Sermons on Opening Gates:

Worship Is More Than You Think Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Feb 29, 2024

“How should I approach God in worship? How should I prepare? What should I come expecting?” The writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 10: 19-25 opens the curtain and helps us see how God sees worship. He shows us that worship is more than we think.

Probably the most preparation I have ever made for one worship service was when Jan and I started a church in Northern Michigan in a small town called “Charlevoix.” I was fresh out of seminary, 25 years old and excited about launching the new church. Yet, if you ever have been part of a church ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Baptist

Buried Treasure Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 5, 2022

Jesus tells the parable of a man who sold everything he had to buy a field with hidden treasure in it. What is the treasure, and what does that mean for us?

(This sermon series is based on a book by Randy Alcorn entitled "The Treasure Principle) OPEN: Several decades ago, there was something called the "Iron Curtain." It was an imaginary border between the Communist Soviet Union (and it's satellite nations) and the rest of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living With Loneliness…even In A Crowd

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jan 12, 2003

Few emotions are more painful than the emotion of loneliness. Deep loneliness is often experienced right after the holidays. The gifts have been opened. The parties have been given. All of the friends and family have returned home and the cookies have bee

SERMONIC / WORSHIP THEME Opening Statement: Few emotions are more painful than the emotion of loneliness. Deep loneliness is often experienced right after the holidays. The gifts have been opened. The parties have been given. All of the friends and family have returned home and the cookies have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-23

Conflict Resolution

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Sep 9, 2002

Jesus in Mt 18 offers us three routes to “conflict resolution” – similar in many ways to the three judicial routes that we have today. 1. The “ Out of Court” settlement 2. “Arbitration” in camera and 3. The full blown Confrontation in Open Court

Sharrington/ Hunworth 08-09-02 Mt 18:15-20 Conflict Resolution This morning’s Gospel reading from Mt. 18 verses 15-20 is all about handling personal conflict in church. The text seen in isolation - reads rather like a legal manual on how to deal with someone else’s’ sin and what steps we need to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Anglican

Why Do We Go To Church? Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Nov 3, 2002

Sermon 1 in a series of 5. This sermon was "tag-team" preached by myself and an associate minister during a community "Open House" Sunday. If the woman at the well were here today her question would be the same but different, “Why do you Christians worsh

Why do we go to church? Texts: Joh 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When The Infinite Became An Infant Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 15, 2003

As the living Word, Jesus was with God in the beginning. He created all things and is the light of the world, and yet was not received warmly by those who should have welcomed Him with open arms. During this Christmas season, why don’t you receive the gre

When the Infinite Became an Infant I thought it would be a good idea for us to take a “Christmas Quiz” this morning to see how well we know the facts about the first Christmas. 1. When Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, how did they get there? a. They walked b. ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Praying That The Eyes Of Your Heart Would Be Enlightened

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 15, 2005

A shoe manufacturer who decided to open the Congo market sent two salesmen to the undeveloped territory. One salesman cabled back: “Prospect here nil. No one wears shoes.” The other salesman reported, “Market potential terrific! Everyone needs shoes.

Praying that the Eyes of Your Heart Would Be Enlightened (Eph. 1:16-20) "I pray that the Father of Glory may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation (of insight into the mysteries and secrets) in the deep and intimate knowledge of Him. By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light so ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:16-20, Ephesians 1:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dealing With Sin In The Christians Life. Series

Contributed by James Mccullen on May 9, 2005

Does sin affect of bodies? Do we need to confess sin to others? It is my desire to preach the Bible during the entire sermon. Please note all points and sub-points are tied to the scripture. This sermon is expository in style, you will have to open,

DEALING WITH SIN IN THE CHRISTIANS LIFE. James 5:16-20 (NASB) (16) Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. {17} Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16-20

Denomination: *other

Who Do You Please Series

Contributed by James Mccullen on May 12, 2005

We must please God, and Paul gives us such an example. It is my desire to preach the Bible during the entire sermon. Please note all points and sub-points are tied to the scripture. This sermon is expository in style, you will have to open, and keep o

WHO DO YOU PLEASE Galatians 1:10-17 NASB 10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. 11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:10-17

Denomination: *other

Who' Driving Your Car

Contributed by John Myers on Mar 9, 2005

2,000 years ago the apostle Paul was changed in an astonishing conversion on the road to Damascus. The man who killed Christians, now became one. Yet after a life of hatred, killing, and deliberately finding violence on the open road of life, Paul k

Who’s Driving Your Car? Acts 9:19-27; 13:13-15; 13:44,45; Galatians 1:15-18 Have you ever known anyone who needed solitude in their lives. Listen to this story John had married young, divorced young, came from a wealthy family, had moved from Central America to the U.S. when he was five, lived in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:2-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Church, Do You Know God? Series

Contributed by Duane Smith on Nov 6, 2005

With so many problems within the church today we need to ask: Church, Do You Know God? This message is entended to open our minds and enlighten our hearts to the saving message of the gospel and see the church truly believe in Jesus Christ.

CHURCH, DO YOU KNOW GOD? Acts 3:11-21 INTRODUCTION: A. If you had to build a defense (in a court of law) for knowing God, what would you do? 1. Who would you call on as a character witness? 2. What fruit of the Spirit could you show evidence of? 3. What acts of selflessness and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:11-21

Denomination: Baptist

I Will Let You Choose

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Apr 15, 2006

Two criminals were nailed to the cross beside Jesus. Both were close to Him, but responded differently and thus ended worlds apart. Blessings flow when we admit our mistakes and open our heart to God with faith. Choose wisely.

Calvary is the place of the three crosses. • Two criminals were led to be executed with Jesus that day. • They were in a way, privileged to be so close to Jesus during the last moment of His life, and their own lives. • That gave them the chance, the last chance to know the One who could save ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Saint Abraham" Romans Part 5 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 5, 2007

Saint Abraham had Resurrection Faith because he believed even when there seemed to be no hope of becoming the father of many nations. His faith in the Lord opened the door for God to raise a dead womb and to birth a new nation in his wife Sarah.

“Saint Abraham” Romans pt 6 (He had resurrection faith!) Opening Illustration: “What Does Easter mean to you?” Blue Fish TV “Easter” DVD Introduction: The young mom was driving her 3-year-old child to church early on Easter morning. As she drove she told the Easter story. “This is the day we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Death In The Family

Contributed by David Perkins on Sep 10, 2007

Are the church house doors open to all or not? Do we, as followers of Christ, welcome everyone or not? Are we going to judge those passing though our doors, especially in time of death and the sorrow that surrounds that? Christ wants us to be includers

There’s the story of President Calvin Coolidge who was better known back in the 1920s when he was President of the United States (1923-1929), he was known as “Silent Cal” because he didn’t like to speak very often. This drove the reporters of that day up the wall. The story goes that he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:41-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Bethany To Pentecost

Contributed by Ray Searan on Feb 21, 2007

At the time of our text, the disciples had been on quite an emotional roller coaster ride. They had within the past few weeks witnessed their leader Jesus Christ open the blind eyes, and perform other miracles. They were then with Him when He went to the

Text: Luke 24:44-53 (NASB) 44Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." 45Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-53

Denomination: Assembly Of God