Church of The Open Door Sermons

Pilate’s Big Test John 18:28-40 Epic Fail: A compilation of numerous failures over time. All tests are striving to answer a question. Some tests have greater consequences than others. Pilate’s Big Test: What do I do with Jesus? Reasons for failing: We fail because of our ability. We fail because of our thinking. Jesus took care of the ability issue!  (2 Corinthians 5:21) Thinking fails… Jesus is trivial. Jesus is irrelevant. Jesus is not worth the effort. Jesus is not […]

“Free Fall” John 18:10-27 1 – Fall Back we tend to rely too much on past victories past failures can keep us from being victorious in the present 2 – Fall Down Peter attacks Peter denies I am NOT I am HE Peter crashes 3 – Fall Forward Jesus pursues us Jesus restores us Jesus renews the call to follow Him Jesus surrounds us with His Spirit and His people to correct and encourage us ”And after you have suffered […]

The Big Test “It’s a no go” John 18:1-9 Jesus knows the power of prayer           Prayer is where we pay attention to God           The point of prayer is response Jesus knows Judas will betray him Jesus knows the leaders have rejected him Jesus knows the soldiers will kill him Jesus knows the garden Jesus knows that prayer is dangerous Jesus knows the Father           He came […]

One “Making the Father Known” John 17:25-26 Knowing the Father intimately is life’s greatest experience and most worthwhile pursuit. 1. The Father was misunderstood until Jesus made Him known. People have always believed distorted ideas about God. 2. The Father’s character is revealed in Jesus’ life and teaching. Jesus is what God is like. 3. The Father’s love is revealed in Jesus’ death. The greatest demonstration of God’s love is the cross. 4. The Father’s power is revealed in Jesus’ […]

One “The Incredible Prayer Jesus Prayed for You” John 17:22-24 1. Jesus prays that we may be one as He and the Father are one.             Unity in diversity for the purpose of ministry 2. Jesus prays that the glory He has given us will unify us.             The glory of God is the love of God on full display. 3. Jesus prays that we will grasp the wonder of […]

One “The Purpose of Unity” John 17:21 1. Jesus prays for unity…             not uniformity             not conformity 2. Jesus prays for unity in diversity…             unity of spirit             unity of love             unity of purpose 3. Jesus prays for unity in diversity for the purpose of ministry.             […]

Backstage Pass The Fine Print of Being Saved John 17:17-20 What have you gotten yourself into?         You are here for salvation and it means you’re saved from sin                 Truth holds the words of life                 Truth cleanses us                 Truth is in opposition to the world         You are here to […]

Joyless Christian? The Basis for our Joy in Christ John 17:11-16 The basis for our Joy in Christ is not due to this world Not due to our inherent faithfulness is tied to our connection to the Father. What do I do if I am Joyless? 1: Confess sin 2: Make use of the means of Grace: The Word Prayer Meditation The daily occupation of the heart with Christ Dwelling constantly on the future that awaits us. Proclaiming to others […]

Backstage Pass: An Inside Look at the Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed “How Jesus Makes Followers into Disciples” John 17:4-10 To grow as a disciple of Jesus you need: 1. Revelation: An accurate understanding of God a. Who God is b. Who Jesus is 2. Teaching: Core lessons on following a. Jesus’ Words of life b. Jesus’ Way of life 3. Training: A process of development a. Model: A does it, B watches. b. Mentor: A does it, B follows. c. […]

Backstage Pass: An Inside Look at the Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed “What am I supposed to do?” John 17:4 As followers of Jesus, our purpose comes from His purpose. 1. We are here on this earth to glorify God: by completing the work He has entrusted to us 2. We glorify God when we live as trustworthy stewards. When God gives to us, He is entrusting us. God has entrusted to us what belongs to Him. Doing the work God […]