Sermons on Close Encounter:

Lydia The Business Woman Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 20, 2021

Lydia was so grateful that Paul brought her the good news about Jesus that she immediately went into home missions. She asked Paul and his fellow laborers to come to her home. Her hospitality led to her home becoming the first church in Europe.

We may not see them very often, but they are out there in the world, and they have always been there, and in our day there number is increasing. I am not talking about UFO's but about those women who are wise in the ways of the world of wealth, and, thus, are rich and successful women ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:11-15

What Do You Do With A Dead Jesus? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 20, 2021

When Jesus died, no one expected Him to rise from the dead. But if you don't believe Jesus is coming back from the dead, what do you do with a dead Jesus?

OPEN: Back when I was in High School, I had a poem by John Donne on a poster on my wall that looked like parchment paper. It was cool, and the words sounded impressive. The last few words of the poem read this way: “Each man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send ...read more

Scripture: John 19:31-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Great Supper Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

The story begins with a great supper prepared, and many guests are invited. It is agreed by all that this represents God's invitation to enter His kingdom.

An ancient Eastern story tells about a prince who fell in love with a very beautiful girl. All of the people rejoiced to see them united in marriage. The whole life of the prince revolved around this girl of rare beauty, but one day she sickened and died. So great was his grief that he became ill ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:15-24

Christian Education Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 28, 2021

Wisdom is the ability to make right choices in life. Folly is the making of wrong choices. The goal of education in both the secular and sacred realm is to give to people the knowledge and awareness they need to make wise choices.

The Jews loved to tell stories about the importance of choices. Nathan Ausubel tells one of the wealthy Jewish merchant who took his slave on a long journey leaving his only son behind. On the journey the merchant became very ill, and at the point of death he made a will leaving all this ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:18-24

A Mountain Out Of A Molehill Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 28, 2021

When we look at the life of Jesus we discover He was a Master at making mountains out of molehills. He was always finding the sublime in that which was simple. He used the insignificant over and over for the basis of inspiration.

Basil Matthews tells of being in a little Arabian village and seeing a tall Arab boy playing a flute in the dusty streets. He was surprised and asked the boy if he could examine the instrument. He discovered it was made out of an old gun barrel. The boy had found it on a nearby battlefield. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:22-25

Sin In The Church

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Apr 28, 2025

Every one of us needs to understand that we’re all susceptible to sin. But also everyone of us also needs to know that there is hope if we leave that sin – because we can be restored.

Alba 4-27-2025 SIN IN THE CHURCH I Corinthians 5:1-13 There was a flock of wild ducks headed south for the winter. One of the ducks looked down and sees domesticated ducks in a barnyard and the easy life that they have. He decides to leave the wild ducks to spend some time with the domesticated ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hope In The Valley

Contributed by Gary Holt on May 3, 2025

This sermon is about how a Christian should respond to grief.

“Hope in the Valley” 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 Life is a struggle and there are times when we go through valleys It could be a VALLEY: - of sickness, fear or poverty - loss or frustration - sadness and anxiety The Valley may be: - the loss of a relationship - it could be betrayal - it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith Causes Us To Live With A Purpose Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on May 3, 2025

Faith does not call us to sit and wait for something big to happen — it calls us to live every day with purpose. God has gifted each of us uniquely, and true faith leads us to use those gifts in service to His mission. Living beyond belief means living out our calling.

### **Introduction: Purpose or Performance?** Video Ill.: Sermon Bumper 2 ### **Opening Story + Transition (Refined for Sermon 2)** Power Outage Teaches Church a Valuable Lesson Source: Clark Cothern, "Power outage or Power display?" Leadershipjournal.net ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 2:10, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Peter 4:10-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

And As Moses Lifted Up The Serpent In The Wilderness, Even So Must The Son Of Man Be Lifted Up.

Contributed by Timothy Ogada on May 4, 2025

In the bible, Satan is often depicted as a Serpent, the Dragon; the snake. But how does God reflect Himself?

In this sermon, I have borrowed very heavily from the work of Pastor Walter L Pearson Jr. He blessed me with his work. In the bible, Satan is often depicted as a Serpent, the Dragon; the snake. But how does God reflect Himself? In the woman of Revelation 12, the Bible says that when this woman was ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-15

Is Official/Formal Church Membership In A Local Church According To Scripture? – Part 4 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 7, 2025

This is the final part and we look at a numbers of issues here as well as two statements from Internet sites on why membership is important. Over and over I am opposing this notion that commitment is connected with official membership. It is judgemental and untrue. I hope this is of some value.

IS OFFICIAL/FORMAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE? – PART 4 We have been looking at some passages of scripture from Paul’s writings and in vain, do we look for even the slightest suggestion that a church has official membership that discriminates among the Christians ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:29-30, Philippians 4:1-3, 3 John 1:9, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 2 Corinthians 2:6, Hebrews 13:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Uncovering The Unseen Realm: Our Role As Believers Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on May 9, 2025

We accept the existence of things we cannot see, like gravity, wind, or radio waves. In the same way, there is a spiritual reality just as real, Yet most Christians say that Satan is just a metaphor of evil; the same with the demonic realm.

Uncovering the Unseen Realm: Our Role as Believers January 5, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Ephesians 6:10-17 2 Kings 6:15-17 Introduction: The Reality Beyond the Veil Good morning, church. Today, we step into a realm that few talk about but all of us are affected by—the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:15-17

Denomination: Brethren

Faith Transforms Who We Are Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on May 12, 2025

Faith is not about having the right answers or a spotless record—it is about seeking God, surrendering to His work in us, and walking faithfully each day. Transformation is not instant, but it is inevitable when Christ truly lives in us.

### **INTRODUCTION: A Faith That Shapes Us Deeply** Video Ill.: Sermon bumper 3 ****Mother’s Day Moment (Briefly Acknowledged)** Today is a special day in our country, where we pause to honor and appreciate the women in our lives—mothers, grandmothers, spiritual mothers—whose faith has shaped us ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Elevate To The Next Level: "Living In Faith”

Contributed by Dennis Lee on May 18, 2025

In our series to elevate discipleship, we’re beginning a mini-series based upon the top three attributes of 1 Corinthians 13:13. This message centers upon the attribute of faith and the type of faith that pleases God from Hebrews 11, God’s Hall of Faith.

Elevate to the Next Level “Living in Faith” Hebrews 11 Watch on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJoFiEwozGk As we enter this series “Elevate to the Next Level,” which we began the other week with “Living in the Holy Spirit,” I want to move into a mini-series within this ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1, Mark 11:24, Romans 10:17, 1 Peter 1:7

Denomination: Foursquare

Summer Of Sin #2 Envy Series

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 20, 2021

Envy is a condition so poisonous that we’re not able to rejoice in the moment and enjoy what we have, but instead, find fault with it and say, “This isn’t good enough.” The root of it is that we don't trust God is caring for us.

Summer of Sin #2. ENVY Num. 11:4-6 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Ryan Carlson, 16-year-old, was out with friends one night at 8 p.m. when suddenly he realized it was Father's Day and he had neglected to buy a card for dad. 2. Ryan found an open drug store, but was disappointed to find only ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:4-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

For Ever, O Lord, Thy Word Is Settled

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jun 29, 2021

On this 4th of July, let us reflect what freedom truly is, and where it comes from.

For Ever, O LORD, Thy Word is Settled Psalm 119:89-96 Some of you have noticed that I read this text from a very old Bible. I found it among my grandmother’s possessions after her death. It is the First Revision of the King James Bible which was done in 1762. As the King James Bible was revised ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:89-96, Hebrews 13:5, Lamentations 3:20-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible