Sermons on Close Encounter:

Lord, Increase Our Faith, To Pray

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Oct 11, 2022

John talks about having confidence in faith so that we pray.

10.16.22 1 John 5:13–15 13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence that we have before him: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13-15

Denomination: Lutheran

The Robe Of Grace (October 23, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Oct 18, 2022

This vision is about Zechariah’s nation as God’s chosen people. It also appears to operate like an allegory in the sense that like the nation of Israel, Zechariah represents Israel as a high priest with filthy rag righteousness,. We too, as individuals in every age stand guilty as charged.

THE ROBE OF GRACE Text: Zechariah 3:1-10 Zechariah 3:1-10 Then he showed me the high priest Joshua standing before the angel of ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 3:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Proper Preparation For The Second Coming Of Christ Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 23, 2022

I believe we are living in the last days because every day since Jesus ascended into Heaven after His resurrection is one of the last days – we just don’t know how many days, months or years there will be till He returns.

Proper preparation for the second coming of Christ For a few weeks, God has kept leading me back to a specific passage in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 which I believe He wants me to share with you today. Let me give you a brief introduction to put the verses we are going to look at in context. 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Peter 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:3, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, 1 Thessalonians 5:5, John 8:12, Ephesians 5:8, 1 John 1:5-7, Romans 13:11-14, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Matthew 24:36, Matthew 24:42-44, 1 Peter 4:7, Revelation 3:2-3, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-7, Luke 21:34-36, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Romans 10:17, 1 John 3:16, Romans 15:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, Romans 2:4-11, Romans 5:8-10, 1 Thessalonians 5:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Philippians 1:20-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, 1 Thessalonians 5:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Impossible Becomes Possible

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 16, 2017

This message is about how our faith helps the impossible to become possible because with God all things are possible if we believe.

The Impossible Becomes Possible Scriptures: Hebrews 11:1; Joshua 2:15-19; 6:1-25 How many of you have ever heard of Chesley Sullenberger? How many of you have ever heard about the pilot that landed the Airbus A320 in the Hudson River after a flock of Canadian geese flew into the engines? How ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-25, Hebrews 11:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Do We Do When Tragedy Strikes?”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Aug 2, 2017

This section of God's Word shows us how two people responded to a tragedy. One example comes from a widow whose son died. The other comes from one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament, Elijah.

At some point it will likely happen to most of us. For each of us it will be different and yet the same. It will leave us with tears in our eyes and pain in our hearts. We call them tragedies—something that seems to turn our lives upside down. Because we live in a world stained by sin these ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:17-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Wisdom From Above Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 2, 2017

If you want to demonstrate true wisdom in times of trial, don't boast; just behave with genuine humility.

Jean Crist, of Niagara Falls, New York, talks about a man in her town named Neal. He is a kind and loveable character that many consider to be quite simple minded. So, time after time, people in her town come up to him and offer him his choice of a dime or a nickel. He always takes the larger ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Paul’s Service, Speech, And Stand

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 1, 2022

A song that a lot of churches used to sing a lot, was, “I shall not be moved.”

The chorus of that song goes like this, “I shall not be, I shall not be moved; I shall not be, I shall not be moved: just like a tree that’s planted by the waters, Lord, I shall not be moved.” But the problem with many of the saints of God singing that song is that they are not like a tree planted ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:16-27

Denomination: Baptist

What Ever Happened To Hell?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 3, 2022

Sometimes we hear about the “Endangered species” list. That is, there are certain kinds of birds, fish, animals, and insects that die and become few in numbers because of hunting or natural disasters.

When this happens, they are placed on the “Endangered Species” list so that they will not become extinct. Once they are placed on this list, everything that is imaginable is done to preserve them. This is good, because if they were not placed on this list, soon these birds, fish, insects and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Removing The Hindrances

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 3, 2022

Christians will pray for those who are lost in sin, but they usually do nothing more than pray. They are either afraid, or they don’t want to make an effort. Jesus had those who prayed unto Him take an active role in assisting Lazarus.

In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus gave His disciples and all believers the Great Commission, in which He said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you.” The ...read more

Scripture: John 11:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

Heroes Of The Bible: Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Mar 9, 2022

The Bible is full of heroes! They don't wear spandex or fly around in capes and cowls, but God empowered these heroes to accomplish some pretty amazing feats that can inspire us to become heroes of God too. The greatest hero of all is Jesus Christ! (Alliterated Outline, PowerPoint Available)

NOTE: This sermon was adapted from my book, Holy Heroes of the Bible. If it's a blessing to you, please consider buying the book which includes chapters/sermons on 17 additional Bible heroes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SBNJTSZ Heroes of the Bible: Jesus Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:15, Matthew 3:15, John 8:46, 1 Peter 3:18, Luke 23:47, Luke 24:1-6, Revelation 1:17, John 11:25, Acts 1:9-11, Hebrews 9:28, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

Felix Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 11, 2022

Felix represents many people intrigued by the gospel but recognizes that surrendering to it means losing status, power, or control of their own lives. Mere exposure to truth does not necessarily enlighten the heart, and Felix is an excellent example of that.

Felix Felix was Festus' predecessor. He imprisoned Paul but allowed him to speak in his defense. He hoped Paul would offer him a bribe, but he never did. Festus thought Paul was delusional, but he did not think that was cause for putting him to death or locking him up, so he let him ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:24

Denomination: Baptist

A Conversation With A Centurion

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 15, 2022

The Lord Jesus had many wonderful things about Him that we can’t help but admire.

The Bible tells us that every day Jesus went about doing good. He did that in several ways, for example: • He healed the sick • He fed the hungry But he did something else that we overlook when we consider all the good things He did. HE TALKED WITH PEOPLE. But He not only talked to people, He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Our Anchor Of Hope

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 15, 2022

Because of Jesus, we are able to go behind the veil to experience the grace of the Father. Jesus is our High Priest who goes before us, pulling us ahead like an anchor on a motor launch into the safety of the bay of heaven.

Today’s message is entitled “Our Anchor of Hope,” and I would like to open with an illustration. A naval officer from World War II once described how the battleships he was on survived terrible hurricanes in Chesapeake Bay. When storms or turbulent seas threatened a ship that was docked in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Transformation Or Sin Management???

Contributed by Samuel Perkins on Feb 18, 2022

HOW MANY OF YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT NOW YOU WISH YOU COULD STOP DOING? HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW SOMEBODY WHO IS DOING SOMETHING THEY OUGHT TO STOP DOING? HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE TOLD THEM TO STOP DOING IT? HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN DOING SOMETHING FOR A LONG TIME YOU WISH YOU COULD STOP DOING?

Transformation or Sin Management??? HOW MANY OF YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT NOW YOU WISH YOU COULD STOP DOING? HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW SOMEBODY WHO IS DOING SOMETHING THEY OUGHT TO STOP DOING? HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE TOLD THEM TO STOP DOING IT? HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN DOING SOMETHING FOR A LONG ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2, Romans 8:29

A Great Door Is Opened Unto Me (1 Of 2)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 22, 2022

There is nothing in our life that affects us like the opportunities that confront us each day.

When the door of opportunity is opened for us, we have to be willing to enter. Illus: Legend has it that the Mormons always gave Mark Twain a hard time about his opposition to their teaching that a man can have many wives. He was always looking for an opportunity to set them straight. That ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:5-9

Denomination: Baptist