Sermons on Stay Close:

What Does "morality" Even Mean?

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Nov 24, 2019

How do we define morality in an increasingly relativistic, materialistic world? When we realize our inherent blind spots, we find that morality must be rooted in something outside of ourselves, and only the example of the incarnate Christ is firm foundation enough for discerning right from wrong.

A CLASH OF WORLDVIEWS In our passage this morning, Paul is speaking to the faithful in the church at the Greek colony of Colossae, now in modern day Turkey. Many of these believers came from a pagan background. They didn’t grow up with the benefit of stories about God’s providence or saving work ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-23, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Denomination: Nazarene

When Jesus Said "thank You" Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Nov 25, 2019

Four times in the Gospels, Jesus thanked God for something. Here's how to follow His example

Part Two: When Jesus Said “Thank You” This coming Thursday, we celebrate Thanksgiving. We love thanksgiving. We love the travel. We love the food. We love the triptophen that makes all the men fall asleep watching football. How many of you know which President made Thanksgiving a federal ...read more

Scripture: John 6:5-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Luke 10:17-21, John 11:38-44, Mark 14:17-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Psalm Of Thanksgiving 2019

Contributed by Howard Gwartney on Nov 25, 2019

A lot of times we complain instead of learning to be grateful.

A PSALM OF THANKSGIVING Psalm 105:1-6 ILLUST. A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years of absolutely no speaking at all, his superior called him in and asked, “Do you have anything to say?” The monk replied, “Food bad.” After another 10 years of perfect ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 105:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Seed Of Abraham Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 5, 2019

Jesus is the seed of Abraham through whom God wants to bless the world and YOU! So if you want to find God’s blessing this Christmas, find it in Him! Don’t try harder. Just trust Jesus with your life.

Seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) The Grinch hated Christmas, so he carried out a diabolical scheme to steal it away from all the Who’s in Whoville. He dressed up like Santa Clause, put fake antlers on his dog’s head, and headed down into Whoville from his mountain home high above the city. He ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 22:18, Galatians 3:8-14

Denomination: Evangelical Free

God With Us Emmanuel--Christmas

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Dec 6, 2019

This message is about Advent and what the name Emmanuel means (God With Us). It shows the faithfulness of God to God's people even when circumstances may seem bleak.

Emmanuel God With Us Isaiah 7:10- 17 Matthew 1:18:25 12-8-2019 Have you ever had someone say to you, I have some good news and some bad news? Which do you want to hear first? How many of you want the good news first? How many of you want the bad news first? How many of just don’t want to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-17, Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Letting Go - Bitterness

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Dec 14, 2019

A look at things we need to let go of this advent season so that we would draw closer to Christ.

Letting Go - Bitterness December 15, 2019 Has anyone ever hurt you? Maybe they said something to you, or gossiped about you, or something bad happened. Maybe it was a business deal that went bad, or a teacher or coach did something which hurt you. We’ve all been there! There’s hurt, there’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-28, Hebrews 12:14-15, Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Shepherds: Why Them? Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Dec 16, 2019

Why would God announce the Savior's birth to a group of lowly shepherds first? The answer is the heart of the gospel.

Please open your Bibles to Luke 2. And I would also encourage you to find Ezekiel 34, and put a bookmark there, because we are going to be opening that up a little later. Every Christmas, there is an “it” toy. The most popular toy that everyone wants, and no one can find. These days, it is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-18, Ezekiel 34:1-24, John 10:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Beauty In The Broken

Contributed by Bright Adeyeye on Dec 19, 2019

You can either choose to look at your scars as an ugly reminder of a painful past, or see it as evidence of your victory and of God’s grace.

BEAUTY IN THE BROKEN “30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” 31 Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.” Genesis 32:30-31. Jacob had a mysterious encounter with God. He wanted a change ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:30-31, Galatians 6:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Making The Choice To Rejoice Series

Contributed by Jason Grubbs on Jan 11, 2020

Rejoicing in the Lord is a choice we must make, not a feeling. Our joy must be in the Lord, not in our circumstances. This sermon gives three actions we must make to keep making the choice to rejoice.

Intro Philippians 4:4 is one of the simplest verses in the Bible to understand, but it is one of the hardest to practice. It makes for great preaching and difficult practicing. To “rejoice in the Lord always ” does not mean we should never feel depressed or sad. Jesus felt sadness at the grave ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-7

Win The Race Series

Contributed by Jason Grubbs on Jan 11, 2020

In our text in Phil 3:12-16, Paul’s not telling us how to be saved. He’s telling us how to live now that we are saved. We are not saved BY good works but we are saved TO good works.

Several times in the New Testament the Christian life is pictured as a race 1 Cor. 9:24-27 (ESV) says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Do All Things Without Grumbling And Disputing Series

Contributed by Jason Grubbs on Jan 11, 2020

Grumbling and disputing is a poor testimony for a child of God.

I heard a story about an old lady that walked into a department store one day and was surprised when an executive pinned a flower on her dress and gave her a $100 bill. She was the store’s one millionth customer. A tv reporter asked her, “just what did you come into the store for today?” To ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-18

#4 Following Jesus In Baptism Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jan 12, 2020

John’s baptism of Jesus teaches us many truths about Christian baptism. This sermon explains the biblical nature, purpose and mode of baptism.

#4 Following Jesus in Baptism Series: Mark Chuck Sligh January 12, 2020 NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon in my archives. TEXT: Mark 1:4-10 – “John ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

Simon Peter: From Fisherman To Follower

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 21, 2020

The 11 disciples had already gone to Galilee as Jesus had commanded (see Matthew 28:10). Some of the disciples decided to follow Simon Peter and once again begin fishing. But they saw Jesus another time and that changed everything, at least for one disciple!

Based on a sermon preached at First Baptist Church of Glasgow, MO on July 27, 2014. This is not an exact transcription. Background: The 11 disciples had already gone to Galilee as Jesus had commanded (see Matthew 28:10). Nothing seems to have happened in the meantime so some of the disciples ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The King Returns

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Jan 23, 2020

Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem illustrates for us the upside down nature of the Kingdom of God.

THE PRESIDENT'S MOTORCADE Whenever the President of the United States visits a city, a well-oiled security machine begins to roll into high gear as White House staff, Secret Service personnel, and local and state law enforcement scramble to make sure everything is in place long before the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-40, Psalm 118:25-26, Zechariah 9:9

Denomination: Nazarene

Never Once Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Nov 20, 2013

Never once have we ever walked alone. never once did He leave us all alone. He is faithful.

“Connected: Never Once” Ez. 34:11-6; Lk. 15:1-32 The past few weeks we’ve been considering what it means to be connected to God. Admittedly, spiritual disciplines are hard – they take time, effort, and energy. There are times when we simply fail to make a good connection. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed