Sermons on Stay Close:

Three Big Bad Reasons Not To Serve

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Sep 8, 2010

This sermon discusses pride, fear and shame as reasons people give for choosing not to serve.

Three Big Bad Reasons Not To Serve Aug 29, 2010 Matt. 20:20-28 Intro: This summer we’ve been looking at the fundamentals of Christian living. For the past couple weeks, as preparation for the fall kick off of our ministries and especially our new ministry taking place on Wednesday night, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Baptist

A Great Multitude Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Sep 13, 2010

The great multitude before the throne reveals that our worship of God requires us to serve Him continually.

On September 20, 2009, 105,121 fans, the largest crowd ever to watch a regular season NFL game, watched in dismay as the home team Dallas Cowboys lost to the New York Giants 33-31. But as big as that crows was, it pales in comparison with some other large crowds throughout history: • On ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-16

Denomination: Baptist

Man's Fickleness And God's Faithfulness Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Nov 23, 2009

In Isaiah 65 and 66, Isaiah presents the contrast between man’s fickleness and God’s faithfulness.

So far, we’ve spent five weeks in the Book of Isaiah, focusing on how Isaiah describes the “Day of the Lord”. As I’ve pointed out during that time, much of what Isaiah writes deals with various aspects of the “Day of the Lord”, so all we’ve really been able to do is to look at a few brief snapshots ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 65:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Pray For One Another Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 1, 2009

Praying for one another fervently and faithfully is our privilege and responsibility.

A. The story is told about three men were hiking one day and unexpectedly came upon a large, raging, violent river. 1. They needed to get to the other side, but had no idea of how to do so. 2. The first man prayed to God, saying, “Please God, give me the strength to cross this river.” a. Poof! ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Truths About The Virgin Birth

Contributed by Bradley Kellum on Dec 2, 2009

Can a person be a Christian and not believe in Christ’s virgin birth? How important is this doctrine to the rest of our belief system as Christians? Answers these questions and more by utilizing this Christmas message.

TRUTHS ABOUT THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF CHRIST I want to talk with you tonight on the subject: Truths About the Virgin Birth of Christ. Why is it important for us to talk about Christ’s Virgin Birth? The Virgin Birth is what I call a DOMINO DOCTRINE. Have you guys every played dominos? You know, you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Many Are Afraid- Herod’s Fear Series

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Dec 3, 2009

You never seem to hear about people saying they are afraid of Jesus but truth is not only were people afraid of Jesus when he was born but millions are still afraid of him today.

Jesus. What Child is This? Part 1- Many Are Afraid- Herod’s Fear Matthew 2:1-18 One of the most interesting emotions I think humans experience is fear. It’s an emotion that goes up and down all the time. Sometimes we love it and look for it (movies, roller coasters, extreme sports) and sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Fruit Of The Spirit "Love" Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Dec 4, 2009

Love is the preeminent fruit of the Spirit. Without it there are no others.

The entire Bible is a love story. Not like a Harlequin romance, thankfully for us guys. We get to read about war, fishing and death too. But from the creation of the world, through love, for the protection of the Israelites because of love, to the sending of a Saviour out of love, for Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

A Messiah Of Heritage Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Dec 10, 2009

The coming of Jesus was the fulfillment of the promises of God.

A Messiah of Heritage Text: Matt. 1:1-17 Introduction 1. Illustration: A Jewish father was concerned about his son. He had not truly raised him to be grounded in the faith of Judaism… So, hoping to remedy this he sent his son to Israel so the boy could experience his heritage. A year later the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

Love All Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Dec 20, 2009

Talks about the way God loves us and how we should love others

Love All Advent Conspiracy Series Final Week (3) 12/20/2009 Introduction Slide Love. Love is a word we use a lot to describe our affection for things and in America, we love a lot of things. We love our kids We love our spouses We love our freedom We love our sports teams We love chocolate We ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lights Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 28, 2009

What if you missed the lights of Christmas? What would you miss? You would miss Jesus!

Christmas Eve Service: The lights of Christmas Texts: Isaiah 9:1-7 1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Way To Greatness Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 31, 2009

Greatness is not determined by status. It is determined by service. So if you want to be truly great then follow the least, be the least, and serve the least

Some time ago, I came across this piece written by a child. He imagines what it would be like if he were in charge of the world. If I were in charge of the world, he writes, I’d cancel oatmeal, Monday mornings, Allergy shots. If I were in charge of the world, There’d be brighter night lights, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"A Portrait Of The Church"

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 31, 2009

As we begin the New Year, our congregation needs to seek to further our work to be like the church described in the New Testament.

“PORTRAIT OF THE CHURCH” 1 PETER 2:4-10 OPEN On the wall near the main entrance to The Alamo in San Antonio, TX is a portrait with the following inscription: James Butler Bonham – no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Waiting For An Important Call Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 14, 2008

One of the most frustrating things about prayer is that we seem to be doing all the talking. How do I "hear" God’s answers if He’s not "answering" me?

OPEN: The father of a teenage daughter was concerned with the amount of time she spent on the telephone; not so much for the time she wasted (he had given up on that long ago), but because nobody else could use the phone. So, as a happy solution, he had a telephone installed for her with her ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Clothed In Fine Linen Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Apr 15, 2008

In the New Testament, the Church is not spoken of as a wife, but as a bride, betrothed or engaged, being made ready for her wedding day, the celebrated and much anticipated day when Christ comes for His church at the end of the age.

Review Last week, we did something that probably stretched a few of you. It certainly stretched me. When God laid the impression upon me to do this, I was both apprehensive as well as excited. I knew a blessing would flow from it, and I knew that many of us would be uncomfortable. Yet, I ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Without Spot Or Wrinkle Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Apr 15, 2008

The idea of marriage was not first the relationship between a man and a woman, but first between God and His people.In other words, human marriage is created in the image of God’s love for us and not the other way around.

Review – children of God, bride of Christ: Loved, desired, God takes pleasure in us. Valentines day is a few days away. So it is appropriate we cover this subject this week. Marriage, how did it begin? Whose idea was it? I have a rather interesting idea for you...marriage, as one man and one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:4-6

Denomination: Baptist