Sermons on Open:

What Does A Dead Church Look Like?

Contributed by John Nadasi on May 1, 2003

What does the death of a church look like? What does it take for new life to take place?

Luke 24: 36-48 Paonia United Methodist Church May 4, 2003 A young, ambitious pastor was called to serve in a certain church. He was warned by his predecessor that this congregation was "dead".. It was not even worth trying to save it. But this pastor accepted the call because he believed with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-48

Denomination: Methodist

Being Part Of A Praying Church

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Sep 17, 2006

Here at Crane Eater our mission statement is Love, Prayer and Grace. I thank God that our mission statement isn’t just a statement, but it’s the biggest reason good things are happening here! Simply put, “Prayer means you are talking to the creator.

Being a Part of a Praying Church Text: Acts 12:1-17 1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Being Light In Darkness

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Jan 13, 2008

Isaiah has a prophecy that helps identify the Messiah, and shows God’s characteristics. This prophecy also is something for us to take notice of, as reflectors of God’s light.

Have you ever visited a maze. Every now and again as a family we seem to end up at one. And over the years I have learnt three things from our visit to a maze. One you don’t want to be in a hurry, being in a hurry will often make the place more frustrating and less enjoyable. Secondly make sure ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Freedom And Restriction In The Church Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 29, 2007

Although all different kinds of nonsensical things are taught under the guise of prophecy, God can still lead us to say something to someone else.

Freedom and Restriction in the Church (I Thessalonians 5:19-20) 1. A few months ago, I read a fascinating book titled "Cultures and Organizations." 2. It evaluated different nations on tha basis of things like power distance or future vs. short term orientation. 3. One big difference between ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Urgent News Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Mar 24, 2008

In this message titled “Urgent News” from our 2008 Easter Morning service, we look at the resurrection from the perspective of the ladies who arrived at the tomb early on that first Easter morning. How did they feel? What did they see? More importantly

How many of you took a look at the newspaper this morning? If you can stomach it, I think it’s a good idea to keep up with what’s going on in the world. But here’s the thing about news. Whether you get your news from the paper or the TV, news comes in all different shapes and sizes. There’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Genesis 28 Series

Contributed by Tom Owen on Jun 25, 2008

Genesis verse-by-verse

Genesis 28 Last week we went through a chapter of reminders. Reminders given to Abraham and his descendants of who God is, the Almighty God, and what He expects from His people, complete obedience. The reminders were through God’s Word, meaningful names and the sign of the covenant. This week ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

Introducing God To Our World

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Apr 27, 2008

Learning from Paul’s encounter with the citizens of Athens this sermon helps us to see how we can introduce God to the people we interact with in lives

One of the foundational messages of Christianity is around the focus of love. As we flip through the pages of scripture love is dominant. God’s love for us, our love for God and our love for others. Our parish mission statement even reflects this; Because of God’s amazing grace we live to love the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Come Home

Contributed by Richard White on Mar 8, 2007

The idea for this series comes from Max Lucado’s book 6 hours One Friday. It is part of a series leading up to Easter.

Come Home! Luke 15:11-24 In a small town in 19th Century, England there was a Christmas day tradition. There would be a village party and all the children would receive gifts. Bright smiles, children playing happily, very joyful event, as they would gather around the tree in the center of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living With A New Heart

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Jun 8, 2008

God is waiting to love us......and his love creates a new heart in us.

Some of you may know of Fiona Coote. At the age of 14 she became youngest heart transplant recipeant in Australia. However Fiona has another claim to faim, She has received not just one heart transplant but 3. On 3 occasions she has been given a chance to live. On 3 occasions she has been given a ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Part Two - Choosing Faithfulness Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Aug 14, 2009

What it means to be a church member - six part series

11We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. 12There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. 13In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also. 14Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:11-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Going With The Spirit

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Jan 24, 2008

The Spirit gives us all the gifts we uniquely need to share our faith.

Introduction: In his commentary, Matthew for Everyone, Tom Wright uses an excellent analogy to explain the baptism of Jesus. He writes: Imagine we are going to a huge concert hall, packed to the doors with eager and excited music-lovers. We all have our programs in hand, waiting for the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Obedience Of Faith

Contributed by Mark Baker on Jan 29, 2008

I would like to ask a question. What good is faith if not acted upon?

Romans 16:25. Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began 26. but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:25-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Need A Hero!

Contributed by Scott Epperson on Nov 4, 2006

Sermon exhorts us to give the battle of sin to Christ.

Needing a Hero 1Sam 17:1 1 Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle, and were gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-49

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sucked In, Washed Up And Blown Over

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on May 3, 2013

Yes there are times when life can make us feel "Sucked in, washed up, and Blown over" Yet in the midst of what the world offers we can have peace. "Peace I leave with you, Peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Updated May 2019.

For Those not familiar with an Anglican Service; we have four readings before the message is shared. The readings for this day were Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10,22-22:5 and John 14:23-29 You can trust me ... Go ahead and Jump! I do not think there is a parent ... or a grandparent ... ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-11, Hebrews 13:8, Matthew 11:30, John 14:23-29

Denomination: Anglican

I Want That Mountain, It Belongs To Me!

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Sep 10, 2012

You need to declare the good things of God, over your life on a daily basis! Sometimes you need to do it on a moment by moment basis, if that's what it takes

I want that Mountain, it belongs to me! Psalms 107:1-2 NKJ. Says it this way, 1. Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, The bible doesn’t say let them wish it were ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational