Sermons on Openings:

A Sane Perspective Upon Discipline And Compassion Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 27, 2012

Walking with God means we must be willing to mix discipline with compassion in the right ratios and in the right situations. There is a time to be firm and buckle down and a time to open your heart.

A Sane Perspective Upon Discipline and Compassion (Proverbs 19:14-15, 17-18) 1. Discipline and compassion are connected. For example, if teachers do not keep a class under control, students cannot learn and that affects their futures. 2. A school teacher injured his back and had to wear a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:14-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Things Aren't Always As They Seem Series

Contributed by Stu Hodges on Jun 11, 2013

God sometimes has a bigger purpose, something you cannot see behind an open door you walked through or behind that door that closed so abruptly on you.

Have you ever had to say this to someone in your house? I have to say this to my kids all the time because my kids have this tendency to stand right in front of our tv. I mean, they just stop dead in their tracks, it’s like they’re hypnotized by what’s happening in that moment on ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Jesus Says Come

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Aug 12, 2011

When Jesus Says Come: He has just opened a door for you to a greater life than you could imagine, but it will cost you something to get it.

I prophesy right now that before this message is over, somebody is going to hear Jesus say come. It’s going to be just as real for you as it was for Peter on that stormy night, Jesus has not changed and he is still calling people to walk on the water and somebody ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-32

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Rebuke Turned Back Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 22, 2009

Jesus turns from silence about His achievements to open speaking about His death. He will not follow the ambition path, the pleasure path, or the easy spirituality path.

You can admire Jesus, you can think well of Jesus, you can even love Jesus. But you cannot domesticate Him, you cannot tame Him, you cannot make Him sweet and nice and pretty. He is who He is and He says what He says, and sometimes it’s hard to take. In my experience, just about everybody out ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From Fear Series

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Mar 22, 2009

All of us have to face death, but not all of us have to fear death. A valley is not a dead-end or a cul-de-sac, but rather a tunnel opened on both ends.

The late great trumpet player Louie Armstrong tells a story about while growing up in Louisiana, having to go down to the pond and getting water for Allie May. He gets down there and is about to scoop the water out of the pond and all of the sudden coming out of the water are these two huge eyes ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Makes The Difference Series

Contributed by Charles Jones on Mar 4, 2012

Prayer is that activity whereby a person who is trying to live the life of a beleiever seeks to open up his or her mind and heart to the promised help and guidance of God the Father.

by Bishop Charles C Jones Matthew 6:5-8 Text verse 7 There can be no doubt at all that when it comes to the activity of what we call Prayer we will find that it is the very heart beat of every saved beleiver. It is the defining mark of every believer that say's to those ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Out From Behind Locked Doors Series

Contributed by Chris Heimsoth on Jun 14, 2011

Opening Sermon to an Acts series, although this passage is not in Acts but in John, the passage bridges from Resurection to the begginnings of the Acts community. Main Passage is John 20:19-23

Well, we have come out of Easter having taken some time looking at some of the area’s where God is calling us to follow in his steps. And we have seen how God is inviting us to walk with him in resurrection power, so we are now moving beyond the resurrection to see. Into the bigger picture, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Led By The Spirit

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on May 25, 2013

We need to be open to the leading of God’s Spirit. We can so easily be bound by religion and follow rules that are either man-made or man-interpreted.

Be led by the Spirit Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Peter was bound by religion and in order for him to be open to change, God showed him a vision of unclean animals that descended from heaven. God told Peter to eat the unclean animals, but ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:14

Denomination: Charismatic

Jesus From The Beginning

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Dec 7, 2013

Jesus' redemtive mission is hinted at even in the vey beginning chapters of Genesis. This message explores the Christmas Story in light of prophetic scriptures. It is a real encouraging and eye opening piece.

JESUS FROM THE BEGINNING (part 1) Pastor Eric J. Hanson December 1, 2013. At this time of year, believers in Jesus Christ need to take time to reflect on the wonderful things God has done through the Lord Jesus. First of all, God became a man. This is the very heart of what is called “The ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Idol Of Laissez Faire: Pergamum Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Nov 2, 2009

The Pergamum church was accommodating those within its body that taught doctrines and lived lives which offended God; their open-minded, laissez-faire attitude was a cancer on the church.

AMERICAN IDOLS: LOOKING AT OURSELVES AND OUR LOYALTIES THROUGH THE EYES OF JESUS THE IDOL OF LAISSEZ FAIRE: PERGAMUM REVELATION 2:12-17 Sermon Objective: The Pergamum church was accommodating those within its body that taught doctrines and lived lives which offended God. Their open-minded, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Born Old

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 29, 2010

To experience new life, even in the senior years, means using old knowledge to gain new knowledge; to set aside pride in order to learn; and to be fully open to Christ.

We had been talking about a mutual friend. We had laughed a little at how rigid he was, how staid. We had commented that he didn’t like change; he could easily be "all shook up" when something didn’t go his way. I asked the other person in this conversation, "How long have you known John? Has he ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer Changes Lives

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on May 8, 2012

Intercession for the lost does not guarantee salvation but it opens tremendous doors for those that we intercede for and the Lord is calling us to faithfully pray and follow that up with our testimony of love.

Last week we looked at the foundational parts of having a close encounter with God. (Close Encounters with God) We saw how God wants to meet with us every day and that face to face encounter begins with our welcoming him. Then we worship him. We pour out our hearts to him. And finally we ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:20-33

Denomination: Lutheran

Easter Sunday, Expectations. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Apr 5, 2015

The day of Jesus resurrection was a day of the unexpected, are we open to the unexpected taht God puts before us so that we might live in understanding of him and by his power?

Easter Sunday, expectations. I may have mentioned Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin previously. But during his day Nikolai was as powerful a man as there was on earth. As Russian Communist leader he took part in the Bolshevik Revolution 1917, was editor of the Soviet newspaper Pravda (which by the way ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-23, Acts 1:7-8

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Son Of Man Is Coming

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 7, 2018

Are we ready to open the door for Jesus upon His return? Let’s look at the parable of the waiting servants in Luke 12:35-48. A Year D Sermon.

Are we ready to open the door for Jesus upon His return? Let’s look at the parable of the waiting servants in Luke 12:35-48. Ready Luke 12:35 “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.” As a household servant would have had the lamps lit for the owner’s return, so do many of us leave an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-48

Denomination: Baptist

Never Quench The Spirit Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 12, 2018

The Holy Spirit is our Guide today and we must be open to His direction. When we try to go our own way we quench His efforts.

1. 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ