Sermons on Opening:

Love: A Matter Of Priority

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Apr 3, 2006

Understanding love opens the window to life

Jn 15:13 In his book They Call Me Coach, John Wooden says, “It has always been my philosophy to follow our game plan. If we believe in it, we will wear the opposition down and we’ll get to them. If we break away from our style, and the commandments are our style, however, and play their style, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

Journey In Galatians Series

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Apr 6, 2005

This is the opening message in a series covering Galatians

Mark Twain wrote on Puddinhead Wilson’s calendar this thought: Behold the fool saith, "Put not all thine eggs in one basket,"…but the wise man saith, "Put all your eggs in the one basket and watch that basket." Paul’s letter to the Galatians is perhaps the outstanding example in Scripture of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Narnia: The Wardrobe's Opportunity Series

Contributed by Mike Parry on Dec 5, 2005

Open the door to life, adventure, and royalty.

Introduction: Today we are concluding our sermon series based on C. S. Lewis’ classic Christian allegory, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” In this story, four British children enter through a wardrobe to a new land called Narnia. In this land, it is always winter, and never Christmas. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Denomination: Baptist

Ya'll Come

Contributed by John Beehler on Apr 23, 2003

God’s invitations are open to everyone.

Ya’ll Come As I was working on this sermon one evening, researching the text and thinking about what this passage was saying to me and what I was to share with you about this particular passage at this particular point in time, I was watching one of my all-time favorite movies, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-13, Luke 14:15-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Jesus Heads To East Ridge"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Aug 10, 2011

A sermon about the radical openness of God.

Matthew 15:1-3, 7-28 “Jesus Heads to East Ridge” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN eastridgeumc.org How many of you like Winnie the Pooh? In one of his famous escapades, this loveable toy bear tries to trap an elephant—or, as he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-28

Denomination: United Methodist

Gifts

Contributed by John Hires on Apr 25, 2006

Christmas gifts are not valuable unles they are opened

Gifts Christmas gifts are not valuable unless they are opened and used. Do you have that one person whose house you go to after Christmas and there are still presents under their tree either people didn’t come get them or they forgot them while they were there? Some gifts are never used some are ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Mission: Possible

Contributed by Traci Loewe on Jul 30, 2007

Being open to God’s calling

Sermon Body Outline Opening Illustration: [use natural gestures] Last night I took a journey to a land far ’cross the seas; I didn’t go by boat or plane, I trusted on my knees. I saw so many people there in deepest depths of sin, and Jesus told me I should go that there were souls to win. But I ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-22

Denomination: Methodist

Temple Keepers

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on May 15, 2013

Heaven will open when we are obedient

Isaiah 64:1-2 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! 2 As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! 3 For when you did awesome things ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Gospel Message And Motivation Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Mar 6, 2014

Open Doors The Gospel Message and Motivation

Open Doors The Gospel Message and Motivation Acts 18:5-11 November 10, 2013 We started this series in Colossians, where Paul tells us to walk in wisdom toward those who do not know Christ by making the best use of our time. So Paul asked the Colossian church to pray that God would open a door to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Burial: Death's Demise Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Mar 22, 2013

Jesus death opened the door for us!

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Usually when someone dies we bury them and it is more or less the end of the story. • There will be no more walks in the park, no more good times together. • Death claims another victory; the world seems to go on like nothing ever happened. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joy In Generosity Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Jul 21, 2025

The joy of living with open hands and hearts

Introduction Over the past few weeks, we’ve been exploring how we can “enjoy life” — not just survive it. We’ve talked about the joy of relationships, new life, and last week we looked at the joy of contentment. We discovered that contentment isn’t about having everything we want — it’s about ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Facing The Many Decision Doors Of Life Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Dec 6, 2023

Opening life's doors.

A. DOORS ABOUT HEAVEN 1. The door of salvation. “ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). 2. The door of discipleship. “You can enter God’s kingdom only through the narrow door. The highway to hell is a wide door for the ...read more

Scripture: John 10:9, Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

X-Ray Vision

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Feb 28, 2002

As Elisha’s eyes were opened to see God’s protection, so can your eyes be opened to see the supernatural.

I. ENEMY PLANNED AN AMBUSH 8 Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. II. EVERY ATTACK WAS PREEMPTED BY PROPHETIC PREPARATION — EAVESDROPPING ON HELL 9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:8-23

Denomination: Church Of God

Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time- The Opening Up Of A Relational Space By Forgiveness.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 11, 2022

Forgiveness is a conditional gift offered that opens a relational space that expects a reciprocal response.

There used to be a sign in the Princeton University Book Store basement which said: "Love your enemies—it will drive them crazy." Clever but love of enemies and forgiving, commanded by Jesus in our Gospel this Sunday, is not hoping that the other person will change or trying to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Catholic

Open The Eyes Of My Heart: Investing In Another World Series

Contributed by Keith Manry on Mar 2, 2004

Part 4 of a series entitled "Keeping the Beat: Heart Healthy Giving for Heart Healthy Living" Other sermons: "The Heart of the Problem", "Re-Deed Your Heart", and "Spiritual Angioplasty"

In a church in the Deep South where the preaching style was a “talk back” sort of style, the pastor was getting the congregation exited about their prospective future. The preacher said, “This church is like a crippled man who needs to get up and walk under the power of Jesus!” The congregation ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30, Mark 12:41-44

Denomination: Methodist