Sermons on Stay Close:

The Difficult Dilemma Of Death

Contributed by Richard Lankford on Jul 11, 2022

One of the most trying and penetrating moments of our lives come, when we are forced to face the reality that someone we have loved so closely and so dearly is no longer with us in this world.

Even for many of us, that have been saved... born again...and filled with the Scriptures from God's Word, there can come those moments in life, when it becomes difficult for us... to "Understand God". It's hard for us to understand - what God is doing!... It's hard for us to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 116:15

Denomination: Other

Prostitute Wages

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jul 11, 2024

It may not be physical idols but when you forego prayer, Bible and close walk with God and give more importance to 'salary, promotion and making money' then God calls it prostitute wages.

Hosea 9:1 "Do not rejoice, Israel; do not be jubilant like the other nations. For you have been unfaithful to your God; you love the wages of a prostitute at every threshing floor." " You love the wages of a prostitute" are very strong words against believers who live a double ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 9:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Not Fall Out Of A Window And Die- Lessons From Eutychus

Contributed by Matt Krachunis on Feb 8, 2011

The story of Eutychus from Acts 20 and how it relates to us.

How to not fall out of a window and die • Have you ever fallen asleep in an inappropriate place? • I can remember when I was in college, I used to be so tired all the time. Its hard work hanging out • I had this 8am class, spring quarter, I would literally wake up, go to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7-12

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

Spiritual Isolation

Contributed by Jeffrey Dillinger on Mar 28, 2020

COVID-19 has kept church building doors closed. Are you feeling spiritually isolated? Let God’s words speak to your heart and mind. You are loved, missed and desired. The church is still strong and united.

Spiritual Isolation (2 Kings 5:15-17) Intro: A. I absolutely love the story of Philip and the Ethiopian in Acts 8. I love how God connected this Ethiopian to a Christian to help him in his spiritual journey. Just walk back through that story for a moment. This Secretary of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:13-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The God Who Shows Himself

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Apr 17, 2019

This is a sermon based on Jesus' encounter with Thomas following the Resurrection. It focuses on how the LORD Jesus revealed Himself to Thomas and helped Thomas find faith, security and peace.

Scripture: John 20:24 – 31 Title: The God Who Shows Himself INTRO: Grace and peace this morning in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I want to talk to you about the God who cares so much that He takes the extra time to reveal Himself to us even in those times that we may not ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31, Judges 7:9-14, Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Nazarene

Clear Thinking About New Life

Contributed by Dave Martin on Jan 10, 2005

Have you ever felt like you sinned too many times or have so messed up your life, God abandoned you? ... You feel like you will never be close to God again...

Pastor Dave Martin Cross Creek Community Church ~ Nov 14, 2004 “Clear Thinking... About New Life” – Part 5 In an average lifetime, the average American spends: • 3 years in business meetings • 13 years watching TV • $89,281 on food • Consumes 109,354 pounds of food • Makes 1811 trips to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Bible Church

The Open Church

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Sep 12, 2002

We come to church not as consumers of religion, but as a community of faith that is open to God, to one another, and to outsiders

The Open Church 1Peter 2:9-10 9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-12

Denomination: *other

A Place Of Favor With God (Exodus 33:1-17) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Feb 14, 2023

After the golden calf, the future between God and Israel is murky, and unsettled. Into that, enter Moses, a man who has God's favor, and who God knows by name, and who has a close relationship with God.

Today, I want to read through three separate, but related, episodes in Exodus. Each of these three, by themselves, would make a great devotional, or sermon. There's something in each of them that is worth stopping, and just thinking about. But when we combine them, like I think we are ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:1-17, Luke 2:52

Encouragement Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 18, 2011

I suspect all of us can identify a Barnabas or two in our past who gave us a second chance. Maybe it was a parent or a relative or a teacher or a church leader or a close friend. Christianity means second chances.

God wants to come to His world, but He wants to come to it through man. This is the mystery of our existence. He wants to come to this world through you. Proverbs 15:23 says, “A man has joy by an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word.” I enjoyed a Charles Schulz cartoon ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:23

Denomination: Christian Church

The Church Of The Open Door - Philadelphia Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Dec 19, 2017

Philadelphia always stayed faithful to the Christian faith until the end of its history, a powerful testament to the nature of a church for which Jesus had no admonition nor condemnation. God grant that we, too, may have that faithfulness to the end.

THE CHURCH OF THE OPEN DOOR READING Rev 3:7-12 1. HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia/Alesehir is located approximately 80 miles east of Smyrna/Izmir and 26 miles southwest of Sardis. It stands on the Cogamis River, a tributary of the Hermus river. Philadelphia always stayed faithful to the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-12

Denomination: Church Of God

Unity: From A Call To A Cost – Part 4 Of 6 Series

Contributed by Graham Kettle on Oct 14, 2014

Unity starts with, and stays so long as, the Body of Christ in a family, home group or church obeys a non-optional calling on our lives that requires us to actively live worthy of that call from Christ Himself.

Unity starts with, and stays so long as, the Body of Christ in a family, home group or church obeys a non-optional calling on our lives that requires us to actively live worthy of that call, from Christ Himself. What is this call? It is known as the ‘Great Commission’. It is not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Church Of God

The Original Home Alone

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 13, 2024

Jesus was left behind at His Father's House by Mary and Joseph after the Festival. How often do we leave Jesus behind as well? Why did Jesus stay behind? Find out.

12.29.24 Luke 2:41–52 (EHV) 41 Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the Festival. 43 When the days had ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Lutheran

Timothy (Paul's Disciple) Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 3, 2022

This young man was so closely associated with the Apostle Paul that they shared his thoughts and work. However, we must assume the more profound knowledge of him conveyed by the Acts and Epistles and by the letters of counsel addressed by St. Paul to him personally.

Timothy Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman… ________________________________________ This young man was so closely associated with the Apostle Paul that they shared his thoughts and work. He is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:1

Denomination: Baptist

Leave Your Past In The Past

Contributed by Charl Swart on Jan 17, 2016

It is during this time of year that we tend to look back at the previous year or years. We reflect on our accomplishments and sometimes we linger on our failures. The problem is that many people stay in the past in stead of reaching for the future.

INTRODUCTION It is usually during this time of year that we tend to look back at the previous year or years. We reflect on our accomplishments and sometimes we linger on our failures. There might have been personal trials that you faced or maybe your plans did not come to fulfilment. Maybe you did ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Pentecostal