Sermons on Close Encounter:

Free Refills Of His Goodness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 16, 2010

Mary & Martha said that Lazarus was the one whom Jesus loved. But how could Jesus treat a friend like He did? Why would He callously stay away while this close friend died... and He could have prevented it?

OPEN: “How many of you know the name of the brother of Mary and Martha who Jesus raised from the dead?” (most of the audience raised their hand). Who was it? Lazarus. Read text: John 11:1-47 followed by prayer. ILLUS: A few years back I read a story about a may village in southwest ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-47, John 11:1-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is God A Has Been? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 23, 2010

When one of the Sons of Korah looked at the current horrible disasters, he could not understand why God allowed these things. Like him, we struggle with reconciling God’s character and what God permits, especially when it strikes close to home.

Is God A Has Been? (Psalm 44) 1. We do not have a lot of information about the Sons of Korah, but we do about their competing group, the Sons of Asaph. 2. According to I Chronicles 25:1-3, "David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 44:1-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Relevant Worship

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 9, 2009

Our Scripture today teaches much about worship. Worship is extremely important in life. What most people don’t understand is that everybody worships something. Worship is that which you hold most closely in the deepest recesses of your heart. And whatever

[Re]levant Worship Nehemiah 12:27-47 The city of Berlin, Germany will be forever known for its Wall. When the wall
was still in existence, you could walk up and down in front of it and see shrines
dedicated to those who were killed trying to escape from the oppression of the East to ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 12:27-47

Denomination: Methodist

Developing The Outward Focus Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 17, 2014

Paul has addressed our personal lives, church life, family life. These are introverted concerns, about us and those we are close to. As he concludes his letter, he wants to make sure we also transition to an extroverted focus.

Developing the Outward Focus (Colossians 4:2-6) 1. I have my taxes all done. I am one of those persons who gets stressed up by paper work and red tape, so I found it stressful just preparing my stuff for the tax preparer. So I have to tell an IRS joke. 2. The pastor got a call form the IRS. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Anger Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Dec 11, 2015

God knows our tendency to struggle in the area of anger. His Word gives us some instruction in this matter. Let’s pay close attention so that we might honor God in all things – even in our anger.

Series: There’s an App for That “Anger” Matthew 5:21-26, 39, 43-48 Open In Lille, France, a woman became fed up with neighbors parking outside of her home blocking her gate. For weeks, she asked and pleaded with them to not do it. She woke up before dawn one morning to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Three Things To Remember This Mother's Day

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on May 10, 2015

In this message, we will study closely the right attitude to our mothers, how we express our appreciation to them and the result when we honor them. The more we express our love and appreciation to our mothers, the longer our lives will be on earth.

Exodus 20:12 (NIV) "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." There are three things we are going to talk about from this verse: 1. What is the right kind of attitude we need to show towards our father and mother? We are to HONOR ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: Nazarene

Touched By Others And The Passing Of Time

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Aug 26, 2013

This was a message for a unique worship service. A little country church that closed its doors years ago, and now just has one service a year. This was a Memorial service for all those who had died from the community over the previous 40 years.

TOUCHED BY OTHERS AND THE PASSING OF TIME Mark 14:1-11 INTRODUCTION: 1.) Today is certainly a special time as we assemble to remember the lives and contributions of members of this community who over the years have gone to be with the Lord. 2.) Today, I want us to see a good friend of Jesus. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Amos - The Country Prophet (7:1-9:15) Part 3 Of 3 Series

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Oct 26, 2009

In this third and final lesson on Amos, we will... a. Focus our attention on the last three chapters which contain... 1) Five "Visions" of Amos 2) An "interlude" in which Amos defends his prophetic role 3) A closing glimpse of a b

"STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS" Amos - The Country Prophet (7:1-9:15) INTRODUCTION 1. In the first two studies on the book of Amos, we briefly surveyed... a. The "Oracles" of Amos, concerning sin and judgment of eight nations (ch. 1-2) b. The "Sermons" of Amos, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 91 - A Conditional Promise? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 17, 2009

No conflicts or predicaments should crush us, as long as we can draw close to God. We have no idea how long the onslaught of trouble might last or how deep the troubled waters may get, but they will pass and we will have ultimate deliverance.

Psalm 91:1-16 Everyone has favourite verses or chapters of the Bible. Words of promise, words of encouragement, others speak to us about God’s love and mercy towards us. Life is filled with problems, some small and some great and Psalm 91 has been and continues to be a source of strength, hope, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 93:1, John 15:4, Psalm 32:7, Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 29:25, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 34:17, Isaiah 26:3-4, Psalm 32:10-11, John 15:7, Isaiah 53:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

What The Bible Says About Prayer Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 24, 2012

What is Prayer? To say that prayer is “conversation with God” is an oversimplification.” Prayer is the sincere desire of our souls spoken to God. Prayer is what allows us to establish closeness with the Creator. Prayer creates an awareness of God’s co

February 6, 2003 Title: What the Bible Says About Prayer Text: “And when you pray…” (Matt. 6:5). Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:5-13 What is Prayer? To say that prayer is “conversation with God” is an oversimplification.” Prayer is the sincere desire of our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Memorial For A Dear Friend

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 11, 2017

A funeral message delivered on the death of a close friend. Though a good woman, she never professed Christ, nor did her family confess the Saviour. Nevertheless, they were good to me over a long period of time, showing respect for the Faith of Christ.

“Just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” [HEBREWS 9:27, 28]. Among the most difficult services over ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Man And His Message Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 22, 2017

Confessing sin is more than just speaking words; it may involve a broken heart. The mature Christian and those living close to God, recognize that their sin is degrading and offensive to a Holy God. Deep sorrow will flow from the heart when sin is confe

-AD 25-27- Judean Wilderness The Man and His Message (Isaiah 40:3) Matthew 3:2-12, Mark 1:2-8, Luke 3:3-14 All four Gospels quote Isaiah 40:3, and they assign it to John the Baptist, therefore I will accept their testimony. John the Baptist would fulfill this prophetic verse. A voice of one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:2-12, Mark 1:2-8, Luke 3:3-14

Denomination: Baptist

Strength To Stand-10 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 25, 2017

10 of 11. Paul closes his direction to the Ephesian church by encouraging them to find their strength in the Lord. But where or how do God's people find strength to stand victorious? God’s people acquire strength to stand victorious thru a distinct...

STRENGTH To STAND-X—Ephesians 6:10-20 Paul urged the Ephesian church to find their strength in the Lord by effectively arming themselves. The church must acquire God’s strength to stand victorious. Where & How can the church find strength to stand victorious? 12 distinctions of the Christian ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Battle Of Thermopylae And The Body Of Christ Today: The Parable Of The Wheat And The Weeds Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Aug 1, 2022

As the body of Christ today, sometimes we feel like the 300 at Thermopylae don’t we? It often seems like the darkness is closing in on all sides, particularly in the west. New forms of evil on every side seem to grow and spread like locusts

“The east was on a collision course with the west in 480 BC. The world watched in awe as the largest army in history poured into Europe. Heading this colossal war machine was Xerxes, the king of Persia. His army numbered almost two million foot soldiers, eighty thousand horsemen, twenty thousand ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30

Denomination: Salvation Army

The All-Caring Compassionate Lord – John 14 V 15 To 21 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 24, 2022

The night before the cross was a long night and Jesus instructed His disciples for hours. He promised the Holy Spirit and explained the closeness of the Spirit's ministry in the lives of the disciples (and us). A most touching passage of John's Gospel.

THE ALL-CARING COMPASSIONATE LORD – John 14 v 15 to 21 [A]. INTRODUCTION: It is important today we place our passage in context. We can go right back to {{John 13 v 34 “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another, that you also love one another even as I have loved you.”}} This ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34, John 14:1-6, John 14:15, 2 Corinthians 13:5, John 14:16-17, John 14:18, John 14:19-21, Romans 12:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational