Sermons on Close Encounter:

"Don’t Be Late For The Wedding Banquet”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Nov 4, 2020

"I'm late, I'm late for a very important date" No don't be late the door will be closed. Jesus has promised to return. When? Still a question but answered by Jesus in Matthew 24:34 & 36

In Jesus Holy Name November 8, 2020 Text: Matthew 25:1-2 “Don’t Be Late for the Wedding Banquet” In the Walt Disney movie ‘Snow White” The rabbit looks at his clock and says: “I’m late, I’m late, I’m late for a very important date, no time to say hello, no time to say good ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-2, Matthew 25:13

Denomination: Lutheran

Living A Questionable Life - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Dillinger on Jan 22, 2024

When people look at me, do they see what they expect, or someone that is "odd?" When I am so close to Jesus that my life reflects his actions and attitudes it causes people to ask, "Why are you like this?"

Living Questionable Lives – Pt 1 (Acts 16:29-34) Intro: A. I grew up with some great tools like the Jule Miller filmstrips, Open Bible Study, and teachings about Friendship Evangelism. All them had a great place in the ministry of reconciliation, but they didn’t all work for me. Maybe it was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Elevate To The Next Level: "Transformational Thinking”

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Nov 30, 2025

If we’re serious about changing our lives, we need to start by transforming the way we think. This message will explore our need to reflect on God—His goodness, greatness, and closeness. If we don’t begin changing our thinking, nothing will change.

Elevate to the Next Level: “Transformational Thinking” Watch on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=328O82FD4cY Our minds are an extraordinary creation of God. They process billions of bits of information and recall 800 memories per second. No computer can match the mind’s ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:7, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, 1 Corinthians 10:23, Romans 8:28, Psalm 147:5, Jeremiah 32:27, Psalm 69:14-16, Psalm 112:1-4, Psalm 34:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

What Did Jesus Say To Bill Bright?

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 14, 2002

Bill you need to fulfill the Great Commission, by leading people to me and then disciple them and make sure they learn to pray and fast!

What Did Jesus say to Bill Bright? Thesis: Bill you need to fulfill the Great Commission, by leading people to me and then disciple them and make sure they learn to pray and fast! Texts: Matthew 28:18-20: 8Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Never The Same Again

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 23, 2018

In Luke 5 we meet a crippled guy who was lowered through a roof by his four friends so that they could get Him to Jesus. In this encounter we see how Jesus helps us to get off our own mat so that we will never be the same again.

Never The Same Again Sermon Spice – VIDEO ‘The Truth’ You have a great future ahead I would be lying to you if I said that You can’t hope for your life to change If you turn things upside down This is the truth I love that video! It’s awesome. AND – I am sure that if you have never seen it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gentle Whisper - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 15, 2016

Elijah! What a story! What a life! Talk about a ministry with ups and downs; Elijah had them! This sermon takes us from Elijah's first encounter with Ahab to the Lord's first question to him in the cave on Mount Moriah. "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Elijah - a fascinating story Explain who Elijah was and where he fell in the history of Israel. Explain the spiritual state of Israel at the time of Elijah. (This is a different kind of sermon intended to be part one of two. In order to deliver this message I will read 1 Kings 17:1 - 1 Kings ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

God's Grace In The Ups And Downs Of Life Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 26, 2012

Throughout our lives, we encounter both triumphs and tragedies. Victories and struggles. In all of them, God’s grace is constant, as we will see through the child God gives Sarah, the comfort God gives Abraham, the water God gives Hagar, and the Salvatio

Events can change IN A MOMENT. Our emotions can go from the top of the world to the bottom of the barrel in flash of time. The year was 1986. By now, the launch of the Space Shuttle was news but not like it was during the first few launches. This launch was different because for the first time ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Had To Act

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jan 21, 2015

Many who encountered Jesus found it impossible to remain neutral about Him. Today everyone has their own idea about Jesus. Some of these ideas are based on what others have said and some of them are their own thoughts. What is your public stand on Jesus?

Opening illustration: A US congressman, John Lewis, was 23 years old when he participated in the historic 1963 civil rights “March on Washington” led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Half a century later, journalist Bill Moyers asked Lewis how he was affected by Dr. King’s ‘I ...read more

Scripture: John 7:40-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Disciple's Life: A Tale Of Two Jews Series

Contributed by Dan Boyce on Aug 26, 2011

In this sermon we will compare and contrast two Jews we encounter in the Gospels. One is a wealthy young ruler and the other is a widow. One has much and gives little. The other has little and gives much. Instead of the “balanced” life we often are ex

The Disciple's Life: A Tale of Two Jews Mark 12:41-42 (Luke 21:1-4); Mark 10:17-30 (Luke 18:18-29) Today is Pentecost! Pentecost is the Jewish feast that celebrated the early grain harvest. It is on this day that the church was born in Jerusalem when a group of 120 disciples of Jesus were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44

Denomination: *other

Yahweh "The Eternally Self-Existent One" Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Mar 6, 2011

Even though we find the name Yahweh in the Bible many times before Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush, it is the first time that the name is explained to us.The name Yahweh is used more than any other name for God in the Old Testament. It occur

Purpose: To describe the comprehensive nature of the name Yahweh. Aim: I want the listener to gain a deeper affection and reverence for God. INTRODUCTION: The first name for God in the Bible (Genesis 1:1) is the Hebrew name "Elohim" which reveals God as "The Mighty or Strong One" and often ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Jesus Journey Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 25, 2016

The story of this encounter, like our own journey of faith, may be viewed from three perspectives: 1) The need for understanding (Luke 24:13–24), 2) The source of understanding (Luke 24:25–27), and 3) The response to understanding (Luke 24:28–32).

Luke 24:13–24 13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-32

Denomination: Other

The Kingdom Of God Series: "New Birth Required”

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jun 2, 2024

Today we'll be looking at the familiar story of Jesus’s encounter with the Pharisee, Nicodemus. Here, Jesus answers a question Nicodemus never asked, but was one that was in his heart, and is one of the most profound truths about the Kingdom of God, that is. how someone enters.

The Kingdom of God “A New Birth Required” John 3:1-16 Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVh1LIeFoNY I’m sure you've all noticed that if you want to get into a fancy restaurant, you must make reservations, and you end up paying a fortune for something that looks more ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16, Matthew 3:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Mark 1:15, Acts 16:31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

"a Typical Day In The Life Of Our Lord" (Mark 1:21-34) Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 1, 2021

Mark presents what Jesus did on one particular Sabbath Day, showing through His preaching, encounters with demonic forces, and healing the sick that He was God in the flesh, Having power and authority over all creation, and to show His love and mercy for HIs people.

Mark 1:21-34 presents a series of events in the life of the Lord Jesus that occurred on one particular Sabbath day. On this day of rest, He would teach the Scriptures as no one else had ever done, show that He had power and authority over the demons, and bring healing to the sick. He ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-34

Denomination: Baptist

Helmet Of Salvation: We Are Not Good Enough Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 9, 2023

When we encounter the completely true thought that “we are not good enough” our society and our need for self-esteem creep up and we take our helmet of salvation off because we are disillusioned with God and we open ourselves up for temptation and doubt.

THE ARMOR OF GOD AND THE LIES OF THE ENEMY Helmet of Salvation: We Are Not Good Enough Ephesians 6:10-18 #armorofGod INTRODUCTION… Start with the End in Mind This morning I want to share with you where we will end up in our time looking at God’s Word and then I want to rewind and get us there. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Reserved For God

Contributed by Samuel M on Jan 9, 2024

Elijah was at the forefront of the Mount Carmel victory and the revival.The nation, and even Elijah, thought he was the last prophet left alive. But his perspective changed after he had an encounter with God on the mountain. He discovered that God had reserved 7000 people for himself.

“Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 1 Kings 19:18 When there was a severe famine in Israel, everyone might have talked about Prophet Elijah. Elijah was at the forefront of the Mount Carmel victory and the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:18