Sermons on Opening Minds:

Fifteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Cycle A-- 15th Sunday, Year A --The Sower

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 17, 2020

It is the intuitive mind alone that can penetrate the essence and heart of a parable. Then it becomes a living reality, thoroughly relevant to one’s own life.

“To throw alongside” a story with cryptic meaning is called a parable in Greek. In Zen Buddhism, a parable is like a “koan,” which is a spiritual inquiry using perplexing language intended to rouse a student’s innate wisdom-mind to apply it to their own life. As Rabbi Ibn Ezra said of parables, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, Isaiah 55:10-11

Denomination: Catholic

Will There Be Degrees Of Rewards? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 19, 2012

Will I be rewarded for what I do for the cause of Christ? It is a question many Christians ask, and perhaps many more hold unconsciously in their mind.

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Fall In Love--With Things Above

Contributed by Robert Joseph on Oct 13, 2010

If we fill our mind with heavenly things--as Colossians 3:1-2 instructs--we'll gradually become spiritual.

FALL IN LOVE—WITH THINGS ABOVE By Robert Joseph In January of 1997, astronaut John Blaha returned to earth after spending the previous four months aboard the Russian Space Station, Mir. Besides conducting various experiments, his mission was to help scientists understand the effects of ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Humility Of Christ

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 30, 2013

The ultimate example of humility: the 'self-emptying' of Christ. The obedience of the Cross; the sacrifice accepted. "Let this mind be in you!"

THE HUMILITY OF CHRIST. Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus placed a little child in the midst of His followers telling them that they had to be like a little child in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. By this one symbolic act He teaches us to accept the kingdom of God with the humility and trust of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Confused Part 3 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 9, 2017

This is the conclusion of my series "Are You Confused?" Part 3 focuses on the movies (images, thoughts, desires) that continously play in our minds.

Are You Confused – Part 3 Scriptures: Romans 12:2; Joshua 24:15; 1 Kings 18:21; Mark 5:25-34 This message will conclude this series titled, “Are You Confused.” In Parts 1 and 2, I focused on how Christians are confused about our identity and our authority as Christians. If we do not understand ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:25-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Is A Wise Man?

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jul 3, 2022

Wisdom and knowledge are the most two sought after qualities in life. What is wisdom? Jesus teaches that wisdom is the practical understanding of the mind of God.

James is saying, “Who knows the mind of God?” Who among you has no will of his own? C.H. Spurgeon, “The right use of knowledge.” Wisdom is seeing all things from God’s point of view. Proverbs 1:7, 10:27. The message of the Bible is, “There are two ways you and I can use our days. We can spend them ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Attitude Of Gratitude

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 29, 2021

The men of Jabesh-gilead provide an excellent example of gratitude. To develop an attitude of gratitude we need to practice two things: mindfulness and humility.

Introduction: A. I hope everyone had a very happy Thanksgiving Day. 1. Of all the American made holidays, Thanksgiving is perhaps the most spiritually oriented. 2. But did you know that having an attitude of gratitude is something that God commands? 3. 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 says: “Rejoice ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18, Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Moves You Series

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jan 28, 2024

3rd in Nehemiah series. An examination of things to keep in mind when God moves you or uses you to start something new.

Nehemiah 2 WHEN GOD MOVES YOU Please be turning in your Bibles to Nehemiah 2, Nehemiah 2 and verse 1, and as you’re turning I want to tell you that sometimes God just isn’t fair. For the past 2 weeks I have been helping a friend move some dumpsters around different job sites and such. Well, this ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

On Judgment Day And The Accountability Of Idle Speechbut Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 2, 2025

In the Bible, the concept of Judgment Day is a recurring theme that emphasizes the importance of living a righteous life, mindful of one's actions and words.

In the Bible, the concept of Judgment Day is a recurring theme that emphasizes the importance of living a righteous life, mindful of one's actions and words. Matthew 12:36-37 states, "But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every idle word they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:36-37

Sermon On Conquest Over Inferiority

Contributed by William Meakin on May 30, 2025

Inferiority is a state of mind that predominantly refers to the disposition of being not as good as someone or something else, or the possible notion of being less valuable or important.

Alfred Adler, an Austrian psychologist once remarked: “To be a human being means to possess a feeling of inferiority which constantly presses towards its own conquest. The greater the feeling of inferiority that has been experienced, the more powerful is the urge for conquest and the more violent ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13, 2 Timothy 1:7, Ephesians 2:10, Romans 8:37

Go! And Love With All You Are - Mark 12:29–30 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 24, 2025

Love God with all your heart, soul & mind! This isn’t just another rule; this is the foundational call of our faith.

Go! And Love with All You Are - Mark 12:29–30 Introduction Today, we continue our “Go! And…” series with a message that takes us to the very heartbeat of God’s commandments—straight from the lips of Jesus Himself. This isn’t just another rule; this is the foundational call of our faith. Title: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:29-30, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Romans 12:2, Proverbs 4:23, Genesis 2:7, Colossians 3:23, Matthew 22:37-40, 1 John 4:19, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus The Healer Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Nov 10, 2025

Jesus Christ is the divine healer, bringing restoration to the body, mind, and soul, and delivering His people from all forms of sickness and pain.

JESUS THE HEALER By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 8:16-17 Key Verse: “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” – Matthew 10:8 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 53:4-5; James 5:14-16; Psalm 103:2-3; Mark ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:16-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Finding Peace Through Gratitude SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

In his letter to the Church at Philippi, Apostle Paul emphasizes the connection between our gratitude towards God and the peace it brings to our mind.

Today, I want to talk about something that is on everyone's mind this time of year: gratitude. Whether you are a Christian or not, the question "What are you thankful for?" is something we all ponder. We instinctively know that being grateful is good for our well-being, both physically and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-8

Topics: Gratitude, Peace

"If You Have Heard Him" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jul 27, 2003

We need a renewed mind to see ourselves as newly created in the likeness of God, then put on the new man daily. (# 18 in the Unfathomable Love of Christ series)

“But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:20-24

Denomination: Orthodox

Emptying The Closets Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jul 15, 2007

Regarding sin, the Ephesians went through a significant turning point. Just like the Ephesians, it is important to break the sin cycle by changing your mind and turning around.

Emptying the closets Ephesus - Year 2 Acts 19.11-20 Sin will stifle your growth and hold you back as a Christian. It will stunt your faith. Regarding sin, the Ephesians went through a significant turning point. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:11-20

Denomination: Mennonite