Sermons on Close Encounter:

The Church Boss Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 11, 2010

If Christ is the head of the church, no bullying can ever be justified to bring about the result a leader desires. We must permit the Spirit of God to rule the church, and not mere mortals.

“I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Fit: Generosity Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 13, 2011

It is impossible to outgive God.

Getting Fit: Generosity Proverbs 3:9-10 Rev. Brian Bill 2/13/11 It’s really great to be back in the pulpit today, though I wonder if I should take a few more Sundays off. Didn’t Pastor Andy do a tremendous job preaching about witnessing last week? Actually, his sermon must have had ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Captivated By My Lover

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 13, 2011

Though increasingly neglected in this day, marriage is given by God for the benefit of mankind. Undoubtedly we find pleasure in marriage, but there is so much more for all who will honour God through the marriage relationship.

“Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 5:15-19

Denomination: Baptist

Trinity Series

Contributed by Pastor Glen Key on Mar 2, 2011

The word Trinity doesn’t appear as a theological term till near the end of the second century. “It was first used as ‘Trias’ by Theophilus, the Bishop of Antioch in AD. 180 and later by Tertullian asTrinitas to signify that God exists in three persons.”

ARTICLE 2. In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Crucial, to the biblical doctrine of God is his Trinitarian nature. Trinity is a term that is not found in the Bible but a word used to describe what is apparent about God in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:7

Denomination: Church Of God

"Saints Live Faith" Romans Pt. 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 18, 2007

We learn from Paul in Romans that the saint will actually live their faith on a daily basis and it will be revealed to those who are around them. When we live our faith we actually encourage others in the Body of Christ.

"Saints Live Faith!" Romans pt. 2 Opening Illustration: Video clip from Blue Fish TV called Fast Food Parody - McFaith - This humorous clip expresses the truth of how some people approach and live their faith in today’s world. Thesis: We learn from Paul in Romans that the saint will actually live ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Wanna Be A Pharisee

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 23, 2006

The Pharisees were a group that wanted holiness in their lives and obedience to God, yet Jesus rebuked them more harshly than any other group. Where did they go wrong? How can we avoid their error?

Don’t Wanna Be A Pharisee TCF Sermon October 15, 2006 Let me tell you about two groups of people. The first group of people is deeply concerned about holiness. They are students of the Word of God. They are very careful about obedience to God. They take very seriously God’s admonishment to be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Give Thanks Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Oct 24, 2006

In this message we will learn how to give thanks to God. And we will see that Thanksgiving is a spiritual discipline.

Give Thanks… The Life – part 7 Today is the one year anniversary of an incredible day at Central. The Sunday before Thanksgiving last year was the day of our miracle offering. It was an awesome day… After almost a year of planning we as a body brought our cash offering and our 3 year ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Making Of A Man Series

Contributed by Chris Kelly on Nov 6, 2006

This series follows the life of Joseph as he enrolls in the "School of Hard Knocks". Learn how you too can be victorious no matter what life throws at you.

The Making of a Man… Series: Surviving the School of Hard Knocks June 18, 2000 Somebody sent this to me over the internet, and I thought it was pretty appropriate for Father’s Day. It’s called… REASONS TO BE A GUY… Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Ordinary Days: Grounded In Truth

Contributed by Wes Humble on Nov 10, 2006

A sane and simple sermon on the return of Christ

Ordinary Days: Grounded in Truth In Mark 13 we read a conversation that Jesus had with His disciples. He ends up describing what the last days on this earth will be like. I am not trying to make predictions or even to say that we are living in those days. The felt need of the disciples was to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:32-37

Denomination: *other

Recovering A Fumble Series

Contributed by Jess Bousa on Jan 30, 2007

Our hearts are what direct us in life. They are our compass. If we fumble and our hearts go bad, then our behavior will follow suit, but if our heart is pure, then only positive behavior will follow. Learn how to recover a fumble and prevent a fumble.

Today, we are going to begin, the first part of a four part series, titled, “Full-Time Christianity.” Another way of saying it is Lifestyle-Worship. Imagine with me, you get your dream job. You start off with a high salary, full benefits, a retirement plan, and investment package. You get it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Slay Your Giants

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 15, 2007

A message that looks at the grandaddy of all upsets and uncovers several truths that will help us slay the gaints that are standing in the way of us being all God wants us to be.

How To Slay Your Giants IN - February of 1980 I was in the Navy living in Saratoga Springs New York. 90 miles away in Lake Placid a group of 12 American amateur hockey players took the ice to face the toughest and best hockey team in the world, Russia’s national team. It was the Olympic games and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-54

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"The Balance Of Wisdom" Ecc. Pt 8 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 4, 2007

We all need the balance of wisdom in our life because it will helps us balance the daily issues in life on this earth but it will also help us to balance the reality of eternity.

“The Balance of Wisdom” Ecc. Pt. 8 Opening Illustration: Story from Bluefish Tv “Vikiel’s Story” Thesis: We all need the balance of wisdom in our life because it will helps us balance the daily issues in life on this earth but it will also help us to balance the reality of eternity. Scripture ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lord, Do It Again

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 2, 2007

A Whitsuntide Message pleading for God to work in power among His holy people.

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Unlikely Hero Series

Contributed by Jess Bousa on Apr 26, 2007

“Being a neighbor is not necessarily defined by seeking out those who need help, but rather it is becoming a person who is able to reach beyond themselves to help someone get back on track.”

“The Unlikely Hero” I want to share a story about a man by the name of Karl Marx. (Has anyone here ever heard of him?) He is known as the father of Communism. He had one agenda and one agenda only and that was for communism to replace capitalism. Let me explain. Today, in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Pentecostal

Stupid Mistakes People Make With Their Money Series

Contributed by Chris Edmondson on May 26, 2007

We have a tendency of doing stupid things with our money. Here are just a few.

Stupid Mistakes People Make With Their Money Hope for the Financially Challenged - Part 1 For those of you that have been at our church for some time, there is no need to make this disclaimer, its really for those who are not regular attenders here. Whenever we talk about money at our church, we ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:12

Denomination: Baptist