Sermons on Close Encounter:

Arrested By The Jews Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 20, 2017

The people seized Paul and dragged him outside the sanctuary and closed the doors so that he could not seek refuge in the inner courts. They intended to kill him but they did not want to spill his blood in the sanctuary for fear that it would defile....

February 11, 2016 Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Lesson: ARRESTED BY THE JEWS (21:27-40) ACTS 21:27-40 (KJV) 27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:27-40

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming An Open Vessel. -That’s God!

Contributed by Howard Strickland on May 8, 2024

Peter Marshall, in a sermon entitled, "Disciples in Clay," pictured the apostles before an examining board which was appointed to choose Jesus' close associates. Peter stood there smelling of fish -- unrefined, uncultured, impulsive, and passionate....

Becoming An Open Vessel. -That’s God! -2 Corinthians 4:7 Illustration. Hold a clay jar. Can that which is little contain that which is big? Can that which is finite encompass that which is infinite? Yes. How? Left the jar and remove the cap from its top.) It can. -It can, if it’s an open ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7, Isaiah 55:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Peter: An Unfaithful And A Forgiven Man

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Mar 4, 2025

Peter was a prominent Apostle who had a very close relationship with Jesus. He promised to be faithful to Jesus, even willing to die with Him. But then, Peter denied Jesus three times. How could he do that?

Let’s read Mark 14:66-72. I don't know how you feel when you just read the story of Peter's denial of Jesus. While preparing for this sermon, I felt sad, surprised, and disappointed in Peter. Why is that? Two weeks ago, we discussed how the relationship between a rabbi and his students was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:66-72

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Are You Downcast?

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 7, 2025

Many Christians stumble, not because they never believed, but because they stayed too close to the place where they first got in. God calls us not only to begin the journey of faith but to grow in joy, perseverance, and victory through Christ.

Introduction: Too Close to Where We Got In A mother tucked her little boy in bed. She kissed him goodnight, pulled up the covers, and went downstairs. Not long after, she heard a loud thump and then crying. She hurried upstairs and found him on the floor. “What happened?” she asked. Through ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7, Nehemiah 8:10

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

When Doors Shut, God Creates New Ones

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 30, 2025

When a door is closed in your face, God is already fashioning another way, often greater than what you initially hoped for. He is the Master of breakthroughs and the God who opens doors that no man can shut.

WHEN DOORS SHUT, GOD CREATES NEW ONES By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Revelation 3:7-8 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 43:18-19, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Acts 16:6-10, Romans 8:28 INTRODUCTION: Life is filled with moments when it seems like every door of opportunity, progress, or blessing has been ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God! How Do We Keep Going?

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jul 6, 2025

“BREAKING: President’s ‘Big Beautiful Budget’ bill passes—millions to lose healthcare, protections gutted, rural hospitals closing.” And I wanted to cry out: God! Do you see what they’re doing?”

Sermon Title: “God! How Do We Keep Going?” Scripture: Luke 10:17–20 & Galatians 6:9–10 (NRSVue) Preached at a Bethesda UMC rural African American church in South Carolina By Rev. Amiri B. Hooker Date: July 6, 2025 Introduction: God! Beloved, I have to be honest with you. The other day I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:17-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Breaking Protocols By Divine Power Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on May 21, 2025

God is not subject to man-made systems—He controls all things and can override them to fulfil His will in your life. When divine power steps in, delay is cancelled, closed doors open, and disqualification is nullified.

BREAKING PROTOCOLS BY DIVINE POWER By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Esther 5:1-3 Supporting Texts: Daniel 6:10-23, Genesis 41:14, Acts 12:6-10, Matthew 8:2-3, Isaiah 45:2 INTRODUCTION: There are times when divine intervention suspends earthly systems and bypasses natural limitations. Protocols ...read more

Scripture: Esther 5:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Keep Coming To Jesus

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on Oct 28, 2017

What should motivate us to keep on coming to Jesus? Just to supply our needs?

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus, Are You The One? Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 7, 2022

In this conversation we will see 4 things that this encounter that John the Baptist had with Jesus 2000 years ago, reveals about FAITH… and about those times when we are not so sure or certain anymore, because things are not going as we expected.

Jesus, Are You The One? Powerful Passages OKAY – this morning (10/3/2021) we are going to unpack another powerful passage from the Living and Active, sharper than a double edge sword, able to equip us for every good work… Word of God. The passage is Matthew 3:1-11 The conversation is called, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Disciple Peter - Former Memories Kindled – Part 4 Of 4 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 14, 2022

Peter was miserable for 2 plus days with the whole sense of failure drowning him. His whole life changed when he had that special encounter with the Lord and was restored. God deals in restoration for all of us and lifts us out of failure.

THE DISCIPLE PETER - FORMER MEMORIES KINDLED – PART 4 OF 4 SERIES - THE CHARACTERS IN JOHN’S GOSPEL John 20 v 1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb, John 20:2 and so she ran and came ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-9, Galatians 6:1-3, Luke 24:32-36, 1 Corinthians 15:4-5, John 21:1-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Abandoned At Birth-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Sep 7, 2016

1 of ? Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus yielded the essentials of being born again/from above. Being born again is essential to God’s plan. But what does it take to be born from above? Those born from above, Abandon...

ABANDONED AT BIRTH-I—John 3:1-21 OR... Concessions For New Birth Attention: Grandma arrived at their door with a big smile & open arms! Little Jimmy was so happy to see his grandmother that he ran up & gave her a big hug. "I'm so happy to see you, grandma! Now daddy will have to do that ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Living As Children Of Light Series

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Mar 27, 2011

Using 2 video clips I begin by encouraging people to turn to Christ if they haven’t yet. Then I unpack this passage as to what it means to live as children of light, full of forgiveness, avoiding even a hint or a whiff of impurity.

(Note to the reader: I began this talk by showing a video called Ribbons, available from PremierTV2006: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9K86vcHOLI. It shows how Jesus took upon himself the penalty for sin and all that binds us; see 1 Peter 2: 24-25.) ‘[Jesus the Messiah] himself bore our sins in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-14

Denomination: Anglican

Of Easter And "Identity Crisis"

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Apr 4, 2012

Easter message woven around the "Identification" theme.

OF EASTER AND “IDENTITY CRISIS” Let me begin with a Tarzan story! Well, this is as real as it is surreal. Johnny Weissmuller, the Champion Olympic swimmer who donned the role of Tarzan the ape man in the Silver screen with as much aplomb in 1930s & 40s’ as he ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:10

Denomination: *other

Heartburn

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 7, 2019

Jesus was 2 feet away from them, but they didn't know it, but there was a burning sensation, not in their stomachs, but in their souls - the shekinah, the manifest presence of God. Suddenly they were aware of Him - His voice, His mannerisms, His nail-scarred hands. He was alive!

HEARTBURN Luke 24:13-35 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: “It’s going to be a Bad Day when…” 1. You see a "60 Minutes" news team in your office. 2. You call Suicide Prevention hotline & they put you on hold. 3. You turn on the news and they're showing emergency routes out of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Beyond The Veil

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on Jan 31, 2004

Michael W. Smith words says it all, “I coming back to the heart of worship, when it’s all about you Jesus.” Those are the words of the message this morning – the heart of worship. But instead of worshipping God in the distance, you can come up close. You

Beyond the Veil Scripture Reference: Hebrews 9:1 – 14; Matthew 27:51 Introduction Let me ask you this morning, what is the object of your affection these days? -Your husband, wife, home, automobile, increased income, yourself. In the management of your time these days who has gotten squeezed out? ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational