Sermons on To Catch Up:

Opening Up To The Lord

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 28, 2016

Things that were opened for these two disciples (Outline and some material adapted from Bob Russell from Lookout Magazine under the Living Word article for September 30, 2001; other material adapted from Sermon Central Contributors, thanks!)

HoHum: When times are hard, I have trouble praying. When that happens, I go walking in a deserted place and talk with the Lord while I walk. This seems to help. On these walks I am able to open myself up to the Lord, express myself. “He walks with me and he talks with me and He tells me I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Time To Settle Up

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Sep 17, 2018

A study in the book of 2 Samuel 21: 1 – 22

2 Samuel 21: 1 – 22 Time to settle up 21 Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.” 2 So the king called the Gibeonites ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Command To "Cheer Up!"

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 4, 2015

In one of Paul's most discouraged moments, the Lord Jesus appeared to him and told him to cheer up, giving him several reasons why. We too should be buoyed by the same command and encouragements.

THE COMMAND TO CHEER UP Acts 23:6-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Dear Abby: One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister. A member of an official board had watched the pastor search committee reject applicant after applicant for some fault, alleged or otherwise. It was time ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:6-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Hold Up On That Roundup!

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jul 20, 2020

Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and the weeds to reveal characteristics of the Kingdom of God. God's kingdom isn't obsessed with judgment and eradicating evil, and neither should we.

July 19, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Hold Up on that Roundup! Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. My father loved tending a garden and he passed that love along to me. When I was about 7 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Lutheran

All Shook Up

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Oct 21, 2022

God may use extreme measures to get our attention.

All Shook Up October 16, 2022 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: God may use extreme measures to get our attention. Focus Passage: Acts 16:22-34 Introduction: On October 1, 1987, I was in Los Angeles for a moderate earthquake. I had felt a few tremors ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:22-34

Denomination: Baptist

Buckle Up Buttercup

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 16, 2022

Some people are going to panic while others will have some explaining to do if we enter a deep recession or worse and they lose their wealth or do not get what was prophesied. When it isn't scriptural prophecies will fail.

2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-13, John 15:18-19, Philippians 1:29-30, 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Never Give Up Series

Contributed by Thomas Armbruster on Jun 7, 2021

Church, some of you have been asking me, when can I set my burden down? When can I give up?

WHEN CAN I GIVE UP? Matthew 11: 28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Church, some ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Micah 6:8

Clearing Up The Mess!

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Dec 19, 2021

Clearing up the mess! Luke chapter 2 verses 8-20 - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: • Mess • Message • Messiah SERMON BODY: Ill: • A few years ago (30/1/06). • A visitor to a British museum destroyed a set of priceless 300-year-old Chinese vases, • The accident happened when he tripped up on his shoelace, • The Daily Telegraph reports. • “The three Qing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Brethren

Giving It Up For Jesus

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Mar 22, 2022

Jesus gave His life for us. What are you giving up for Him? A look at the time in Gethsemane before the arrest.

Giving it up for Jesus Mark 14:32-42 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz 32 They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here until I have prayed." 33 And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. 34 And He *said to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42

Denomination: United Methodist

Effatha! - Open Up

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Sep 3, 2021

Look up to heaven,” and have a constant connection with God. “Groan” for those in need and for those who do not know the Lord. And, “open up,” and put your faith into action.

Effatha! - Open up! “Jesus looked up toward heaven, and with a groan he said, “Effatha!” which means “Open up!” Mark 7:34 (CEV) As believers and churchgoers, we always enjoy worship service and listen to a new week’s sermon. But sometimes it is unavoidable to point out the time restraints that we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Way Up Is Down Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 11, 2021

After all the nice things Pual has said about how good the Philippian church was doing, he wants them to remember where they came from, where they are now, how they got there, and who it is who brought them along.

I. Intro: A. Mohammad Ali, the great boxer, also was renowned for his cocky quick-wit, saying things like, “I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, and it is hard to be humble when you're as great as I am.” My favorite: “I should be a postage stamp. That's the only way I'll ever ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Hurry Up And Wait Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 20, 2021

The three points of this sermon and a good bit of the content is borrowed from a sermon by Ray Pritchard (see the resources at the end of the sermon). The key to facing hard times is learning to wait on the Lord.

Introduction: A. Once there was a boy who asked a girl to go to the school formal dance. 1. She agreed, and he decided to rent a tuxedo, but the rental store had a long line, so he waited and waited, and finally he got his suit. 2. Then he decided to buy flowers, but the flower shop had a long ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Picking Up Bones

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 30, 2022

I have a bone to pick with you. In the valley of dry bones, we can learn something about ourselves and our local churches. Let us take a moment to find out what these dry bones can tell us.

Nothing on this earth can bring bones back to life, only God can restore life. Ezekiel came across a valley of bones. The Spirit of the Lord told him to prophesy to these bones, and as he did, the sinews and flesh came on them, and then the skin. Ezekiel was then told to prophesy for the wind to ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Hurry Up God

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Sep 8, 2025

Psalm 70 is the 911 call of the Prayer book. It is short – urgent - stripped of all formality.

TITLE: HURRY UP, GOD! SCRIPTURE: PSALM 70 Over the course of my life I have always heard the saints say – “YOU CAN’T HURRY GOD.” The Chicago Mass Choir made that saying a hit song. I’ve sometimes wondered, when faced with this prayer on the page, if it isn’t a little presumptuous to be telling ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Downward Climb Up

Contributed by Larry Grant on Sep 14, 2025

In this parable, we will see that one man came to the temple that day to worship himself. The other man came that day to worship the Lord.

LUKE 18:9-14 "THE DOWNWARD CLIMB UP" September 14, 2025 This sermon is inspired by my time with the late Crawford Kimble. He told me a story of a young preacher, fresh out of seminary, a model student. He was given an opportunity to preach at a small church. He proudly and boldly walked ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist