Sermons on Close Encounter:

Coming To Faith

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Feb 1, 2016

Theme: Coming to Faith - Isaiah, Paul and Peter come to faith through: 1. An epiphany/encounter with the LORD 2. Acknowledging and confessing their sinfulness 3. Accepting God's purifying touch 4. Partnering with the LORD JESUS

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-10; Luke 5:1-11; [1 Corinthians 15:1-11 and Acts 9:1-19] - Epiphany 5 Theme: Coming to Faith - All three individuals (Isaiah, Paul and Peter) come to faith through: 1. An epiphany/encounter with the LORD 2. Acknowledging and confessing their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Nazarene

Hate The Sin, Love The Sinner

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 10, 2001

I want us to see Jesus - His attitude toward sin, and His attitude toward sinners. And in order to do that, let's look at 3 people and their encounters with Jesus.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2022) TEXT: Matthew 9:10-13; John 4:1-42; Luke 7:36-50, 19:1-10 ILL. There is a story about a pilgrim standing outside heaven, longing to enter, watching as others were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:10-13, John 4:1-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Naked Man And A Bunch Of Crazy Pigs

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Feb 22, 2001

Jesus encounters a man with so many demons the man says his name is "Legion." Yet, the community is not afraid of this man. Like our culture, the biblical community had grown comfortable with evil.

by the Rev. Dr. W. Maynard Pittendreigh, Jr. Sunrise Presbyterian Church Miami Florida Pittendreigh@aol.com When I was in high school, there was a local legend about the Blue Ghost of Maddox Bridge Road. Some 10 or 20 years earlier, two high school students had been out on a date. They were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:27-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Where Is Your Faith?

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Aug 7, 2005

The encounter in the storm tells us we need to (1) put our trust in God; (2) do not let fear paralyze us, and (3) faith comes from knowing the Word of God.

Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” I believe this is the same question the Lord would like to ask us today. Where is your faith? Where or what do you put your trust in? In yourself – your own wisdom and strength? Your career? Your family? No human being can live without faith in someone or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Removing Of The Shoes

Contributed by Larry Elder on Aug 1, 2007

We all believe and wants God to do move mightily among us. As we prepare our hearts for a great encounter with the Lord, he will honor our humility and bless our walk.

The Removing of the Shoes Ex 3:1-6 ODC Aug 04 Ex 3:1-6 One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he went deep into the wilderness near Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 Suddenly, the angel of the LORD appeared to him as a blazing fire in a bush. Moses ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"With Her Sons..."

Contributed by Winson Butler on May 2, 2005

The key to being a successful Mother in todays world is influence, not authority. No where else is this best seen than in the encounter Jesus had with the mother of Zebedee’s boys. Let’s examine it together!

DrButler2@Bellsouthnet Dinsmore Baptist Church "A Message For Mother’s Day" Outlined & Aliterated Introduction Look back with me for a moment, what do you think the Mother’s of Yester-year would have said to their children if they were living today? e.g. *Columbus’ Mother: "I don’t care what you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-24

Denomination: Baptist

Rest In God's Will Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 6, 2013

Thesis: To know God’s will for your life comes from you knowing God personally, having an encounter with God like Jacob, Moses and Nehemiah did and then taking step one.

Series: Rest in Our Scripture for this series - Isa. 40:29-31: "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope (rest) in the Lord will renew their strength. They soar on wings like eagles; ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joshua And The Gibeonites - Foolishness And Faithfulness

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 26, 2016

Have you ever been scammed? Has anyone ever misrepresented themselves in order to take advantage of you? The encounter of the Israelites and the Gibeonites is an interesting example. Let's learn from Joshua's mistake!

Joshua 9 - Please look this up in your Bibles ... As we look up Joshua Chapter 9 let’s take a look at where this event takes place in the history of ancient Israel. Briefly recount: Abraham/Isaac/Jacob - Bondage in Egypt - Moses - Joshua Before the time of the Judges - the kings - Israel ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 9:1-27

Denomination: Nazarene

Have No Fear

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 21, 2013

If we are following Jesus Christ, we have NOTHING to fear!! Paul demonstrates this clearly for us, and the challenge is: will we follow our Savior in proclaiming His grace to everyone we encounter?

Have No Fear Acts 25-26 Introduction We are called to have a common purpose in what we do -- The purpose is to worship, to love, and to celebrate Christ and share Him always -- That is our challenge, mission, and it is STILL where we find ourselves today LAST WEEK: -- Are you living ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bad Things Happen To Faithful People

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 3, 2010

Paul and Silas lovingly and boldly ministered to the needs of the people they encountered. As a result of their endeavors people's lives were changed, but Paul and Silas were imprisoned. Serving Jesus often involves struggles and setbacks.

Acts 16:16-34 “Bad Things Happen to Faithful People” INTRODUCTION Power comes in many shapes and forms. There is the raw horrendous power of an atomic explosion. In contrast to such power is the group power of civil disobedience, which we witnessed in Gandhi’s fight for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Lutheran

Mercy For The Merciful Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Apr 19, 2011

It is certainly apparent in our world today that one does not have to go very far to encounter a lack of mercy. Sadly some do not even have to leave home to find an unmerciful spirit

“Mercy For The Merciful” Matthew 5:7 It is certainly apparent in our world today that one does not have to go very far to encounter a lack of mercy. Sadly some do not even have to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Baptist

Walking In Love Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Oct 14, 2019

We continue to explore what "Putting on the New Man" entails. We, as children and imitators of God, should walk in love. But that gets complicated as we encounter sin in our lives.

Over the Last few weeks and through the next couple of weeks, we have been looking at our lives in Christ. What does it look like? How are we support to act? Much of the new Testament, especially the writings of Paul, John and Peter, deal with the process of sanctification – the process of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

You Have Done A Foolish Thing - 1 Samuel 11-13 Series

Contributed by Todd Catteau on May 26, 2023

After being somewhat reluctantly anointed king of Israel, Saul faces his first two tests. How the new king handles these two encounters will set the tone for the rest of his reign.

The Crown – Season One – Episode 3 You have done a foolish thing We left chapter 10 a little confused. Saul seems to lack initiative. He doesn’t exhibit the skills associated with leadership. In some ways there is not a lot of hope for his reign. Yet, Samuel says some very encouraging things about ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Absolute Certainty Or Mere Sincerity? Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 27, 2022

Jesus addressed the grave disappointment some will encounter as they stand before Him, seeking to gain entrance into His kingdom. These were certainly sincere in their efforts, but they were not found worthy to gain access to the kingdom.

Absolute Certainty or Mere Sincerity? Matthew 7: 21-23 As we continue to study the Sermon on the Mount, we come to the portion of the message where Jesus addressed the grave disappointment some will encounter as they stand before Him, seeking to gain entrance into His kingdom. As we will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

Driving Out The Enemy

Contributed by Gary Smith on Feb 27, 2018

This is a sermon about driving out the enemy or evicting the devil from the territory that God has given unto the church. Jericho was the first city Joshua and the Israelites encountered once they crossed the Jordon River.

“Driving Enemy Out” TEXT: Joshua 6:1-5 (KJV) 1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. 2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. 3 And ye shall ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-5

Denomination: Church Of God