Sermons on Opening Minds:

Measure Upon Measure – Death – The Restoration Of God - Part 9 (Section 1) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 5, 2025

In this fifth consequence of Adam’s sin which is death, we take a comprehensive look into what death means and examine all aspects. There are 5 sections in this and section 1 opens the subject up with a good look at the Garden of Eden and the entry of sin through Adam and Eve.

MEASURE UPON MEASURE – DEATH – THE RESTORATION OF GOD - Part 9 (Section 1) CHAPTER 5 - THE FIFTH CONSEQUENCE In this fifth consequence, because it is the longest, and probably the most important, it is difficult to break it into sections. I have done that but it ended up with some sections ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:45-47, Genesis 2:17, Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, Ephesians 2:1-3, Genesis 3:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Aliens Among Us?"

Contributed by Steven Kellett on Apr 7, 2002

As Peter opens his letter, he describes his readers as aliens (pilgrims, strangers). This is true of all believers because; 1. The Father has chosen us. 2. The Son has washed us. 3. The Spirit has sanctified us.

I was reading through the news on the Internet this past week – as is my regular habit, and I came across a most interesting article. According to the article, it has been reported that there are aliens living among us. One of the witnesses quoted in this article says that there may be hundreds ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-2

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Peace: Ready, Set, Go Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 27, 2000

To gain peace in stressful times, we need, like the shepherds of Bethlehem, to be ready and open to God’s doing new things; to set out promptly to respond to God’s action; and to go back into our normal course of life, but with a difference.

These are stressful days. There is too much going on. Too much. Too much work, too much to think about, too many demands, too much. Why, we have to shop and bake and decorate and plan parties and send cards and on and on. Too much. Stressful. Too much traveling. I heard an astonishing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

#15 The Last Barrier Has Been Removed Series

Contributed by James May on May 3, 2006

#15 - the final lesson in the Tabernacle in the Wilderness series. We began in the presence of God at the Ark; lost the power to go into God’s presence through sin; but now Jesus has torn down the last barrier and opened the Way. Praise God!

#15 The Last Barrier Has Been Removed Tabernacle in the Wilderness Series By Pastor Jim May The Veil before the Holy of Holies (SHOW PICTURE OF VEIL) Exodus 26:31-33, "And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 26:31-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Surely Jesus Didn't Mean That!

Contributed by Greg Nance on Apr 5, 2008

Hate your parents, spouse, kids??? What is going on here in Luke 14? Before we decided to change the Word of God, consider the unthinkable with me for a bit. It might just open our eyes to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is.

(If you rate this sermon please offer helpful comments, God bless, Greg) When was the last time you said something that you really didn’t mean? What if I got up here and said, “If anyone comes to this church and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Witness Of Scriptures Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jun 9, 2008

Openness to God precedes the reception of Scripture truth. We are not to guide Scriptures, they are to guide us...to God. We are not to make Scriptures say what we think or want them to say, but let them say what God desires to reveal.

JOHN 5: 39-47 THE WITNESS OF THE SCRIPTURES [Luke 24: 25-27, 44-49 / Luke 16: 19-31] The previous passage tried to teach us that openness to belief must precede the reception of truth. Now John affirms that openness to God precedes the reception ...read more

Scripture: John 5:39-47, John 4:5

Denomination: Baptist

Pews And People -- Churches And Steeples. Series

Contributed by John Sears on Jan 31, 2012

A topical message. How we define church will determine what we cherish and what we are able to let go. The right definition will free us; the wrong definition will enslave us. Aimed at churches who exist to "keep the doors open."

Introduction Do you remember this finger play? Here’s the Church, Here’s the steeple, Open the doors to see all the people In years gone by, this finger play was a tool that teachers used to teach children the importance of attending church? I certainly believe that it holds value for this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: Christian Church

Stumbling Onto Grace Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Feb 7, 2012

What we need is a true picture of Jesus, with nothing avoided and nothing exaggerated. We must be careful to not overemphasize one aspect of Christ’s character at the exclusion of the totality of His being. People will stumble over Him, but if they open t

Stumbling onto Grace Romans 9:30-33 -Do you know what a caricature is? One definition says that it’s “a representation, especially pictorial or literary, in which the subject’s distinctive features or peculiarities are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:30-33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"You Can’t Hold Me Down" Anymore!

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Aug 1, 2011

When you declare that you are redeemed by the blood of the lamb, have His favor and blessings on your life, you are pushing the door wide open, for God to do amazing, incredible, things in your life. And at the same time, slamming it shut on the accuser

You Can’t Hold Me Down, Anymore! Psalm 107:1-9 MSG. 1-3. Oh, thank God, He’s so good! His love never runs out. All of you set free by God, tell the world! (He wants you to proclaim it) Tell how he freed you from oppression, Then rounded you up from all over the place, from the four winds, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Comfort-Able Living

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 31, 2020

4 truths from these opening verses that should comfort all of us when life turns sour (Adapted from Bob Russell's book, Take Comfort, chapter called Comfort-Able Living pgs. 5-13)

HoHum: “I am the subject of depressions of the spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness.” Who said this? Charles Spurgeon, a famous preacher from England. WBTU: There is an idea out there that Christians should always be happy, always have a smile on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Hebrews 12:7-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

O, How Shall I Receive You?

Contributed by Hans Krause on Nov 6, 2018

Advent is the time of preparation for the coming of our heavenly King. How do we receive him in our Christian community and in our personal lives? Are the gates wide open, or does he need to knock at our door, locked from the inside?

[Sermon preached on 3 December 2017, First Sunday in Advent / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] This past week, Finland had the honor of welcoming three royal visitors: Prince William of the United Kingdom, Prince Daniel of Sweden, and Prince Constantijn of my own home country, the Netherlands. The media ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:7-10, Luke 19:28-40, Revelation 3:20-22

Denomination: Lutheran

The Long-Prophesied Prince Of Peace

Contributed by Craig Condon on Dec 19, 2015

The only way for us to have true peace is to say that we want to live like Christians and then act like we want to live as Christians. The only way that can happen is if we welcome the Prince of Peace into our lives with open arms.

In our Old Testament reading today, we heard from someone that we rarely hear from during the church year-the prophet Micah. Like John the Baptist, Micah prepared the people for the coming of the Messiah. He did so through his prophetic words. His prophecy is a vision for a life lived in the divine ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2-5

Denomination: Anglican

Show Me Your Glory

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 4, 2022

When God chooses to open up the flood gates and rain down His showers of blessing, we usually don’t realize it until after we are completely drenched. This message brings encouragement to those who are facing trials and difficulties.

This morning’s message is entitled, “Show Me Your Glory,” and I want us to look at God’s blessings today. I want to open by having us consider how the Lord’s blessings are similar to a jet aircraft flying at supersonic or near-sonic speeds. Did you ever hear a jet fly overhead and you looked ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Season Of Closed Doors

Contributed by Samuel M on Feb 20, 2024

When every door in our lives seems to be closed, there is always one door that opens, and that is the door to know and seek God. Many saints in the Bible went through this door during their difficult times when all other doors were closed.

When every door in our lives seems to be closed, there is always one door that opens, and that is the door to know and seek God. Many saints in the Bible went through this door during their difficult times when all other doors were closed. Instead of crying for the closed doors, we should go ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:40

Bloodwork (Pt 1) Series

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Nov 19, 2025

Last Sunday, Ashley said something that I’ve thought about off and on this past week. She said “the altar is always open, to come forward and worship God. You don’t have to wait for the altar call or invitation.”

Did you learn something new in God's word this past week, or did you see a familiar passage with new eyes? I hope you did. I know I did. Today’s message came to me over a year ago while reading about woman with the issue of blood. BODY It’s found in three of the four gospels. We are going to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:6