Sermons on Opening Gates:

Easy As Falling Off Your Horse

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Jun 3, 2007

We, like Paul, as followers of Christ, Christians, are sent to the Gentiles of our time: secular humanists, moral relativists, materialists, even atheists, to open their eyes, like Saul’s were opened by Ananias, so they may turn from darkness to light.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Today we celebrate the Apostle Paul’s conversion. As Saul Paulus of Tarsus, he was a rising star in the rabbinical leadership of the time. When Saint Stephen was stoned to death as the first Christian martyr, Paul stood by, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-19

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The God Of Speed: No More Delays Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 29, 2025

The God we serve is a God of speed, not delays. When He steps into your situation, time is compressed, and progress is accelerated beyond human explanation.

THE GOD OF SPEED: NO MORE DELAYS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Amos 9:13 "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall ...read more

Scripture: Amos 9:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Narrow And Difficult Way Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 20, 2024

There are two separate gates that lead to two separate ways, or roads. One way leads to blessing and the other way to difficulty. So, which way, or which road, leads to life and blessing? The correct way is Jesus (John 14:6).

When I was in my twenties, I was an avid cave explorer. Now, I just watch caving videos on YouTube. It is interesting how spelunkers will naturally follow a large wide-open passage first. They will bypass numerous smaller ones, all because the larger one does not involve hunching over or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Bethel

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Dec 15, 2016

Jacob, following an amazing dream in which he saw a ladder or stairway extending between heaven and earth, with the Lord standing above it, exclaimed "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

Note: I have developed a simple set of slides in PowerPoint to use in the delivery of this sermon. They're not fancy, but they do help to keep attention focused on the points being presented. If anyone is interested in having the PowerPoint file, email me at sam@srmccormick.net with the word ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

James, The Brother Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 6, 2003

With the discovery of the James Ossuary and its arrival in Toronto, we’ve decided to crack open James. This is a biographical sermon about the man

Saint James – Who Was This Man? January 5th 2003 Acts 15:1-35, 21:17-26 The Ossuary Back in October, this amazing and almost unbelievable discovery came to light. A French scientist/historian had made the discovery of an ossuary with the inscription “James son of Joseph, brother of Jesus” on ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-35, Acts 21:17-26

Denomination: *other

Peter & The Early Church PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 29, 2023

To inspire the congregation to learn from Peter's faith and courage, and to become builders of the church, open to God's divine plan, just as he was.

Good morning, Church family! Today, we're diving deep into the Book of Acts, focusing on the adventures and exploits of that rock-solid disciple, Peter. His role in the early church was monumental and his life-changing experience at Pentecost is something that continues to inspire us today. Peter, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:14-41

Topics: Peter, Early Church

Unexpected Doors

Contributed by David Dewitt on Jun 11, 2001

There are times when the Holy Spirit opens unexpected doors in our lives when we follow God

Unexpected Doors Acts 16:6-11 June 10, 2001 Morning Service Introduction I. Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." II. The Roles of the Spirit  He ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-11

Denomination: Church Of God

Wedding At Cana Series

Contributed by Keith Bowman on Mar 12, 2007

This is the opening sermon to a series of Lenten sermons based on the seven major signs in John concerning the divinity of Jesus

I. Introduction A. I once read some place that “Time is God’s way of keeping everything from happening at once.” B. Which in a way is a good thing since there is barely enough time to get everything done that needs to be done. C. Now God is outside of time but in interacting with us he has ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

I Am The Way, The Truth And The Life Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 17, 2006

The life of faith is a journey along the path of life with Jesus. It also is opening ourselves up to the truth of the Spirit

John 14: 1-14 “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” INTRODUCTION Everyone is searching for a home, in actuality it is the one desire humans have that cannot properly be satisfied on this earth, because this earth is not our home. In a spiritual sense, everyone is like Patch Adams, striving ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

How To See A Star

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Feb 22, 2007

We are prone to miss out on the Star (Christ) if our hearts aren’t open to seeing him.

Title: How to See a Star Text: Luke 2:8-14 MP: Only the humble can see the amazing peace of Christ FCF: We are prone to miss out on the Star (Christ) if our hearts aren’t open to seeing him. Outline: Black Hole (How could you miss it?) My problem with the Gospel narratives: How could you miss ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

Getting To The Heart Of The Problem / Or/ Honest To God Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Jan 28, 2005

Being Honest to God no matter how hard the questions, Opens the door for God’s gracious response.

Passage: Genesis (14:17-24) 15:1-6 When Abram returned from defeating those many kings in war, and after he had met with Melchizedek, and after he had refused to accept the reward money from the king of Sodom, God came to Abram to make him a promise. This aging man had just risked his life to save ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Oh Say Can You See

Contributed by Kelvin Parks on Jun 23, 2004

Do you remember when your eyes opened up? Who or what did you see?

OH ... SAY CAN YOU SEE John 9:13-18, 24-25 REVEREND KELVIN L. PARKS Associate Minister Monument of Love Baptist Church Preached: 31 July 2003 at Shelby County Penitentiary INTRODUCTION I’m reminded of a story of a blind man who was on his deathbed. The man had been born blind but that didn’t ...read more

Scripture: John 9:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Prophetic Parables Of Matthew 13

Contributed by Paul George on Jan 29, 2004

The thirteenth chapter of Matthew opens with these words "That day Jesus went out of the house, and was sitting by the sea.”

The thirteenth chapter of Matthew opens with these words "That day Jesus went out of the house, and was sitting by the sea.” This statement clearly looks back to the preceding chapter, where Matthew records Israel’s rejection of their King. At the beginning of Matthew 12 we find the Pharisees ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-2

Denomination: Holiness

The Fruit Of The Spirit

Contributed by Val Black on Aug 24, 2007

Like a pilot needing a co-pilot, Believers need the Holy Spirit to lead them into "open skies".

The Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-25: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25

Denomination: Charismatic

Advantages And Logic: No Substitute For God's Grace Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 26, 2004

Even people with all the spiritual advantages will not open their hearts to Christ apart from the Sovereign Grace of God.

Advantages and Logic: No Substitute for God’s Grace (Romans 9:1-6a) Romans Review: Chp.1-3:23 The Doctrine of Sin „h Gentiles are lost Sinners „h Jews are lost Sinners „h Everyone is a lost sinner Chap. (3:24) 4-5 The Doctrine of Salvation „h Christ¡¦s atoning death on the cross its objective ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible