Sermons on Close Encounter:

Suffering Who Is To Blame... Some Thoughts

Contributed by Michael Treston on Oct 24, 2001

can we blaim God for all the suffering in the world, or is something else responsible.Notes on suffering

The oldest question is the question of today’s world The Church is in decline It’s shrinking faster than the share value of Air New Zealand Why? I think one reason it that it’s considered to be largely irrelevant Doesn’t have anything to say People don’t have a problem with Jesus- just the guys ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 12:21

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

When Your World Is Shaken

Contributed by Malcolm Chester on Sep 24, 2007

A short sermon preached as part of a broadcast on BBC Radio for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Today is one of those days. A day when you look at the gospel reading and wish that you weren’t preaching, or that you could roll over in bed and go back to sleep. The gospel for today is about the end times. It’s quite frightening stuff really with those images of nation against nation, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19

Denomination: Methodist

A Model To Follow Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Dec 9, 2008

John shows us the model of preparing the way for the coming Savior, but preaching the good news in the wilderness--good news of love, forgiveness, new life and a relationship with God.

Mark 1:1-8 “A Model to Follow” INTRODUCTION The greeting, “Merry Christmas” rings a little hollow this year. Try as we might to joyfully prepare for Christmas and the celebration of Jesus’ birth, we fall short of our goal. Anxiety, fear, depression, and grief describe the mood of the season ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

How Jesus Dispels Doubt - "Come And You Will See”

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 25, 2006

So many people are stressed out, worn out and strung out because of their doubts. It is extremely wearing on one’s emotions to have to live in a constant state of uncertainty. When you are feeling uncertain about something or someone, you tend to worry ab

How Jesus Dispels Doubt - “Come and You Will See” John 1:46-1:46 So many people are stressed out, worn out and strung out because of their doubts. It is extremely wearing on one’s emotions to have to live in a constant state of uncertainty. When you are feeling uncertain about something or ...read more

Scripture: John 1:46-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Five Cultures Of The Vision

Contributed by Chris Mccall on Feb 5, 2007

The principle of twelve has a culture in which it thrives and grows. T.E.A.M.S. is an acronym for this culture.

The Five Cultures of the Vision Habakkuk 2:2-4 NKJV Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Art Of Teaching Series

Contributed by Sherman Gordon on Aug 5, 2006

Everything we have learned in life is the direct result of somebody teaching us by word or deed. Paul talking to his protege’ Timothy instructs him on how to live a spiritual and ethical life.

DISCOVERING YOUR GIFT; THE ART OF TEACHING I TIMOTHY 4:14-16 ONE OF THE MANY DEFINITIONS OFFERED UP BY MERRIAM WEBSTER FOR THE WORD ART IS “THE USE OF SKILL AND IMAGINATION IN THE PRODUCTION OF THINGS OF BEAUTY.” WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THE BEAUTY THAT EMERGES WHEN A STUDENT GRASPS A CONCEPT THAT ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Wait To Long To Answer

Contributed by Clint Shrum on Jun 16, 2007

The cost of waiting to long to answer the call of the Holy Spirit

DON’T WAIT TO LONG TO ANSWER Solomon’s Song 5:1-8 Intro: In Solomon’s Song there are three major characters. Solomon, the Shulamite and the shepherd lover. Now in this encounter you have to pay close attention to the scriptures to realize the shepherd lover a mysterious type person. He ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 5:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can Faith Really Change Your Life?

Contributed by Clint Shrum on May 5, 2007

Study how the power of faith can change your life.

CAN FAITH REALLY CHANGE YOUR LIFE? Matthew 9:20-22 Intro: This is a very familiar scripture about the encounter of the woman with the issue of blood and Jesus. We know by reading the parallel text in Mark 5 she had spend all of her money on physicians and was none the better but grew worse. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:20-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting A Faith Lift

Contributed by Don Hawks on Aug 14, 2007

No matter what you face if you allow God’s Spirit to work within you, it will ultimately come out all right--God wants to share his divine grace with everyone

One thing I have learned and still am learning is this: An uplifting faith in God will take care of you no matter what you face or what a loved one faces. When you don’t think you have any strength left, if you put your prayers to work for you, if you allow God’s Spirit to work within you, it will ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10

Denomination: Methodist

Who Do You Turn To When Life Turns Bitter? Series

Contributed by Andy Payne on Jun 27, 2010

Are you disappointed in life? You need to hear this message. It is easy to be content when things are going well – but like the Israelites when life turns bitter we become disappointed. God wants to teach us to be content not just when things go our way –

The Song of Moses and Miriam “Who [or what] do you turn to when life turns bitter?” Exodus 15 INTRO: Leaving Egypt was life changing. Ended more than 400 years of slavery Moses was at first an unwilling leader Spent 40 years in wilderness Hebrews needed to trust God Miracles to show Hebrews and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Compelled To The Corss

Contributed by Jeff Pearce on Mar 30, 2012

Taking up the cross.

Compelled to the Cross Intro: Simon the Cyrenian 1: Who was he? a) man from north Africa b) a larger city, in what is eastern modern day Libya c) he was in Jerusalem at Passover during the crucifixion of Christ d) not much else can be known of Simon the Cyrenian Fact: The Gospel of Mark ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21

Denomination: Other

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Feb 17, 2012

Mistakes we make while looking into a mirror. 1. v.23-24a - A Passing Glance 2. v.24b - Forgetting What We See 3. v.25 – Ignoring Its Reflection

Jay Rathman while hunting deer in the Tehema Wildlife Area near Red Bluff in northern California, climbed to a ledge on the slope of a rocky gorge. As he raised his head to look over the ledge above, he sensed movement to the right of his face. A coiled rattler struck with lightning speed, just ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

God's Healing Power Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 6, 2017

The Psalmist has faced crisis situations in his life. Through all his troubles God has been with him, heard his prayers, and rescued him. The Psalmist praises the Lord for what God has done and now faces the future with a strong faith, courage and peace.

Psalm 30:1-12 “God’s Healing Power” INTRODUCTION As parents we all want to protect our children from threats, problems and harm. However, even if we are the greatest of helicopter parents we are unable to achieve this goal. Our children will encounter difficult times, failure and pain. This ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Revealing The Mystery Of Jesus's Divine Life Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 7, 2016

In the end, what we are seeking is the glory of the Father

Thursday in 7th Week of Easter 2016 Joy of the Gospel Saint Paul was a lot like me. When he tried to take matters into his own hands, and not just simply trust God, he got into trouble. Here we see St. Paul craftily proclaiming his faith in the Resurrection to a mixed gathering of Sadducees, who ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

Alleviating The Pain Of Others As Evangelical Witness Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 21, 2016

When we are in pain, we are able to grow, because we are ready for change–at least for relief from our pain. And in pain we most clearly understand that our only hope, our only permanent asset, is the love and healing of Our Lord.

Thursday after Trinity Today in the Ordinary calendar we celebrate St. Philip Neri, founder of the Oratory, and one of the giants of the sixteenth century. He was a great apostle of prayer and one of the great confessors of his time. But it is also the traditional day we celebrate Corpus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Catholic