Sermons on Stay Close:

I Messed Up… But God Cleaned Me Up! PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 9, 2025

God’s mercy meets us in our deepest failures, offering forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration when we honestly confess and turn to Him with humble hearts.

If you’ve ever sat in the quiet and felt the ache of regret—the kind that whispers, “How did I end up here?”—you’re in good company. If you’ve replayed a conversation you can’t unsay, a click you can’t undo, a glance that went too far, a promise you didn’t keep, you’re not alone. The Bible doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-13

Topics: Sin, Confession

Kindling The Fire

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Dec 22, 2025

On Christmas Day 1972, an uncle of mine passed away. Christmas was never the same for his son, my cousin. I know the holiday season, this time of year, is especially hard on many people for many different reasons.

Doing something a little different today. 3 parts, mishmashed into one theme (disclose that theme @ end of message) Today’s key passage is found in Acts 28:1-10 I want us to: start in chapter 24, to see how we get to chapter 27, as we examine chapter 28 (are ya with me so far?) Chapter 24- Paul ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:1-10

Preparation For The Cross. Faithful Living In The Light Of Christ’s Sacrifice. Matthew 26:1-30 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Oct 9, 2025

True discipleship is lived in the shadow of CHRIST’s Sacrifice, the Cross. We are called to honor HIM, remain faithful, and participate in HIS New Covenant.

2025.10.12. Sermon Notes. PREPARATION FOR THE CROSS. FAITHFUL LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE. Matthew 26:1-30 (Matthew 26 PART 1) William Akehurst, HSWC BIG IDEA: True discipleship is lived in the shadow of CHRIST’s Sacrifice, the Cross. We are called to honor HIM, remain faithful, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-30, 1 Corinthians 5:7, John 10:17-18, Isaiah 53:7, Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 2:1-2, Acts 2:23, Romans 8:28, John 13:1-17, Exodus 12:3-14, Luke 22:19-20, Isaiah 53:5, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 9:14-15, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Hebrews 10:10, Romans 12:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Reconcilation Of Two Brothers Series

Contributed by Douglas Dudley on May 17, 2005

THERE IS NOTHING WORST THAN A FIGHT BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS. WITH GOD AS OUR GUIDE, THE FORGIVENESS THAT COMES FROM GRACE IS ALWAYS THE ONLY MEANS TO RECONCILATION.

The Reconciliation of Two Brothers Text: Genesis, Chapters 28-33 Introduction. I think the first lesson in life—for you, for me, and for everyone else—is to accept that we will not understand everything that happens in life. In our 21st century minds, we think if we’re asked to do ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Light In The Darkness Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 18, 2022

When God says it, that settles it.

During the summer between my first and second year at Moody Bible Institute, I had the privilege of teaching at a Bible College in Zimbabwe, Africa. This experience marked my life and ministry in countless ways. One of the memories I have is how dark it was at night. Because we were in a rural ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:2-5

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiving The Unforgivable Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 12, 2025

We must uncover and confess our sins if we want God to cover and cleanse us.

Forgiving the Unforgivable Psalm 32 Rev. Brian Bill August 9-10, 2025 So many things today fight for out attention and strive to capture our hearts. Let’s begin with some class discussion. I’m going to ask a few questions and I’ll put your answers on the white board. Q: What creates distance ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Palace: A Place Of Injustice Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 9, 2004

This morning our focus is on how Pilate kept trying to slam the door shut but was unable to do so.

A couple weeks ago I stopped at a gas station on my way to make a hospital visit. As usual my mind was focused on a number of things, and I wasn’t paying attention to the howling hurricane whipping through the flat lands of Illinois. As I got out of the car, the wind pulled the door out of my hand ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:11-31

Denomination: Baptist

God Prepared A Worm

Contributed by James May on Sep 17, 2014

God prepared a worm that took Jonah out of his comfort zone. God will do whatever it takes to stir us out of our lethargy and to begin to serve him faithfully.

God Prepared a Worm Sunday, September 7, 2014 By Rev. James May Jonah 3:1 – 4:11 Nearly all of us have heard about Jonah and God’s call upon his life. Most of the time when we hear of Jonah, the first thing that pops into our mind is the story of how he was swallowed by a whale, ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Testing Loyalty Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 30, 2013

David put his covenant friendship with Jonathan to the test. He does so by putting his life in Jonathan's hand. It is the occasion for a confirmation of the covenant between them & also of a very sad parting.

The Life of David: David's Early Years 1 SAMUEL 20:1-23 TESTING LOYALTY This is a sad chapter in the lives of Saul, Jonathan and David. David goes to Jonathan convinced that Saul is intent on putting him to death. David is seeking to learn what he has done to cause Saul to feel this way ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 20:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Series: Whose Beautiful Young Daughter Is That? (Part 1) Introduction - God Can Change Your Story

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 9, 2020

What kind of characteristics did Ruth have that caused Boaz to be so amazed? Was he just a silly man captivated by a woman’s beauty? Was this the first woman he had fallen in love with? I do not think so. To understand what is happening here, let us do a series on romantic relationships,

SERIES: “WOW! WHOSE YOUNG WOMAN IS THAT?” (AN INTRODUCTION – GOD CAN CHANGE YOUR STORY) Ruth 2:1 Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side, a man of standing from the clan of Elimelek, whose name was Boaz. 2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-19

Denomination: Charismatic

They Will Play When You’re Away

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jul 27, 2018

A study in the book of Deuteronomy 31: 1 – 29

Deuteronomy 31: 1 – 29 They will play when you’re away 31 Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: 2 “I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ 3 The LORD your God Himself will cross over ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Body Of Christ Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 7, 2015

1) Progression (Ephesians 4:12), 2) Purpose (Ephesians 4:13–15), and the 3) Power (Ephesians 4:16) of God’s divine pattern for the building and function of His church.

A free-lance missionary visited a pastor asking for financial support. “What groupare you associated with?” the pastor asked. The man replied, “I belong to the invisible church.” The pastor then asked, “Well, what church are you a member of!” Again he got the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:12-16

Denomination: Other

You Are What You Eat Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 6, 2017

Daniel and his friends were strangers in a strange land and were surrounded by paganism. How did they deal with standing up for God in that setting, and how can we stand up for God in an increasingly offensive world?

I read the true story about a wife who liked to make sure she had meals ready to cook. She made “freezer meals” ahead of time and carefully noted what they were in large clear letters. There was "Meatloaf", "Pot Roast", "Steak and Vegetables”, "Chicken and Dumplings" or "Beef Pot Pie." But whenever ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Forgiving Father

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Mar 26, 2001

The parable of the Prodigal Son

Simeon Ford, the proprietor of the Old Grand Union Hotel in New York, once said, “You don’t need to know anything about a hotel to run one,” he said. “You just open up and the customers tell you how to run it.” Isn’t that the truth. Everyone is a critic. You would think that with Jesus Himself ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Lutheran

Love Your Enemies

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 13, 2013

In this lesson we learn that Jesus calls his disciples to love our enemies.

Scripture We are studying Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain” that is recorded in the Gospel of Luke 6:20-49. A similar – but not identical – sermon is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew 5 – 7. Jesus opened his “Sermon on the Plain” with a description of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed