Church of The Open Door Sermons

The Christmas Gap “The Good News Gap” Luke 2:10 1. The Christmas Gap is the time between what was announced at Christmas and what was experienced in people’s lives.           a. Good news that brings great joy           b. Our Savior is here           c. The Messiah has come           d. Peace is available 2. The Good News Gap is the time between the […]

DISCIPLE: The Need for Discipleship “Discipleshift” Matthew 9:36-10:8 If you have ever felt a hunger to experience more of God’s power, see more impact or grow more to become like Christ, you may be ready for a Discipleshift. Discipleshift in our personal lives From watching ministry to doing ministry From being saved to being sent From the crowd to the committed From getting fed to getting trained From receiving to giving Discipleshift in the life of our church From going […]

DISCIPLE: The Need for Discipleship “Discipleskip” Matthew 9:36-38 and 11:28-30 1. Jesus sees the needs of people as they really are Harassed Stressed Hurting Scattered 2. Jesus sends the kind of people who can help People who have come to Jesus People who are following Jesus People who have been helped by Jesus People who have been trained by Jesus People who are disciples of Jesus 3. Jesus helps us see our need for discipleship We will find peace and […]

“Dyscipleship” Matthew 9:35-38 1. Jesus’ solution for people’s needs: disciples         a. The need for more, true disciples         b. The need for discipleship 2. Our version of Jesus’ solution: Dyscipleship 3. Biblical understanding of Discipleship         a. Discipleship is a relationship         b. Discipleship is a process         c. Discipleship has a clear goal Discipleship is the process of becoming like Christ and helping […]

Practical Parenting “How to Discipline” Proverbs 22:6; 29:17, Heb. 12:11 1. Understanding Discipline It’s a part of training your kids It’s a part of discipling your kids It’s a part of loving your kids 2. Applying Discipline Express Authoritative Communication                     a. Give calm, firm, clear directives                     b. Set clear expectations Empower Ability to Choose             […]

Practical Parenting Shepherding from Rules to Relationship Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:1-25 Order Matters: Rules, Relationship, Based Before we begin… Parenting our children is a biblical mandate that is an intentional process. The stakes are high. We want to know more about how to assist our children in becoming like Christ. Rules- based  Relationship Priority is in following the rules. blinded to the relationship Conduct Driven Results…                         Rebellion The […]

“Growing in Wisdom as a Parent” Proverbs 24:3 & 22:6 1. Wise parents understand the power of training.           What gets rewarded gets repeated           What gets repeated gets embedded 2. Wise parents have goals for each stage of parenting.       Nurturing Trainer (0-1)             Primary goals: Helping them feel loved and secure; learn to trust.             Primary skills: Attentive […]

“How to be a Great Parent” Proverbs 22:6 1. Great parents realize they are training their kids. Training by default Training on purpose Training in God’s grace 2. Great parents prioritize being students of their kids. Learn their “way”: tendencies, patterns, personality 3. Great parents customize the training of their kids. Different stages require different skills 4. Great parents optimize the stages of their kids. Nurturing Trainer (0-1) Nurture them to trust. Directive Trainer (1-5) Teach them to obey. Encouraging […]

“When Jesus Gives You Life” John 21:25 What we learn about John from his gospel: 1. He was captivated by Jesus         a. Jesus is Messiah, God in the flesh         b. John experienced the life Jesus came to give 2. He understood the meaning and importance of believing in Jesus         a. Believing is a process, a choice & a lifestyle         b. What we believe about […]

When Jesus Challenges You “It’s a stretch” John 21:18-24 When Jesus challenges you, he tells the truth. Following is hard Following is not “fair” The truth is, Jesus went first The truth is freedom freedom from others freedom from ourselves freedom from fear Following is dying so we can live. LifeGroup Questions: Applying the Teaching to Our Lives Our passage began with Jesus saying “I’m telling you the TRUTH.” As a group begin with a commitment to tell the truth […]