Sermons on Stay Close:

"Finding Joy In The Season Of Christmas"

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Dec 12, 2010

Especially at Christmas we are reminded how important it is to find joy in our lives.

Finding Joy in the Season of Christmas Back in 1975 I learned a valuable lesson about joy and time, and I learned how many hours are in a week. I also learned about the power of prayer and leaning on God to endure, finding joy in all things. As a naive and much too enthusiastic youth director ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Self-Control Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Feb 18, 2022

We must learn to exercise self-control in various areas of our life.

INTRODUCTION • Have you ever wanted to do something new, or have you tried to make some changes in your life that you know would improve your life? • Were you successful in implementing the changes you sought? IF so, why were you successful? • If you failed, do you know why? • Today we will ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

He Calls You By Name

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 30, 2025

John’s resurrection account reveals a quiet but profound truth: belonging comes before understanding. This message invites weary believers to release the pressure to prove their faith and rediscover a resurrection life rooted in being known, named, and kept—while still on the road.

Introduction John tells us that Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. That detail matters. Not because it is poetic, but because it is honest. This is not the hour of confidence or clarity. This is the hour when grief wakes before reason does. The hour when the body ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18, Psalm 121:1-8, Psalm 131:1-3, Romans 8:15-17, 2 Timothy 1:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

No Secrets

Contributed by Ken Ritz on Dec 30, 2005

The danger of holding secret areas of sin in your life.

No Secrets When I was 15 I got a summer job working for this rich family that lived in this mansion in the country, near Barrington Illinois. I remember I was making $1.50 an hour. I was doing yard work, raking, cleaning their garage, things like that, and I worked for them for the whole ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God, Are You Really There?

Contributed by Keith Davis on May 5, 2003

This lesson discovers the comfort of Jesus for a troubled heart.

Title: God, Are You Really There? Text: John 14 Introduction: How many times in our life do we face this question head on? If you say, "I never have wondered that", you probably haven’t lived a hard enough life or haven’t experienced enough of life yet. Our attempt tonight is to see that God ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Loving The Church Our Lord Jesus Christ Loved

Contributed by Tony Maramara on Aug 25, 2004

If we believed that this church is the Lord’s church, and if we really believed that our Lord Jesus Christ loves this church, then we believers (members) should love it too.

Title: Loving the Church our Lord Jesus Christ Loved Text: Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” Introduction: Our Lord Jesus Christ loved the church that He gave His own life for it. He purchased it with His Own blood – Acts ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25

Denomination: Baptist

Ruth

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 29, 2022

Let's look at Ruth and Boaz, and how Boaz was a type of Christ the redeemer.

In examining Ruth it is essential to discuss one difficulty before we begin, the earlier prohibition against Moabites. “No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord, not even in the tenth generation.” (Deuteronomy 23:3 NIV) Note that the prohibition does ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Come Closer, Pass Me Not

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 26, 2025

We have a standing invitation: COME UNTO ME! If we will draw nigh to Jesus ---- He will draw nigh to us. Come and go with me to my Father's House.

COME CLOSER, THE INVITATION. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) Two parts Fodder for this lesson comes from Dick Van Huss, Winchester, Ky. THERE IS A PROMISE IF WE WILL --- GOD WILL. WILL WE HEAR THE EXHORTATION THAT GOD DESIRES US TO COME CLOSER TO ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7, Matthew 11:28-29, Mark 10:49

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Zacchaeus PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 21, 2025

Jesus seeks out the overlooked, calls us by name, and transforms our lives when we respond with open hearts, repentance, and welcome.

If you listen closely to this old story, you may hear your name woven between the branches of a Jericho tree. Have you ever felt small in a crowd? Not in inches, but in influence? Have you ever felt unseen in a swirl of noise, pushed to the back while questions press to the front? Then you’ll feel ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Topics: Desire, Jesus

Seeking The Lost PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 30, 2025

Jesus seeks us where we are, calls us by name, and transforms our lives with grace that leads to joyful repentance and welcome.

I wonder how many of us walked in today feeling small. Small under the weight of worries, small beside someone else’s success, small in the shadow of our own failures. We learn early how to tuck ourselves away—behind busyness, behind bravado, behind careful smiles. We wear “I’m fine” like it’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Topics: God's Pursuit, Our Response

The Anatomy Of Sin

Contributed by Carl Willis on Jul 15, 2005

Sin starts small but snowballs quickly

The Anatomy of Sin 2 Samuel 11 February 8, 2004 2 Samuel 11:1-5 The following spring, the time of year when kings go to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to destroy the Ammonites. In the process they laid siege to the city of Rabbah. But David stayed behind in Jerusalem. [2] ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stick To It!

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jun 28, 2001

This is call for perseverance in every aspect of Christian living.

Stick To It! Acts 8:5-8; 26-40 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:5-8, Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Wesleyan

After The Honeymoon Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Sep 24, 2015

If we are going to sustain our faith, we need to guard against some deceitful myths.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • I hope the past three weeks have been a blessing to you as you strive to deepen your relationship with Jesus. • We could have easily ended this series last week excited about going into a season of spiritual training where you studied your Bible, prayed ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tearing Of Clothes

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Feb 12, 2024

In the Bible tearing clothes referred to Mouring, hurt, sorrow, that is what happened to Elisha when his friend departed but he picked up cloak and kept going despite the tearing of clothes.

"Tearing Of Clothes” 2 Kings 2:1-12 1. In Second Kings, the prophet Elisha is torn apart by the departure of his mentor Elijah. • As the story begins, the two men are on the road outside Gilgal, near the Jordan River. • Elijah somehow knows that his prophetic work is coming to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Secrets To A Victorious Life

Contributed by Miguel Pinell on Jul 26, 2007

If we truly want to experience victory in our life we must follow Jesus example...

Keys to a victorious life. Matt. 26:36-44 As we find Jesus approaching Gethsemane, (getting close to the time when he was going to be slander) we learn of some basics key factors that will help us to keep focus on the goal to obtain the victory, just as he did. I. (v.36) We cannot fight alone. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-44

Denomination: Baptist