Sermons on Stay Close:

Why We Celebrate Christmas–emmanuel

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Dec 20, 2024

No man alive knows the exact date our Lord was born, however it does not hinder us from celebrating his birth. We celebrate much more than his birth. Let me explain why I believe this holiday is so important to me.

No man alive knows the exact date our Lord was born, however it does not hinder us from celebrating his birth. We celebrate much more than his birth. We celebrate his birth, life, death and resurrection into eternal life continuously. Let me explain why I believe this holiday is so important to me. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Philippians 2:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The No. 1 Question - Who Is Jesus?

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Dec 30, 2024

An exposition of John 1:1-14 dealing with the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus

Text: John 1:1-14 Subject: Who is Jesus of Nazareth? Complement: he is God incarnate. Big idea: "God moved into the neighbourhood.” John 1 - The Word Became Flesh - Divine Creator: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pressing On To Know The Lord

Contributed by Christopher Arch on Jan 4, 2025

This is a new year's message.

Title: “Pressing on to Know the Lord” Script: Hosea 6:3 Type: Thematic Where: GNBC 1-5-25 Intro: What are you absolutely certain of? What do you KNOW with complete certainty? The sun will rise in the east and go down in the west? A common 1st year psychology experiment to test conformity ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 6:3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Time To Engage: "Building A Spiritual Life”

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jan 5, 2025

Without the fullness of the Holy Spirit operating in our lives, all steps and principles of discipleship won’t work, because we’re trying to put into practice spiritual principles through natural understanding. Therefore, it’s only logical to build our spiritual lives.

Time to Engage: The Journey to Discipleship “Building a Spiritual Life” Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiaFcom_MtI This year we are entering into the third part of the vision God had placed upon my heart for Living Waters Fellowship. It began in 2024 with the word, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 John 4:4, Acts 1:5, Acts 1:8, Acts 4:31, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 3:16-20, Ezekiel 37:9-14, John 20:22, Luke 11:13, Luke 24:49, Matthew 3:11, Romans 8:26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

Selling Salt Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 8, 2025

To serve the Lord effectively, convince others powerfully, consider others according to their potential and characterize Christ properly.

In his book Led by the Carpenter, D. James Kennedy writes: A man walked into a little mom-and-pop grocery store and asked, “Do you sell salt?” “Ha!” said Pop the proprietor. “Do we sell salt! Just look!” And Pop showed the customer one entire wall of shelves stocked with nothing but salt: Morton ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Part To Play Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Jan 13, 2025

John had a brief but profound ministry, fulfilling the part that God called him to play in order to prepare for the coming of Jesus.

There have been several times over the last few months that I have been reminded about the importance of even small parts on teams or in performances. back up quarterback who comes in for one play because his speed or gift could help move the ball down the field Ballerina who comes in for a single ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

A Time For Faith

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jan 16, 2025

This message is about how God's Word will increase our faith as we walk through seasons of life. We have to speak life into our situations - not death.

A Time For Faith Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: Matthew 6:24; 33; Philippians 4:13 Good morning Strangers Rest. In my message last Sunday, I asked you “What movies will you create in 2025?” In that message, I spoke about how our thoughts create movies in our minds that cause us to react. Those ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Matthew 6:24, Philippians 4:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Lying Life Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 24, 2025

Separate yourself from false teachers, because as believers in Christ, you are righteous before God, you are the residence of God, and you have a special relationship with God. So out of reverence for God, let the truth set you free to complete your progress towards holiness.

A man had a fine canary whose song was unusually beautiful. During the summer, it seemed a shame to keep the bird inside the house all the time. So the owner placed the cage in a nearby tree for the bird to enjoy the sunshine and the fresh air. Many sparrows frequented the tree and were attracted ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Deuteronomy 22:10, 2 Corinthians 11:2-4, Ephesians 2:19-20, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Isaiah 52:11, Isaiah 43:6, John 1:12, John 8:32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

3. Live By A New Standard Series

Contributed by Rick Thiessen on Jan 28, 2025

Ephesians is a manual for God's Renew Project for the world. God begins by making New People, whom he knits into a New Community. This week we see that family Lives by A New Standard - the example of Jesus.

SE011923 HOW TO STOP YOUR CULTURE FROM DYING 3. LIVE BY A NEW STANDARD (Title SLIDE) Remember, in week one we made the point that our culture is in decline. We’re feeling it: - Financially - Morally - Socially (SLIDE) In stark contrast, Ephesians is God’s renewal manual. - First renewal of ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rejoice Always

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Nov 15, 2023

Thanksgiving and Rejoicing

Rejoice Always 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Good morning, While the Apostle Paul was in prison, awaiting his execution for being a Christ-follower, he said in Philippians 4:4, Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! NKJV In the current environment of the world in which we live, being ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Elijah's Confrontation

Contributed by Christopher Arch on Nov 16, 2023

This is from a series on the life of Elijah.

Title: Elijah’s Prayer Script: I Ki. 18:36-46 Type: Series on Prayer Where: GNBC 9-12-21 Intro: “Two Christians die on the same day and go to heaven. When they arrive in heaven they meet Peter, who is handing out the rewards (here, of course is a theological error). One of the men is a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:36-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Gender Identity

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 17, 2023

1) Gender Binary, then 2) Gender Identity, and finally how to deal with 3) Gender Confusion.

Thinking back even a decade ago, most of us would not have imagined how confused people have become over the issue of gender. In recent years we have seen athletes and media celebrities undertake and promote what is known as gender reassignment surgery. Corporations regularly include depictions of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-12, Genesis 2:21-25, Psalm 139:13-16

Denomination: Other

Maintaining A Pure Conscience (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 21, 2023

Paul emphasized the importance of maintaining a pure conscience, and we should do likewise. Message provides five keys to caring for our conscience and teaches how a pure conscience facilitates faith for answered prayer.

Intro Last week we introduced the subject of conscience. We identified what the conscience is and how it works. It is not a perfect guide because its moral judgment is based on the knowledge it has. But we are constituted in such a way that if we violate conscience, we become laden with guilt and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:16, Acts 23:1, Titus 1:15, Proverbs 28:1, Mark 11:1-26, Matthew 5:8, Hebrews 10:22, John 8:31, 1 Timothy 3:9, 2 Timothy 1:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

'under Pressure' (2023)

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Dec 5, 2023

'Under Pressure' (2023) - Acts chapter 5 verses 17-42 - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Joy in the Jail (vs 18-20) (2). Teaching in the Temple (vs 21-26) (3). Courage before the Court (vs 27-40) (4). Heralding in the Homes (vs 41-42) SERMON BODY: We use the word, ‘pressure’ in a variety of ways. • e.g., We put air in our tires and check the pressure. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-42

Denomination: Brethren

Israel: God's Chosen People...still? (Pt. 2 Of 2)

Contributed by Matt Tison on Dec 5, 2023

On October 7th, 2023, the Palestinian terror group, Hamas, opened a gruesome and brutal attack upon Israel. Innocent people, from both nations, are still dying. This has led to many asking the question, will God still preserve His people, Israel? This is the final part of this two-part series.

In our last lesson, we began discussing questions surrounding the current political conflict in Israel. On October 7th, 2023, the Palestinian terror group, Hamas, opened a gruesome and brutal attack upon Israel. We are over a month into this attack and innocent people, from both nations, are still ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:16