Sermons on Open Up:

Home & Family

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Mar 13, 2001

The image of the family has changed drastically in recent years, and we no longer seem to be sure what makes up a traditional family unit.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX Our text this morning is Genesis 1:27-28. Please listen as I read it to you. "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male & female He created them. God blessed them & said to them, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts: Part 2 Series

Contributed by Don Jaques on Aug 16, 2006

God still uses the “manifestation gifts” to build up his church. Every Christian should be aware and desirous of these gifts from God.

We’re going to spend some time today talking about 9 of those gifts and how God wants to use them in the body – but I was reminded by my “mouse problem” that we must be connected to the giver of the gifts – the Holy Spirit – in order to be able to make use of his gifts. God wants to use each ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon On Resureduction

Contributed by Ray Mckendry on Apr 6, 2016

Two point sermon to show how unbelieving leadership in the church fails to live up to the gospel call and the results of believing that He is Risen!

A Sermon on ResuReduction My text for today is from 1 Cor 15:14 “…if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.” Text Illustration: HE'S NO LONGER IN THE GRAVE. In 1887, twenty two years after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-22

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is The Love? (Christmas) Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Dec 24, 2003

A complete order of service and talks for a Christmas Day All Age Celebration- building up to a rap of ’where is the love?’. Answer: "it’s in the manger, yo!"

Order of service- Christmas day 2003 Props: camcorder, nativity set (minus Jesus), Jesus hidden somewhere near manger (or have Him re-appear) reindeer hat, tacky singing Santa, readers, audio going into pa, jokes 10am Carols playing as folks come in. Welcome & Happy Christmas! - jokes Reading: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Temptations Series

Contributed by Steven Buhr on Jan 25, 2008

Jesus was tempted in three areas, as we are – Lust of the flesh (our body), lust of the eyes (our mind), pride of life (our soul). (1 John 2:16). He faced up to these temptations by knowing the scriptures. If we know our Bible, we can face up to the tempt

January 14, 2007 Facing Temptation – Matthew 4:1-11 Introduction: Temptations. We all have them. We’d like to have that big, beautiful house, that fancy car, the high-paying career, the winning lottery ticket. Those are big temptations. But on a daily basis, we’re faced with things that tempt us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Adam’s Family Treasures Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Aug 29, 2011

There is an answer to our family problems of sin and death. What Adam messed up so badly, Jesus fixed for all who put their trust in Him! We don’t have to stay messed up! God wants to restore us to be the people He created us to be.

Adam’s Family Treasures Romans 5:12-21 Intro: Think for a moment about different people who have influenced your life. You might be thinking of parents or other family members. You might be thinking about a teacher, coach, friend, or someone else who had an impact on who you are today. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Who Is The Holy Spirit?

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: Though our knowledge of the Holy Spirit is limited, we know enough from Scripture to clear up many misconceptions about Him.

Thesis: Though our knowledge of the Holy Spirit is limited, we know enough from Scripture to clear up many misconceptions about Him. Intro.: 1. There is a general uneasiness and hesitancy in many Churches of Christ in talking about the Holy Spirit. a. Because of the Pentecostal/Charismatic ...read more

Scripture: John 14:16-17

God Pursues A Love Relationship Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 21, 2003

Part 2 of a series on Blackaby’s Experiencing God: when God pursues us, we can either keep on running, hoping that He cannot catch up, or we can hide, hoping He will not find us. We need to let His love catch us.

A few weeks ago I was driving down Fifth Street, on my way to a hospital visit. Just this side of the Soldiers’ home grounds, I became aware that some driver was right on my back bumper, weaving back and forth, his engine roaring, his horn blowing. Somebody was in a very big hurry. Well, as we ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 30:10-15, Jeremiah 30:31

Denomination: Baptist

Training Wheels

Contributed by Robert Drake on Jul 6, 2009

As Christians, we know that as we travel through life that our heavenly father is always there to help us. If we fall, he’ll pick us up. If we stumble, he’ll catch us. Our goal is to move through life with the full knowledge that God loves us and is al

Do you remember learning to ride a bicycle? Did your bike have training wheels? Did someone run along beside you to get you going? One of the great challenges of youth, after learning to walk, is learning to ride a bicycle. It requires balance and a sense of self confidence. To assist in this ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Denomination: Baptist

The Sign Of The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 12, 2017

Why would Jesus heal a man on the Sabbath and then tell the man (in violation of the Sabbath rules of the Pharisees) to pick up his mat and walk?

OPEN: There’s a story I read once of 3 umpires who were talking about the feeling of power they had on the baseball field. As they talked about what gave them this sense of empowerment, the 1st umpire said – “I call ‘em as I see ‘em.” The 2nd smiled and said, “That ain’t nothing. I call ‘em as ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Line In The Sand Series

Contributed by Tim White on Jun 19, 2009

Jesus presents an opportunity to choose. His message drew the line, fear warns us away, but it is up to our choice whether we follow Him.

* Remember, this man was born blind. * Jesus’ disciples asked the current-day riddle, “what sin caused this man to be born blind?” * Jesus said, “Not his sin nor his parents, but for the glory of God to be seen.” * Then Jesus spit, applied and instructed. * The man obeyed and could see. * Those who ...read more

Scripture: John 9:18-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Race Toward Evil - Which Way Will You Run? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 22, 2005

Judah had embraced wickedness in their lives... but why? Did they just wake up one morning and say "I’m going to be wicked?"

wOPEN: Why do people do “evil things?” About 7 years ago (8/31/98), Charles Colson wrote that “A generation of liberals in academia and government has accepted the view that if only the evils of society – such as poverty, unemployment and racism – were overcome, crime would disappear.” Former ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 59:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Going To Hell Is Difficult

Contributed by Richard Bowman on Sep 19, 2023

John 3:17 is clear that Jesus came to save, not to condemn. However, it is still possible to end up in hell but it's not easy.

GOING TO HELL IS DIFFICULT Warsaw Christian Church, Richard Bowman, Pastor In this sermon, I plan to give you clear directions on how to end up in hell. It is not an easy matter to go to hell, but it can be done. God has made it difficult to go to hell, but I will show you the way. One of the most ...read more

Scripture: John 3:17

The Great White Throne Judgement Considered In Detail – Part 3 Of 4 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 21, 2025

We know God is just and does righteously. This time we look at an important aspect of God’s judgement - DEGREES OF PUNISHMENT AND PENALTY. No one will have an excuse before the great white throne. What about those who never heard of Jesus Christ or God’s forgiveness?

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT CONSIDERED IN DETAIL – PART 3 OF 4 These studies open up the subject of the great white throne from Revelation 20. It is a terrifying time, so that the earth and heavens flee away. No Christian is judged at the great white throne though all the Church, the Bride ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:46-48, Revelation 20:11-12, Matthew 10:14-15, Matthew 11:20-24, Matthew 12:36-37, Romans 1:19-20, Matthew 12:41, Acts 4:12, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:12, Matthew 12:30, Genesis 18:25, Revelation 20:13, Revelation 20:4-6, Ephesians 4:8, Habakkuk 3:2, Romans 2:4-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

People Of Prayer

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 10, 2022

Are we a people of action or a group of whiners? Do we sit and worry, or do we get up and do something about our problems?

Are we a people of action or a group of whiners? Do we sit and worry, or do we get up and do something about our problems? Zerubbabel had driven the primary group back to Jerusalem in 537 B.C. (Ezra 1:2) Ezra followed with the second gathering in 458 B.C. (Ezra 7) Now, Nehemiah was currently ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible