Sermons on Opening Minds:

Our Principle Assets(2023)-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jul 10, 2023

2 of 7. Paul & Sosthenes opened their letter to the Corinthian church by informing them of their most important spiritual assets. The local(our) church has important spiritual assets. But What are some of those spiritual assets? A Principle Asset of the Christian church is...

Our PRINCIPLE ASSETS-II—1Corinthians 1:2-?(:1-9) ATTENTION: Congaree National Park is located around 10 miles southeast of Columbia SC. It’s a little over a 2 hr. drive from here.—We have plans to go there sometime in the near future. There are certain aspects of the park that are appealing to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Day Of Judgment Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

We must open our spiritual eyes and recognize that there are thousands of victories being won everyday around the world. We are referring to the victories of light over darkness. The Christian must balance his pessimism concerning the world with his optimism concerning the kingdom of God.

The optimist says the world is everyday in every way getting better and better. The pessimist says the world isn’t what it used to be, but is going to the dogs. The Christian realist says they are both right, because there are two kingdoms of reality. There is the world order, or that realm in ...read more

It’s Time To Stop Pretending Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 3, 2010

We are more like the Pharisees than we would like to admit - hiding our true selves from others and from God and blaming external things for the consequences of our own behavior. But Jesus offers real hope if we will open up to Him in relationship.

The act of projection involves blaming things outside of yourself for your problems. The act of denying personal responsibility means it is the fault of your spouse, your boss, the government, the weather, or even that tool you were using. The Pharisees were masters at projection, and as it turns ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:33-50

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Faith Changes How We React To Our World Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Apr 25, 2025

Faith that sits still is not the faith Christ calls us. Transformative faith changes how we react to the world around us. True faith wakes us up, renews our minds, and shines as a light for others to see Christ in us.

### **INTRO: Faith That Moves or Faith That Sits?** Video Ill.: Sermon Bumper ### **Opening Illustration: Asleep in the Pews** Drawn from: https://www.preachingtoday.com/sermons/sermons/2017/february/sloth-seriously.html Sloth? Seriously? Brian Wilkerson Imagine sitting in church week after ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22, Ephesians 4:17-32, Romans 12:2, Galatians 5:22-23, Galatians 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Transformed By Gods Light Series

Contributed by Dan Myer on Apr 16, 2008

Sin is the proprietor of great evil upon the hearts and minds of man… It has brought destruction, death and pain…It hides in the dark places… God wants to shine His light into our hearts…exposing and removing the harmful and destructive scars that si

“TRANSFORMED” God’s light comes on! Pastor Dan Myer “…God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”- 1 John 1:5 “…God, commanded the light to shine out of darkness, and has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”- 2 Corinthians ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon 5 - The Case For Compassion Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 24, 2025

Mission minded disciples of Jesus are committed to being salt and light by showering people with God's love through acts of compassion and kindness. We become more compassionate as we remember the compassion we have received from God.

A. One night at 3 o’clock in the morning, a husband and wife were awakened by a loud pounding on their door. 1. The husband got out of bed, opened the door, and found a drunken stranger standing in the pouring rain. 2. The inebriated man asked, “Can you give me a push?” 3. “Not a chance,” said ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14, John 13:34-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Part Ii: A Three Step Offering Series

Contributed by Chris Carroll on Sep 10, 2007

Christ has called us to dance to His music. We do this through service to Him. The three step Servants dance is composed of 1) Offer your body 2) Offer Your Mind 3) Offer Your Service

Having a Servant’s Heart Part II: A Three Step Offering Romans 12:1-8 Castalia Baptist August 26, 2007 There seems to be a growing fascination in dancing recently. Shows are on television today focused on dancing. There is Dancing with the Stars which has captivated many Americans. Now, I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

"o Little Town Of Bethlehem" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Dec 19, 2018

We need to go to Bethlehem … the Bethlehem of long ago. We need to find the peace and hope that was born there in Jesus Christ … and Advent and hymns like Brooks’ “O Little Town of Bethlehem” can take us there in mind and heart, amen?

On Thursday, November 29, the people living in and around Anchorage, Alaska, went about their lives as usual – working … shopping … watching TV … talking on the phone ... making plans … surfing the net … hinging out with friends. Just going about life. Totally unaware that 3.9 billion – that’s ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:1-5, Matthew 24:37-39

Denomination: United Methodist

The Colors Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 8, 2021

One thing is for sure, heaven will be the most colorful place we will ever be. The light of God will bring out every color the mind of God can conceive. It is always light, and never night, and this means never ending color and beauty.

Mr. Jones was having her living room painted, and she was explaining to the unsympathetic painter just what she wanted. "I want a light green blue, which will be sort of a cross between a darker blue and a light bluey blue", she said. The painter replied, "Lady, there ain't no ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:9-21

Wisdom In Discerning The Truth Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 23, 2018

Wisdom in Discerning the Truth Series: Wisdom for Life (Proverbs) Brad Bailey – July 21, 2018

Wisdom in Discerning the Truth Series: Wisdom for Life (Proverbs) Brad Bailey – July 21, 2018 INTRO… Would you like to be known as a judgmental person? Most of us don’t. In fact it has become nearly a defining virtue of our current times: Like we have to say “Hey …I don’t like to judge ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Good And Bad Alike

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Jun 11, 2007

What? “Good and bad alike” invited to the palace? The door is wide open and all of them are let inside: can you imagine what happened there, the horrendous stampede? Costly carpets, marble, gold, everything clean and suddenly dirty beggars and hungry peas

“…Everyone, good and bad alike” Matthew 22: 1-14… Mathew 22: 8-10: Then he said to his servants, ’The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 1So the servants went out into the streets and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Exodus 14 - Stand Still And Move Forward! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 25, 2009

Sometimes God says to me "Get on with it! That’s when you will see My deliverance! Get moving! Do something with your faith, don’t just stand there!" and then the way opens up, and the waters part, the impossible happens and the enemy is defeated.

Exodus 14 - Stand Still and Move Forward! Exodus 14 speaks about the miracle of the division of the Red Sea. I was wondering why would Pharaoh want to go after Israel after all that he had been through. You would think that he would know by now that it was an exercise that would only produce ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Joy Of Love Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 12, 2016

Do you want to find joy in your relationships? It starts when you open up your heart to receive God’s love for yourself. Then, in the context of that grace and love, feel the same; think the same; and do the same, promoting others above yourself.

A couple had been married for 60 years, and throughout their life they had shared everything. They loved each other deeply. They had not kept any secrets from one another, except for a small shoe box that the wife kept in the top shelf of her closet. When they got married, she put the box there and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Digging Deep And Leaning In Series

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jul 13, 2023

This sermon is about how to live a vibrant and positive life in the face of Persecution using St. Polycarp and the Smyrna Church as models.

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11; John 15:18-20 Theme: Digging Deep and Leaning In This sermon is about how to live a vibrant and positive life in the face of Persecution using St. Polycarp and the Smyrna Church as models. INTRO: Grace and peace in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11, John 15:18-20, 2 Timothy 3:12, Ephesians 6:10-11, Acts 4:23-31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

The Clarification Of Tongues Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jun 9, 2006

As we approach this next passage regarding the gift of tongues and their use/misuse, it is appropriate to deal with verse 20 again.... When we think about children and their attitudes towards things, two thoughts pop into my mind. First, Kids tend to be

THE CLARIFICATION OF TONGUES 1 CORINTHIANS 14:20-25 INTRODUCTION: As we approach this next passage regarding the gift of tongues and their use/misuse, it is appropriate to deal with verse 20 again. Last week we closed with this verse, looking at the exhortation of Paul, not to be babies and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:20-25

Denomination: Baptist