Sermons on Open Up:

Deacon Stephen Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Oct 12, 2020

The Freedmen on those days had secretly plotted against Stephen. They induced men and stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes. They came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses against Stephen. Truth triumphs.

Acts 6:8-15 Deacon Stephen 6:08-10 Spirit Filled Stephen 6:11-14 Seized Stephen 6:15 Shining Stephen Acts 6:08-10 Spirit Filled Stephen Now, St. Luke turns to project an individual, named Stephen, who has improved in his Spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Methodist

Brought To Life; Brought Together

Contributed by David Taylor on Nov 19, 2024

God has given gifts his people to build up His church to maturity (4:7-16). More specifically, God has given gifted leaders to his church to equip everyone in his church to build it up to maturity (11-16).

Brought to Life; Brought Together Walking Worthy: Building Up Christ’s Church Ephesians 4:11-16 February 23, 2020 David Taylor BI: God has given gifts his people to build up His church to maturity (4:7-16). More specifically, God has given gifted leaders to his church to equip everyone in his ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Cheers From Jesus Series

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Jul 6, 2025

Christian joy is rooted in the presence and promises of Jesus Christ. His repeated command to His followers is not, “Shape up,” but, “Cheer up.” The gospel is good news. Jesus gives us three great reasons to rejoice: forgiveness, fellowship, and final victory.

SERMON TITLE: Three Cheers from Jesus (Based on Chapter 1 of Vance Havner’s The Secret of Christian Joy)* Key Texts: Matthew 9:2 – "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." Mark 6:50 – "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." John 16:33 – "Be of good cheer; I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:2, Mark 6:50, John 16:33

Denomination: Pentecostal

Resolve Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 16, 2022

Resolve to live convictionally without compromise.

Last Sunday afternoon, Beth and I drove to the Chicago area to celebrate Mother’s Day with Beth’s mom. It was a joy to see her mom and dad, two of her sisters, and two brothers-in-law. After visiting for a bit, my brother-in-law Mark shared how disappointed and sad he is about what is happening ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Test Your Faith

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jan 7, 2026

The life of Rahab and Achan teach us some important lessons. While Rahab trusted God and stood firm in the faith, Achan coveted after worldly things which had serious consequences. The question is, “What kind of faith do we have?” and how is this faith displayed in our everyday lives.

Today’s meditation is taken from 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups.” (MSG) Paul was making an appeal to the Corinthian believers to examine themselves consistently to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5, Luke 18:8, Joshua 2:10-11, Joshua 2:13, Joshua 6:17-18, Joshua 7:1, Joshua 7:13, Joshua 7:19-21, Joshua 6:25, Joshua 7:26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Sharing Our Faith Series

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 30, 2016

When we open our mouths about our faith; the love of Jesus should come out. Not religious speak but honest heart felt truth the kind of truth that made you want to trust Jesus with your soul.

Message: For several weeks we have talked about sharing things; our spiritual gifts, our time, our resources and our treasure. But the most difficult thing that Christians find hard to share today is their faith. It is strange that the one thing most Christians have an abundance of is the hardest ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:6-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Make Room For The Glory

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Dec 1, 2003

People say why doesn’t God do something to help me! The answer is simple we don’t lift our heads to the king of glory and we don’t open the door for him to come in.

WE MUST MAKE ROOM FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. Pastor Ian Johnson Papatoetoe Elim Church 7:12:2003 “Lift up your heads oh ye gates; lift them up you everlasting doors; and the king of glory shall come in.” Psalm 24:9. People say why doesn’t God do something to help me! The answer is simple we don’t life ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Grace: It’s All God Series

Contributed by Rob Jansons on Sep 14, 2010

This is the summary sermon where I finally reveal that this series covers the same material that is often called the "5 Points of Calvinism." It emphasizes God's grace and that our faith response is us just showing up and accepting what Jesus has already

Today is the wrap up sermon of our winter sermon series. Sadly, though, it is still winter. We have been talking about salvation for five weeks. Today I want to review a bit and maybe tie some loose ends together. This concept is really important: that we understand our salvation so that we value ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Humility Is The Firm Foundation Of All Virtues Series

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Oct 27, 2017

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."The first step in submission to God has respect to the truths of revelation.None who truly knows himself can cherish pride. The way of self-denial is the way to victory.

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor” (1 Peter 5:6NLT) “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor” (James 4:10NLT) We human beings are seekers. We seek truth, glory, love, wealth, security, power, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Honoring Marriage

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on May 15, 2011

A message that challenges the church to make a commitment to honorably stand up with courage, and defend traditional marriage as God first ordained.

INTRO What is sixty years worth? The last sixty years have paid tribute to the election of ten U.S. Presidents. Yuri Gagarin, sixty years ago, rocketed into history as the first human to travel beyond the clouds, and to orbit around the earth for nearly two hours. Sixty years is the span of my ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Overcoming Obstacles

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Dec 15, 2014

Are you a conformer or a transformer? Life can become frustrating? This obstacle can be a stumbling block or a stepping stone, this is up to you.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I do this as a 3 part series. INTRODUCTION: A. Every person is one of two things: 1. CONFORMER: you are fashioned by pressure from without 2. TRANSFORMER: you are changed by powers from within... B. THE WAY WE PRAISE AND ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Leave It All Behind

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jan 9, 2014

What if Jesus was to tell you to leave all your possesions and necessities behind in 2014? Would you be up for the challenge?

The trip to Atlanta last weekend was spiritually educational. We fed 103 women and children plus about 20 men at The Garden. They really enjoyed the food. I was able to spend a little time with Pastor 7 and was able to tour the facilities. On Saturday in a cold, wet drizzle we went to feed the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:7-10

Denomination: Foursquare

Mirror, Mirror Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jul 5, 2022

Sick. Dissatisfied. The never-ending drive to keep up. We have OCD . . . Obsessive Comparison Disorder . . . and it is killing us!

OCD Pt. 2 – Mirror, Mirror I. Introduction No doctor's appointment is needed. No blood has to be drawn. No X-rays need to be developed and reviewed. There is no need for a second opinion. The diagnosis is accurate and the outlook is bleak unless we get treatment. We are all sick. We are all ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:2-4, Numbers 13:27-33

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Stirring At Bethesda

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 16, 2016

We see the lame man waiting on & trying to sense the supernatural. He desires to yield to God and is expecting the miraculous. God answered his faith & healed him. Do we have that kind of open attitude toward the supernatural?

THE STIRRING AT BETHESDA John 5:1-9 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: MALE’S KEEN OBSERVATION 1. Jason was out shopping at the Woodlands Mall with his wife Latisha, but he wasn’t enjoying it. For over 45 minutes, he'd been 'stuck' with Latisha in the ladies department of the Forever 21 store. And ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God's Detours Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on May 24, 2021

Life throws up big "road out!" signs at us. How do we adapt to the detours of life?

Detours   • An old sailor repeatedly got lost at sea, so his friends gave him a compass and urged him to use it. The next time he went out in his boat, he followed their advice and took the compass with him. But as usual he became hopelessly confused and was unable to find land. Finally, he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:11-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ