Sermons on Opening Gates:

Hearts Wide Open: Differences Are Okay

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Jul 23, 2019

Mary and Martha are different - sermon speaks to open hearts toward both expressions.

Hearts Wide Open: Differences Are Okay Intro: Australian author Nikki Rowe said, “The greatest asset you could own is an open heart.” Open hearts compel doctors to give free medical care in the inner city. Open hearts lead Christians live out their baptismal vows and serve Christ in all people. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Episcopal

Everyone's Invited To The Reception

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Sep 2, 2019

The sermon​ looks at Luke's Parable of the weddings guests who compete for the best seat​ at the table. Jesus makes it clear that everyone should be invited (poor, lame etc.), not just the rich and powerful. Such is the kingdom.

Everyone’s Invited To The Reception Intro If you've lived through a wedding you know, they are of all things most stressful. What few people realize is how stressful weddings are for the clergy. Although we will never say it with parishioners around, when clergy get together, we inevitably ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-14

Denomination: Episcopal

Open Your Heart's Door To Jesus Series

Contributed by Jerry Smith on Mar 18, 2021

Many people have used this verse evangelically; however, its true context is for Christians. Jesus is speaking to the Church members of Laodicea to let Him into their life for fellowship and worship and not only religious pretense.

This is my last message on the theme of doors in the Bible. Our text is Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (I put on screen pictures of painting - artist depictions of this ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Denomination: Baptist

Called

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jan 15, 2024

A sermon for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, Year B

January 14, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church 1 Samuel 3:1-10; John 1:43-51 Called Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Our scriptural texts today center on being called. We meet the young boy Samuel who is awakened in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, John 1:43-51

Denomination: Lutheran

Maybe My Will, Maybe Gods' Will

Contributed by Craig Benner on Nov 7, 2019

Sometimes the Will of God is not Black and White. Sometimes it is a Maybe.

MAYBE MY WILL, MAYBE GODS' WILL Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. There is no doubt that God can show us His will for our lives. Scriptures are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2, Genesis 16:2, 1 Samuel 14:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Revelation Study Series 7 - God's Mysterious Plan Fulfilled Series

Contributed by Clayton Beck on Feb 17, 2023

Jesus is alive! Jesus is coming back! Jesus wants you ready for His return!

Revelation Study Series 7 - God's Mysterious Plan Fulfilled 11.21.21 Message… Revelation 3:7-13 7 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the One who is holy and true, the One who has the key of David. What He opens, no one can close; ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Surprised By Grace

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Sep 7, 2021

A sermon for the Sundays following Pentecost, Year B, Lectionary 23

Sept. 5, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 7:24-37 Surprised by Grace Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. There’s an old saying: “A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” In order for a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Sermon On The Queen's Gambit

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 18, 2025

Chess is a two-player, ancient board game of challenge and strategy played on an 8x8 checkered board with 64 squares.

José Raúl Capablanca y Graupera, a Cuban chess player once remarked: "In order to improve your game, you must study the endgame before everything else, for whereas the endings can be studied and mastered by themselves, the middle game and the opening must be studied in relation to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Proverbs 16:8-9, Colossians 3:23-24

What A Glorious Promise! PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 12, 2024

This sermon encourages us to respond to Jesus' invitation, cultivate intimacy with Him, and trust in His promise of eternal presence for true satisfaction.

Welcome, beloved, to another beautiful day that the Lord has made. We are gathered here, not by chance, but by divine appointment. Our hearts are beating, our lungs are breathing, and we are here in this moment for a purpose. We are here to hear from our God, to open our hearts to His word, and to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Topics: Open Door, He Will Come

The Heart Goes Home For Christmas.

Contributed by John Bartol on Jan 26, 2013

When Jesus came to this world there was no room for him. But, because he came, now Heaven's Gate is open wide so that whosoever will may come. A more generous, open hearted, inclusive invitation has never been extended.

The Heart Goes Home For Christmas. (Suitable for Christmas Eve). Just about everyone wants to go home for Christmas. There may be extra time and expense involved, but it is certainly worth it all. No one tries any harder to make it happen than Mom and Dad, because parental love has a way of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Choice. The Principle Of Living A Fulfiled Life

Contributed by Efe Oluwatosin on Jun 26, 2024

There is always hope as long as we are alive. The gates to both life and hell are open continuously, allowing for the possibility to transition from one to the other at any given time.

Matthew 7:13-14 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow, and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” Regardless of how far one may have ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Lord Is Building His Church And The Gates Of Hell Will Not Overcome It

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Feb 15, 2009

THIS SERMON IS ABOUT HOW THE LORD IS BUILDING HIS CHURCH AND THEREFORE THE GATES OF HELL WILL NOT OVERCOME IT

THE LORD IS BUILDING HIS CHURCH AND THE GATES OF HELL WILL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT ***************************************************************************************** OUTLINE 1. THE LORD WILL BUILD HIS CHURCH AND PROTECT IT FROM ALL THE ATTACKS OF THE ENEMY 2. THE LORD IS WITH US LIKE A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Enter Into His Gates With Thanksgiving…” (Psalms 100:4)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Nov 17, 2023

Notice, our text begins, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord...”

As I preach this message I would like to show you why it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord. We usually think of being thankful as being connected with good manners. Illus: A man gave a little child a piece of candy. The mother was embarrassed, because the child immediately stuck the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 92:1-15, Psalm 100:4

Denomination: Baptist

Lift Up Your Heads Ye Mighty Gates! Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Dec 14, 2010

God arrives as the humble King to set up his rule in the lives of his people.

Scripture Introduction As you drive past churches during the next weeks, you will likely see at least one sign proclaiming, “Wise Men Still Seek Him.” It is a cute wordplay on Matthew 2.1-2: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Open Your Ears To See The Savior

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Jan 3, 2006

Open Your Ears to See the Savior 1) In Bethlehem’s Babe 2) In the Lord’s Supper (adapted from sermon by Jonathan Werre)

All little Johnny got from Grandma this Christmas was a piece of paper. It wasn’t even pretty paper like a Christmas card. It was just a dull grey sheet with lots of writing. There wasn’t even room to draw a picture on it. What good was such a paper to a five year old? As Johnny mumbled his thanks ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-32

Denomination: Lutheran