Sermons on Opening Eyes:

Christmas: The Perspective Of Elizabeth: Trusting The God's Heart

Contributed by Gina Krause on Dec 4, 2023

• Over the next four weeks, we’re going to take a fresh look at Christmas through the eyes of some of the people who were involved in the story of Christ's birth.

Christmas God’s perspective Elizabeth: Trusting the Master’s heart through disappointment • Over the next four weeks, we’re going to take a fresh look at Christmas through the eyes of some of the people who were involved. Last year we looked at • Zechariah an elderly priest who becomes the ...read more

Before Joseph Could Pray Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Dec 15, 2023

I can only imagine this event in Matthew as a shock to Joseph. One moment everything was going just as it should; He and Mary were espoused to be married and in the blink of an eye everything changed.

“Before Joseph Could Pray” Matthew 1:18-25 Ever had a time in your life when you thought you had it all figured out, only to discover that was not what happened? I can only imagine this event in Matthew as a shock to Joseph. One moment everything was going just as it should; He and Mary were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Rejection Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Feb 29, 2024

Our text takes place about three days from the death of Jesus. In Mark 12 we are allowed to peer into the dark days ahead through the eyes of a parable…more of a preview.

Five Powerful Words from the Last Week of the Life of Jesus REJECTION Mark 12:1-12 Introduction Last week we heard Jesus give the third passion narrative - a clear description of what was to happen when they got to Jerusalem. On the way he stops and heals Blind Bartimaeus. Mark 11 records the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Limping Through Life With You In Mind

Contributed by Josh Foster on Feb 19, 2014

Jesus tells us to make decisions and choices with an eye toward how it will impact others in your life – spouse, children, family, neighbors, fellow church members, co-workers, people in the community.

Walkin’ with Jesus: Limping through Life with You in Mind Scripture Text: Mark 9.42-50 INTRODUCTION He’s talking about living in relationship with others!.. That’s-what Jesus is talking-about in this passage… Now, there’s a-whole-lot going-on here ~ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:42-50

Denomination: Nazarene

God Gives Music To A Mother's Heart Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Dec 26, 2003

What makes your heart sing? God’s method of making music in us includes more than meets the eye. Learn the lessons Mary and Elizabeth teach us and join in the heavenly song.

It was a Saturday in mid December of 1977. Joey Cannon and I were having breakfast at the Pancake House in Memphis, TN. We used to meet on Saturday mornings at a prayer breakfast. As we enjoyed our blueberry pancakes with bacon and eggs we noticed something at the same time. The music was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Growing In Leaps And Bounds Series

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Apr 20, 2011

Keys to growing in faith: release what is weighing you down, let God be in charge, walk by the eyes of God's Spirit, and receive the promises of God. Lessons learned as Abraham deals with his nephew Lot.

It’s spring – the time to plant. The time to see our first tulips begin to peek out of the ground and in a few weeks start to bloom. I can’t wait! I’m so anxious for the grass to turn green and to smell the flowers. It’s a wonderful time. It’s also a time ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:5-18

Denomination: Lutheran

The Best Is Yet To Come

Contributed by Gary Holt on Sep 9, 2023

The best is yet to come. The heroes of Hebrews 11 had their eyes set on a heavenly reward and at the same time were faithful to God during their lives. Some of Jeff Strite's sermon is in here.

“The best is yet to come!” Hebrews 11:13-16 Credit: There are some big chunks of Jeff Strite’s sermoncentral sermon “This World Is Not My Home”. Jeff’s work is mostly in the introduction. The outline and application are mine. A preacher named Ray Stedman: ? traveled across the country ? for ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Child Is Born Series

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Mar 21, 2024

For me the last several weeks, it seems as every time I read a devotional or prayer or scripture, I am led to Isaiah. And I see something new, and something with new eyes. Been amazing.

Today is part one of a 3-part series titled: Without the manger there is no Cross. We will be heavily in the OT for part 1. We are going to look at some history today. • I know, some of you may perk up, • while others roll their eyes This message has been on my heart for several months now. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2

Can Humans Have Integrity?

Contributed by Douglas Vincent on Nov 22, 2005

Satan challenges God asumption that Job is righteous. The open question of Job is, "Can humans serve God for who he is?" Can they have real integrity.

When I was a child my mom had to promise me she would give me a prize if I was good in the grocery store. I didn’t get that many prizes. But the motivation for my goodness was a prize. As I matured my Mother would ask me to be good in the store out of respect for her and the other shoppers. ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Methodist

One On One With Jesus In Mark Part 1 Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Oct 27, 2007

Let’s open up the world of Mark and walk in to see the one he’s proclaiming! Jesus will surprise us if we honestly look at him and listen to him.

Present Mark 1-3 dramatically, by memory if possible. First Encounter with Jesus I’ve been spending time with the Lord in Mark’s gospel this week and I can’t wait to tell you what he has shown me. But let me warn you up front, it hasn’t been easy. We’ve been in a hurry. I’ve never seen such ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Born Old

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 29, 2010

To experience new life, even in the senior years, means using old knowledge to gain new knowledge; to set aside pride in order to learn; and to be fully open to Christ.

We had been talking about a mutual friend. We had laughed a little at how rigid he was, how staid. We had commented that he didn’t like change; he could easily be "all shook up" when something didn’t go his way. I asked the other person in this conversation, "How long have you known John? Has he ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Be Led By The Spirit

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on May 25, 2013

We need to be open to the leading of God’s Spirit. We can so easily be bound by religion and follow rules that are either man-made or man-interpreted.

Be led by the Spirit Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Peter was bound by religion and in order for him to be open to change, God showed him a vision of unclean animals that descended from heaven. God told Peter to eat the unclean animals, but ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:14

Denomination: Charismatic

Things Aren't Always As They Seem Series

Contributed by Stu Hodges on Jun 11, 2013

God sometimes has a bigger purpose, something you cannot see behind an open door you walked through or behind that door that closed so abruptly on you.

Have you ever had to say this to someone in your house? I have to say this to my kids all the time because my kids have this tendency to stand right in front of our tv. I mean, they just stop dead in their tracks, it’s like they’re hypnotized by what’s happening in that moment on ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Sane Perspective Upon Discipline And Compassion Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 27, 2012

Walking with God means we must be willing to mix discipline with compassion in the right ratios and in the right situations. There is a time to be firm and buckle down and a time to open your heart.

A Sane Perspective Upon Discipline and Compassion (Proverbs 19:14-15, 17-18) 1. Discipline and compassion are connected. For example, if teachers do not keep a class under control, students cannot learn and that affects their futures. 2. A school teacher injured his back and had to wear a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:14-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Prayer Makes The Difference Series

Contributed by Charles Jones on Mar 4, 2012

Prayer is that activity whereby a person who is trying to live the life of a beleiever seeks to open up his or her mind and heart to the promised help and guidance of God the Father.

by Bishop Charles C Jones Matthew 6:5-8 Text verse 7 There can be no doubt at all that when it comes to the activity of what we call Prayer we will find that it is the very heart beat of every saved beleiver. It is the defining mark of every believer that say's to those ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Denomination: Pentecostal