Sermons on Wide And Narrow Gates:

Go! And Serve The King - Matthew 25:31-46 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 28, 2025

Every person will stand before Jesus one day. The rich and the poor. The powerful and the weak. The famous and the unknown. No one will escape that moment. And Jesus will separate people into two groups—like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The question is: Which side will you be on?

Go! And Serve the King - Matthew 25:31-46 Introduction: The Final Separation Every person on this earth will stand before Jesus one day. The rich and the poor. The powerful and the weak. The famous and the unknown. No one will escape that moment. And on that day, Jesus will separate people into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 20:11-12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, James 2:17, Proverbs 19:17, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, John 3:36, Revelation 1:7, Revelation 19:11-16, Matthew 24:30, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 22:37-38, Matthew 22:39-40, 1 John 4:20, James 1:27, Luke 22:42, Romans 1:24, Joshua 24:15, Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 25:21, Matthew 7:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Go! And Treasure The Pearl Of Great Price - Matthew 13:45–46 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 17, 2025

Explore one of the most vivid and compelling symbols in the Bible—the pearl.

Go! And Treasure the Pearl of Great Price Exploring the Significance of Pearls in the Bible It’s always a joy to share the Word of God with you. Today, I invite you to open your hearts and minds as we explore one of the most vivid and compelling symbols in the Bible—the pearl. Now, when we think ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46, Philippians 3:8, Revelation 21:21, Isaiah 61:3, Matthew 7:6, Ephesians 2:8, Matthew 6:33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Winning The War... With Humility Series

Contributed by Steven Buhr on Mar 27, 2008

Being a Christian is not a hat we wear, and then take off when it’s convenient or uncomfortable. It’s not a fake ID we show at the pearly gates of heaven or a ‘get out of hell free’ card. Being a Christian is a full-time, life time commitment to the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ.

James 4:1-10 – Winning the War, with Humility ‘Every baby starts life as a little savage. He is completely selfish and self-centered. He wants what he wants when he wants it — his bottle, his mother’s attention, his playmate’s toy, his uncle’s watch. Deny him these once, and he seethes with rage ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10, James 4:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Embracing God's Opportunities SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

God knows how to open the door of opportunity to us to do his work. And though there are many that oppose his work, none can impede it. Even the gates of hell cannot prevail against it! I Cor 16:9, "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."

In his letter to the Corinthians from Ephesus, Paul expresses his desire to reunite with the Corinthian converts and spend significant time with them. However, he acknowledges that he must wait until God completes His work in Ephesus, where a great and effective opportunity has been opened for him. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:9

Topics: God's Provision, Overcoming Opposition

The Purpose Of Walls

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 23, 2015

God built His church to be ONE... but Satan builds walls to divide that church. How do we identify what the Devil does so that we can unify our church and challenge the power of the evil one?

Once upon a time, there were three little pigs. (You’ve heard this one, haven’t you?) The first little piggy built his house of straw, and the big bad wolf came and huffed and puffed and blew that house down. The second piggy built his house of sticks, and the big bad ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Kind Of Church Do You Want This To Be?

Contributed by Roger Smith on Oct 8, 2023

Jesus said: Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it! Considering we are Christ's Church; what kind of church do you want this one to be? Do we want it to be pleasing to the Lord or do we want to just get by until He comes??

INTRODUCTION: Jesus said: Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it! There’s a rumour going round in the Catholic Church that they are the only true church because they claim they can trace their origins back to the Apostle Peter. That the church is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:4-5

Denomination: Congregational

Lord Build Me In Action Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 2, 2021

We live by faith in God. But what use is our faith if we don’t actively live it out? Just like the boy who is afraid, in the burning building, he can’t see his father below with his arms wide open, but he believes that he is there. He has faith that his dad is there even though he cant see.

"One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, "Jump! I'll catch you." He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

Lent 2019 - Why The Shepherd Chose To Die Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 26, 2019

In John 10 Jesus is talking about how He is the Good Shepherd and that He can lay His life down and pick it back up again. Why would a shepherd lay his life down? What good is a dead shepherd?

Lent 2019 - Why the Shepherd Chose to Die Please stand as we read our newest memory Scripture together … 1 John 1:5-7 “This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-21, John 9:39-41, Matthew 23:1-7, John 5:18, John 7:1, Matthew 26:39, Matthew 26:42, Ezekiel 21:31-32, Psalm 78:59, Ezekiel 18:4, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Ephesians 5:3-7, John 3:36, Romans 5:9, Revelation 6:15-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

A Word To The Wise On Dealing With The Wicked Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 25, 2013

Why would people chose to be wicked? And why would this lifestyle be a temptation even for the average Christian?

OPEN: I once read the true story of their English professor who was on her way to class one day. She was running late and was going over the speed limit. Then she saw the dreaded red and blue lights in her rear view mirror and heard the siren, and she pulled over. As the policeman was making out ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:15-22, Proverbs 24:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"The Basis For Christian Ministry Is Trustful Obedience.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on May 30, 2002

August 4, 2002 -- ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 13 Isaiah 55:1-5 Psalm 145:8-9, 15-22 (Psalm 145: 8-9, 14-21 NRSV) You open wide your hand and satisfy the needs of every living creature. (Ps. 145:17) Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 14:13-21 Color:

August 4, 2002 -- ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 13 Isaiah 55:1-5 Psalm 145:8-9, 15-22 (Psalm 145: 8-9, 14-21 NRSV) You open wide your hand and satisfy the needs of every living creature. (Ps. 145:17) Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 14:13-21 Color: Green Title: “The basis for Christian ministry is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Lutheran

The Power Of The Presence Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 13, 2023

When Jesus told us we needed to tell others about our faith in Him, did He leave us to do it all by ourselves? Or does God help us when we witness?

About 350 years before Christ was born in Bethlehem, there was a man they called Alexander the Great. Over a period of 15 years Alexander the Great was in almost constant warfare and conquered most of known world. He never defended a walled city, almost always met his enemy in the open field, and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:5-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Looking To The Future

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 29, 2013

What did the angels mean when they asked the disciples "Why do you stand here looking into the sky?" Were they rebuking them for wanting to see Jesus when He came back? Or was there something deeper that they (and we) need to hear?

It seems Moody Bible Institute supports a home for mentally handicapped children. One day the President of Moody (Joseph Stowell) went there for a visit. While walking through the corridors, he noticed that the windows were covered with tiny little hand prints. He asked the director, what that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:6-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon On The Mount - Part 13 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jul 2, 2019

This is Part 13 in a 14-part series of studies I call “The Christian Character” from what is familiarly known as the “Sermon on the Mount.” In this part, we look at Jesus' teaching about judging, and not giving what is holy to dogs and pigs.

Part 13 - Do not judge, do not give what is holy to dogs and pigs Sermon on the Mount The Christian Character Matthew 5:3 - 7:27 (Cf. Luke 6:20-49) This is Part 13 in a 14-part series of studies I call “The Christian Character” as described by Jesus to a crowd of people on a Galilean hillside as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-49, Matthew 7:1-2, James 5:19-20, Matthew 6:14, Matthew 7:3-4, Romans 2:1-3, Romans 1:28-32, Matthew 7:6, Mark 6:10-11, Matthew 13:45-46, Revelation 21:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Josh And The Big Wall Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 15, 2021

Did the walls of Jericho actually fall? (hint: yes they did) And if they did, what can that tell us about God's power and of our faith in Him?

Children’s moment – a short clip from Veggie Tales “Josh And The Big Wall” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDpM_j1MZG8&t=11s PRAYER/SCRIPTURE OPEN: I love reading Bible Stories to my grandson. Well I don’t actually “read” them to him, I kind of make them up as I go along. And I find that the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Destruction Of The Depraved Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 25, 2019

Did Sodom and Gomorrah exist? Were they destroyed as Scripture says they were (short answer: yes, and yes). And what lessons can we learn from this story from Genesis?

OPEN: Just like today, back in 1690s Jamaica was an island paradise. Palm trees in the sand, tropical breezes, beautiful beaches. People of wealth sought it out then just like they do now. And many of them built huge mansions at a town called Port Royal. Now, Port Royal wasn’t a “tourist trap.” It ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:1-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ