Sermons on Open Up:

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 11, 2006

If you could spend your entire life listening to and obeying your God-given conscience, you could live a perfect life. But the Bible says we have ALL sinned and we fall short of the glory of God. All of us end up with a messed-up conscience.

INTRODUCTION This is the penultimate message in this series on spurious Bible verses. Next week, we’ll consider the final adage, “To Thine Own Self Be True.” I encourage you to investigate this week and see if you can find the true source of that saying. A helicopter pilot flying over Seattle got ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:15-16, Romans 2:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

"God Promised A Shepherd....himself"

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 24, 2018

On Easter Evening Jesus "opened the minds" of the disciples to see that He was fulfilling the O.T. prophecies. Ezekiel 34 is one of those passages.... Jesus is telling the Pharisees that He is the Lord. Some thoughts are from a sermon by John Piper

In Jesus Holy Name April 21, 2018 Text: John 10:11 Easter IV “God Promised A Shepherd…… Himself” Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! The Good news of Easter is not that Jesus lived and died but that “Jesus Died and Lives” and He will return again. ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

"Shalom In The Home" Series

Contributed by Kendall Hicks on Apr 25, 2016

The idea for this series came from a series of the same name that is offered free by Life.Church. You can find it at open.church. There you will find videos, transcripts, outlines, and graphics. This message is loosely based on the life.church series.

INTRO: Welcome to week three of our current series, “Bless This Home.” We have been taking a section of Jesus’ teaching from Matthew 5, known as the Beatitudes, which is the Latin term for “Blessedness,” and applying some of these statements specifically to our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are People Born Gay?

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jul 6, 2023

The purpose of this message is not to put down or stand in judgment of any particular lifestyle but to open our minds to just how dangerous sexual sins can be and expose them for what they are including what is lurking behind pornography and sexual practices.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (John 3:16) " For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish but have everlasting life." (Galatians 5:19-21) NIV (19) ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Revelation 21:8, Proverbs 7:21-23, Hebrews 10:31, Romans 1:26-32, Galatians 6:7, Romans 1:21-25, Romans 1:28-32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Stormy Seas

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Apr 28, 2023

The bible is full of exciting stories. Some of them involve tumultuous weather on the open seas. In Acts 27, Paul was on a ship headed for Rome. They were hoping to make it to Crete and winter there. But their smooth sailing became incredibly rough.

STORMY SEAS Acts 27:13-44 The bible is full of exciting stories. Some of them involve tumultuous weather on the open seas. We have the story of the violent storm that threatened the lives of the Apostles while Jesus was asleep. They woke him and Jesus quieted the storm. There's the story of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:13-44, Philippians 2:3-4, Acts 28:30-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Made John The Baptist Great?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 12, 2009

What made John stand out that Christ singles him out as the greatest human being born up to that point in time?

WHAT MADE JOHN THE BAPTIST GREAT? MATTHEW 11:1-11 Introduction: When we think of the greatest men and women of the Bible, we think of Moses, Abraham, David, Sarah, Ruth, Elijah, Peter, and Paul. Yet, Jesus Christ said that no one had ever been born who is greater than John the Baptist. What made ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Can We Trust The Gospels?

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 16, 2019

There has been a lot of argument about whether we can trust the gospels or not. Just how did they come to be written? Luke opens his gospel with a statement of how he did it. He did it right.

Probably most every one of us has been in on a conversation where one person says something that’s a bit hard to believe. The other person questions it. And the first person raises his hand, as if he is being sworn in to give testimony in court, and says ‘It’s the gospel truth!’ ‘It’s the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4

The Horoscope Of Jesus

Contributed by David Smith on Jan 8, 2007

What must Mary have thought when she first opened the door and found a group of Iranian astrologers, there to celebrate the birth of her son? These characters seem so inappropriate in the Christmas narrative, but maybe that’s the point?

The Xmas season is over! We’ve wished each other a Merry Xmas AND a Happy New Year, and now the festive season is PAST. The holidays (for most of us) are over. The time for singing carols and wishing peace and goodwill to all is finished. The presents have been handed out. The cards have all been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Demas Dilemma Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Jul 17, 2013

John has given his readers a great deal of corrective instruction in the opening chapters of this book - now he speaks words of encouragement and exhortation for them (and for us!) to take to heart and to put into practice in our own lives.

The Demas Dilemma - 1 John 2:12-17 - July 14, 2013 Series: That We May Know – Life With Jesus - #7 As a parent I’ve learned something about myself over the years and it’s something I’ve seen in others as well. This is what I’ve learned … I’ve ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:12-17

Denomination: *other

"Fruitful Branches”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 23, 2024

Opening story: 230 old vine at Hampton Court. And an illustration of running on empty when we are not connected to the vine of Jesus. How to imitate Jesus and let Him produce fruit on our branch. Illustration from Dallas Willard

In Jesus Holy Name April 2, 2024 Text: John 15:1-8 Easter V “Fruitful Branches” In Hampton Court, near London, there is a grapevine that is reported to be the oldest living vine in the world. It is over 230 years old. It was planted in 1768. This grapevine has one root which is 12 feet ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8, Ephesians 5:1, Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Even Now

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 8, 2025

This sermon explores the story of Lazarus as a picture of God’s timing, power, and resurrection hope. We are called to hold on when God disappoints, to look beyond what we can see, and to open the door to His transforming power.

Introduction You know that feeling when the repair guy says, 'We’ll be there between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.'? So you cancel your plans, sit at home all day, peek out the window every time a truck drives by… and then 4:59 p.m. rolls around and still nobody’s shown. You start thinking: Where is ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Blind Chapter

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jul 22, 2008

When our eyes close in death we will no longer be able to see as we do now. Only the light of God can open our sinful eyes to our blindness and save us from eternal darkness.

John Chapter 9 The Blind Chapter Blindness can be a physical condition as in today’s text. It can and is also a spiritual condition for many who live in a dark and sin filled world. While walking along with his disciples Jesus sees a blind man. The disciples ask Jesus who sinned, this man or ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Sights And Sounds Of Heaven Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

The sights and sounds of Heaven, as described in Revelation 4, call us to worship our God. We are invited to experience an "open heaven" in our lives, where we can see more of Jesus and experience His blessings.

Imagine you're playing a video game, and you've just unlocked a secret level. That's what it's like for John in Revelation. He's invited to step through an open door into Heaven itself. It's like he's got the ultimate backstage pass! John sees some crazy stuff in Heaven. There's a throne with ...read more

Topics: Angelic Choirs, Eternal Peace, Divine Beauty, Heavenly Landscapes

The Attitude Of Gratitude Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

Gratitude aligns us with God's will, opens the door to His blessings, and transforms our perception of reality. It's about celebrating every good thing, even partial miracles, and turning every situation into an opportunity for praise.

The Bible tells us to be happy, pray a lot, and say thanks no matter what's happening. This is what God wants for us. It's not about finding some secret plan for our lives, but about becoming more like Jesus in every situation. Saying thanks is like the key that unlocks God's blessings. Imagine you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, James 1:17, Philippians 4:8, Genesis 28:16-17

Topics: Thankfulness, Divine Blessings, Spiritual Growth, Faithful Living

Then God Said

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Nov 15, 2023

Did you read something new in Gods Word this past week? Something familiar with new eyes? Did the Holy Spirit convict you to open your bible and allow God’s Word to speak to you?

Today our key passage is found in Romans 4:17. The purpose of the message today is to remind us that God is not shackled by circumstances or natural barriers. Quick back story as you get to Romans 4:17 • Apparently, Paul had finished his work in the east, and planned to visit Rome on his way to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:17