Sermons on Wide Open:

Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time- The Opening Up Of A Relational Space By Forgiveness.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 11, 2022

Forgiveness is a conditional gift offered that opens a relational space that expects a reciprocal response.

There used to be a sign in the Princeton University Book Store basement which said: "Love your enemies—it will drive them crazy." Clever but love of enemies and forgiving, commanded by Jesus in our Gospel this Sunday, is not hoping that the other person will change or trying to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-38

Denomination: Catholic

He Came To His Own: A Christmas Story Of Open And Closed Hearts

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 4, 2025

As we reflect on the birth of Christ this Christmas, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to Jesus, our Savior? Will we make room for Him, open our hearts, and joyfully welcome His presence, or will we turn Him away?

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Play the video “The Shepherd’s Story.” INTRODUCTION: Christmas is the celebration of God’s greatest gift to humanity—Jesus Christ, our Savior. But from the very moment of His birth, Jesus was met with contrasting responses: rejection by some and joyful acceptance by others. ...read more

Scripture: John 1:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

4 Christmas Gifts You Don’t Have To Wait To Open

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 13, 2025

There are many gifts we'll receive we really don't care for. But this Christmas, God offers you gifts of His love, healing, forgiveness, and inner joy. And these best gifts you don't have to wait until December 25 to open!

4 CHRISTMAS GIFTS YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT TO OPEN Matthew 2:11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: WHEN JOSEPH WENT ROGUE 1. The Director of the Christmas play was nervous when she cast Jimmy, the middle-school class clown, as Joseph in the Christmas Pageant. 2. Her fears were realized when Jimmy decided ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Epiphany

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 9, 2017

Be open to epiphanies

Epiphany of the Lord, Sunday January 8, 2017 In literary terms, an epiphany is that moment in the story when a character achieves a realization, awareness or a knowledge of something, after which, events are seen through this prism. 1). One epiphany is in verse 2, the Magi ask the question, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:2-12, Matthew 60:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

The Door To Lasting Liberty

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jul 5, 2010

Paul explained to the church at Rome that the the door to liberty is opened thru Christian perseverance. Christian perseverance opens the door to true liberty. But Why? Your perseverance opens the door to lasting liberty because...

The DOOR to LASTING LIBERTY—Romans 8:18-25 Attention: Reason for the Pilgrim’s coming to America—Religious Liberty(autonomous faith)—Freedom to practice biblical faith. Freedom from State-supported & sponsored religion, which is a perversion of truth. Reason for the Revolutionary War—Political ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

You Cannot Have Enough Love Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Jun 28, 2023

We are to strive as individuals and part of a church family to love more and more.

Introduction Today, we begin a new series that is based upon the prayer of the Apostle Paul to the church at Philippi. It was a prayer offered up to God for the people in the Philippian church. I know that we offer prayers for church members who are hurting but this prayer teaches that we should ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Walk In The Dark

Contributed by Bruce Gebbeken on Nov 11, 2006

A camping trip opens up to me the powerful insight of the opening words of John.

A Walk in the Dark John 1:1-9 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It Matters: The Ascension Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Mar 25, 2016

The ascension of Jesus matters because it opened some doors for us previously not opened.

INTRODUCTION • EASTER WORSHIP INTRO VIDEO • SLIDE #1 • I want to welcome you to FCC today, we are so glad all of you decided to join us as we worship our Lord together today! • Jerry and I have been taking you on a journey through a series we entitled, “It ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:13-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Go! And... Let The Word Cut Deep - Hebrews 4:12 (Nlt) Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 17, 2025

When you open your Bible—the Word of God opens you.

Go! And... Let the Word cut deep - Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) INTRODUCTION — “THE BOOK THAT READS YOU” If you were to walk into a surgery and see an X-ray machine glowing, you would understand its power: it reveals what the naked eye cannot see. In the same way, when you open your Bible, something far ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12, 1 Peter 1:23, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Jeremiah 23:29, John 1:14, Psalm 119:105, James 1:22, Romans 10:9, Hebrews 4:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Narrow And Difficult Way Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 20, 2024

There are two separate gates that lead to two separate ways, or roads. One way leads to blessing and the other way to difficulty. So, which way, or which road, leads to life and blessing? The correct way is Jesus (John 14:6).

When I was in my twenties, I was an avid cave explorer. Now, I just watch caving videos on YouTube. It is interesting how spelunkers will naturally follow a large wide-open passage first. They will bypass numerous smaller ones, all because the larger one does not involve hunching over or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Gate And The Way Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Apr 13, 2015

In the first sermon of this series we examine what it means to "enter the gate" (enter into salvation) and the equally important matter of "walking in the way" (growing from immaturity to maturity in Christ.

Our Spiritual Walk #1 The Gate and the Way Matthew 7:13-14 CHCC – June 8, 2014 INTRODUCTION: (This message is related to the first chapter in the book I have written entitled, "Our Spiritual Walk" which is available at Amazon.com and the e-books that are available on Smashwords.com Look ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Demonstrations Of Glory Series

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Aug 2, 2006

Demonstrations of Power, Glory and the Kingdom always result in an expansion of Godly influence. There is a city wide, a regional and a national impact! As His will is expressed.

THE KINGDOM AND HIS WILL The Lords prayer is simple in its instruction: Luke 11 ‘Thy Kingdom come” “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!” John the Baptist said “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand” Jesus said “The Kingdom of God is here” Our job “Extend the kingdom!” The purpose of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spiritual Deafness Series

Contributed by James Dina on Dec 28, 2021

Blessed are those who have an ear that the Lord has purified, cleansed, and opened so that it can hear the divine call; but there is no blessing for the Christian whose spiritual ears are not active.

EPHPHATHA “And they bring unto him one that was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:19, Revelation 3:20, Amos 3:7, Mark 7:34, Psalm 103:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Be Ready For Soon Coming King Series

Contributed by Nick Watson on May 3, 2006

20 Signs of Imminent Return of the LOrd & 5 Ways we MUST be ready. Pastors, please preach this widely & urgently !!

20 Signs of the IMMINENT RETURN of the Lord Jesus Christ (1) Deception (Matthew 24:4,5,11) (2) Wars and rumours of wars including the WAR on TERROR. (Matthew 24:6,7a) (3) Famines (Matthew 24:7b) (4) Earthquakes (Matthew 24:7c). (5) Persecutions and Martyrdom (Matthew 24:9) (6) Betrayal ...read more

Denomination: Apostolic

The Body Of Christ: Death By A Thousand Cuts

Contributed by Terry Frazier on Feb 25, 2012

As members of the body of Christ, we as Christians need to pay more attention to the persecuted members of the body of Christ world wide.

The Body Of Christ: Death By A Thousand Cuts This message today will and should cause all of us to be sad, very sad but also very much encouraged too! I will inform you of some great human tragedies and I will also show you just how brave and faithful some foreign Christians are and in so doing I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: Baptist