of Florida. ILL.- The Associated Press Updated: 6:03 p.m. ET Sept. 28, 2004 WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Checking Out The Church Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jun 25, 2013

If Jesus showed up at your church what would he find? What would he say?

“The Great Unveiling: Checking Out the Church” Rev. 2:1-3:22 At the end of chapter 1 we are reminded that the 7 lampstands are the seven churches. That’s an important description of the church – for she is to be the light of the world. And it’s a lampstand; which ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Leaving Your Nets

Contributed by Bobby Cagle on Dec 12, 2003

This message is an exciting message that is designed to "Fire-Up" the Saints, and motivate them to forsake all for the cause of Christ.

Leaving Your Nets (Math 4:18-23)(1Kings 19:19-21) Christ, being led by the Spirit into the wilderness, fasted for forty days; where he is then tempted by the devil; overcomes him by the word of God, and is ministered to by angels. He dwells at Capernaum, and fulfills a prophecy of Isaiah, by ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21, Matthew 4:18-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Man Of The Hour

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 25, 2007

Let’s take a look at Stephen’s life and how it stacks up against ours. 1- Full of grace 2- Did great wonders 3- Met mean opposition 4- Faced with death

INTRO.- ILL.- One Friday morning, a teacher came up with a novel way to motivate her class. She told them that she would read a quote and the first student to correctly identify who said it would receive the rest of the day off. She started with “This was England’s finest hour.” Little Suzy ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Serenity Of Christ Before Pilate

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 29, 2023

Who is in control at Christ's trial? Pilate wanted to release Jesus but changed his mind. Caiaphas effectively blackmails Pilate into doing his will in getting rid of Jesus. But Jesus remains cool, charm and collective. The crowd who are stirred up in demanding the death of Jesus.

The Serenity of Christ before Pilate I’m sure many of you here this morning have visited Coventry Cathedral and left with some sort of reaction to that Church, dedicated to the Glory of God in the name of St. Michael and All Angels. It is the sort of modern Cathedral building you either love or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:17-18, Isaiah 53:7, John 10:17, John 19:5

Blessed By God Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 1, 2008

God wants us to experience an abundant, blessed, happy life. The Psalmist gives us direction on how we can be open to God’s blessings in our lives and be like trees planted by water.

Psalms 1:1-6     “Blessed by God”INTRODUCTIONThe Bible often talks about joy and happiness. Jesus talks about being happy, or blessed, in the Sermon on the Mount. One of the fruits of the Spirit that Paul lists in his letter to the Galatians is “joy.” Psalms, like this psalm, talk about being ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

"Once A Heretic, Now A Hero”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 28, 2021

Both William Tyndale and Luther translated the bible. My opening illustration asks people to take out their bible and turn to Romans 3:21-24 and turn their bible upside down and read the text....

In Jesus Holy Name October 30, 2021 Romans 1:17, 3:22-24 Reformation Redeemer “Once a Heretic, Now a Hero” Today Protestant churches are celebrating the Reformation, remembering the man Martin Luther and singing the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:17, Romans 3:21-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Nehemiah Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 20, 2022

The book of Nehemiah opens in the Persian city of Susa in the year 444 BC. Later that year, Nehemiah traveled to Israel, leading the third of three returns by the Jewish people following their seventy years of exile in Babylon.

Nehemiah Nehemiah is the central figure of the Book of Nehemiah, which describes his work in rebuilding Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. He was governor of Persian Judea under Artaxerxes I of Persia. Born: 473 BC, Babylon Nationality: Israeli Parents: Hachaliah Most scholars believe ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Healing And Change Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on May 6, 2025

This talk opens an 8-week class called "Trauma and Transformation, Level 1". The course takes a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual approach to healing. Both Christians and non-Christians are welcome.

T&T Level 1 - Class 1 “Healing and Change” (May 2025) The course takes a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual approach to healing. Both Christians and non-Christians are welcome. This is a reflection time of about 10 minutes that occurs in the class, before the remaining time which is spent in trauma ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ruth The Risk Taker Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 11, 2021

She pushed open the door into the life of Boaz, and by her assertive risk taking pushed herself into the blood line of the Messiah. Ruth is only famous, and was only used of God, because she was a risk taker.

Fort Lee, which is now Charleston, West Virginia was under attack in 1791. Colonel George Clendenin assembled his men to ask for a volunteer to ride to Lewisberg over 100 miles away to get powder. They were almost out, and their survival depended upon a renewed supply. No one volunteered, for ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-13