Sermons on Thus Far:

Not Far From The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 5, 2022

You've heard the phrase, "close but no cigar". It communicates that getting almost there is not good enough. Jesus had an encounter with a teacher of the law in Mark 12 where he tells him that he was not far from the kingdom of God.

NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD Mark 12:28-34 You've heard phrases like, "close but no cigar" or “almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades”. These communicate that getting almost there is not good enough. Jesus had an encounter with a teacher of the law in Mark 12 where at ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-29, Philippians 3:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

So Near -- So Far

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 29, 2025

Older brothers get lost at home—close to God yet far from His heart—but the Father invites them inside to enjoy His joy.

INTRODUCTION – MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND Today our nation pauses to remember those who gave their lives for freedom. For many, Memorial Day is a date on the calendar; for me, it is a name. My older brother Bob, now laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, reminds me that freedom always carries a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 8:15-17, Psalm 103:10-13, Galatians 4:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Sermon On A Bridge Too Far

Contributed by William Meakin on Nov 2, 2025

"A bridge too far" is an idiom for an ambitious plan that is considered too demanding to succeed.

George Herbert, a British poet and orator once remarked: “He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven; for everyone has need to be forgiven.” Luke 14:28-30 reminds us: “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:2, James 4:13-15, Ecclesiastes 5:2-3, Mark 11:25

No Compromise PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 29, 2023

To warn against rejecting God's Word in favor of self-serving teachings, emphasizing the importance of understanding and obeying the Scripture for spiritual growth.

Good morning, church family. As we gather today, I am reminded of the words of A.W. Tozer, a respected Christian author who once said, "The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection." Today, we find ourselves navigating the path to spiritual ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:3

Topics: Gone Too Far, Other Direction

Cheating Life

Contributed by David Dewitt on Nov 28, 2001

Far too many people are living without hope or vitality and thus they are cheating life

Cheating Life John 11 November 16, 1997 Morning Service 1. The aspect of Dead air: A. The best part of radio: The playing of record and D.J., the challenge of radio was to avoid dead air B. Why do we focus so much on the concept of death? What is it about death that seems to fascinate? 2. Break ...read more

Scripture: John 11:38-44

Denomination: Church Of God

Far Sighted Strategy: Preparing The Generations Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 1, 2010

We must constantly reinforce and pass on the truth of God's Word.

Far Sighted Strategy: Preparing the Generations (2 Peter 1:12-15) 1. When our kids were young, we enjoyed watching Sesame Street with them, especially Hannah. This was before Elmo took over the show. 2. This added vocabulary and shared experiences. The Golden AN, Planet "Ch," "Put Down the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:12-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

So Near And Yet So Far

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 14, 2009

We will never be as close to Christ as we could be or think we are if we are oblivious to today’s issues or build monuments to past achievements.

We can be close to something, and yet miss it. We can be almost on target, almost where we want to .be, and yet, if we’re not exactly where we ought to be, we miss it. So near and yet so far. A couple of years ago, when my wife and I were touring England, we were in Victoria Station, one of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-36

Denomination: Baptist

So Near, Yet So Far!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Feb 14, 2016

To focus on Biblical examples of some souls who were “so close, yet so far from Him”…even while gleaning lessons which are very much applicable to God’s people of the 21st century!!!

SO NEAR, YET SO FAR…. Sometimes in our Christian sojourn, really can we (God’s children) be far away from the very One we owe our physical and spiritual lives to, even ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:8-10

Denomination: *other

Living In A Far From Perfect World

Contributed by John Newton on Mar 18, 2024

Peter’s words to slaves in the first century are relevant to our world in the twenty-first.

I suspect that a number of you have heard the old story of the young man who was desperately seeking God’s guidance for some crucial issue in his life. For some reason he decided that the best way forward might be simply to allow his Bible to fall open randomly and then follow the wisdom of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:18, Luke 6:27-28, John 18:10-11, Acts 2:36-38, 1 Peter 2:18-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Episcopal

When God Seems Far Away

Contributed by H.b. Charles Jr. on Jun 24, 2012

"When God Seems Far Away" is an exposition of Psalm 61, which teaches that you can never be so far away that God cannot hear you when you call.

WHEN GOD SEEMS FAR AWAY Psalm 61 A certain little boy greatly missed his father, who was separated from the family for the long time by military duty. But the boy was comforted by a picture of his dad that sat in a frame on his nightstand. When he was frightened at night, he would state at the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 61:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

America Has Gone Too Far

Contributed by Cooper Abrams Iii on Sep 17, 2001

In the face of America’s current trend to deny God where can we find comfort.

America Has Gone Too Far! A nation of people that have no fear of God. Amos 7:1-13 Date: November 6, 1998 Intro: The elections of this past week have proven clearly that America has no fear of God. I rarely preach messages addressing current events or politics, but I feel compelled to ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

How Far Should I Go? Series

Contributed by Michael Stover on Apr 17, 2001

How far should I go in this obedience thing? Is every part of the Bible to be heeded?

I. Everything Is To Be Heeded (17-18) A. The Old Testament is Approved 1. Jesus’ seal of approval on the OT 2. Jesus’ often quoted the OT B. The Old Testament is Absolute 1. Not to be modified or changed 2. Jot & Tittle C. The Old Testament is Authoritative 1. Jesus came to fulfill the OT 2. To ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

How Far Would God Go? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 29, 2001

Jesus could have made his point with only one of these stories and yet he told all three that day. Why?

OPEN: The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers. He dialed the employees home telephone number and was greeted with a child’s whispered, "Hello?" The boss asked, "Is your Daddy home?" "Yes," whispered the small voice. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-24, Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Far Is It From Bethlehem To Calvary

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Feb 21, 2001

Answers the question "How far is it from Bethlehem to Calvary?" from several different view points

Well it’s almost here, and almost gone. Day after tomorrow it’ll be over, the presents will be opened, the turkey will have been eaten, the carols will have been sung and for all practical purposes Christmas 2000 will be but a fond memory. And yet it is only 16 weeks until we celebrate Easter. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Wesleyan

When We Wander Too Far Series

Contributed by Ryan Johnson on Mar 6, 2002

Message for Christians that are in sin

Series: Creating Contagious Compassion When We Wander Too Far? ( evanglelism, salvation) Luke 15:3-7 Survivor Eva Hart remembers the night, April 15, 1912, on which the Titanic plunged 12,000 feet to the Atlantic floor, some two hours and forty minutes after an iceberg tore a 300-foot gash in the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ