Sermons on Stay Close:

Openness: The Unfinished Story - 4 Of 14 Series

Contributed by Russell Metcalfe on Jan 28, 2021

The Prodigal Son has gone away, and has come home again. The Loving Father has permitted him to go, but has watched and waited and welcomed him home again with celebration. Now the Elder Brother wonders why. How could God love like that? Is this really how God loves?

Lent 4—March 22, 1998 "Openness" Luke 15 1,2; 11-32 A Picture, A Story The sun has already set and daylight has mostly faded and gone. The big house is dimly outlined between tall old trees against the fading glow in the sky. But there is light piercing out into the darkness from the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1

Denomination: Nazarene

Finding Endurance For The Long Haul

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Jan 25, 2005

The theme is will power, endurance, and overcoming in spite of difficulty. Every one of us come to a point a times when we want to give up and quit. Just like the disciples who fell asleep while they waited for Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. When w

Finding Endurance for the Long Haul Mark 14:32-42 January 23, 2005 The scene for the gospel lesson this morning is set on Thursday evening of Holy Week. It had been an incredibly busy and eventful week for Jesus and the disciples. It had started with the triumphant ride down the Mount of Olives ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42

Denomination: Methodist

A View From The Finish Line

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jan 19, 2003

Chris Berman is an announcer for ESPN. When he gives the highlights of the games he also gives the explanation of the event. When a player gets the ball and runs down the field Berman shouts, "He Could Go All The Way!" The same is true for us in the game

SERMONIC / WORSHIP THEME Opening Statement: Chris Berman is an announcer for ESPN. When he gives the highlights of the games he also gives the explanation of the event. When a player gets the ball and runs down the field Berman shouts, "He Could Go All The Way!" The same is true for us in the game ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

David's Cave - Five Keys To Victory 1 Of 4 Series

Contributed by Troy Campbell on Apr 5, 2016

David faced some tough challenges, but through it all he learned how to get victory in every situation.

Title: How To Behave In A Cave – 2 “David’s Cave – Five Keys to Victory – 1” Text: I Samuel 22:1 Last week I started a very powerful series on “How to Behave in a Cave.” I know that many people were touched by the power of the Holy Ghost ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 22:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

David's Cave - Five Keys To Victory 1 Of 4 Series

Contributed by Troy Campbell on Apr 5, 2016

David faced some tough challenges, but through it all he learned how to get victory in every situation.

Title: How To Behave In A Cave – 2 “David’s Cave – Five Keys to Victory – 1” Text: I Samuel 22:1 Last week I started a very powerful series on “How to Behave in a Cave.” I know that many people were touched by the power of the Holy Ghost ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 22:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Let's Make A Deal

Contributed by Steve Ely on Oct 1, 2008

Your wallet reveals what is important in your life. What is in your wallet?

What’s In Your Wallet? Part 1 – Let’s Make A Deal What’s in your wallet? A wallet is more than just an accessory or fashion statement. In reality I believe that if you examine a wallet carefully you can discover what is most important to a person. We tend to put our most valuable things in our ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:20-26

Denomination: Pentecostal

Faith That Follows Series

Contributed by Kory Labbe on Nov 8, 2025

Faith That Follows reminds us that real faith doesn’t just believe—it moves. Like John the Baptist, we’re called to embrace our role in God’s mission. When we follow where the Holy Spirit leads, even ordinary moments can become divine appointments that change lives.

Live Volume 3: Get Going — Week 2: Faith That Follows Text: John 1:19–34 (NLT) Theme: Faith That Follows reminds us that real faith doesn’t just believe—it moves. Like John the Baptist, we’re called to embrace our role in God’s mission: to prepare the way, stay the course, and point people to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-34

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Asking For Directions Series

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on Mar 9, 2007

The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, can direct our life as clearly as a GSP system, if we will listen.

Asking for Directions March 11, 2007 “Directed by the Holy Spirit” This last Tuesday, Tim Birkeland, Roy Jameson, and I went to visit with Jim Griffin, a church consultant in Columbus. As we were driving up Tim used his GPS locater and mapping program. I was amazed at how it not only tracked ...read more

Scripture: John 16:13

Denomination: Methodist

Run Away! Run Away! Series

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Nov 14, 2003

Fleeing Sin is a necessity for the believer in Christ

You probably wondered what the “Detour” signs are doing in the church. You’re pretty use to them by now up here in North Portland and probably pretty sick of them as well. They are here to remind us of the struggle that each of us has in doing more than just surviving life. They help us remember ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-36, Genesis 39:1-56

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Managing Temptation

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Jun 1, 2007

Satan is in no hurry to destroy us! He would rather be successful than speedy. We must manage the temptations that lure us towards destruction.

A STORY WAS ONCE TOLD A BOUT THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD LINE AS IT WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED. AT ONE LOCATION ALONG THE ROUTE AN ELABORATE TRESTLE BRIDGE WAS BUILT ACROSS A LARGE CANYON IN THE WEST. WANTING TO TEST THE BRIDGE, THE BUILDER LOADED A TRAIN WITH ENOUGH EXTRA CARS AND EQUIPMENT TO DOUBLE ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:38

Denomination: Free Methodist

Losing Our Identity

Contributed by Joe Rowland on Jan 7, 2006

Have you ever felt like you werent’ sure who you were in Christ? He is always with you no matter what you go through in life.

Losing Our Identity Genesis 42:5-10(N.A.S.) 5. So the sons of Israel came to buy grain among those who were coming, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also. 6. Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 42:5-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Choosing God's Direction

Contributed by David Azbell on Jul 21, 2004

"Why did I do something even though I knew what the outcome would be?" Even though I knew what direction God would want me to go, I continued to move in the direction I knew better than to go.

I was asked a question the other day and, as I was seeking the answer, God brought me to these verses. The question was, "Why did I do something even though I knew what the outcome would be?" Even though I knew what direction God would want me to go, I continued to move in the direction I knew ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Miss God

Contributed by David Salyer on Dec 21, 2000

The ways that Christian miss God’s will

How To Miss God Proverbs 19:2 In the sport of archery the objective is to score as many points as you possibly can, and you do that by hitting rings on a target a distance away. Now the target that is used in archery of course has rings that get smaller as the point totals get higher. The ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Woman Of Worth Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 21, 2010

God in His providence is working in our lives today, whether we realize it or not. When life hurts, we can choose to be bitter, like Naomi, or we can be like Ruth--trusting the Hand of Providence, in spite of unanswered questions and an uncertain future.

Ruth. A love story. A book of history. A lesson about faith and loyalty. But most of all, a book about God, the One behind-the-scenes. As we encounter Ruth we learn how God takes an active role in our lives. We learn through this short story that the human events we regard as circumstance are ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Congregational

Sending Beautiful Feet

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jul 17, 2008

Exposition of Romans 10:14-17 related to the commissioning of our first international mission team

Text: Romans 10:14-17, Title: Sending Beautiful Feet, Date/Place: NRBC, 7/20/08, AM A. Opening illustration: talk about Erika thinking Maine was at the ends of the NA continent, recount our commissioning service with NAMB in Atlanta in 2003, and how there were many couples who would be leaving soon ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:14-17

Denomination: Baptist