Sermons on Receptiveness:

Waiting For Full Joy

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 22, 2010

Delivered 1989, on the 25th anniversary of the reception of the church's first black member. We wait for full joy and unity, which come from embracing all people and from being the agents of redemption for all needs.

Exactly twenty-five years ago, two things happened which were destined to have a profound effect on my life, and I want to share them with you this morning. These two unrelated happenings took place without the people involved in either one being aware of the other one, but, as I have said, both ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did You Receive That Lie Into Your Spirit ? Series

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Apr 1, 2019

Some people have a propensity to let bad things/words settle into their spirit. Be more resistant to negative words and more receptive to good or encouraging words. I include an experience I had with a demon possessed man.

Why Did You Receive That Lie Into Your Spirit ? PPT 1 Series Title: Words This is the fifth week of our series on words, one more next week and we will wrap it up. (I think) We have talked about the fact that words can hurt or heal, we can injure with our words or we can build people up, last week ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 77:2, Exodus 6:6-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Wedding: No Shoes? No Service!

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 8, 2020

People love to attend wedding receptions. There is food, wine and music. Jesus was the life of every party. He made better wine when the old wine ran out. Jesus loved celebrations. (Quote from Leonard Sweet)

In Jesus Holy Name October 5, 2020 Text: Matthew 22:2, 11-14 Redeemer The Wedding: No shoes? No Service! In my experience weddings equal “party time”! People love to attend wedding receptions. There is food, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:2-14

Denomination: Lutheran

An Extraordinary Commission (Part 2)

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 25, 2025

Jesus gave His disciples a commission to go and preach; to not only do good deeds, but use words. He would provide them food, clothing, and shelter for their journey, and the Spirit would guide them to those receptive to the gospel.

I have entitled our sermon this morning, “An Extraordinary Commission,” and this will be Part 2. The word “extra-ordinary” means “outside, above and beyond the ordinary,” which is what we saw in our last message, when Jesus gave His disciples “power over unclean spirits” (Matthew 10:1); and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:5-7, Matthew 10:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Essential Parts Of A Godly Life

Contributed by Clarence Weaver Sr on May 24, 2008

The patient to endure persecutions is the fruit that flow from divergent receptions, our profession of faith in Jesus Christ and the Scriptures supply the foundation for a godly life. Thus, this three-thought combination takes us from our basis in faith t

ESSENTIAL PARTS OF A GODLY LIFE 2 TIMOTHY 3:10-17 Elder Clarence E. Weaver Sr INTRODUCTION When Paul wrote the book of 2 Timothy, he was anything but comfortable. He was in prison. Paul was actually put in prison two times. The first time in prison was much like a house arrest where he was being ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Foundation Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Aug 5, 2011

I am proposing that the foundation of your spiritual house and the church itself consists of prayer and worship, our part of the relationship with Jesus. Obviously without the blueprints, the Bible, you can’t even get started. That is the receptive mode,

We have over the past few weeks prepared the property and looked at the blueprints for building this spiritual house, and now its time to get started on the most important part of any building, the foundation. No building can stand without a good foundation. I am proposing that the foundation of ...read more

Scripture: John 4:20-24

Blinded By Darkness

Contributed by Mike Reed on Jul 4, 2014

We commonly associate temporary blindness with bright light, such as looking directly into the sun. It seems strange, then, to read a scripture which tells us that we can be blinded by the darkness! Darkness makes the eyes more alert, more receptive.

“BLINDED BY DARKNESS” Rev. Mike Reed, Winter Haven, Florida March 2014 1 John 2:9-11 1 John 2:14 Psalm 112:4 Proverbs 4:18-20 John 8:12 Luke 11:34-35 Psalm 18:28 1 Peter 2:9-10 1 John 2:9-11, 14 (New Living Translation) 9 If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:9-11, 1 John 2:14, Psalm 112:4, Proverbs 4:18-20, 1 Peter 2:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Is Jesus Welcome Among Us? Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Aug 16, 2017

As Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth for the second time, His reception was any better than the first visit. He was not welcomed among His own people. This passage begs the question - is Jesus really wanted and welcome in the average church?

Is Jesus Welcome among Us? Mark 6: 1-6 I trust we have met tonight to worship the Lord. He is our Savior, the Master of our lives, and the Rock upon which the church is built. Ours isn’t a civic organization conducting community business, but a living organism concerned with heavenly business. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Soil Of The Heart Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Aug 30, 2025

This sermon from Matthew 13 reminds us that while the Word of God and the Sower never change, the fruitfulness of our lives depends entirely on the condition of our hearts—whether they are hardened, shallow, crowded, or humble and receptive to the transforming truth of Christ.

The Soil of the Heart Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 To hear and truly understand the words of our Creator is no simple task. This is the One who knit us together in our mother’s womb. Who recorded every moment of our lives before one of them came to be. Who holds together the seen and unseen, past, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, Matthew 13:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Rsvp-Ing Your Future Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 20, 2024

What is this wedding feast Jesus tells of, and what can I do to make sure I'm included?

Randy Alcorn told story about his friend Ruthanna Metzgar, a professional singer. She had been asked to sing at the wedding of a very wealthy man, and they were invited to the reception. It was being held on the top two floors of the Columbia Tower in Seattle - the tallest skyscraper in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

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

Knowing The Shepherd’s Voice

Contributed by Norman Bernad on Oct 1, 2020

President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Apparently, sometime after being president for a very long time, he got tired of smiling that trade-mark Roosevelt smile and saying the trade-mark Roosevelt things at all those White House receptions.

Knowing the shepherd’s Voice 1. 1 Samuel. 3: 1-3 2. John 10: 1-10 3. Ps: 23 Illustration President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Apparently, sometime after being president for a very long time, he got tired of smiling that trade-mark Roosevelt smile and saying the trade-mark Roosevelt things at all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-3, John 10:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Ambassadors Of Reconciliation: Transformed By Truth 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 13, 2024

We immerse ourselves in the transformative truth found in 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 (NLT), a passage that paints a vivid picture of believers as ambassadors of reconciliation. May our hearts be receptive to the transformative power of living in the truth of God's Word.

Ambassadors of Reconciliation: Transformed by Truth Introduction: Today, we immerse ourselves in the transformative truth found in 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 (NLT), a passage that paints a vivid picture of believers as ambassadors of reconciliation. As we unpack these verses, may our hearts be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:19-20, Ephesians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:19, Colossians 1:20, Romans 5:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

"the Parables Of Matthew 13" The Seed Is The Word Of God...sow It!

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jul 14, 2020

In order to understand the parables of Matthew 13 one must begin with Matthew 12 and the challenge of the Pharisees. These parables are about those who are receptive to the Word of God. The farmer scatters the seed. Let God do His thing. Tell "God Stories."

In Jesus Holy Name July 19, 2020 Text: Matthew 13:24-25 Pentecost VII - Redeemer “The Parables of Matthew 13” The Seed is the Word of God… We Just Sow The parable of the Seed and the Sower in Matthew 13 provide answers to the disciples regarding the success or failure of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-25, Matthew 13:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Transformed Minds: Anchored In Truth Matthew 4:17 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 8, 2024

Today, we embark on a profound exploration of two transformative truths encapsulated in the concepts of "Metanoia" and "An Anchored Mind." Let our hearts be receptive to the profound impact of God's truth on the radical transformation of our minds.

Transformed Minds: Anchored in Truth Introduction: Today, we embark on a profound exploration of two transformative truths encapsulated in the concepts of "Metanoia" and "An Anchored Mind." Let our hearts be receptive to the profound impact of God's truth on the radical ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:17, Acts 3:19, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20, 1 Peter 1:13, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Peter 1:14, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal