Sermons on Stay Close:

The Man From Arimathea Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 19, 2018

How did Joseph become a member of the Sanhedrin and ultimately become a secret follower of Jesus? This first person presentation explores one possible explanation.

(I entered the auditorium from the side entrance to our baptistery – reading a scroll and entranced in thought. Much of the message was presented on floor level with me standing close to the audience and speaking directly to them) (Looking up, a bit surprised) Oh… shalom. I am afraid I am a bit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:57-66

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You A True Follower Of Jesus?

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Feb 16, 2021

Next in series on John. Examines what it means to be a follower of Jesus

John 6 (4) Are you a true follower of Jesus (Katie Shepherd  April 1, 2020 at 5:26 a.m. EDT; Washington Post) As stores and offices closed throughout March, many people watched with anger as thousands of college students poured into tropical locales, crowding beaches and bars to party ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-42

Denomination: Baptist

"How To Run From God”

Contributed by David Yarbrough on May 5, 2003

A sermon for those who are running or thinking of running from God.

Have you ever heard a sermon on how to run from God? Most of the sermons we hear are why you shouldn’t run from God, or how to get close to God. But I believe this is a topic that most of us can relate to. How many of you as children ever wanted to run away from home? I remember when I was ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Elisha - Equipped For Service

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Aug 16, 2008

Shows how we can follow the example from Elisha in being properly equipped for God’s service

Elisha - Equipped for Service II Kings 2:1-15 Are you ready for tomorrow? Kids are you ready for tomorrow? Do you have all your notebooks and pens and #2 pencils crammed into your backpack ready for that bright and early wake up call? Teachers are you ready for tomorrow? Lessons plans in order, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

He Is Risen! Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Apr 20, 2020

He Is Risen! Series: Encountering Jesus (through the Gospel of Luke) April 12, 2020 – Brad Bailey

He Is Risen! Series: Encountering Jesus (through the Gospel of Luke) April 12, 2020 – Brad Bailey Series #66 / Luke 24:1-9 Intro I want to extend my own welcome to this Easter celebration to each of you. Whether you’re engaging today as one who is connected to the Westside Vineyard…or is just ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Selfishness To Selflessness

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 5, 2025

You probably know this story.

From Selfishness to Selflessness “Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Make Me A Blessing (2 Of 3)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Aug 15, 2024

This is the second sermon in this series on MAKE ME A BLESSING. When the apostle Paul writes to young Timothy and us to be a blessing we have to a “Man or Woman God.”

But he does not leave him guessing what it takes to be a MAN OF GOD. In verse 11 he tells him and us as we saw in last week’s sermon… 1) We must FLEE from sin. 2) And today in this sermon he instructs us there are somethings we must FOLLOW after. Look at 1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

Before You Say Amen

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 22, 2025

Prayer becomes heavy when it turns into performance. Jesus calls us back to honest, relational prayer—where pretending ends and real communion with God begins.

There are few subjects in the church that create more confusion—and more quiet frustration—than prayer. Not because people don’t believe in it. Most Christians believe deeply in prayer. They would defend it without hesitation. They know it matters. They know it’s essential. They know it’s supposed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8, Psalm 62:8, Romans 8:26-27, Hebrews 4:15-16, Psalm 13:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Love Hopes All Things: Hope Floats Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on May 16, 2025

We need hope to keep from drowning in life, hope floats.

INTRODUCTION OPENING SLIDE - Today we continue on our journey together to learn how to love better. - We are working on loving better so we can learn to love other Christians better as well as those in our community. HOPE FLOATS SLIDE - One thing I know is that if you have been paying attention to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7, Luke 15:3-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prayer And Formal Requests

Contributed by Steven Boyns on Feb 4, 2006

For the last few weeks we’ve been sharing with you a series of messages on one of the most crucial practices of every Christian – that of prayer. And we said from the beginning, that the action of prayer ought not be viewed as an option for the Christian

For the last few weeks we’ve been sharing with you a series of messages on one of the most crucial practices of every Christian – that of prayer. And we said from the beginning, that the action of prayer ought not be viewed as an option for the Christian, but as an obligation. And prayer, as it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Does That

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Dec 23, 2003

What is love? How does it act? How can we recognize it?

Love Does That John 3:16 Introduction: Christmas is a magical time. And Christmas is a busy time. I know that and I promise that the length of my sermonette will reflect that knowledge. In thinking about this sermonette I wondered what I should emphasize. Should I concentrate on the shepherds ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Developing A Prayer-Directed Spirit

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 9, 2004

Preparing our hearts through prayer for combat with evil

As we gather this morning we do so at a unique time in our lives.. a time in which our nation is preparing for war… perhaps a war that will unfold in a more drawn out manner… but still with a call to ‘readiness’ that is fitting of war. The National Guard has been called up. Reserves… possible ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If Only And What Ifs

Contributed by David Petticrew on May 4, 2003

Jesus enourage us to avoid if onlys about the past but instead look to the future with what if (I believe).

Back to the Future. Young teenager Marty McFly has a chance to go back in time due to the invention of his friend Doc Ement Brown. While in the past he has the chance to change things and make his future a better one by encouraging his father to act in a better way. Then in the second movie he ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-57

Denomination: Holiness

The Art Of Remembrance

Contributed by David Dewitt on Sep 21, 2005

A message for Memorial Day on the value of remembering what we need to do to leave a lasting legacy

The Art of Remembrance Hebrews 12:1-4 May 29, 2005 Memorial Day Message Introduction Tomorrow we will be celebrating Memorial Day and many of have made plans for the day. Maybe a picnic or going to a parade. Maybe a big party or just a quiet afternoon with family. Maybe you’re just going to enjoy ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-4

Denomination: Church Of God

A Dead Man Named Jesus Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 15, 2009

Jesus must become more than a dead man in the way we live and present Him to others.

A Dead Man Named Jesus Acts 25:1-27 Intro: This will be a somewhat different sermon. It is more topical than most of my sermons are. In other words, the topic comes from the text, but not necessarily the main points. However, I’d like to go ahead and read the narrative account that Luke gives ...read more

Scripture: Acts 25:1-27

Denomination: Assembly Of God