Sermons on Opening Minds:

The Wizard Of Oz

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 25, 2016

This movie is parallel to the life of the Christian, who is trying to get to the Celestial City, New Jerusalem. Christians, like Dorothy, are given 4 aids to help them reach the Heavenly City.

THE WIZARD OF OZ Heb. 11:10 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR “Why Men Are Happier People” 1. NICKNAMES. If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah. If Mike, Dave & John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Bubba & ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Spiritual Discernment

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on May 4, 2016

Spiritual discernment seems to be something lacking in many of the people in America who identify themselves as Christians. They're decisions seem to be the same as those of their unsaved neighbors. Should this be so? What does the Bible say?

Discernment - The act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment. Keen insight and good judgment … Illustration: Imagine that you walk into a bank and you see that all of the customers are laying on the floor and the only person standing is a guy with a ski mask over his face ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Denomination: Nazarene

Heavenly Inclined

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jul 27, 2014

To show that we are need to be more inclined, proned or affected with heavenly things not on earthly things.

I. EXORDIUM: What are you prone to do? Heaven or earth If unbelievers are prone to accidents, we are prone to heaven. II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that we are need to be more inclined, proned or affected with heavenly things not on earthly things. IV. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Upward Call Of God

Contributed by John Mccormack on Aug 15, 2014

A BELIEVERS’ CALL IS UPWARD.

THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD OBSERVATION: A BELIEVERS’ CALL IS UPWARD. INTERPRETATION: PHILIPPIANS 3:14 (NKJV) I PRESS TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. POINTS TO PONDER: PAUL UNDERSTOOD HE WOULD NOT ATTAIN PERFECTION IN THIS LIFE. PAUL STATED HE ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:14

Denomination: Baptist

Mindset

Contributed by John Mccormack on Sep 27, 2014

MINDSET IS CRITICAL FOR RESTORATION.

MINDSET OBSERVATION: NEHEMIAH WAS A HIGH OFFICIAL UNDER THE RULE OF KING ARTAXERXES 1 IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF SUSA, NOW MODERN IRAN. THIS KING ALLOWED HIM TO RETURN TO HIS HOMELAND AND REPAIR THE BROKEN DOWN WALLS SURROUNDING JERUSALEM. HE ENCOUNTERED OPPOSITION BY PAGAN TRIBES IN HIS ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:6

Denomination: Baptist

Let The Light Shine Upon Us

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jan 30, 2015

In the Anglican Church, we do not have altar calls, spelled “A-L-T-A-R”, but Jesus always issues an altar call, spelled “A-L-T-E-R”. He calls on us to change our lives for a better fit. He calls on us to change habits that drag us down.

John 1:1-17 is John’s version of the nativity story. It doesn’t begin with shepherds and angels and a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. John’s nativity story takes us back to the beginning of creation and time, and it echoes the creation story in Genesis. In ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-17

Denomination: Anglican

The Great Commandment – Sermon 2: Loving God, Part 2 Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jul 29, 2018

The Great Commandment commands us first to love God with every fiber of our being. This message is part 2 of the first part of the Great Commandment.

The Great Commandment – Sermon 2: Loving God, Part 2 Series: The Great Commandment Chuck Sligh July 29, 2018 TEXT: Matthew 22:34-40 – “But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them,…a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Baptist

Victory Over Worries

Contributed by Kamalanathan Francis on Nov 30, 2020

People become victims of GAD as a result of pathological worrying, People worry and people develop worry in two different forms according to research. Worries are stored in our minds as images and in verbal form.

I do not know how you perceive, but to me, anything Bible teaches is not a giving us suggestions but a command. If we have learned to avoid unbiblical practices, our life would be much happier. The first step to finding an answer to your worry is knowing what is a concern and what is a worry. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:25, Proverbs 12:3, Matthew 6:25-32, 1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Don't Judge Me (August 21, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 25, 2022

Whether or not we like to admit it or not, we are all hypocrites because of our double standard judgments we make. .... There is in us all a built-in inclination to judge others. It begins in in our minds. Today we will look at without, within, and transformation.

DON'T JUDGE ME (August 21, 2022) Text: Matthew 7: 1 – 5 Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, 2 for God will judge you in the same way you judge others, and he will apply to you the same rules you apply to others. 3 Why, then, do you look at the speck in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: United Methodist

#7 Don't Be Deceived Series

Contributed by Ronald Thorington on Mar 28, 2016

Satan's primary strategy is deception. There is a battle for the minds of Americans. There are many lies of Satan that Americans believe

Do Not Be Deceived 10/18/15 Introduction: For almost 230 years America has enjoyed freedom of religion. Because the early founders feared a state church, they enacted the Free Exercise Clause in the First Amendment. It was written to ensure that the new government could not coerce persons to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Staying Clean In A Polluted World.

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jan 17, 2021

‘Staying Clean in a Polluted World.’ 1 Peter chapter 1 verses 13-21 – sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Be Ready Mentally (vs 13-14) • An Alert Mind (VS 13A). • A Sober Mind (VS 13B). • A Positive Mind (VS 13C). (2). Be Ready Morally (vs 15-21) • Motivation #1: By Being Godlike (vs 16) • Motivation #2: By Being Fearful (vs 17) • Motivation #3: By Being Full (vs ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-21

Denomination: Brethren

Dare To Trust God

Contributed by Colin Mcgeer on Oct 7, 2023

A relationship can only be as secure as you trust each other—trust in the Lord, not in your own understanding. We do not have a better way. Dare to trust God.

Establishing a solid and enduring bond in a relationship primarily hinges on the foundation of trust. Trust contains the highest level of certainty in a partner's faithfulness. Trust fosters a profound sense of security and love. It is intricately linked to a state of peace and genuine ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:8-9, Genesis 17:15-17, James 1:2-8, Hebrews 11:6

The Peace That Surpasses All Understanding Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 7, 2023

Philippians 4:7 offers us a profound promise – the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. This peace is not dependent on our circumstances but on our trust in Him

"The Peace That Surpasses All Understanding" Introduction: Today, we find solace and inspiration in the words of Philippians 4:7 from the New Living Translation. Point 1: The Source of Peace Scripture: Philippians 4:7 (NLT) - "Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:7, Isaiah 26:3, Proverbs 4:23, Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Wind The Clock Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Life is measured in meaningful moments, not just minutes. We need to be intentional with our time, eliminating time-wasting activities, seizing teachable moments, and accumulating meaningful experiences.

Have you ever thought about how long you've actually lived? Not in years or days, but in moments that really matter? Dr. Tony Campolo once asked a student this question and it got him thinking. Life isn't just about the minutes we spend, but the moments we create. Before we dive in, let's remember ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:16, 2 Peter 3:8

Topics: Time Management, Productivity, Mindfulness, Work-Life Balance

Focused On Today Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Instead of worrying about the future, we should focus on the present day, trusting that God will provide for our needs.

Today, we're going to talk about something super important that Jesus taught his followers. This is something we all need to understand and do in our lives. I want you to imagine you're carrying a backpack. Every time you worry about something in the future, you're adding a rock to your backpack. ...read more

Topics: Fear Management, Present Focus, Anxiety Reduction, Mindfulness