Sermons on Stay Close:

Welcome Back - Philemon Series

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Sep 12, 2008

A plea for forgiveness as found in the great book of Philemon

Welcome Back Philemon A young man – who will remain nameless Grew up in a household where he was well taken care of. All of his needs were met The primary source of his support was not a father, mother It was his master – our young man was a slave – and born into slavery Slavery was very different ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Family Of God

Contributed by Matthew Sickling on Sep 15, 2008

This sermon discusses the importance of loving one another, supporting one another and caring about one another as members of the family of God.

Title: The Family of God Text: 1 Peter 4:7-17 (16) Date: 8/2/08 Location: Sulphur Spring Baptist Church We sometimes use the phrase the family of God to refer to the church. I want us to read a passage of Scripture this morning that actually uses that phrase to describe those of us who are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-17

Denomination: Baptist

Worship - What's It All About?

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Sep 21, 2008

How should we worship the Lord in a way that is pleasing and acceptable to Him?

Worship – What’s it all about? Psalm 95 Video – The gift of worship – (from floodgate productions through Worship House Media) Slide Worship, it is easy for us to get caught up in the ways we like to express worship and sometimes forget about Who we worship and why we worship and how our ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God, Are You Really Fair? Series

Contributed by Mark Nichols on Sep 27, 2008

When we face difficult times in our lives, we will look around at others who aren’t suffering and ask: God, are you REALY fair?

TEXT: Habakkuk 1:12-2:5 TITLE: God, Are You Really Fair? SERIES: Questions We Ask God TOPIC: Trusting in God OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, September 14, 2008 PROP.: When we face difficult times in our lives, we will look around at others who aren’t suffering and ask: God, are you ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Respect Life Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Oct 2, 2008

A look at the 6th commandment, "You shall not murder," with the practical implications of what it means to maintain healthy relationships in a healthy society through respect for all human life.

Respect Life (Exodus 20:13) An attorney was speaking to a woman who had just lost her husband. He said to her, “Your husband did not leave a will, so we need to know the last words he ever said to you.” She replied, “I don’t want to tell you.” The attorney said, “Look, he did not leave a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Three Ways To Hinder Your Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by Hal Seed on Oct 3, 2008

The Parable of the Soils describes four ways to respond to God. Three of them hinder spiritual growth. In this parable Jesus is saying, "You must take responsiblity for your personal spiritual growth."

[This sermon is contributed by Hal Seed of New Song Church in Oceanside, California and of www.PastorMentor.com. Hal is the author of numerous books including The God Questions and The Bible Questions. If you are interested in The Bible Questions Church-wide Campaign, please visit and watch Hal’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Children Of God Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 3, 2008

In this sermon we see that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because we are now children of God.

Scripture The first verse of the greatest chapter in the Bible—Romans 8:1—says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Everything else that follows in the rest of Romans 8 tells us why there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The first ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:12-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Peace Boulevard Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 8, 2008

The Biblical word "peace" [Greek ~ Irene] signifies far more than merely the absence of war. It carries the idea of completeness and wholeness. It conveys a sense of inner-satisfaction and fulfillment. It communicates the idea of contentment and serenity.

Opening illustration: A four-year-old and a six-year-old presented their mom with a houseplant. They had used their own money to buy it and she was thrilled. The older of them said with a sad face, "There was a bouquet at the flower shop that we wanted to give you. It was real pretty but it was too ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Defeating Parasites In Your Life Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Oct 12, 2008

this sermon deals with overcoming temptations and addictions

Defeating Parasites in our Life Temptations 1 Corinthians 10:13 Slide Introduction I am sure you have all heard the word parasite before. But do you really know what a parasite does? Parasites invade a host and begin to live there. As it lives there, it begins to grow and robs the host of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Worldwide Mission Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 13, 2008

Isaiah teaches us that the Messiah’s worldwide mission is to preach good news, to replace shame with honor, to make an everlasting covenant, and to bring great joy.

Scripture Today is the Third Sunday of Advent. Our Scripture reading in this Advent season brings us to Isaiah 61:1-11. In this text we read about God’s worldwide mission. This text teaches us what God’s Anointed One will do when God comes down. And it also teaches us what we will do when God ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Financial Sacrifice Series

Contributed by David Welch on Dec 29, 2008

First of three messages on giving out flowing our of a broader teaching on sacrifice.

“Financial Sacrifice” Every Christian serious about a deeper walk with God and greater impact in our world must incorporate spiritual exercises as a way of life. I.What is sacrifice? Sacrifice is a willingness and sometimes even eagerness to give up something valuable for something or someone we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Taming The Tongue

Contributed by Matthew Grise on Dec 30, 2008

How Genuine Faith Reveals Itself in Our Speech

JAMES LIVING THE REAL LIFE: CULTIVATING A FAITH THAT WORKS TAMING THE TONGUE JAMES 3:1-12 INTRODUCTION Turn, if you would, in your Bible to James chapter 3. We now turn our attention to one of the most practical matters that James deals with in his letter to the Jewish Christians scattered ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Back To Bethel

Contributed by Troy Borst on Dec 31, 2008

A new year means you again have 365 days to better yourself in a particular area before the next year rolls around. This morning, we will be looking at a passage that relates to these feelings of wanting to start fresh, setting goals, and making a clean

BACK TO BETHEL GENESIS 35:1-15 INTRODUCTION… “Kids’ New Years Resolutions” (www.bluefishtv.com) Today is the first Sunday of 2009 and you may have been thinking about New Year’s Resolutions. Most people do. With a New Year, comes the opportunity for a fresh start. There is something about ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preparing For A God Visit - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Jan 7, 2009

Sermon to prepare for the 40 Days of Community campaign, introduces the purposes and encourages people to get involved to experience God at work.

Next Sunday we will begin day one of the 40 Days of Community, it’s our kickoff Sunday (six week series called "What on Earth Are We Here For?"). We aren’t doing this just for something to do this fall, giving us one more thing to keep ourselves busy with church. Our leadership has chosen to do ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Methodist

Time-Lies Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Jan 11, 2009

Fifth and final in series Slowing Down. This message looks at the illusions and distortions we hold regarding the use of our time and how they keep us from being available.

Time-lies Slowing Down, part 5 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers November 8, 2008 Today we’re in the last message in our series called Slowing Down. Last week I gave you five specific ways you can slow down your life. Today I want to talk to you not about your schedule but about your ...read more

Scripture: John 3:20-21

Denomination: Free Methodist