Sermons on Stay Close:

God's Favorite Prayers Series

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Oct 6, 2016

Proposition: Jesus shares with that God's Favorite Prayers are: 1. Prayers that come from a Spirit of Humility 2. Prayers that are Confessional in Nature 3. Prayers that lead to Redemption

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14; Jeremiah 14:7-10;19-22 and Psalm 65 Theme: Humility Living Title: God's Favorite Prayers Proposition: Jesus shares with that God's Favorite Prayers are: 1. Prayers that come from a Spirit of Humility 2. Prayers that are Confessional in Nature 3. Prayers that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Nazarene

The Simple Gifts Of Life Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Feb 9, 2009

6th in a series from Ecclesiastes. when viewed from God’s perpsective, even the simple gifts in life can give us joy.

I can still remember when we had a birthday party for Pam. Mary and I had bought her a small plastic slide, which we just knew that she and all her friends were going to love. So imagine our surprise when after we had taken the slide out of the box, all the kids had more fun playing with the empty ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Four Steps To Bearing Fruit

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 6, 2022

John chapter 15 speaks of bearing fruit, which we often interpret as winning lost souls to Christ. However, winning people to Christ is only one meaning of the word fruit. Fruit symbolized the best result or sweetest prize in life.

One time on the farm I was sitting on my porch admiring the rose bushes that were in bloom. A couple of weeks prior they had appeared to be dead. They hadn’t been pruned in over two years since my mom passed away. Each bush was a huge mass of dead branches. My wife asked me about them, and I ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Handling The World's Hatred Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Feb 20, 2023

Nowhere in this passage does Jesus call any of His followers to seek revenge or retreat from the world because of their hatred towards you, but He is calling them to be an active, living testimony of the love and life of God.

As a review from the last Sundays, the narrative from chapters John 13 - 14 is describing Jesus is in His last week on earth and in chapters 15 on, it is down to the last hours before the crucifixion. He has been preparing the disciples for His death, eventual departure from the world and that ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seeing The Treasure In Others

Contributed by Timothy Schultz on Oct 27, 2003

Perhaps our greatest ministry is to unlock the treasure in others. Preached before a seminary audience.

If an intruder broke into my house, there are actually a few furniture items that I might help him carry out to his truck, like the bed and dresser in the guest room. I might suggest that he take not one, but two of the hand-me-down chairs I have accumulated. But if he glanced across the room and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Denomination: Mennonite

#14 Proper Attire Required For Entrance Series

Contributed by James May on Apr 26, 2006

#14 in the Series on the Tabernacle in the Wilderness dealing with the Garments of the High Priest. Before we can go into the presence of God beyond the veil we must make sure that we are clothed in the right garments.

#14 Proper Attire Required for Entrance The Tabernacle in the Wilderness Series Garments of the High Priest By Pastor Jim May Exodus 28:4-43 Before the first High Priest of Israel, who was Moses’ brother Aaron, was ever allowed to step beyond the second veil before the Holy of Holies, he had ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 28:4-43

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Worship: An Act Of Desperation Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Apr 13, 2008

Worship that God wants from us is honest, transparent and real. Can we come to God, can we come to church, when all we feel is sorrow and lament? Or do we have to fake it all the time.

Sermon for CATM – April 13, 2008 – “Worship: An Act of Desperation - Psalm 142 I overheard someone ask someone else this very simple question recently: “What has been the saddest moment in your life?” I can’t recall the answer given, because as soon as the question was asked, my mind drifted to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 142:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Blind See Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 28, 2009

If you want to gain true wisdom in the midst of your pain, don’t be like those who WON’T SEE, and don’t be like those who CAN’T SEE. Instead, be like those who DO SEE, because they let Jesus touch them not just once, but as many times as it takes.

A businessman was late for an important meeting and couldn’t find a parking space. As he frantically circled the block, the man got so desperate that he decided to pray. Looking up toward heaven, he said, “Lord, take pity on me. If you find me a parking space, I’ll go to church every Sunday ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:11-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Elisha Seeks The Blessing

Contributed by Colin Coombs on Jun 10, 2007

For Elisha to have the ’double-portion’ he desired there was a clear path to follow. There was a preparation to be made, a pryaer to be offered, a promise to be claimed, and the possession of the answer. What a challenge for us today!

ELISHA SEEKS THE BLESSING THE PATH TO THE DOUBLE-PORTION II Kings 2:1-15 Elisha had travelled with Elijah for a relatively short time, and had seen how the Lord had miraculously worked through Elijah. This must have inspired him to want the same anointing himself, but before Elisha could ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Lord's Big Lessons From Little Children

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 22, 2017

Jesus wants us to: 1. humble our hearts (vs. 1-4). 2. serve our Savior (vs. 5). 3. see the danger of disobeying God (vs. 6-9). 4. know the amazing assistance we have in Heaven (vs. 10). 5. see how to be saved (vs. 3 & 11-14).

The Lord's Big Lessons from Little Children Matthew 18:1-14 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - May 22, 2016 *Well, it's now only 18 days until our first grandbaby is due, and I've been thinking about how much babies have to learn. Parents have to teach their children so much: How to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Easter 2015: Empty Promises Of Easter

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Mar 22, 2016

Let's examine the promises of Easter. Each promise is marked by something empty—an empty cross, empty clothes, and an empty cave. It is the very fact that each of these is empty that assures us God's promises are not.

EASTER: EMPTY PROMISES Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 3/27/2016 I just want to take a moment to thank everyone for choosing to spend Easter morning with us here at the Grove. Whether you’ve been coming to the Grove all your life, or this is your first time visiting, or ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Living An Abundant Life

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 11, 2014

One might think living an abundant life would be about having a surplus of money, things, power, etc. But the abundant life that Jesus promises in John 10:10 is not about that. Let's see what living an abundant life in Christ is all about.

LIVING AN ABUNDANT LIFE 1) Jesus came to offer us the fullness of life. John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus starts out by talking about the thief-who is Satan. And Jesus reveals what Satan ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Because He's God!

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 5, 2009

People question the sovereignty of God...but that doesn’t change His sovereignty!

21Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-31

Denomination: United Methodist

Making Jesus Real

Contributed by Brian Williams on Sep 27, 2023

The Love of God was put on display for all the world to see. Those who believed became the personal recipients of that love. As His family we want continue to make the love of Jesus obvious to others, through our words and our actions, we cannot divorce one from the other.

We took this summer to discuss many different philosophical as well as biblical arguments that point to God’s existence. Yet amongst all the arguments, I believe one of the greatest testimonies for the existence of a personal God is His love (1 John 4:8). Love is at the core of the Christian faith ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Experiencing God's Favor Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 23, 2022

After experiencing hardship and heartbreak in Ruth chapter 1, Naomi and Ruth began to experience God's favor in Ruth chapter 2. Their reaction to God's favor is a good example for us to follow.

A. I like the story told of the father wanted to read a magazine one day, but was being interrupted numerous times by his little daughter. 1. Finally, he tore a sheet out of the magazine that had a map of the world printed on it. 2. He tore the picture of the world into small pieces and gave it ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ