Sermons on Opening Minds:

Can Humans Have Integrity?

Contributed by Douglas Vincent on Nov 22, 2005

Satan challenges God asumption that Job is righteous. The open question of Job is, "Can humans serve God for who he is?" Can they have real integrity.

When I was a child my mom had to promise me she would give me a prize if I was good in the grocery store. I didn’t get that many prizes. But the motivation for my goodness was a prize. As I matured my Mother would ask me to be good in the store out of respect for her and the other shoppers. ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Methodist

One On One With Jesus In Mark Part 1 Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Oct 27, 2007

Let’s open up the world of Mark and walk in to see the one he’s proclaiming! Jesus will surprise us if we honestly look at him and listen to him.

Present Mark 1-3 dramatically, by memory if possible. First Encounter with Jesus I’ve been spending time with the Lord in Mark’s gospel this week and I can’t wait to tell you what he has shown me. But let me warn you up front, it hasn’t been easy. We’ve been in a hurry. I’ve never seen such ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's All About Relationships Series

Contributed by Richard Sharp on Jan 10, 2008

In the opening verses of Galatians 4, Paul shares about our relationship with God and our relationship with others. How do they relate? How important our relationships to God?

Galatians 4:1-16 It’s All about Relationships Ben Hooper was born in Newport, Tennessee in 1870 He was born out of wedlock , to Sarah Wade. As a result, He had a tough childhood, being taunted by others. In his early school years , his Grandfather died, and his mother was forced to place Ben ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Things Aren't Always As They Seem Series

Contributed by Stu Hodges on Jun 11, 2013

God sometimes has a bigger purpose, something you cannot see behind an open door you walked through or behind that door that closed so abruptly on you.

Have you ever had to say this to someone in your house? I have to say this to my kids all the time because my kids have this tendency to stand right in front of our tv. I mean, they just stop dead in their tracks, it’s like they’re hypnotized by what’s happening in that moment on ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prayer Changes Lives

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on May 8, 2012

Intercession for the lost does not guarantee salvation but it opens tremendous doors for those that we intercede for and the Lord is calling us to faithfully pray and follow that up with our testimony of love.

Last week we looked at the foundational parts of having a close encounter with God. (Close Encounters with God) We saw how God wants to meet with us every day and that face to face encounter begins with our welcoming him. Then we worship him. We pour out our hearts to him. And finally we ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:20-33

Denomination: Lutheran

A Sane Perspective Upon Discipline And Compassion Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 27, 2012

Walking with God means we must be willing to mix discipline with compassion in the right ratios and in the right situations. There is a time to be firm and buckle down and a time to open your heart.

A Sane Perspective Upon Discipline and Compassion (Proverbs 19:14-15, 17-18) 1. Discipline and compassion are connected. For example, if teachers do not keep a class under control, students cannot learn and that affects their futures. 2. A school teacher injured his back and had to wear a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:14-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Born Old

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 29, 2010

To experience new life, even in the senior years, means using old knowledge to gain new knowledge; to set aside pride in order to learn; and to be fully open to Christ.

We had been talking about a mutual friend. We had laughed a little at how rigid he was, how staid. We had commented that he didn’t like change; he could easily be "all shook up" when something didn’t go his way. I asked the other person in this conversation, "How long have you known John? Has he ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Out From Behind Locked Doors Series

Contributed by Chris Heimsoth on Jun 14, 2011

Opening Sermon to an Acts series, although this passage is not in Acts but in John, the passage bridges from Resurection to the begginnings of the Acts community. Main Passage is John 20:19-23

Well, we have come out of Easter having taken some time looking at some of the area’s where God is calling us to follow in his steps. And we have seen how God is inviting us to walk with him in resurrection power, so we are now moving beyond the resurrection to see. Into the bigger picture, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sixth Seal Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 12, 2017

The martyrs cried, “Avenge us!” but the unbelievers on earth will cry, “Hide us!” The opening of the “sixth seal” will produce worldwide convulsions and catastrophes, including the first of three “great earthquakes."

By: Tom Lowe Date: 11/17/2015 Title: (19) Sixth Seal: Cataclysmic Disturbances (Revelation 6:12-17) Revelation 6:12-17 (KJV) 12 And I beheld when he had ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Never Quench The Spirit Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 12, 2018

The Holy Spirit is our Guide today and we must be open to His direction. When we try to go our own way we quench His efforts.

1. 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Chameleanity

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Feb 20, 2016

Chameleanity is Chameleon Christianity, the art of blending in with the world in order to avoid detection, persecution and ridicule. This is a message about Christians coming out of the closet and living our faith in the open.

Chameleanity Introduction: In one of Aesops fables he tells of the Miller, his Son, and his donkey. The two of them were riding their donkey to a nearby fair to sell him. They hadn't got very far when they met with a group of women that were chatting around a well, they began laughing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Patience Is A Virtue... So What?

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 21, 2021

We’ve been waiting for things to get back to normal. Waiting for schools to start and restaurants to open. Waiting for family reunions, weddings, and funerals. Waiting for test results,

W hat a year. We’ve been waiting for things to get back to normal. Waiting for schools to start and restaurants to open. Waiting for family reunions, weddings, and funerals. Waiting for test results, the next wave of virus, and a vaccine. Waiting seems to have been the theme 2020. What’s promised ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23, James 5:7-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Persistent Prayer

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Oct 21, 2019

Jesus teaches us to pray always, never give up, and keep the faith until he returns. This kind of prayer keeps the line open with God throughout the day.

Luke 18:1-8 Persistent Prayer George Mueller prayed for a man for 63 years to come to Christ, and finally the man did so. When Mueller died, he had documented 50,000 answers to prayer! 5,000 of those were answered on the day he prayed for them, which means that about 90% of the time he had to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Job 1:21, 2 Peter 3:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Son Of Man Is Coming

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 7, 2018

Are we ready to open the door for Jesus upon His return? Let’s look at the parable of the waiting servants in Luke 12:35-48. A Year D Sermon.

Are we ready to open the door for Jesus upon His return? Let’s look at the parable of the waiting servants in Luke 12:35-48. Ready Luke 12:35 “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.” As a household servant would have had the lamps lit for the owner’s return, so do many of us leave an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-48

Denomination: Baptist

The Doorkeeper

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 5, 2018

We are to be Doorkeepers: loving the House and Presence of God, and opening the doors of the Kingdom of Heaven to those without knowledge. As Doorkeepers, we're to go in and bring others with us.

THE DOORKEEPER Ps 84:1-10 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A little girl and her older brother were visiting their grandfather's farm – their first time out of the city. The older brother decided to play a trick on his younger sister. He told her that he had just seen a man-eating chicken. 2. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God