Sermons on Openings:

The Gift Or The Wrapping?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Nov 23, 2014

Have you opened God's gift or just intrigued with the wrapping?

Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam asher kidshanu b'mitz-vo-tav v'tzi-va-nu l'hadlik ner shel Chanukah. We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who hallows us with mitzvot and commands us to kindle the Chanukah lights. Maoz Tzur Ma'oz tzur yeshu'ati ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17

Denomination: Baptist

Effective Prayer Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jul 10, 2018

Message 2 in our exposition of Colossians exploring the content of Paul's opening prayer.

Chico Alliance Church “Effective Prayer” I. Paul exhibits effective prayer A. Paul offers thanksgiving to the Father 1. Focus of thanksgiving – the Father 2. Frequency – continual 3. Factor (occasion) of thanksgiving – Belief of the Colossians Sequence of events Epaphras ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

God Guides The Wise

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Dec 8, 2016

Jesus can be found by simply opening our hearts and minds to the Gospel message.

God Guides The Wise Text: Matthew 2:1-12 Introduction 1. “Holiday time is highway time. Ever since the magi packed their bags for Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus has caused people to hit the road. Our Christmas trips have a lot in common with the one of the wise men. We don’t camp with camels, ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

God's Plan Is Best Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 18, 2015

Like the eunuch from Ethiopia, we must be open to God's plan in Christ.

Thursday of 3rd Week of Easter 2015 Joy of the Gospel The Father was surely drawing this Ethiopian to Jesus, and–not by luck–deacon Phillip was on the same road as the African’s chariot. The eunuch had been in Jerusalem to pray and study, so he was either a Jew or an admirer of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Catholic

Our Uniqueness As A Believer Series

Contributed by Harold Jenkerson on Feb 19, 2016

The opening salutation or address in the Letter to the Ephesians reveals the uniqueness of the divine/believer relationship.

Our Uniqueness as a Believer Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-2 Theme: Our standing in God. Focus: Our uniqueness as a Believer Point: If we do not see and know who we are as Believer in Christ Jesus, we will not expect anything more than just a church-going-lifestyle. Illustration: We can take an old ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Idols, A Levite And A Concubine Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 28, 2009

WITHOUT DELIVERANCE, WITHOUT THE DELIVERER, THE RULE OF OUR LIVES BECOMES OPEN TO ANYTHING.

Idols, a Levite and a Concubine Judges 17-19 9/13/09 INTRODUCTION „X As head of the Iraqi Olympic Committee, Uday oversaw the imprisonment and torture of Iraqi athletes who were deemed not to have performed to expectations. According to widespread reports, torturers beat and caned the soles of ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Beautiful Repentance

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Apr 28, 2011

Repentance opens the door for God Himself to enter into the messy places of our hearts.

Okay, let’s open up our Bibles this morning to Luke chapter three. If you know we started the series on Luke back in December. We spent the first three or four weeks of December talking about the arrival of Jesus; the Advent, the Birth of Jesus, the Grand Invasion; what that meant to all of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Worthy Is The Lamb

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Dec 2, 2015

Worship scene in Heaven praising the Lamb of God who is worthy to open the Scroll.

WORTHY IS THE LAMB Rev 5:1-14 Intro: Rev 5:1 The school has a calendar with “Red Letter Days”. First day of school, testing, holidays, Final Exams, and the Last Day of School. There are many important days on the Heavenly Calendar that are “Red Letter Days”. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Gifts In A Manger

Contributed by Larry Turner on Dec 19, 2014

In the manger with Jesus we can discover 6 gifts just waiting to be opened.

Can I say I am thankful this morning that all my children are grown? Christmas is here and I don’t have the worry of 10 Christmas gifts for each, trying to make sure that all three felt happy and fulfilled with their expectations. I don’t have the worry about credit card debts ran up ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15

Denomination: Foursquare

Life Principles From 7 Great Scriptures Lesson 6 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 12, 2019

You can show love without opening your mouth, but not your heart.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal” (1 Cor. 13:1). 1. Love is a choice. The word though means “if.” I can choose to love God or others, or withhold my love. • You can control who/what you love. • You can ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Five Ways Jesus Blazed The Trail To God Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jul 11, 2019

It is God’s plan to send Jesus to open up a new path: to be a pioneer.

Five Ways Jesus Blazed the Trail to God   Hebrews 2:10-18 Introduction 1. In 1804-1806, two explorers, Captain George Clark and Captain Meriwether Lewis, were spent by President Thomas Jefferson to find a way across the old, trackless West from St. Louis to the Pacific Coast. Such an ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Altered Plans

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 23, 2019

Joseph was open to God's instructions and changing his intended actions.

December 22, 2019 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Matthew 1:18-25 Altered Plans Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Differing translations of the Bible can prompt us to reconsider a passage. For instance, the Good News ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

The Narrow Gate.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 22, 2023

It is not so much a matter of how few will be saved, as how long the gate will be open.

THE NARROW GATE. Luke 13:22-30. LUKE 13:22. Jesus was on a journey to Jerusalem. It was a journey with a particular purpose. We are told back in Luke 9:51 that ‘when the time was come that He should be received up, He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.’ Jesus was steadfast in His ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Silver And Gold Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 24, 2022

We should always expect God to open the door for us to share the Gospel.

Silver and Gold Text: Acts 3:1-11 Introduction 1. Illustration: Mark Roberts wrote of a time when he visited the Capitol as a guest of Congressman John Campbell. If he was with the congressman, he could walk freely around the Capitol, entering many areas that were reserved "for authorized ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Ye Would Not

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 4, 2024

There is no rest in running from God when He opens His arms to you!

Isa 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. 16 But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:15-18

Denomination: Baptist