Sermons on Opening Gates:

(Resurrection) Life Is Full Of Surprises

Contributed by Michael Pahls on May 19, 2001

Peter’s explanation of the events leading to the conversion of Cornelius (a Roman soldier and Gentile) bears witness to the surprising and yet familiar ways of God and points us to the new possibilities for surprise that the Resurrection message opens in in our lives.

Fifth Sunday of Easter - Year C May 13, 2001 Acts 11:1-18 1st CENTURY PALESTINE: A WORLD WITHOUT SURPRISES This passage is all about the surprising works of God but to get the surprise you must have the back story. Hang in there, the payoff in this passage for your life is worth the extended ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Christmas Presents From Heaven

Contributed by C Jordan on Dec 14, 2008

Our Heavenly Father loves to give generous, lavish gifts to His children. He has many wonderful Christmas presents for everyone, and you don’t have to wait until December 25th to open them.

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FROM HEAVEN ILLUSTRATION: Santa Letters "Dear Santa, you did not bring me anything good last year. You did not bring me anything good the year before that. This is your last chance. Signed, Alfred." "Dear Santa, there are three little boys who live at our house. There is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: *other

Rev.#24~7:1-8 The 144000 Jewish Missionaries Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Sep 23, 2009

The Great Tribulation is about to break upon the earth with the opening of the seventh seal, but the fifth angel, ascending from the east in verse 2 restrains the other four angels from proceeding, and judgment is suspended, but only until the 144000 r

Rev.#23~7:1-8 THE 144000 JEWISH MISSIONARIES 9-26-09 Last time we talked and read about seal # 5, verses 12-17 in chapter 6:, and in these verses we have an over view of the “great tribulation”, the last 3 ½ years of the 7 are called “the great tribulation”. –Listen as I read verses ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Bi-Polar Possibilities Of Motherhood

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 12, 2008

Not your typical Mother’s Day sermon. From our perspective, motherhood -- or parenthood in general -- is an open-ended proposition. But godly mothers have chosen to take the risks and walk with God through times both good and bad.

The Bi-Polar Possibilities of Motherhood (Ruth, passim) 1. Nothing is quite as sweet as the attachment most children have to their mother. 2. One evening after dinner, my five-year-old son Brian noticed that his mother had gone out. In answer to his questions, I told him, "Mommy is at a ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

For What Shall It Profit A Man, If He Shall Gain The Whole World? Series

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Nov 4, 2011

Many years ago, archaeologists discovered the tomb of Charlemagne, the great king and emperor of France. When the tomb was opened, after being closed for centuries, the men who entered it found something amazing. They found certain treasures of the kingdo

Mark 8:36,37 I. A TREASURE THAT IS INCOMPARABLE -“SOUL” II. A TRADE THAT IS INCONCEIVABLE - “EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL” III. A TRAGEDY THAT IS INEXCUSABLE - “LOSE HIS OWN SOUL” ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:36-37

Denomination: Baptist

Vision 2010

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 16, 2009

In this New Year (2010) will we take the challenge to be humble, open to the Holy Spirit, have a repentant heart, a genuine hunger and thirst for God, pursue holiness, stay continually anointed and be of one mind and spirit within the Body of Christ.

Introduction: Something’s happening ... This last week I began reading a book by James Rutz. James wrote this book to make the Christian church aware that God is moving all across the world. His observations are a wake-up call to the American Christian and churches in America. Listen to some of his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peace: Ready, Set, Go

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 27, 2010

Peace comes hard for some at Christmas. We must be open to what God wants to give, we must get down to what God wants us to be doing, and we must find meaning in our ordinary pursuits.

National Baptist Memorial Church, Washington, DC, Dec. 19, 2004 These are stressful days. There is too much going on. Too much work, too much to think about, too many demands. Stressful. We’d really like some peace, wouldn’t we? Just a moment or two of quiet – ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Drawing From A Deeper Well

Contributed by Lyndon Marcotte on Jun 16, 2011

We must open ourselves to God’s love and grace, fully, and let His light illuminate the dark corners of our lives and bring healing and grace to our wounded places and reconciliation to our broken relationships.

“Drawing from a Deeper Well” – John 4:5-42 We began our Lenten journey with our Adam & Eve covered in fig leaves setting out from the Garden of Eden into the world of the unknown. Last week we saw Abraham answering the call to leave everything behind and set his heart toward the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:5-42

Denomination: Baptist

An Invitation To Worship Series

Contributed by Todd Leupold on Jan 16, 2008

Part 1 in series about living lives of worship. Focus of this opening message is a powerful reminder that God has invited us to live and participate in Him - it is up to us to how we may respond and what that may mean.

INVITATION TO A LIFE OF WORSHIP Part 1 in series, “LifeSongs*: Lives of Worship” Rev. Todd G. Leupold Perth Bible Church Sunday January 13, 2008 AM * Title inspired by the name of the song and album by “Casting Crowns.” Overall series inspired and, to some degree adapted, from the writings of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:11-27

Denomination: Baptist

Dying To Self

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Jan 25, 2008

Growing in intimacy with God is more than external works of prayer or love, it is dying to our agendas, fleshly desires and ego’s. Today we will look at how dying to oneself opens the door to a new life of intimacy with God.

“Dying To Self” Romans 6:4 01/27/2008 by Dcn. Chris Nerreau READ PASSAGE “Dying To Self” INTRODUCTION: May the words of my lips and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in thy sight, giving praise, glory and honor to Your name our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen! Have you ever asked ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:4, Romans 6:4-6

Denomination: Orthodox

God Is Bigger Than Your Enemies

Contributed by Rudolf E. Y. Mensah on Jan 8, 2017

When God is about to do significant things for you or through you, you’ll face significant opposition. Every door that God will open for you won’t come that easy; it will bring an avalanche of spiritual attack with it.

I. The Master Plan of Destiny Psalm 115:14-15 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 115:14-15

Denomination: Charismatic

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

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

One Last Chance Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 8, 2013

God through Pilate gives Israel one last chance before consigning the nation to perpetual judgment. Their abject rejection meant the loss of the nation ethnically and opened the door to all who will believe to become God's chosen people.

One Last Chance John 19:8–16 Introduction Last week we saw Pilate pronounce three times that he found no guilt in Jesus and tried to get Jesus released. First he tried to get the crowd to choose Barabbas. Then he tried the sympathy approach by having Jesus beaten up a bit and mocked by ...read more

Scripture: John 19:8-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Talk To Others About Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Dan Proctor on Jan 23, 2013

How do we overcome our fears and actually open our mouths to talk to other people about Jesus Christ? There are three action steps that we can take in order to effectively talk to others about Christ.

How to Talk to Others About Jesus Christ Acts 9:19-29 Introduction: 1. As we learned last week, when we trust Christ to be our Savior, Christ’s Spirit comes to live within us, and our life changes. When salvation occurs, there is a natural, internal desire to want to share our faith with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:19-29

Denomination: Bible Church