Sermons on Opening Gates:

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

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

A Day After Salvation

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jul 15, 2023

What happens to those who’ve just given their lives over to the Lord? Will they be able to stand the onslaught of the enemy that is coming? This message will be an encouragement to new converts to open their eyes to the one who chose them before the foundation of the world.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (2 Corinthians 5:17-18) (17) "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (18) "And all things are of God, who hath ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, James 1:21, Romans 8:1-7, Romans 7:14-18, Romans 7:19-21, Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:8-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lifting Our Gaze: Finding Strength In The Heavenly Perspective Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 23, 2023

As we open our hearts and minds to the profound truths of His Word, let us explore a topic that resonates deeply with our theme of Visionary View "Lifting Our Gaze: Finding Strength in the Heavenly Perspective."

"Lifting Our Gaze: Finding Strength in the Heavenly Perspective" It is a privilege to stand here this evening, in the presence of our Almighty God, and delve into the depths of His Word with you. As we open our hearts and minds to the profound truths of His Word, let us explore a topic ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-2, Matthew 14:29-30, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Numbers 6:24-26, Psalm 123:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Walking In The Spirit: Transformed By Truth Galatians 5:16-18 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 16, 2024

Galatians 5:16. This verse invites us to walk in the Spirit, embracing a life led by the transformative truth of God's Word. As we delve into the Bible, may our hearts be open to the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit: Transformed by Truth Introduction: Today, let us explore the transformative power of God's truth found in Galatians 5:16. This verse invites us to walk in the Spirit, embracing a life led by the transformative truth of God's Word. As we delve into the New Living ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16, Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:17, Galatians 5:24, Galatians 5:18, Romans 8:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

"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

Invited To The Banquet Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 10, 2023

The sermon discusses the parable of a king's banquet in Matthew 22:1-14, symbolizing God's open invitation to all humanity to partake in His blessings, emphasizing the need for us to respond to His call and prepare ourselves for His kingdom.

Have you ever been to a really great dinner party? The kind of event that lingers in your mind for days and leaves you fully satisfied… What were the elements of the party that you remember? Is it the people? The food? The atmosphere? Maybe it’s a combination of all these things…Whatever it is, I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Topics: God's Invitation, Unconditional Love, Spiritual Preparedness

Unleashing The Power Of The Almighty SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

No matter the magnitude of the problem that has led you astray from God's path, He is capable of turning things around. If we open our lives and affairs to Him, He will transform us and respond when we call.

Introduction: Listen to what God says in this passage. He is asking this question of Israel, but it is certainly one that we must consider as well. This is a question that goes on even in the hearts of Christians. We often respond with "Well, no...but...". All of us struggle, at different levels, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:27

Topics: God's Power, Faith

Reset! Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 27, 2022

young people, I would encourage you to understand the code. Where are you going to find out the code? You're going to find it in your own personal walk and your own personal Bible study. As you open the Bible regularly and you understand what God has for you personally.

I'm a Mac guy. I love my Mac toys. I've got a Mac watch, I've got my phone, I've got my iPad that I actually run the presentation with on Sunday morning. I enjoy my Mac toys until I get the little colorful wheel on my computer that freezes my computer and I can't do anything and ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:13-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Creating New Strongholds - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jul 5, 2019

We examine the strongholds operating in Peter and John when they were confronted by the religious leaders

The last time we were together, we began looking at ways of thinking that the Apostle Paul describes as “strong holds.” Found only in 2 Corinthians 10:4, “strongholds” are wrong thoughts and beliefs about God that have been emotionally hardwired into our minds that hinder, what 2 Timothy 2:4 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:4, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Acts 4:1-2, Acts 4:10-26, Acts 3:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wrath Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Dec 2, 2014

An in-depth look at wrath, or anger, and the ways in which we can deal with it

Alexander the Great was one of the few men in history who deserved the adjective appended to his name. He was beset, however, with a horrific temper, and though he did manage to rein it in more often than not, on one occasion he was swept away by his passion. At a banquet given for Dionysius, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Freedom Isn’t Free

Contributed by Steven Platt on Jun 7, 2002

Memorial Day Sermon. It opens honoring those who gave their lives for our country, but ultimately honors those who gave their lives for our King. It closes with the ultimate Memorial Service for us as Christians, the Lord’s Supper.

Freedom Isn’t Free October 12, 2000. To some people, this may be a loved ones birthday. To others, maybe the day they bought their first new car. October 12, 2000. Undoubtedly, mothers were busy making Halloween costumes or perhaps even a few were beginning to buy Christmas gifts ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Graves That Couldn't Be Shut

Contributed by Dennis Cocks on Apr 2, 2006

In our text we see the singularly most important and impressive truth of the resurrection is a cemetery filled with graves which men were powerless to close. These graves were opened at the time that Jesus died; but those inside the graves would not come

EASTER: THE GRAVES THAT COULDN’T BE SHUT TEXT: MATTHEW 27:50-54 INTRODUCTION: Let me begin by reviewing the sermon that I gave two weeks ago titled “Was Jesus Crucified On Good-Friday?” If you still have your chart, please take a look as I remind us of the timeline. We learned from Lev. 23 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:50-54

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Friend At Midnight Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 7, 2007

Putting persistence in our prayers--When Jesus was asked by His disciples to teach them to pray, He said they need to ask, then seek, and knock until the door opens. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Friend at Midnight Luke 11:1-13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FriendAtMidnight.html INTRODUCTION 1. In studying the parables of Jesus, we have seen how He used the parabolic method of teaching on different subjects.... a. Mostly on the theme of the kingdom of heaven b. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Thessalonica And Berea Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 25, 2005

Paul centres his message on the historic Jesus, arguing from Scripture that he’s the Messiah. He persuades people by careful argument, opening the Scriptures to allow people to discover the truth for themselves. And he works as a leader of a team, includi

It’s interesting that we think of Paul as someone who stands out on his own. He’s the great apostle to the Gentiles, a man who stands head and shoulders above the rest. Yet in reality he was a man who loved to work as part of a team. He started out with Barnabas, then joined up with Silas, then he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

Denomination: Anglican