Sermons on Opening:

In The Land Of The Blind, The Open-Eyed Get Beaten Up Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 23, 2023

Our Western world is suffused with moral and intellectual darkness; it’s like nearly everyone is blind, or walks around with an eyepatch over both eyes.

Friday of the 11th Week in Course 2023 I had for about nine years the privilege of leading a Christian secondary school. One of the skills we taught in our writing classes was, as in many schools, how to write a resume for college applications. And, as principal, I got to read very many resumes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-23, Psalm 34:2-7, 2 Corinthians 11:18-30

Denomination: Catholic

Tuesday - Opening Closed Minds And Penetrating Callused Hearts Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 14, 2022

On Tuesday of the final week of Jesus' earthly life, He spent the day teaching His disciples, the crowds and the religious leaders. His teaching was designed to confront some and comfort others. The choice is always ours.

A. Did you hear about the guy going around different towns and jabbing people with knitting needles? 1. The police believe he was trying to make a point and was following some sort of pattern. B. The word “needle” can be used as a noun or a verb. 1. As a noun, a needle might be: a small slender ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Open Your Mouth Wide And I Will Fill It.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 3, 2022

The finest of wheat, and honey out of the Rock.

OPEN YOUR MOUTH WIDE AND I WILL FILL IT. Psalm 81:1, Psalm 81:10-16. If we allow that the summons to praise (Psalm 81:1) is a call to celebrate the kingship of the LORD, it is because He, and He alone, is God (Psalm 81:9-10; cf. Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Psalm 81:10. “I am the LORD your God, who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 81:1, Psalm 81:10-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Letter To The Church Of Philadelphia: An Open Door To A New Jerusalem Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Feb 23, 2023

I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny my name

“He was christened Giovanni, the Italian name for John. His mother named him after John the Baptist in hopes that he would be devoted to Jesus. But Giovanni was hardly devout. As the son of a wealthy cloth merchant, the boy was a spoiled rich kid. One day a beggar in the marketplace asked Giovanni ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:8, Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Salvation Army

Wake Up, Get Up, Open Our Eyes

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 3, 2023

This is another vision for Zechariah. Here we see work that is being done and encouragement given to complete that work.

This is another vision where Zechariah sees the golden lampstand and olive trees. The ultimate meaning of this vision answers the question “How will any Christian finish the work that the Lord has given them to do?” It is by the Spirit of God. In verses 1-5: The angel came and woke Zachariah up. ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

See Jesus! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 1, 2021

If you want to see Jesus through the fog of your depression, disappointment, and doubt, then open your Bible and open your heart to Him.

When I was teaching a philosophy class for Barton County Community College, we were asking some fundamental questions: What is Truth? & How do we know the Truth? At that time, one of my students introduced me to The Matrix, a science fiction movie, in which the real world has been taken over ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35, Revelation 3:20, Philippians 3:10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

12 Steps To God's Way Of Living

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 29, 2006

Opening of a series on the 12 Steps as a Spiritual Discipline

25 years ago this past fall, I bought my first car. It was a 1976 Chevy Vega. I loved it. Now my parents had found one of those AMC Pacers in Ohio (remember those, looked like an egg and had lots of glass) but I did not want one of them as unique as they were. So my parents came to Illinois to help ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1

Denomination: Church Of God

You Really Matter To God Series

Contributed by Darryl Bell on Apr 19, 2006

Jesus’ excruciating death opened the way to God.

You Really Matter to God; Mark 15:16-47; Psalm 22; 6th of 7 in “All for You” series; The Promise; 6th Lent (Palm Sunday); 4-9-06; Darryl Bell Max Lucado wrote "[The cross] rests on the time line of history like a compelling diamond...History has idolized it and despised it, gold plated it ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:16-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (3)

Contributed by Shane Brooks on May 5, 2005

Praise and Worship opens the door for new revelation.

Isaiah 43:18 God’s ready to do a new thing in us If you get complacent during this journey of life- Never get anything new IF praise bothers you- you cant really read the bible Every time in the bible- when God was moving- Accompanied by praise Ezra- temple people crying and shouting----- Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Uncut Pages Of Life

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Jan 13, 2005

There are moments of opportunity waiting to be opened in our lives.

Philippians 3:13-14 – “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” l. INTRODUCTION ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Living In The Light - Get Real Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 15, 2007

John calls us to live open lives

1 John 1:5-2:3 Living in the Light - Get Real Last week I talked about two streams of thought about Jesus that have some similarities to groups that the apostle John was having to deal with. I think these streams are best represented today by people like Dan Brown & his novel, the Da Vinci Code ...read more

Denomination: *other

Growing Generosity Series

Contributed by Kevin Mccarthy on Dec 12, 2007

Open your heart and grow greater generosity.

Giving the gift of “me:” Growing Generosity, Open Before Christmas series, Message #1, December 2, 2007. Did you shop on black Friday? Over 130 million of us hit the stores on the day after thanksgiving (dubbed “Black Friday”). Would you rate your experience a “thumbs up” or a “thumbs down?” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Door

Contributed by James Hayden on Mar 12, 2007

A door has two functions, it opens and it closes

THE DOOR John 10:9 9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. What is a door? When we think of a door, we usually think of the opening in ...read more

Scripture: John 10:9

Denomination: Baptist

Grace, Gratitude And Growth

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 29, 2011

Three great themes in the opening verses of Philippians.

Grace, Gratitude and Growth Phil 1:1-11 Message prepared for Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA June 26, 2011 *Philippians is a tremendous book of the Bible. Here God gives us some great words of comfort. For example in Phil 4 He tells us: 6. Be anxious for nothing, but ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Praise

Contributed by Mark Baker on Jan 2, 2009

Praise opens the Door for God’s deliverance.

Acts 16: 22. Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24. Having received ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:22-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible