Sermons on The Open Door Church:

Hippology Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Nov 19, 2007

What is hippology? It is not the study of hippos! It is the study of horses. In this message we are going to do some hippology.

INTRODUCTION Our text is Song of Solomon 1:9 - "I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots." The speaker is the husband. He is complimenting his wife. Spiritually, the speaker is Christ. He is complimenting the Church. When we think of horses we think of a: 1. A ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 1:9

Dealing With Transition

Contributed by William Nieporte on Nov 19, 2007

This sermon was preached a week after I have followed God’s call to resign as pastor of a loving church to follow a new call from God.

Intro: There have been many kind reactions to my announcement (notes, phone calls, visits, chance gathering, compliments) Some more interesting reactions: To my lovely wife Jeana, one person said: “Can’t he go and the rest of you stay!” From Mary D. suffering with serious memory loss, I ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-29

Denomination: Baptist

Somebody Else Is You Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Nov 26, 2007

The church is called to be a team, just like our local team the Indy Colts.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Somebody Else is You October 21, 2007 In the days before motor-driven or electric organs, a talented organist gave a magnificent concert in which the big pipes sent forth magnificent, thunderous tones. After people finished congratulating him, the boy who had worked the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: Baptist

Approachable Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Nov 29, 2007

Some people are turned off from church but the Church Jesus instituted is attractive and approachable.

THE CHURCH JESUS BUILDS Part 5-Approachable Hebrews 12:14-29 Sunday, March 18, 2007 Pastor Brian Matherlee Introduction Read Scripture • Comment on history of Hebrews 12 (from Exodus 19) • Highlight the heart of God in being approachable o Adam & Eve in the garden & God was broken hearted when ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-29

Denomination: Wesleyan

Starting Out On The Right Foot

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Dec 1, 2007

A sermon about starting a new ministry together, and the steps that need to be taken to ensure we all start out on the right foot.

Psalm 130 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Finding Fellowship Series

Contributed by Brien Sims on Dec 13, 2007

The first in this series discusses the first four verses as the foundation for the book and the foundation for rock solid fellowship.

How many of us truly understand the idea and importance of family? Something about the idea of family should bring security, love, pride, and joy to our hearts. Family is the center of our earthly worlds and the one domain where we actually have the power to build strong bonds. We honestly believe ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Older Brother

Contributed by Joseph Neil Adams on Jan 1, 2008

A message that takes a look at the prodigal son parable from the perspective of the other son.

(This message was preached at a United Service with Anglican’s & URC from our town - including my old College Principal!) Luke 15 : 11 - 32 Religious people criticized Jesus because he ate with sinners & so He told this story. A story so familiar to us who have been attending churches – yes? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Methodist

Standing Firm Series

Contributed by Ronald Thorington on Jan 1, 2008

There are many treats to a believer’s stability, but with their close fellowship with the body of Christ they will have the strenght to stand firm.

#26, 10-14-07 Standing Firm Introduction, Why are so many Christians inconsistent in their walk with God? Different types of inconsistent Christians, 1) “Roller-coaster Christians, 2) “Light-Switch Christians 3) “Hot or Cold Christians, 4) “Bang-Fizz” Christians Text, Philippians ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Foundation Built On Man Through Christ Jesus

Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Jan 2, 2008

A message that challenges the religious mindset as we know it. This message challenges us to believe that Jesus is the primary foundation and man is the secondary.

A Foundation Built On Man Through Christ Jesus There are three type of people in the church 1) Coming out of a storm 2) Going to a storm 3) In a storm Storms are not purposeless but rather purposeful The purpose of a storm is to come to test the quality of three Areas. Test the quality of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sticks And Stones Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jan 3, 2008

39th in a series from Ephesians. Our words can either tear down or build up.

In February of 2007, a 31 year old female posted this question on Answerbag.com: "Sticks and stones my break my bones, but words will never harm me." Is this true? Why or why not? There were some very heartfelt answers to that question, but one in particular caught my attention. An anonymous ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29

Denomination: Baptist

Courage In The Midst Of Change

Contributed by Ben Peak on Jan 3, 2008

A sermon preached in first service as senior pastor at a church where I had been assistant

The Duke of Cambridge said in the late 1800’s, “Any change, at any time, for any reason, is to be deplored.” Change is one of those things that none of us are really comfortable with. Many people, if they had their choice, would choose to keep everything the same. It’s comfortable. It gives us ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Holiness

Covenant 08

Contributed by Joseph Neil Adams on Jan 6, 2008

We often get carried away thinking everything is all about us & our own personal Jesus, but the Holy Spirit wants us to understand that we do not exist in isolation. Just as when we get to heaven we will be part of a huge family, there is a corporate side

Promises are made to be broken. That’s what it seems like in the world isn’t it? It’s what seems to be going on in scripture too. A Covenant is of course just a promise, like in the covenant of marriage, & it can be between human beings alone or God & human beings. A very important part of a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25

Denomination: Methodist

Week Prayer For Christian Unity 08

Contributed by Joseph Neil Adams on Jan 8, 2008

Full service for ecumenical service - Praying about unity is a waste of time if we do not work for unity too; we have to be people who value variety & difference in one another.

Welcome CTW - HP 882 Psalm 133 HP 252 All hail the power of Jesus’ name Prayers of adoration Prayer of thanksgiving Reading 1 Thessalonians 5: 12a, 13b-18 SOF 303 Jesus stand among us Sermon SOF 43 Bind us together SOF 388 May the fragrance of Jesus Intercessions HP 758 In ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

Denomination: Methodist

God's Own Among God's Strays

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 13, 2008

For the anniversary of the Lai Baptist Church of Gaithersburg, a Burmese congregation. You came as strangers, but God has made you His own. Now we American Christians, who have strayed from what we once were, need your passion among us.

Sometimes people of differing cultures fail to understand one another. Sometimes people with differing backgrounds cannot grasp what others are all about. So they end up hurting one another, when, really, they need one another. If you do not understand your neighbor, and if your neighbor is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-25

Denomination: Baptist

Ornithology Series

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Jan 28, 2008

Ornithology is the term used to describe the study of birds. Christ says to His church "thou hast doves’ eyes."

1. THE BRIDE "Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes." Christ is admiring His bride the church. Doves’ eyes are perfectly round, speaking of completeness. The church is complete in Christ - "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 1:15-17