Sermons on Opening Minds:

Who Gets The Glory?

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Aug 31, 2016

There are great accounts of victory in the Bible. Some of the favorites are found in the opening chapters of the book of Daniel. We tend to see Daniel, Shadrach, Mechach and Abednego as heroes, but Who is the real hero in the Bible?

God IS Glorious! Just listen to these verses! Psalm 8:1 NIV “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory in the heavens.” Psalm 108:5 NIV “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth.” 1 ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: Nazarene

"father Into Thy Hands" Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Apr 13, 2021

The cross was perpetually present to the mind of Christ. He was always moving toward that cross as a Victor, not a victim. He was always moving toward the ultimate final victory over sin and death

"Father into Thy Hands" Luke 23:46 The cross of Jesus Christ is the center of everything. Early in the Gospels we hear Christ declaring that He set His face steadfastly toward Jerusalem and the cross. His entire life was spent in the shadow of the cross. Isaiah 50:4–11 speaks of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:46

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Make Every Day Count Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Feb 17, 2022

A clear mind will help us to pray more appropriately for a given situation. Christ is coming again and time is running out. This should lead us to a sound prayer life.

We need, from time to time, to be reminded that we never know how much time we have left. I used to visit a man name David Fatheringham. He was a faithful believer in his eighties. The doctor said to him, you might not live long at all. I can’t even assure you that you will see another day. But on ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Of God (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Nov 16, 2002

Paul opens his letter to the Romans reminding them of the Promise of God! As Paul states "the gospel . . . is the power of God unto salvation" and it is also the central theme of Romans.

The Gospel of God (Part 2) Romans 1:7–17 Introduction People for two thousand years have been refuting and overthrowing this book, and yet it stands today as solid as a rock. Its circulation increases, and it is more loved and cherished and read today than ever before. People make about ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:7-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tearing Down The Temples Of Hell Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Oct 13, 2005

Paul had an open door of OPPORTUNITY. There were many OBSTACLES. God helped him to OVERCOME! Link included to Formatted Text version, Handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.

Tearing Down the Temples of Hell Acts 19:8-27 Paul stayed in Ephesus for 3 full years…not his normal pattern. There was much work to be done there, and w/ a pop. of 300,000 people, it was the capital of the Roman province of Asia. 1. Paul’s opportunity I Cor. 16:8-9 But I will tarry at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:8-27, Acts 19:23-41

Denomination: Baptist

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

Inside Connections And The Jewish Trial Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 31, 2003

Peter’s denial and the Jewish trial of Jesus opens our eyes to the nature of sinful mankind and society...and to God’s Sovereign Purposes which cannot be thwarted

Note: this is a bulletin insert that I included with the sermon. The actual sermon follows below it. Ed Inside Connections and The Jewish Trial of Jesus (Luke 22:54-65; John 18:12-27; Matt. 26:57-75; Mark 14:54-72) Have you ever noticed this verse about John sneaking Peter into the courtyard ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:54-65, John 18:12-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Moving Worship Series

Contributed by Scotty Killingsworth on Oct 30, 2002

What keeps God from moving in worship? We do! We are in a free partnership with him in these things. He knocks, and we can open up or ignore him.

This sermon was preached by Scotty L Killingsworth at Evergreen Church on Sunday morning November 3, 2002. Moving Worship Psalms 23 God is on the move. He is dynamic not static. God who is one day old and ancient of days is and will always be on the move. He never goes on vacation, sleeps or ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

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

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