Sermons on Close Encounter:

The Significance Of Altars Series

Contributed by Stephen Ring on Mar 11, 2004

Jesus as High Priest...Jesus as Sacrifice...but can Jesus also be like the altar?

HEBREWS 13 “Altars, Sacrifices and Gifts: A Study of Hebrews 13” Part One: “THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ALTARS” “Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not be ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them. We have ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Praying Like Jesus Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Nov 29, 2006

Prayer needs to be the primary way we encounter God and grow in our relationship with Him. Jesus modeled and taught on prayer, particularly through the model of “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Last week I shared our need to get connected to God, the only way to experience an abundant, fruitful life is to get connected to God. We get connected to God through Jesus. The Scripture passage we used last week was Jesus’ words, “you cannot bear fruit unless you remain (abide) in me.” The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

The End Of The Struggle Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 2, 2005

Conflict is something that we all encounter. It is found in every relationship. In James 4:1-6, James shows us how to resolve our conflicts God’s way.

Scripture A couple had been fighting over the purchase of a new car for weeks. He wanted a new truck. She wanted a fast sports car so that she could zip through traffic around town. The discussion was getting very heated when finally the wife shouted, “Look, I want something that goes from 0 to ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Certainly -- At A Distance

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 18, 2003

For Good Friday: sometimes we no longer see things because we are too close to them. The disciples saw the cross "at a distance", but the centurion saw it through his callousness, cynicism, and skepticism, and affirmed, "Certainly".

Sometimes when you are too close to something you cannot see it. Or at least you cannot recognize what it is. You can be so close that you do not know what you are looking at. You need somebody else to give you a fresh perspective. My wife and I buy grocery items when they are on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:44-49

Denomination: Baptist

When The Purpose Is Revealed (2014)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 31, 2022

There is where we are and where it is that God wants us to be and it is only when we follow God and His guidance that we are able to close the gap between where we are and where it is that God would like for us to be.

WHEN THE PURPOSE IS REVEALED (2014) Text: Exodus 17:1-7 "One of the greatest sins we commit against God is not reaching the potential he has placed in us." (Raymond McHenry. ed. McHenry’s Quips, Quotes And Other Notes. [author’s files: John Maxwell]. Third Printing. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7

Denomination: United Methodist

An Outline Of Acts 15

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 9, 2022

Acts 15 is an important chapter. Once and for all, the Church, under the Holy Spirit's leadership, made it plain that Gentile believers were not to be under the Law of Moses. The chapter closes with a pair of departures.

Introduction: This chapter covers the first Church Council meeting in Jerusalem, and the decisions reached after all sides presented their statements. The result was a request for Gentile believers to stop doing four things which Jewish-background believers, and possibly unbelieving Jews, would ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Words Of Wisdom For Graduates

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on May 10, 2021

In this passage, Solomon is acting as a teacher instructing his students about life. He concludes with his observations about the purpose of life; and in his closing remarks we find four words of wisdom that can be applied to graduates.

Today is our Graduate Recognition, and I feel led to share from a passage in Ecclesiastes. This book is believed to have been written by Solomon, since Ecclesiastes 1:1 says that these are “the words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” To get started, I think these words can ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Da Vinci Code: The Truth About Peter Paul And Mary Series

Contributed by Terry Jones on Jun 3, 2006

Part 3 of the series The Da Vinci Code Faith, Fact or Fiction. Did Peter conspire against Mary as the true leader of the Church? Was Paul the woman hater some think he was? Was Mary really chosen as Jesus’ successor? We’ll explore it in The Truth abo

The Truth About Peter, Paul and Mary The Da Vinci Code Part 3 Text: Luke 1:1-4 As soon as I gave the message title, a large percentage of you immediately started murmuring “the answer my friend is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind” or “Puff the magic dragon lived by the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Faith That Makes Us Willing Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 18, 2022

Here we encounter another example of faith. This example illustrates that faith manifests itself in actions. Abraham’s faith is illustrated not simply by what he believed but by what he did.

HEBREWS 11:17-19 [Leaving a Legacy Series] A FAITH THAT MAKES US WILLING [James 2:17-24 / Genesis 22:1-10] Here we encounter another example of faith. This example illustrates that faith manifests itself in actions (CIM). Abraham’s faith is illustrated not by what he believed but by what he ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Song Of Christ Jesus Series

Contributed by Timothy Mills on Sep 23, 2002

Exegetical, verse-by-verse exposition; revealing the revelation of God which Jesus is; focus on the person and work of Christ; closes with an invitation to know Him as Savior and Lord.

INTRODUCTION: Solomon said: “But will God indeed dwell upon the earth?” (1Kings 8:27). God indeed dwelt in both the Tabernacle & Temple; but He departed in Ezekiel. Verses 1-18 are the introduction to John, & must be understood in order to understand the rest of the book. The introduction to John ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18, 1 Kings 8:27

Finding Your Prayer Path Series

Contributed by David Flowers on May 4, 2005

Part 7 (and final) in series "Learning to Pray," this message encourages each individual to pray in ways that they find most natural, that draw them most closely to God.

Learning to Pray, part 7 of 7 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers March 6, 2005 [Note to SermonCentral readers: This sermon is based on results of a temperament inventory our people took. If you are interested you can take the inventory online at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

You Don't Have To Go (To Hell)!

Contributed by Rich Cook on Jun 28, 2005

Easter Sunday. A strange place to end up on Easter Sunday, but where God led. The Gospel message: You don’t have to go to Hell. Close with invitation.

You don’t have to go (to Hell) Purpose: Evangelistic invitation. 1. Struggled this week to find the perfect thing to share with you this morning. Unlike Christmas, which enjoys worldwide attention most of November, all of December and even parts of January, Easter kind of comes and goes without a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Denomination: Nazarene

The Secret Of Happiness Series

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on Mar 17, 2006

How do we find happiness? Paul gives us some fantastically good advice! For the non-formulaic (that’s me!) this is as close to a formula as you get!

The secret of happiness. Phil 4:4-9 WBC 19.03.06am Well- another fantastic passage this morning. Tonight is ’the secret of contentment"- which is slightly different - and I don’t want to be a hypocrite, this morning. I’m not saying this is something I’ve got sussed. Sometimes I’m a good example of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

From Page To Performance: Living According To God's Word Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on May 5, 2006

Last of 5 in the series "A Light Unto My Path: Growing Through God’s Word." This sermon brings the series to a close with the exhortation to live by the truth of the Bible.

Text: James 1 19-26 I remember as a little boy watching Saturday morning cartoons and a consistent theme was the Genie in the bottle or the mind controlled slave who responded to the master’s every wish with the monotone reply "I hear and obey master." I’m sure that you were all much more ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Love

Contributed by Kevin Maloney on Feb 6, 2006

"The fruit of the spirit is love...and against such things there is no law." Paul calls Christians to live beyond the demands of the law by walking closely with the Spirit and bearing his fruit.

The Fruit of the Spirit is Love…And Against Such Things There is No Law Galatians 5:22a&23b In Galatians 5:22, God says “The fruit of the spirit is love” And then at the end of 5:23, after explaining how that love overflows in joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist