Sermons on Close Encounter:

Following The Example Of Shepherds

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Dec 9, 2024

Let’s move beyond the surface of festive traditions and embrace the deeper meaning of the season. Like the shepherds, let’s seek and encounter the living Christ.

Introduction Christmas is a season of joy, light, and celebration, but it’s also a time of profound reflection. As we revisit the familiar story of the shepherds who encountered the newborn Christ, we find not just a historical account, but a pattern for how we too can respond to the reality of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

"five Things That Make Temptation More Difficult" Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 5, 2023

Joseph's encounters with Potiphar's wife provides a template of temptation that is difficult to overcome. What warnings do we get here?

Five Things That Make Temptation More Difficult: 1. When you’re experiencing God’s favor. - Genesis 39:4, 21. - When God seems to be blessing everything you’re doing, it’s easy to start to presume on that. This is one reason why we often see pastors who are in the midst of a strong ministry get ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

I Desire Mercy Not Sacrifice Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

God values mercy and compassion over religious rituals and rules. As followers of Jesus, we are called to extend mercy to everyone we encounter, regardless of their circumstances.

Hey guys! Ever wondered what gets God really pumped? What makes Him say, 'Yeah, that's what I'm talking about!'? Well, today we're going to dive into that. Spoiler alert: It's mercy. So, what's mercy? Think about when you're playing a video game, and you're totally crushing your friend. You could ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Topics: Mercy, Sacrifice, God's Desire, Daily Living

An Outline Of Acts 20

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 8, 2023

Acts 20 has a summary of Paul's ministry in various places after he left Ephesus. His closing message to the elders of Ephesus is a masterpiece of a charge to church leaders anywhere.

1 Paul’s journeys from Ephesus to Troas Text, Acts 20:1-6, KJV: 1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, 3 And ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:1-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Body Of Christ Today: Fighting A Delaying Action In Severe Testing

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Sep 10, 2021

It feels like the battle of Hoth out here. We as the body of Christ are fighting a delaying action against the enemy, who appear to be advancing on all fronts. I feel the desperation. I sense the walls closing in.

It feels like the battle of Hoth out here. We as the body of Christ are fighting a delaying action against the enemy, who appear to be advancing on all fronts. I feel the desperation. I sense the walls closing in. The last year has burned like a cold fire in my heart. The battles have been many. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-5, Matthew 24:13

Denomination: Salvation Army

Be More Concerned About

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Jan 30, 2012

Paul writes that one should be more concerned about love, being saved, trusting the True God, getting close to God, and helping the fallen ones than being concerned about food sacrificed to idols.

I Corinthians 8: 1-13 “Be more concerned about” What was not so good at Corinth was some of the rascals there Corinthian Christians composed of converted idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, thieves, drunkards, and swindlers (6:9-11). The church made up of people from such ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

Rewards For Serving Christ Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 7, 2015

After many stern warnings and instructions to His missionaries, to His disciple makers, Jesus closes the discourse with a promise. Those who faithfully served the Lord & who faithfully support these workers will be rewarded.

MATTHEW 10: 40-42 [THE MESSIAH REVEALED Series] REWARDS FOR SERVING CHRIST [Revelation 22: 10-17] After many stern warnings and instructions to His missionaries, to His disciple makers, Jesus closes the discourse with a simply amazing promise. Jesus had instructed His disciples to stay in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:40-42

Denomination: Baptist

Living A Life Attuned To God's Voice Series

Contributed by Apostle Dr. Belinda V. Broadnax on Oct 24, 2024

This closing sermon emphasizes the importance of continuing to cultivate a life attuned to hearing and following God’s voice. It calls the congregation to embrace the journey of listening, trusting, and obeying God’s direction daily.

We’ve spent weeks exploring what it means to hear God’s voice. We’ve discussed how tuning out the noise of the world, recognizing the Shepherd’s call, trusting His guidance, discerning between voices, obeying His commands, and walking in divine purpose are all key elements of hearing and following ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:21

Denomination: Other

Samson: Trouble In Timnath Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 12, 2020

Samson may not have known it, but this first encounter, as recorded in Scripture, would lead to a lifetime of problems, heartache, and a lot more. He was about to enter trouble in Timnath.

Introduction: Samson was one of several “miracle” babies, born to women who could not conceive a child except by God’s power. Other women facing that situation included Sarah, Rebekah, Hannah, Rachel, Elisabeth, and the Shunammite woman mentioned in 2 Kings 4. The virgin Mary is of course a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Breath Of Fresh Air

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Apr 20, 2022

Life can knock the wind out of us. Jesus shows up in those closed in places where we hide to breathe fresh Spirit into us to empower us to go on living into the mission He has called us into.

SERMON TITLE: A Breath of Fresh Air TEXT: John 20:19-29 (NRSV) I. INTRODUCTION: Have you ever got the wind knocked out of you? Maybe as a child, you fell on the playground, or you were somehow hit in the stomach and couldn’t breathe. It is terrifying in those moments when it seems like time stands ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

Transformation Of A Scarlet Woman Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 8, 2003

Three aspects of this woman’s encounter with Jesus were crucial to her transformation. These same 3 elements are vital to every conversion. 1- Acceptance 2- Convictaion 3- Revelation

Transformation of a Scarlet Woman Fortifying the Foundations # 9 John 4:1-30 5-25-03 Intro: Read John 4:1-30 (For text in NIV go to end of this manuscript). Sang “Fill My Cup” with verse taken from this text. In text we see a Radical Change occurring in this woman’s life as she encounters the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-30, Matthew 7:7

Denomination: Charismatic

Almost

Contributed by James May on Jun 30, 2002

Almost Persuaded - that’s the terrible thought of so many people who come close to Heaven but lose out with God because of one eternal decision.

Disclaimer: Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:22-29, 1 Timothy 6:10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Celebrate God's Grace This New Year's Eve

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 4, 2002

Isaiah invites us to look back on a year of God’s grace drawing to a close and to look ahead to another year of God’s grace that is just beginning.

In the ancient calendar used by the Romans, from which our calendar was created, the name of each month had a meaning. For example the month of February was so named because that was the time of the year for a feast called Februa. Some of the months were named for the false gods that the Romans ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-9, Isaiah 63:1, Isaiah 63:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Cowboys & Christians

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Oct 24, 2005

Evangelism sermon, showing similarities between cowboys and Christians. A very close take-off from the sermon of a friend of mine; Pastor Steve Shepherd of Jonesboro, AR.

Cowboy Joe was had just come back from going to church for the first time, and was in the bunkhouse telling the other cowhands about his experience. He said, “When I got there, I parked my pick-up in the corral. Charlie, a worldly cowboy said, “That would be the parking lot, Joe.” Joe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: *other

The One Who Knows You

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Sep 12, 2006

They say as you go through life, it isn’t as important what you know as it is whom you know. Well, they’re close to being right...

They say that as you go through life it isn’t as important what you know as whom you know. This morning, I want to suggest this is true, but I’ll go even one better. It’s not even so much who you know, but the one who knows you. Even in a competitive, knowledge-based industry like computers – ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Baptist