Sermons on Wide Narrow Gates:

Jesus Is Crucified Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 3, 2021

Had you gone to Jerusalem that day so long ago, and had you gone just outside the wall to the north, out through the Damascus gate, there you would have seen a rocky hill. And on that hill, you would have seen three crosses, with three men on those crosses.

Good morning to Cross Church and happy Palm Sunday to you. Turn to Luke 23 with me this morning. The universal symbol of Christianity is the cross, the old rugged cross. While the empty tomb is the foundation of Christianity, the cross is the focus of Christianity. And while I cannot take all of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:26-49

Denomination: Baptist

The Parables Of Jesus: The Lost Sheep & The Lost Coin Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 15, 2022

Time and again in the New Testament we see Jesus sharing parables and stories related to shepherds and sheep. It’s very very common. From psalm 23, talking about the rod and staff of the shepherd, to Jesus calling himself “the gate for the sheep” it’s throughout the scriptures.

“Dr. Andrew Bonar told me how, in the Highlands of Scotland, a sheep would often wander off into the rocks and get into places that they couldn't get out of. The grass on these mountains is very sweet and the sheep like it, and they will jump down ten or twelve feet, and then they can't ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

How Do I Live As A Christian In This World: 10 Areas We Might Not Normally Think About

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jan 27, 2024

The desire of my heart is to live as a true Christian, in a world that is broken. How do I do that? How do I live it out during my daily life? Let's look briefly at ten areas of our lives that we might not have thought about before.

The desire of my heart is to live as a true Christian, in a world that is broken. How do I do that? How do I live it out during my daily life? Let's look briefly at ten areas of our lives that we might not have thought about before. Group Dynamics / Social Climbing - In our friend group, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:5, Malachi 3:10

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Prodigal Son

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Apr 1, 2007

When we hear this passage, we usually picture ourselves as the son who transgressed our loving Father through our sinful lives. Whatever our own particular sins may be, we relate to, we long for, we even expect, a loving God who’ll throw his arms out wide

Additional Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen. (Psalm 19:14) (The Slave – Captured) A 16-year-old boy was captured by ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Message – Sons Of Korah – Psalm 87 – God Loves Zion (Jerusalem) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 5, 2022

This wonderful Psalm focusses on Zion, the Lord’s foundation there, and the glorious promises for the future. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. Blessing becomes part of the surrounding nations.

MESSAGE – SONS OF KORAH – PSALM 87 – GOD LOVES ZION ZION WILL BE BLESSED IN A COMING DAY Psalm 87:0 A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song. Psalm 87:1 His foundation is in the holy mountains. Psalm 87:2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwelling places of Jacob. Psalm ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 14:32, Jeremiah 33:16, Isaiah 19:23-25, Ephesians 2:17-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ready For Anything (Part 4: Going On The Offensive) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 9, 2024

This exposition from Ephesians 6:10-18 deals with the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. The prayer called for in verse 18 is part of the teaching concerning spiritual warfare. While a good defense is necessary, Christians must go on the offensive and fulfill the Great Commission.

Intro We are dealing with spiritual warfare using Ephesians 6:10-18 as our text. Every Christian needs to know how to do spiritual warfare because every Christian is a soldier. Like it or not, you are in a fight with the devil. His intentions toward you are not good. He hates you because he hates ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18, 2 Timothy 2:3, Proverbs 3:1-8, 2 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 10:1-38, Psalm 140:7, Hebrews 4:12, Luke 4:1-10, Matthew 28:18-20, Hebrews 13:1-8, Romans 8:1-24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

A Great Door Is Open

Contributed by Toby Powers on Apr 15, 2011

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 th

Pastor Toby Powers, Truth Baptist Church, Bremen, GA. www.trumpetoftruthonline.org I Corinthians 16:9 "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries." KJV A GREAT DOOR IS OPEN I Corinthians 16:9 Intro: Paul, writing to the Corinthians from Ephesus on his third ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:9

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

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