Sermons on Close Encounter:

From Praise To Power

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Nov 13, 2009

This message involves taking individual responsibility for our own praise and worship of God. Worship is to be involvement not entertainment.

From Praise To Power November 15 Psalm 47:1-9 Acts 16:16-34 Suppose for a moment that you won tickets to a luncheon after the Cavs had beaten the Lakers in a playoff game in 2010. If at the luncheon Shaq stood up and said, “stand to you feet and let’s give it up for LeBron and the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Wholehearted Servanthood Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Nov 14, 2009

In today’s lesson we see five important motivations for wholehearted servanthood.

Scripture Two weeks ago I began a four-week series of messages titled, Wholehearted Generosity. Wholehearted generosity refers to a person who is completely and sincerely and authentically generous. Wholehearted generosity begins with wholehearted commitment, which was the topic of the first ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:4-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Claims Of Christ: Jesus Is God In Power Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 16, 2009

As part of our ongoing study in the book of John, we are spending several messages examining some of the claims of Christ. In each of these messages we are seeing different ways that Jesus claims to be God. Today we will see Christ’s claim that He is Go

Do you ever get frustrated? Do you ever look around at the things that go on at work and get frustrated? Or maybe things at school? I know that we all look at things going on in government and get frustrated. And inevitably, when we get frustrated like that, what is one of the first things we ...read more

Scripture: John 5:21

Denomination: Baptist

Glimpse The Glory Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 21, 2009

If we glimpse the glory ahead for every believer, we’ll be able to carry the cross today when times are hard.

Three store owners shared adjacent storefronts in the same building. Times were tough. In hopes of picking up sales, the owner of the shop at one end of the building put a sign over his front entrance that said, YEAR-END CLEARANCE!!! At the other end of the building, another owner responded ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Bear With One Another Series

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 24, 2009

It takes a lot of humility, patience and forgiveness to tolerate each other’s idiosyncrasies and faults, but it is vital for the health and unity of the body of Christ.

Introduction: A. Praise God for the great Friend Day we had last Sunday. 1. I was so encouraged by the number of friends that we had with us. 2. We need to keep in mind that friends are welcome among us every Sunday, so let’s keep inviting and bringing our friends and family with us. B. Today we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"The Seventh Seal" Series

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Nov 24, 2009

As study of the eighth chapter of Revelation

“The Seventh Seal” November 29, 2009 1When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 8:1-13

Denomination: Holiness

Testimony The Prosecutor Cannot Shake

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 26, 2009

We need defining moments in which we must decide for ourselves who our god is. It may require a true friend to push us. But when such a life-decision is made, it will be rock-solid.

How well do you stand up under tough, aggressive questioning? If somebody gets in your face and will not let you go until they get the answers they want, how do you feel? What do you do? I can tell you what I do. I look for the back door. I look for a way out. I want to avoid the questions. I ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

God Wants Us To Know The Power Of His Resurrection Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Nov 28, 2009

God’s resurrection power is: 1. available (vs.13-14). 2. invaluable (vs. 15-16). 3. knowable (vs.16-20). 3. unstoppable (vs. 19-21).

God Wants Us to Know the Power of His Resurrection Ephesians 1:13-23 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - May 19, 2013 (Revised from sermon preached at McClendon Baptist Church - Nov. 1, 2009) *I know my wife. Except for the Lord, I know her better than anybody in the world knows her. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

When The Tomb Becomes A Womb

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Nov 28, 2009

For all those who ever felt like giving up, you’re not alone. But instead of giving up it’s time to fire up, there is something new ahead of you.

1 Ki 19 1-18 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Passion Of Self-Gratification Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 30, 2009

God’s wisdom gives peace but the churches to which James wrote were experiencing chronic hostility & sharp confrontations. They fought, coveted, quarreled & condemned others to obtain their desires. They were dominated by self-will

JAMES 4: 1-5 THE PASSION OF SELF-GRATIFICATION [Romans 7:14-25] Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy wrote of a man who was dominated by the driving desire for self-gratification. To possess land was his highest pleasure. Someone promised him that he could own all of the land he could walk around ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Manger Matters!

Contributed by Bradley Kellum on Dec 2, 2009

How relevant could a baby born 2000 years ago really be to us in the 21st century? Does Jesus’ birth really impact me today? If so, how? Answer the questions your audience is asking by preaching this sermon.

Introduction You may have heard of what happened to a Christian church in Denver, Colorado last week. According to the Denver Post, George Morrison, who pastors the 4,000 member FAITH BIBLE CHAPEL was inspired to propose a float last spring after he attended last year’s parade and didn’t see ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Overpowering The Evil Prince

Contributed by Adeolu Akin-Abraham on Dec 2, 2009

God is not immediately and directly in charge of our lives! Surprised? Well, that’s the truth! There are constituted authorities in heavenly places assigned by God with the responsibility of overseeing our affairs. Unfortunately, these authorities and pow

“I’ve stopped praying, Pastor. I’ve prayed and prayed, had deliverance, and nothing has changed! What use are all these prayers? My husband is still bent on marrying his strange woman! I’m now ready to divorce him” A middle aged woman in my church, said to me on the phone. “Don’t give up now, my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 82:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Fruit Of The Spirit "Self Control" Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Dec 4, 2009

Not only does self-control mean saying no to yourself, it also means doing what has to be done.

Tomorrow is Labour day. Interesting isn’t it that Labour Day is a celebration of work yet we get the day off. Wouldn’t it make more sense for us to go work for free to celebrate the fact that we get to work? Anyway I’m not going to talk about Labour Day today, we’ll touch on work more next week, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Lest We Forget Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Dec 4, 2009

Sin. Does the word make you squirm in your seat a little? What is the first thought that goes through your mind when I stand up here and start talking about it?

Sin. Does the word make you squirm in your seat a little? What is the first thought that goes through your mind when I stand up here and start talking about it? “Oh no, here comes a fire and brimstone sermon.” Is anyone offended if I stand up here and call you all a bunch of sinners? Of course I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:1-28

Elizabeth’s Song Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Dec 7, 2009

The central characters in the Christmas story almost instantly responded to the events surrounding the birth of Jesus with songs.

The Songs of Christmas Sermon # 1 “Elizabeth’s Song” Luke 1:39-45 This morning we very deliberately began to sing the songs of Christmas. For many it doesn’t seem like the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Baptist